Topic: New Super Mario Bros. U Impressions

[Patchkid15]

It's New Super Mario Bros, but with some added features. 

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressions/30567

The New Super Mario Bros. franchise evolved when it made the leap from the Nintendo DS to the Nintendo Wii. New Super Mario Bros. U once again takes the franchise and changes some aspects, but retains the basic formula. Cooperative play used the Wii U GamePad in an intelligent way while playing single player was equally enjoyable.

I started out by demoing the game using the GamePad controller. The video streamed seamlessly on both the GamePad and the TV screen, so I could easily switch between both video feeds. The controller felt nice in my hand, but I was forced to use the D-pad; there was no option to use the analog stick. I feel that placing my thumb on the analog stick is more natural, so stretching down to the D-pad feels a little out of place. It's nothing huge, but the game would be more comfortable to play using the Wii Remote.

The gameplay itself wasn't terribly challenging. The first level featured a flying squirrel suit that allowed me to float around the stage. This made traversing the course much easier, and in a level as simple as the one being shown, there was no real difficulty. I believe it is best compared to the Tanooki suit from Super Mario 3D Land, in the sense that it makes platforming challenges much easier.

In the second level, a baby Yoshi was introduced. This Yoshi could inflate itself up like a balloon and carry your character over gaps, and into the air to reach coins. It was fun to once again use a baby Yoshi, and this short sampling has left me looking forward to the other colors/abilities. I did ask whether baby Yoshi could turn into adult Yoshi after eating so many enemies, and was told that Nintendo hasn't said anything about it “yet”.

The last level featured some different platforming challenges, including a great number of spinning stars. There certainly wasn't anything wrong with the level, but nothing stood out to me as brand new. I love Mario platformers, and this was no different. The platforming was fun to work through, the music matched the levels, and the game had enough new features to engage me.

I was also given the opportunity to try out a new mode made available through the use of the Wii U Gamepad, Boost mode. In Boost mode, I was able to create blocks on the field to assist the player. I helped Mario reach the coins that were just out of reach, and other points of difficult access. It's a really simple gameplay element, but one that is novel and a decent amount of fun. I feel that placing blocks could get old after awhile, but not knowing what else awaits later in the game, it is hard to determine how in-depth this type of gameplay could get.

New Super Mario Bros. U appears like it will have plenty of content, and what I was able to play was enjoyable. 2D-Sidescrolling Mario, is almost always a pleasant experience, and this entry in the series is no different. I am looking forward to seeing what else this game has to offer. It is currently scheduled to release this holiday season, so hopefully there will be plenty more to check out about New Super Mario Bros. U.

[famicomplicated]

I hope you don't have to grab+shake if you're using the GamePad, I hated that part of NSMBW controls, but I guess they had to do it because they only had 2 buttons.


On Wii U, no such problem exists. I want run, jump and grab all to be on buttons!

[Adrock]

Is this game compatiable with the Pro Controller?

[Thaneros]

The nameless Toads again, why?! If they are to become characters in the Mario universe they should at least make them look different than normal toads and give them names.

[Adrock]

I thought they were named Ala-Gold and Bucken-berry or something. Were those unofficial?

Another missed opportunity with those characters. They could have just been Toad and Toadette. I would have preferred Daisy and Wario.

[Pixelated Pixies]

People are probably sick of hearing me say this, but ever since I saw the leaked photo of the Wii U gamepad a few weeks ago I've been saying that the position of the D-Pad looks like a bit of a stretch. I don't understand why they didn't just move it further left. Without having held it myself it's hard to say, but it seems to me like there's too much distance between where your left hand would naturally rest and where the D-Pad has been put. For me, playing a 2D platformer with an analogue stick is a no-no, but hopefully for those who would prefer it it can be included as an option.