New Super Mario Bros. U Review

Mario the Plumber: Our Hero!

I recently bought a used copy of New Super Mario Bros. U for the Nintendo Wii U, and have played it extensively since my purchase. Mario Bros. U is an action filled platforming game, which tasks the player with leaping from platform to platform, without falling to your death or being killed by enemies. As usual, Mario still has a cartoon-like art style, even after almost 30 years of games (Mario Bros. turns 30 on July 14). Likewise, the core gameplay mechanics are still the same as the first Super Mario Bros. game, which was released in 1983. The biggest differences in this new iteration, are the crisp HD graphics, addictive challenge mode, and hectic multiplayer modes.

First up is the story mode. As in almost every other Mario game, Princess Peach is kidnapped by the evil Bowser, an evil turtle-dinosaur combination. It is then up to Mario, a plumber in a red suit, to save her. In order to get to Bowser’s castle, Mario must traverse different lands within the Mushroom Kingdom. Some of these locations include: The Soda Jungle, Acorn Woods, and Layer Cake Desert. In all there are 8 different locations, each containing unique enemies. In the first stage, the player is introduced to the flying squirrel suit, a suit which allows Mario to glide like a flying squirrel. Other suits include: the ice suit (allows Mario to throw ice at opponents), the fire suit (allows Mario to throw fire balls), and the penguin suit (allows Mario to slide like a penguin). Along your path to Bowser’s castle, you will run into  a series of bosses, large enemies who posses unique powers. These can be tricky to beat, and you will have to start over at a checkpoint many times.

In all, this mode will take around 20 hours to beat, but this greatly depends on your experience. First-time Mario players may encounter numerous spots where they become stuck on a level, and cannot continue onward. Experienced players, on the other hand, will find the adventure very reminiscent of past games, and may beat it in under 5 hours on their first try.

Goomba: Common enemy in all of the games.

Bowser

Princess Peach

Koopa: Another enemy

NEW Enemy: Flying Squirrel

Mario in his new Squirrel Suit

Van Gogh’s: Starry Night

Painted Swamplands: Level based on Starry NIght

Notice how the touch screen is implemented in boost mode.

The HD graphics are also worth mentioning, as they greatly enhance the experience, and definitely add to the cartoon feel. Even though the game looks extremely cartoony, the HD visuals provide a much needed coat of paint  on the game. One level in the game is based around Vincent Van Gogh’s painting, Starry Night. This level is especially beautiful, and is a very touching tribute to the famous artist.

Lastly, I will mention the challenge and boost modes. Challenge mode simply tasks the player with a certain objective and then times you as you try to accomplish it. Most challenges task you with running to the finish in a certain amount of time, but others objectives may be more creative, such as collecting  a certain amount of coins. Boost mode (or multiplayer mode) utilizes the Wii U gamepad in a very interesting way. Player 1 will use the touchscreen on the gamepad to place platforms, while Player 2 uses them to complete a level. This interesting mode is my favorite way to play, as it quickly becomes very hectic, and requires some skill to play. During boost mode,  some places would be impossible reach without help from the Wii U gamepad player.

It should also be mentioned that the entire single player story can be played with a friend, who controls Luigi, Mario’s brother.

In all, I rate New Super Mario Bros. U an 9.7/10, my main gripe being the price. Had I payed the full $60 price of a new game, I think I probably would have to return the game, as it just lacks the content that $60 should get you. I think that any price over $45 is too much for this game. With that being said, however, it is a great game, and definitely the best 2D platformer on any console.