Review: New Super Mario Bros. U

New Super Mario Bros. U. was released as a launch title for the Nintendo Wii U.  The game continues the newly-revived side-scrolling series with new power-ups, enemies and levels. Picking up where its predecessor left off, the game features all new levels for up to 4 players to simultaneously make their way through 8 worlds in order to once again, rescue Princess Peach. The game is the 4th installment of the New Super Mario Bros. series and the second one released on a console.

Story and Gameplay (10/10)

The gameplay of all linear Mario games is a tried and true scheme that has held up over the years. Bowser is after the Princess once again, only this time he takes her hostage in her own castle while casting out Mario and Co. The object of the game is no different from traditional Mario side-scrollers. Mario and the gang must make it to the end of the level before the time limit while running and jumping over platforms and facing enemies along the way.

Mario starts his journey in Acorn Plains and must travel through 8 worlds in total to return to Peach’s Castle and take on Bowser. The game feels deeply inspired from hit titles such as Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) and Super Mario World (SNES). The Koopalings again act as the bosses of each world's final level, while fortresses are guarded by an orange spikey koopa. These were first seen in SMB3.

Influences from Super Mario World are more prominent in this game. Rather than focusing on one world at a time, the level select screen has a seamless map showing all of the levels and how the worlds connect.  Through many secret exits, one can unlock many different routes that connect the worlds in unexpected ways making the game a lot less linear if the player so chooses. The game also brings back baby Yoshi's that can lend their powers to the players depending on their color.

The game has a total of 9 power-ups and a total of 10 can be held in inventory. The new featured power-up, the Super Acorn, transforms the character into a “Flying Squirrel” form which allows the user to glide through levels.

The game also features a "Challenge Mode" which drops the player into a level with an objective. These range from completing a level with a short time limit to reaching the goal without touching the ground.

Controls (9/10)

New Super Mario Bros. U offers support for 3 different controllers – The Wiimote, the GamePad, and the Wii U Pro Controller. The game can be played solo on the Wii U Game Pad and supports off-TV mode. Co-op is played using any combination of Wiimotes or Pro controllers for up to 4 players. The layout of Wiimote buttons give the feeling of playing this game on an NES controller which has always worked well for a Mario platformer.

In multiplayer co-op, the Game Pad can be used by an additional 5th player to stun enemies and spawn temporary platforms to aid others by using its touch screen. This is referred to as "Boost Mode" and can also be used as a second screen if too many people are crowding the TV. It is worth noting that regardless of the number of players, the GamePad can only control a character in 1 player mode therefore it cannot be used to control a character in multiplayer; it will always be the "Boost Mode" controller which is a let down.

Graphics (9/10)

NSMBU is Mario’s first adventure rendered in full HD (When played through an HDMI cable). The game looks sharp and polished and does a pretty good job considering the game is a 2D sidescroller with 3D models. Each level is full of color and the landscape has a lot of detail The levels are fresh and creative and everything can be seen even if the screen is zoomed all the way out. The game looks just as good on the GamePad as it does on the TV, save for the minor change in resolution.

Sound (8/10)

One thing that stands out about the New Super Mario Bros. series is that there is a similarity of music style across each game, unlike in other Mario series. And although like any Mario game the music is good, it sounds almost too similar to that of New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Save for some retro inspired remixes, most of the level themes seem to be copied over from the last game with only slight alterations to melodies. The voicing on the other hand, while minimal is very clear and properly executed.

New Super Luigi U Expansion (10/10)

The expansion to this game puts Luigi in the driver's seat as Mario is totally absent from New Super Luigi U. Available as DLC or in some retail stores as a stand-alone disc, the game features completely redesigned levels all with the goal of making the game much more difficult. Many of the stages start off at 100 seconds with the "Hurry Up" sound ringing the moment the level begins. Moving platforms, long gaps, and more enemies make the game challenging and the addition of many references will delight any seasoned Mario fan.

Cooperative Play (8/10)

The Co-Op multiplayer can be as chaotic as it is fun; as long as those playing don't mind losing a copious amount of lives in the fray. I have found that playing with 2 players, either 1 as Mario and the second using the GamePad to manipulate the levels or both controlling characters is the easiest way to complete the game allowing for the benefits of Co-Op without the chaos of four characters all trying to jump for the same platform.

Rating: