Topic: New Super Mario Bros. Mii Preview

[Webmalfunction]

Yeah, we saw that level select screen too.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/30415

During the Nintendo Direct Pre-E3 showing, behind the new, exciting console news, some brief shots of what looks like a more complete version of New Super Mario Bros. Mii were shown. We don't know whether they'll keep the name of last year's tech demo, but the game is certainly the Wii U iteration of New Super Mario Bros.

Now, assuming these screens were from the real game, we have been given a lot more information than initially apparent. There was one quick showing of in-game footage, which looks like a more detailed version of what we've seen already, but as some of you have noticed, a world map for the game was also shown.

From the footage of the actual game being played, we have a few things revealed, confirmed, and reconfirmed. Star coins are obviously making a return, and after Mario loses a life, Bowser's face appears, suggesting—as is the case with almost every other Mario game—the Koopa king is bound to return. Also, we see a castle in the background, likely Peach's, suggesting we are in the first world, as well as some slanted pipes reminiscent of Super Mario World. There's also a looming, slanted mountain structure present during the stage, which also shows up on the map screen.

Now, onto the fun stuff. In the level select screen (which bears some resemblance to that of Super Mario World) we see the standard New Super Mario Bros. fare: Toad Houses, 1-Up Houses, stage spots, and what have you. The interesting part comes in the statements made by Miis on the level select screen. A male Mii named Thomas says, "OK, being a flying squirrel is WAY more fun than it should be!"

At first glance, this sounds like confirmation of the Tanooki suit, though the use of the word squirrel may suggest a new power up with wings like that of a flying squirrel, especially when you consider the likelihood of Nintendo having a Mii on promotional material getting the suit mistaken with something else.

The next interesting thing happens with a Mii named Michael. He says, "A baby Yoshi that balloons up to carry you? Too cute!" 

Again, this person uses proper capitalization and is on promotional material, which makes two things clear. The first is that Yoshi's are likely returning to the new game; the second is that there are new types of Yoshis, including baby ones that can balloon up (perhaps like in Super Mario Galaxy 2) and likely carry the player to new locations (maybe over large gaps).

There is one more Mii statement, and although doesn't look like anying special, it may have confirmed a suspicion about the system many of us have long had. This Mii, named Catherine, says "Nice! I finally did it, and I did it under 100 seconds! I RULE!", but above that, it says in a gold box, "Cleared in under 100 seconds!" 

This could hint toward the existence of an achievement system of some kind. And if you notice, this isn't a regular level either. Under the text, you'll see the bottom of what is clearly a castle of some kind, likely housing a mid-boss.

Lastly, in between levels at the top, we can see pipes with flowers on the top. Could these represent special underground levels? Could they be connected in the same fashion as Super Mario Bros. 3? At the very least, we may have to wait until Nintendo's E3 press conference to find out.

[Manthony Chopkins]

I like the improved details in the background, it makes the game more visually pleasing.

[DonnyKD]

Here's hoping for online multiplayer via Miiverse.

[Caterkiller]

Those back grounds make a world of difference don't they? I swear Nintendo has been reading our forums...

Now I am genuinely excited for this game. Hopefully it is actually a flying squirrel suit and not a tanooki or racoon like the 3DS version. I'd love some new flight mechanics like SMW, though that might get too complicated with too many people on screen, but at least something more than the propeller hat. 

[red14]

Can I say as a normal consumer that I didn't find out anything that I actually wanted to know about the Wii U? Cuz I didn't.

[MegaByte]

Hopefully it is actually a flying squirrel suit and not a tanooki or racoon like the 3DS version. I'd love some new flight mechanics like SMW

Flying squirrel sounds like it could be the cape mechanic.

[Kairon]

Can I say as a normal consumer that I didn't find out anything that I actually wanted to know about the Wii U? Cuz I didn't.

That's fair. Usually Nintendo Direct is used to talk about games that are releasing shortly, but in this case they seem to have used it to get some Wii U re-introduction and minor announcements out of the way before the big E3 Press Conference. The hope is that this means they have plenty of time to show actual games at E3.

[Retro Deckades]

I agree, those backgrounds look terrific. A more Super Mario World-esque map would go a long way, too, but I am not yet entirely convinced that that is what I am seeing here. Either way, I am far more interested in this game now than I was last year. Can't wait to see what else is revealed on Tuesday.

[ThomasO]

What struck me is that the backgrounds don't appear (at least in the video) to be fully rendered backgrounds like in NSMBW. I was strongly reminded of older platform games (especially Yoshi's Island) that had parallax scrolling using layers of 2D images. There's definitely some Mario World influence in that background (with the sloped mountains) and it looks gorgeous.

[Pixelated Pixies]

I have to say, despite my scepticism, this is shaping up to be a more interesting Mario game than I had originally presumed. I'm digging the cool background, and should the overworld map be akin to Super Mario World that would be pretty great.

[oksoda]

Super Mario World featured baby Yoshis that needed to be fed before they would turn into adult Yoshis. If anything, I think that statement on the World Map might hint toward the return of that type of mechanic. Though, I'm not sure about the whole balloon thing.

Color me pumped. Super Mario World is the best in 2D Mario, so a game more inspired by it rather than the NES Mario games is great. I want to see two different types of multiplayer in this: NSMBW style co-op play and traditional take-turn co-op. That would be rad.

[Mataata]

I'm really more interested in that painted background. Beautiful!

[Ian Sane]

Looks great, except for the part where each level is going to have some speech bubble insulting the player or spoiling each detail of the game.  Iwata mentions the concern about spoilers but indicating that there's a baby Yoshi in a level I have not played yet IS a spoiler!  What the **** else is a spoiler in a Mario game?  Spoiler: Mario rescues the Princess from Bowser at the end.

The game looks much, much less generic and boring this time around though.  You can make a great 2D Mario game that will have universal appeal that is creative and interesting at the same time.  Super Mario Bros. was not generic at all.  It was a revolutionary game when it came out and that's why it sold well.  It only feels generic in retrospect because everyone copied its formula.

[Stogi]

Looks great, except for the part where each level is going to have some speech bubble insulting the player or spoiling each detail of the game.  Iwata mentions the concern about spoilers but indicating that there's a baby Yoshi in a level I have not played yet IS a spoiler!

And how do you know that? Maybe the player already beat that level.

If you are talking about Yoshi being spoiled to you then don't click on the preview.

[Mop it up]

I have to say, this game is looking better than I thought it would turn out. Looking forward to hearing more about it once the show starts.

[KeyBilly]

Flying squirrel sounds like Pilot Wings.  It could be levels that start at the top and have Mario falling the entire time, using his suit to slow down or speed up as needed.

[AV]

ok i did this quick photoshop