I looked up the term “New” in the dictionary the other day and it threw up the following: “of recent origin”, “existing for the first time” and “unfamiliar or strange”. Now, I don’t know about you but I personally would use none of those descriptions to label a 21st century release of a 2D Mario platform game. So whilst the title can probably be thrown under a bus for abusing the Trade Descriptions Act, what’s worth knowing is whether or not New Super Mario Bros U is worth your time; and more importantly, how it utilizes your shiny (read: fingerprint-stained) new Wii U controller and technology to help it stand apart from the myriad of 2D Mario platformers that we’ve been enjoying since 1985.
The story – for what it is – is fairly standard Mario fare. Bowser, in another attempt to feed his addiction of fruit-named, pink-dressed royals, with 80’s bouffant hair, captures the Princess for the umpteenth time and chucks Mario and friends over the Mushroom Kingdom into a conveniently placed Acorn Tree, spraying hundreds of new –previously undiscovered- power-ups across the land. It’s then up to Mario (and friends) to save the day, because let’s be honest: a full time job and an honest wage would be too good for our plumber.
The game itself can be played in two main ways. The first is the single player option. Here, players play using the Wii U controller to move Mario across the levels. One of the benefits of the single player, is that the display on the Wii U controller is the same as the TV, and that you don’t actually need the TV on to play. As long as the Wii U is plugged in, and switched on, you can play solely from the gamepad. Meaning if the missus wants to watch Coronation Street, (or in my case I can’t tear her off of Skyrim) then fear not; you can do both at the same time.
For multiplayer games, up to 4 people can use Wiimotes (they don’t need WiiMotion Plus for this game) and hold them sideways, using the d-pad and 1 & 2 buttons to run and jump through the levels. The first Wiimote player has to play as Mario – I assume because without him, the title of this game would begin to get really ropey – with additional players able to pick between Luigi and two non-descript toads. It is then the job of an additional player using the Wii U controller to lay different colored blocks anywhere in the level to help or hinder the other players. They can also tap enemies to stun them.
Now I’ll be honest; on the face of it, it sounds like the person holding the Wii U controller really does get the short end of the stick, but I can safely say from experience that really isn’t the case. The reason it works is because it’s a local multiplayer game, and the people you are helping (or not) are sitting right next to you. There’s a real sense of camaraderie to be had on placing some blocks that stop your friend from dying, or help them reach a coin or power up. And on the flipside, there is nothing funnier than placing an awkward block that they jump into and fall to their death. If you were playing online with someone, this would be no fun at all, but seeing their faces and reactions, just add to the fun, tenfold. Also this support mechanic makes a game that can ramp up the difficulty later on more accessible to newer players. A Mario veteran can help a newcomer by bridging difficult gaps and supporting them through the levels, meaning everyone can enjoy the game on offer at their pace.
The world of New Super Mario Bros U pays more than a nod to Super Mario World, in that it is comprised of one huge overworld, segmented into different sections. True to said predecessor, there’s also more than one way to exit certain levels which will unlock hidden paths. But as well as that it’s not just the expected castles, ghost houses, and mushroom houses that you will find on the map. Power-ups, baby Yoshi (more later), as well as enemies moving around the levels, mean it’s not just your standard affair of clearing one level after another. There’s a level of depth here that shows the care and attention prevalent in most Nintendo titles.
The world map also has adopted the Miiverse application by allowing you to post messages to fellow players if you clear a level with a certain degree of ability (like without taking damage, or by earning all 3 Star Coins on a level). You can also turn on messages from others that will appear on the overworld and can set whether or not you want to view messages that may contain spoilers – a handy addition for those not wanting anything spoiled by others but still want to feel part of the social network.
So how does it play? Well as you would expect from a 2D Mario game, the control of our favorite Italian plumber is just right. All jumps, wall kicks and spins feel as controllable as they always have in these games. The learning curve is also very well managed. The challenge gets steeper but at a rate you don’t really notice until you revisit older levels for a re-play. Also, should you find that a particular level is a bit too tricky for you, there’s always the option to use the Super Guide, where your character is taken control of and the level is finished for you. This is certainly a nice addition for less-experienced players.
Naturally, the only reason I’m letting you know about it is because I want to provide a complete review – and not because I failed a level so many times it appeared. Ahem.
So how’s Mario going to traverse this world and stop the evil Bowser? Aside from the normal power-ups you would expect in the shape of mushrooms, fire flowers, ice flowers and stars, there are a couple of new power-ups for you to try – the most notable being the Super Acorn, allowing Mario to turn into a flying squirrel and float through levels with precision. Another major addition is that of baby Yoshis of various colours – each with their own cute abilities. The pink Yoshi will blow up like a balloon and allow Mario to float up into the sky without the need of a power up. The blue Yoshi will blow bubbles to trap enemies, and the yellow Yoshi will light up dark areas for our plumber. Also, our regular fully grown green Yoshi makes an appearance in certain levels. These mini Yoshis will stay with Mario (assuming he doesn’t lose a life) after the level is completed. Unfortunately, the adult Yoshi is level-specific.
Another plus point is the absolutely gorgeous HD graphics – something a 2D Mario game has been in desperate need of for a generation. I’m pleased to say that Nintendo has taken the leap with a certain level of aplomb. The levels themselves look crisp, clean and colorful and on occasion verge on the absolutely stunning. Some of the night-time snow levels, for example, look absolutely sublime. And the detail of the enemies and items all look first-rate, despite the fact that there’s frequently a lot going on at any one point in time.
I do have a couple of niggles with the game if I’m honest, but they’re small. Firstly, it’s frustrating that you can only save after completing certain levels - if you want to quit, you risk losing your progress since the last castle, or have to force yourself to complete the levels up to the next one. Annoyingly you can’t trick the game like you could on Super Mario World and quit a castle you’ve already completed and still have the option to save. Believe me, I’ve tried. It seems Nintendo’s designers have finally cottoned on to my trickery after 20 years.
Also, I really don’t understand the point in limited lives in this day and age. By World 3 I was sitting pretty on 30+ lives, making them feel pretty redundant. Hope that someday Nintendo learns that this mechanic is just not needed in a game like this anymore.
There’s something wildly fitting about New Super Mario Bros U’s key new power up – the Super Acorn. Whilst in itself it is a brand new power up with brand new potential, it also harks back to its roots. Sure it looks different – a sort of acorn-mushroom hybrid – and Mario and friends look different when they use it; but essentially it’s the same as the Feather Cape or Raccoon Leaf from bygone games. But that’s OK. Nintendo has taken probably the best two items in 2D Mario platforming, and made them into something relevant again.
When you think about it, that’s exactly what Nintendo has done with this game as a whole. Nintendo EAD has taken the best bits of Mario’s previous 2D adventures, and with them created a game with enough polish, charm, replayability and downright fun that you won’t want to put it down.
Sure, New Super Mario Bros. U is not the triple-A 3D Mario we all hoped for, but what it is, is one of the best examples of a 2D Mario platformer ever created - with enough going on to make it feel as familiar as it always has, but different enough to keep you coming back for more.
