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That’s a nice way to let people with almost zero hand-eye coordination participate, but anyone who really wants to play the game will feel like their mother just sat them down at the kids’ table. The WiiPad comes in for Boost mode only, allowing a fifth player to stun enemies with a tap or conjure blocks anywhere for the others to bounce on. Hopefully, you didn’t trade them all in at GameStop already. Mario U only supports co-op with the old-school Wiimote controllers, which aren’t included with any Wii U bundle. The multiplayer game does have something of a downside. With so much happening onscreen at once, it can get a bit confusing, but rampaging through the Mushroom Kingdom as a four-man pack remains consistently entertaining. Wii return largely unchanged and serve up just as much entertaining chaos as before. The four-player modes (both co-op and versus) from New Super Mario Bros. Mario U doesn’t have “party” in the title, but yep … it’s a party game. Despite the repetition, the breaks in flow tend to feel refreshing more than anything. The latter, though generally lucrative, get old almost from the very first time you see them. They play fast, and they’re maddeningly addictive.Ĭhallenge rooms and Toad House minigames also appear in the campaign’s hub world - you can avoid or engage either if your timing’s right - to help you stock up on power-ups. This gives you a quick task to accomplish, like dodging fireballs for as long as you can or gliding to the finish line without touching the ground. Coin hunts and stomp-happy 1-Up Rallies will give you quite a workout, but I found myself drifting towards the Special category. Money-grabbing Coin Battles return from New Super Mario Bros. Time Trials better suited my Sonic the Hedgehog-like need for speed. I wanted to go faster than that mode does. Meanwhile, Boost Rush modes put you in non-stop race where tagging coins accelerates the pace. Catching him nets you a special one-time-only Squirrel Suit that allows unlimited flight. My favorite might be the Nabbit, a purple, rabbity thief who leads you on high-speed chase through a completed levels. In short, speed runners should prepare for heaven. If you’re not too busy slamming Koopalings and avoiding Chain Chomps, Mario has a few other tasks on his plate both inside and outside the main game.
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The design work behind Mario U is that strong. That’s confidence the game gave me some freedom but didn’t hand me a blank check. And just like before, I got quite a laugh out of using abilities not otherwise available in a particular level, like gliding over a forest of Piranha Plants until a wall dropped me to the ground. Wii) and equip one before you begin a level for a nice head start. You can also collect and store up to 10 power-ups out in the hub world (scaled way back from New Super Mario Bros. They’re annoying to carry (you must keep the Y button pressed down, which makes timed jumps trickier than usual) and easy to lose but very useful when you’ve got a ground game littered with edible pests. Baby Yoshis make a long-delayed comeback, munching baddies and spewing bubbles on command. The flying squirrel suit gives you serious hang-time, and that’s invaluable in worlds with lots of wide gaps and sheer drops. Only one new power-up makes it into your arsenal, but it’s a good one. Think you’re clever? Mario U already thought two steps ahead of you and planned accordingly.
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The series’ haunted levels usually annoy me, but Mario U’s won me over with a smart mix of shrouded rooms, brilliant visuals (one particular favorite features moving Van Gogh backgrounds), pseudo-dead ends, and “not so fast!” rickrolling. Nothing falls under the statutes of torture, but right around World 3, the challenges start pushing hard, and it feels good (the play-it-for-you Super Guide also returns if you get seriously stuck). Mario U does have a few family-friendly leanings, but make no mistake, this thumb destroyer won’t take it easy on you. Mario U doesn’t deviate from that formula … or any other.Ĭore to that equation: sterling level design. They revel in the simple act of play - right down to the springy buzz of jumps and dance interludes. What You’ll Likeįor sheer, unbridled joy, it’s tough to beat a Mario game. Nintendo’s new Wii U console got its Mario game at launch, but “new”? Really? Because More Super Mario Bros.