New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Switch) review "Silly name, fair game."

n what is now a grand tradition, the New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe carries on the happy-go-lucky run-and-jump mechanics that has enthralled millions. For this review, it shall be henceforth referred to as Deluxe. Most of us have grown up with the landmark platforming that is the Bros' signature and the genre it helped to cement. The question remains: have they executed brilliantly or tripped over their own feet?

The answer isn’t so clear this time. This is a sequel to New Super Mario Bros Wii, ported to the Nintendo Switch. It is not a remaster or remake. Why go through all the hassle? I was weaned on the ultra-tight physics of even older titles, and I’ll say right now, this is not nearly as satisfying. Let’s have a quick rundown of the mechanics before we get into my gripes with this title.

Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Toadette, who are recent additions to the franchise, are off on another adventure after a celebration with Princess Peach, who has been spoiled by her capture. King Bowser is at it again, and in the process, your party is literally tossed out along with a host of new powerups. Nintendo has a knack for presenting fundamental mechanics entertainingly to children and parents alike. Your task is to return to the Princess’ castle and oust the would-be King of Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser.



Deluxe has a two-point-something side view of the world, true to its origins and has never looked better. This is true 1080p HD, upscaled from the Wii U’s “measly” 720p. It makes a difference, especially on large panel screens, such as your television. Compared to its pixel art predecessors, there is a rounded flavour to its style, minimizing texture use and keeping load times down. So, the aesthetics are in place, but what about the rest of it?

Musically, this game is as catchy as ever, memorable and pleasant in spite of its short length. Unlike the Wii prequel, the Overworld theme is the same, note for note, but clever use of different instrumentation and timing serves the needed tone suited to each zone. So, what about the player experience?

Oh boy. You’re going to notice that Mario and pals are slippery and sometimes fail to jump when told. This may be a product of its Wii U heritage: the wireless features were based on the imperfect Wii software and hardware. There are moderate improvements, such as the ability to execute spin jumps with a button press instead of a controller shake. Don’t worry, though; there are more annoyances to get used to.



One of these is multiplayer. Four bumpkins can join the fun in a single level with all that may entail. Cooperation is beside the point initially, but Nintendo has provided some concessions for potentially chaotic gameplay. Lives are not shared, and you have not lost until all the players are off-screen or bubbled. When players rejoin the fray in a bubble after they have died, they must be popped by your cohort(s). As you start with no powerup, a mushroom will follow with the intent of giving you a boost. How that works out depends on your allies or frenemies. Bubbling can be triggered voluntarily, which is useful when everyone else is a straggler.



To the level designer’s credit, every single level can be beaten with four players, but my wife and I found two more comfortable. Cooperation requires good communication, encouragement and a sense of humour. When we started, I was more proficient with my years of hard-won reflexes, but sometimes I’m the one who dies more often, and she carries us to the flag. Our perseverance has paid off, and we are equally matched. Multiplayer is a delicate balancing act that Nintendo has gotten right, but what else would we expect?

Speaking of delicate, both Toadette and Nabbit change up the mechanics rather a lot. Toadette can wear the much meme’d Princess Crown and become a Princess, granting her the ability to double jump and float in addition to running faster and being more responsive. See, that’s the trick: Mario and Luigi were given controls sloppier on purpose to make the upgrade to Princess Toadette and Nabbit worthwhile. It is a not-uncommon trick that feels a little dirty. Nabbit, meanwhile, is completely invulnerable to most damage but can still fall into pits or be crushed, so watch for that. Adding slack to characters with established physics seems unethical to me. Isn’t that odd?



The story is the same fare as prior games, if harmless and the slightest bit challenging. There are, of course, red and green coins that require extra skill to collect, and while we are on the subject: Luigi U! During the Year of Luigi, the original release of this game saw DLC as a speed run mode of the entire game! Every level is modified to be run in exactly 100 seconds or less. It is no mean feat to achieve, though I’ve never been a fan of these game modes. If you want it, it is there, along with the rather-more-difficult-than-average Rainbow Road levels to unlock rare powerups.

Nintendo Switch players are spoiled for choice of access to all the previous Mario Bros titles on one system if you have Nintendo Online. They are pixel-perfect and portable, so why not? As for this release, it is a good relationship builder if you choose to muster adequate patience. It is a nice way to relax now and then, and I’m glad we bought it.

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Community review by hastypixels (August 12, 2022) Wisdom comes from effort and mistakes.