The Mini New Super Mario Bros. U Review

When New Super Mario Bros. Wii released in 2009 I was excited to be able to play a new Mario game with up to 3 others and I thought it could be THE game to play with friends. However, the it proved too hard for any casual players and today I find myself coming back to the Wii with friends to play games such as Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Bros. Brawl instead. Sure, the game wasn't in any way bad, but it was easily trumped by single player experiences such as Super Mario Galaxy.

And, while New Super Mario Bros. U has no competition for platformer king yet on the Wii U, it's updated visuals and new suits are just not enough to make me love the game in the same way that Super Mario Galaxy did.

First, the gameplay of New Super Mario Bros. U is identical to that of its predecessors. You run, jump and grab onto enemies, items and whatever else you can think of. It is typical 2D platformer affair, and will appeal to anyone who enjoys this sort of game. Like all Mario games, the platforming is very polished and the level structure seems perfect for playing single player. However, there are many issues to the game's multiplayer. For instance, the game is actually quite difficult, especially for those who don't play often, and it's not the sort of pick up and play game that Nintendo Land is. Furthermore, it is really easy to jump on other's heads, which may seem fun at first but is frustrating when you're jumping over a gap only to have your friend land on your head, pushing you into the gap. This can cost countless lives and makes it really hard just to make it through one level!

There are actually a few different types of Yoshis

However, despite being so similar to other Mario games, there are a few things that make this game worth the purchase. First, there's minor changes such as the ability to play as your Mii and boost rush mode, which lets you help other players using the gamepad's touchscreen. But my favourite change is that this game re-introduces Yoshi, who players can ride on to gain extra jump power and the ability to swallow countless enemies. If you've seen my list of favourite Mario side characters, you'd know that I love Yoshi and that having him in this game is awesome! Also, the squirrel suit, which lets players glide and cling on to walls, is actually quite fun to play with. A whole new game mode is also in this game in the form of challenges, which can range from jumping on as many goombas as possible in a row to Coin Rush games, which means the level automatically moves forward at a speed which increases depending on how many coins you collect. These challenges are great for veteran players and adds longevity to the game.

The amazing squirrel man!

As far as graphics go, New Super Mario Bros. U looks much better than any Mario game previously released thanks to some nice level art (such as a Van Gogh inspired level), the Wii U's graphical power and, of course, HD graphics. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about the game's music, which is smooth and enjoyable, but repetitious, especially considering the how same-ish all the songs are. Mario and friends sound like you'd expect, with plenty of "woo-hoo" and "yippee"to go around. Still, in the game my Mii has an irritating high-pitched voice, similar to an Alvin and the Chipmunks movie.

New Super Mario Bros. U is a game that is simple and fun to play. Excellent level design and new features make it a great addition to the game library of anyone looking to play a platformer on their Wii U. However, if you're looking for a game to play with friends, Nintendo Land is certainly a better option. 

8.5/10