New Super Mario Bros. U
Critic Reviews 83% add missing review
Tech with Kids (Computing with Kids) ( ) (100%)
For the first time, up to five Mario lovers can explore a game together. One player uses the GamePad to provide help and support, including building new platforms in the air for others to jump onto. The other players use the regular Wii remotes to bounce through levels of the Mushroom Kingdom in search of the princess-stealing Bowser.
Dec 8th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewVideo Game Critic, The (A) (100%)
Overall, New Super Mario Bros. U is everything I thought it would be. Yeah - it's that good!
Jan 5th, 2013 · Wii U · read reviewCommon Sense Media ( ) (100%)
New Super Mario Bros. U makes a fine Wii U debut for Nintendo's dungaree-clad superstar. It offers plenty of classic 2D side-scrolling action for players who just want more of what they've always loved in old-school Mario games. Then it sweetens the pot by offering groups of gamers something completely new in Boost mode, which can be used by parents to help struggling kids work through tricky areas or veterans to improve their scores and find hidden treasures. Some friends may even make up their own challenges in Boost mode by attempting to, say, see whether they can use the platforms they conjure to stymie rather than help each other.
2012 · Wii U · read reviewNintendoWorldReport (9.5 out of 10) (95%)
New Super Mario Bros. U is close to the ideal 2D Mario game hinted at by the debut of New Super Mario Bros. seven years ago. It’s a more sincere follow-up to Super Mario World than any previous game, and even if its innovations are muted and on the periphery, this is the evolution the series needed. It’s a simple question, really: Do you like 2D Mario? If so, play this game. It is that damn good.
Nov 21st, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGaming Age (A-) (91%)
It’s certainly a step up in terms of visuals, and looks great both on the big screen and on the Wii U Game Pad. I do, really, really wish the soundtrack could get a bit of a makeover, but outside of that I have little in the way of complaints to level at the game. One glaring omission, on the side of local co-op, is that you can’t use a Game Pad and single Wii U remote to play traditional co-op with, instead it only gives you the option for Boost mode, forcing you to use two Wii remotes if you want to play standard co-op. It seems like a weird thing to force on players, and should really be changed if possible. Besides those two grievances, I definitely think New Super Mario Bros. U is well worth picking up alongside your brand new Wii U system, and makes for a suitably fun and engaging launch day experience.
Nov 26th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewNintendojo (A-) (91%)
All in all, New Super Mario Bros. U is Wii U’s first must-have title, especially if you’re a fan of Mario or platforming games. It’s the culmination of the New Super Mario Bros. sub-series, and perhaps the best 2D Mario title since the SNES era. This is all thanks to how well it strikes a balance between the offering of recognizable mechanics and original ones. It’s also great to finally see Mario enter the HD era, even if he didn’t get the full 1080p treatment. What’s most important here, however, is how charming and right this game feels. The platforming is rock solid, the puzzles are complex yet not infuriatingly difficult, the Challenge Mode is a glorious addition to the tried-and-true formula found in the story mode, and the new features make it very hard to go back to playing any of the other New Super Mario Bros. games. I’m still waiting with bated breath for a rightful sequel to Super Mario Galaxy 2, but in the meantime, I’m very content with playing New Super Mario Bros. U.
Nov 26th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewCo-Optimus (4.5 out of 5) (90%)
One of these days, Nintendo will release a co-op Mario game that delivers on all of the potential inherent in the idea. For now, New Super Mario Bros. U is about as close as they’ve come. Boasting the best 2D Mario action since the SNES days, shiny new HD graphics, and a fun & challenging set of levels to play through, this is an easy recommendation.
Jan 8th, 2013 · Wii U · read reviewImpulse Gamer (9 out of 10) (90%)
In the end New Super Mario Bros U is an extremely fun game on the Wii U which proves classics can still make it in a world of games such as Assassin's Creed and Call of Duty. The visuals look amazing, the gameplay, although quite retro is pure Mario which makes this a must have title for the console.
Feb 2013 · Wii U · read reviewFNintendo (9 out of 10) (90%)
Mantendo uma jogabilidade de excelência, a série New Super Mario Bros continua a ser uma forte aposta no género de plataformas. Apresentando uma boa longevidade e aliado de um multijogador divertido, New Super Mario Bros. U é um título que não irá desiludir, conservando os padrões de qualidade da Nintendo. Pela segunda vez na série, encontra-se totalmente em português e traz o regresso de modos alternativos, que acrescentam ainda mais objectivos aos jogadores que adoram competição.
Dec 11th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGamegravy (9 out of 10) (90%)
Mario is getting old; he’s 30 years old now. It’s hard to keep a 2D world looking fresh and keep it exciting. New Super Mario Bros U shows us that there is still life left in these old games and Nintendo knows how to keep things fresh. They know how to cater modern content and keep the nostalgia alive. Nintendo was able to balance story and challenge all at once. Having multiplayer adds dimension to the game although not necessary, and with Challenge mode you have tons of replay value. This is truly a game that everyone can enjoy and is a new milestone in the Mario world, I highly recommend giving it a play.
Dec 12th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewNintendo Life ( ) (90%)
If you load up New Super Mario Bros. U with the expectation of playing another genre-defying escapade like Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Galaxy, then you’re likely to be disappointed. Mario’s first game for the Wii U plays it safe when it comes to theme and concept; like previous titles in the ‘New’ series, this is essentially a rehash of the blueprint laid down by the very first Super Mario Bros. back in 1985. The mechanics remain the same, but they have been gilded by decades of subtle refinements and enhancements, leading us to what has to be one of the most accomplished 2D platformers ever created. New Super Mario Bros. U may not offer the cataclysmic genre shift that many badly crave, but it’s the gem of the Wii U launch lineup and a must-have purchase.
Nov 29th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewSoftpedia (9 out of 10) (90%)
New Super Mario Bros. U is clearly a must buy for those who have picked up the new Wii U home console from Nintendo and it might also be one of the main reasons to get the new hardware. The game is solid when it comes to core mechanics and as classic as possible without turning off modern gamers, but the Challenges and the Boost Mode also introduce some interesting new ideas to the series. The Coin Battle is also a great way of transitioning gamers from the older Wii to the new gaming platform and will offer hours of fun and might even strain some friendships after intense games. The only big problem with New Super Mario Bros. U is that the game fails to truly evolve the formula of the franchise and might leave long-term fans disappointed.
Dec 18th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewNintendo-Online.de (9 out of 10) (90%)
Nintendo beweist mit „New Super Mario Bros. U“ ,dass des Klempners zweidimensionale Wurzeln auch heute noch richtig gut ankommen. Hierzu bedarf es aber Zutaten wie Innovation, Ideenreichtum, Witz und dem gewissen Flair, die der japanische Traditions-Hersteller zum Wii U-Release nahezu perfekt im Launch-Titel vereinigt. Ein fordernder Abenteuermodus, zig Mehrspieler-Späße und ein über Monate herausfordernder Challenge-Modus lassen uns eine absolute Kaufempfehlung aussprechen.
Nov 29th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGod is a Geek (9 out of 10) (90%)
Harking back to the very best of Mario titles, creating that addiction, that need to progress, this is a wonderful game. Even with the lack of Pro Controller support, it’s impossible not to fall completely and utterly in love with Mario all over again. If you’re grabbing a Wii U soon, then you should also grab New Super Mario Bros. U. But then, you already knew that.
Nov 26th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewWiiDSFrance (9 out of 10) (90%)
Le Roi n’est pas mort, bien au contraire : la Wii U lui permet justement de connaitre une seconde jeunesse. 2D HD qui fait mouche, arrière-plans magnifiques, musiques toujours aussi justes… Pas de doute, Nintendo n’a pas fait les choses à moitié pour ce jeu de lancement. Après un party-game de qualité, voilà un jeu de plateformes tout aussi bon dans sa catégorie, aussi bien en solo qu’en multi. Le principal souci ici concernera le budget : il faudra mettre la main à la poche si 1) vous souhaitez avant tout y jouer en multi et 2) la Wii ne s’est jamais installée dans votre salon. Un premier jeu de plateforme d’excellente facture. Vivement Rayman Legends !
Dec 10th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewHardcore Gamer Magazine (4.5 out of 5) (90%)
New Super Mario Bros. U plays it safe in the right areas while providing enough new things and challenge to make it worth not only playing, but coming back to for series veterans. Featuring tons of platforming fun, it plays wonderfully on both the GamePad and Wii Remote and has the best level design of any New SMB-series game to date. A notable improvement from NSMB 2, it does just the right amount of new things to seem different from past games, while still giving fans what they expect in a Super Mario Bros. title.
Dec 5th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewNew Game Network (89 out of 100) (89%)
New Super Mario Bros U provides a highly enjoyable experience for anyone from seasoned veterans to young players getting their first taste of gaming, earning the franchise the launch title success it hasn't seen in over fifteen years.
Dec 27th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewDigital Chumps (8.8 out of 10) (88%)
In spite of a somewhat lazy presentation, New Super Mario Bros. U manages to captivate with just the right balance of fun, challenge, and variety. Perhaps it doesn’t leverage much of what makes the Wii U different, but via masterful implementation of the basics, it’s the closest thing to SNES Mario that we’ve seen in over 15 years.
Nov 26th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewMag'64 (85 out of 100) (85%)
Spielerisch wird der Spieler von Anfang bis Ende unterhalten. Egal man im Story-Modus agiert, oder seinen Mii in seinen Spielmodi steuert. Bekannte spielerische Elemente, gepaart mit eher kleineren Neuerungen spielen auch hier ihren Reiz aus. Von daher gehöre ich auch nicht zur Fraktion, die dem Titel seine Daseinsberechtigung absprechen wollen. Das kuriose dabei ist für mich immer der Punkt, dass viele Kritiker noch keine Minute mit dem Spiel zugebracht haben. Das Rad neu erfinden tut der Titel nicht, dem stimme ich natürlich zu. Von daher gibt es natürlich auch keine 90er Wertung. Aber das wichtigste, der Spielspaß kommt hier nicht zu kurz. Und das ist für mich immer noch das Wichtigste. Und das auch auf einem anspruchsvolleren Level als im Vorgänger auf der Wii.
Nov 30th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewJeux Vidéo Network (17 out of 20) (85%)
Avec New Super Mario Bros. U, Nintendo signe tout simplement le meilleur jeu de plateforme de l’année. Utilisant intelligemment le GamePad à plusieurs, le titre vaut aussi bien pour son aventure solo que pour son multijoueur. On pensait découvrir un Mario au rabais mais la Wii U se dote là d’un excellent jeu.
Nov 15th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGBase - The Gamer's Base (8.5 out of 10) (85%)
New Super Mario Bros. U ist der Inbegriff eines klassischen Marios. Die 2D-Optik funktioniert noch immer, und all die altbekannten Elemente fügen sich in das farbenfrohe und detailreiche Gelage ohne jegliche Probleme ein. Mir hat das Spielen trotz vieler schwieriger Passagen jede Menge Freude bereitet. Grosse Innovationen habe ich persönlich nicht erwartet. Diese werden wohl eher mit einem neuen 3D-Teil kommen. Allerdings wäre ein wenig mehr Mut zum Neuen doch lobenswert gewesen. Das soll allerdings kein allzu grosser Vorwurf sein, schliesslich macht der Titel verdammt viel Spass - und eben darauf kommt es an. Wer das Franchise schon immer mochte, bekommt zum Start der Nintendo Wii U damit eines der besten und vor allem bewährtesten Hüpfspiele unserer Zeit geboten. Alle Fans sollten zugreifen!
Nov 29th, 2012 · Wii U · read review4Players.de (85 out of 100) (85%)
"Keine Experimente" - das war einst das Motto von Adenauers CDU. Und es dürfte auch das Credo der NSMBU-Designer gewesen sein. Denn die Grundzutaten sind allesamt bekannt: Vertraute Levelthemen, fröhlich im Takt der Musik wippende und hopsende Gegner, Bossmonster, denen man drei Mal die Platte polieren muss, kunterbunte Comicgrafik. Das funktioniert alles noch genauso so super wie am ersten Tag, schmeckt aber mittlerweile leicht abgestanden. Wenn auch weniger als noch bei New Super Mario Bros. 2, denn nicht nur sorgt die farbenfrohe HD-Grafik für ein ansehnliches Mario-Erlebnis - auch hat Nintendo zu meinem großen Erstaunen wieder verstanden, dass Nicht-Farmville-Spieler eine Herausforderung brauchen.
Nov 30th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGamezGeneration (8.5 out of 10) (85%)
New Super Mario Bros. U beginnt recht verhalten, nimmt aber mit der Zeit an Fahrt auf. Während man sich in den ersten Spielminuten fragt, warum man zum gefühlten tausendsten Mal durch die immer gleichen Level läuft, nur um Prinzessin Peach zum ebenso vielten Male zu befreien, trumpft Mario mit der Zeit durch die guten neuen Ideen und einem sehr cleverem Leveldesign auf. Die Baby-Yoshi‘s und das GamePad bringen frischen Wind in die New Super Mario Bros. Reihe und vor allem die tollen Zusatzmodi sorgen für Langzeitmotivation. Dennoch ist sicher einiges mehr auf Wii U möglich. Vor allem optisch bleibt Mario viel Luft nach oben und in Anbetracht, dass Nintendo mit einem Launchtitel eigentlich Vorbild für die Möglichkeiten der Wii U sein sollte, fehlt dem Titel trotz netter Ansätze einfach das gewisse Etwas, um New Super Mario Bros. U zu einem „Must-Have“ zu machen.
Nov 29th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewVicioJuegos.com / uVeJuegos.com (84 out of 100) (84%)
En la otra balanza debemos poner su falta de innovación salvo en los Modos Mii, su excesiva sencillez para completar el primer recorrido, incluso sin utilizar la Guía y la posibilidad de saltarnos niveles completos y en general la sensación de encontrarnos ante otro New Super Mario Bros. que no pasará a la historia. Sí, nos hemos acordado más que nunca de Super Mario World, nos hemos divertido muchísimo y las horas se nos han pasado volando. ¿Es esto suficiente para Mario? Tú tienes la última palabra, pero nosotros vemos francamente complicado mejorar esto sin cambiar muchísimas de las cosas que se dan por sentadas en un Mario bidimensional.
Feb 18th, 2013 · Wii U · read reviewWiiloveit (25 out of 30) (83%)
You can rightly expect great things when Mario rolls around, but he's been off his game for a while. Still the connoisseur of platformers, New Super Mario Bros. U represents a valued return to spotlight for Mario in all his serendipitous glory. A considerable part of the level designs seen here surpass that of recent efforts in this line, even though there's not a defined authoritative backing behind them. And while not superb or completely dazzling, New Super Mario Bros. U is a highlight of modern-day, 2D platformers in general, never mind just those belonging to the Mario brand.
Jan 25th, 2013 · Wii U · read review1UP (B+) (83%)
After witnessing New Super Mario Bros. 2 and how it slowly approached the brink of self-parody, I couldn't help but lower my expectations for New Super Mario Bros U. In hindsight, this was a mistake. Until you compare each entry of this Mario series against the other, one truth tends to be hidden in plain sight: The portable New Super Mario installments often take on much less risk than their console siblings, perhaps due to the limitations of the mobile platform they're designed for. With that in mind, it's easy to see why the original DS game felt so easy or how the 3DS sequel could't fix things by literally throwing money at the problem. By comparison, the Wii and Wii U entires show a maturation of platforming ideas that place safe bets on what works yet also develops other ideas along the way. NSMBU doesn't re-write the rules of platforming games, but it carefully balances enough of what works with a handful of new ideas that come together in the end.
Nov 15th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewSnackbar-Games.com (4 out of 5) (80%)
You might think that this is a game that is worth passing on unless you’ve never played a NSMB game before, but New Super Mario Bros. U is easily the best in this line of Mario games so far. There are plenty of fantastic levels and secrets, plus the co-op is still a lot of fun with the right people. It may be more of the same overall, but Mario’s first HD adventure is something worth experiencing no matter how you choose to experience it.
Nov 26th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewThunderbolt Games (8 out of 10) (80%)
The New Super Mario Bros series was never one to defy expectations, but rather build upon years of refined nostalgia. New Super Mario Bros. U is formulaic Mario and is a delightfully fun time for it.
Dec 26th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewHey Poor Player ( ) (80%)
New Super Mario Bros. U is a fine example of 2-D platforming done right, and arguably one of Mario’s finest side-scrolling adventures. While it may not break much new ground for the series, the charming visuals and excellent stage design make this a very solid debut for the Wii U. While the game stumbles in its multi-player modes and suffers from a few too many recycled riffs, the exceptionally executed core experience and devilishly difficult challenge mode more than make up for these minor shortcomings, earning the game a solid 4 out of 5 sticks.
Nov 23rd, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewEL33TONLINE ( ) (80%)
The transition to HD graphics has not meant the Mushroom Kingdom now looks less cartoony - if anything the colours are more vibrant in their variety and detail and the extra levels of animation the higher-powered console allows has been put to good use in the parallax backgrounds and foreground animations. The backgrounds are marvelous, especially the moving impressionist painting of the Soda Jungle. The enemy models are superb too - Bowser and his ships are very impressive, for example. All of this, along with the Challenges, Boost Rush and the beautiful map (a la Super Mario World but better, much better) make New Super Mario Bros U a very welcome addition to the series and differentiate it from all that has come before while remaining very much a Mario game. Knowing Nintendo’s modus operandi from their past actions this is likely to be the only 2D Mario on the Wii U; I can’t wait to see what all the creative energy of the Mario team conjures up next!
Dec 14th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGamereactor (Sweden) (8 out of 10) (80%)
Det är förstås ett lika vackert spel som föregångarna i serien och erbjuder en del världar med superläcker design. Om det bara inte vore för den där lätta oron över att spelet upprepar sig för mycket och sliter på genialiteten från tidigare äventyr... Kanske är det här titeln som ska hjälpa oss att få tiden att gå fram till nästa riktigt innovativa Mario-satsning släpps. Tills vidare njuter vi helhjärtat tillsammans med detta trots allt underbara spel.
Nov 16th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewConsole Obsession (8 out of 10) (80%)
With its busy levels and many holes to potentially fall down, New Super Mario Bros. U is a Mario game at its most fiendish. There’s an uneven difficulty curve and the save system can be infuriating if you aren’t careful, but this is a game that still has that special Nintendo magic present. In conclusion, New Super Mario Bros. U is one of the Wii U’s early highlights, proving once again that Nintendo can always rely on their biggest star.
Mar 4th, 2013 · Wii U · read reviewGameplay (Benelux) (80 out of 100) (80%)
In een platformgame schittert Mario altijd, maar de gemiste kans om leuke dingen met de Gamepad te doen bevestigt dat de tweedimensionale Mario in een grijsgedraaid stramien is vastgeraakt.
Nov 28th, 2012 · Wii Uvideogamer.com (8 out of 10) (80%)
New Super Mario Bros. U is a fantastic game hindered by a disappointing opening act. It feels like a game of present and past, where the first half reminds us why today's games greatly miss the second half's nostalgic excellence. A great improvement in the variety of level design over its predecessors, and by far the best game in the NSMB series, each world offers something new and exciting to keep me invested. It doesn't take advantage of many of the Wii U's features, nor is it a huge graphical leap, but New Super Mario Bros. U is a great day one purchase for anybody looking to pick up a Wii U at launch.
Nov 16th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGamerGen (16 out of 20) (80%)
Finalement, ce nouvel épisode de Mario offre une aventure possédant une durée de vie plus que convenable sachant que les huit mondes habituels sont toujours de la partie. Cependant, si vous tenez à faire tous les niveaux ainsi que les tableaux secrets, très bien cachés, vous risqueriez de passer de longues heures devant votre écran. Attention d'ailleurs à ne pas louper le sous-marin qui n'est pas obligatoire, mais tellement amusant.
Nov 29th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewDarkstation ( ) (80%)
New Super Mario Bros. U definitely plays things safe and mostly sticks to the framework established by the “New” offshoot series established back on the DS, but the tougher design and beautiful look make it a great Mario game no matter how you look at it. It may not change your mind if you’re already sick to death of these spin-offs, but everyone else should get a lot of quality mileage out of this one.
Nov 27th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGamesReviews (8 out of 10) (80%)
It’s hard to criticize Super Mario Bros. U for being what is the quintessential platforming experience. If it is too similar to its predecessors, that’s only because there’s little you can change within the Mario recipe without running the risk of changing the flavour completely. Hardcore gamers, people who have picked up ever title since ’83, are unlikely to be impressed and are largely the people who want everything to change. I suspect those who buy to play with friends and family once in a while feel less inclined towards other experiences, and they are the people for whom Super Mario Bros. U will really shine.
Apr 18th, 2013 · Wii U · read reviewRetroGame Man (8 out of 10) (80%)
In summary, New Super Mario Bros U is a great multiplayer 2D platformer with an expansive world, tons of levels, and fun power-ups! It is not the best Mario game, and could be more challenging during boss encounters, but is overall a great addition to the Mario series. This is must-have for any Wii U owner! Overall, I give this game a final score of 8/10.
Sep 6th, 2017 · Wii U · read reviewGames TM (8 out of 10) (80%)
(...) The mere fact that it manages to be a slave for two masters and for the most part pulls it off is a sterling achievement in itself. Mario's Wii U debut will no doubt attract the usual detractors and jaded observers, but there's more to this than rigid routine. It just all depends on what you want from it.
Nov 22nd, 2012 · Wii UDigitally Downloaded ( ) (80%)
New Super Mario Bros U is an excellent platformer and one that you probably shouldn’t miss out on. If you have a Wii U, it’s dangerously close to being a can’t miss title, even with the GamePad’s unique features not being fully taken advantage of. If you’re just looking to enjoy a New Super Mario Bros. title though, there’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy your High Definition stay in the Mushroom Kingdom.
Dec 16th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewHonestGamers (Staff reviews only) (8 out of 10) (80%)
There’s not really anything especially wrong with New Super Mario Bros. U, and there’s plenty of high-quality content to keep a single player and his or her friends busy for a long while. The graphics are in high-definition for the first time and they look great. Though the controls are occasionally squirrelly, that is unfortunately true of all games in the New Super Mario Bros. series and the modern generation of gamers doesn’t seem to mind. As long as you’re not bothered by the lack of any substantially new ideas, Mario’s latest adventure is a rewarding and surprisingly challenging trip down memory lane that you shouldn’t miss.
Nov 23rd, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewRiot Pixels (77 out of 100) (77%)
Однако как самостоятельная игра NSMBU достойна похвалы – это жемчужина стартовой “линейки” Wii U. Проблема в том, что ей просто нечем выделиться из длинного ряда предшественниц. Эффекта новизны больше нет, а прохождение нередко превращается в рутину. Мечта любого маркетолога, ладно скроенная по выверенным лекалам.
Feb 4th, 2013 · Wii U · read reviewAnime News Network (B) (75%)
The New Super Mario Bros. sequels always feel a little cynical around the edges: as if all it takes to get us to buy another one is shilling to our nostalgia as hard as possible. We aren't that simple. We know that, to a certain extent, these games are about repackaging the old and gluing on just enough veneer to make it seem fresh. Yet, when a baby Yoshi ensnares an enemy with a storm of floating bubbles, or when a player is saved from certain-death by a quickly distributed Gamepad platform, how can we do anything but smile?
Dec 12th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewJeuxvideo.com (14 out of 20) (70%)
En jouant à New Super Mario Bros U, vous aurez l'impression de jouer à une version "Lost Levels" de l'épisode Wii, la difficulté ultra corsée en moins. Alors certes, ce sont de nouveaux niveaux, mais mine de rien, le game design est strictement identique à son prédécesseur et le level design ne fait pas preuve d'une imagination débordante. Les fonctionnalités GamePad sont surtout utilisées en multi mais font plus office de bonus qu'autre chose. Un titre qui ne marquera pas l'histoire de la série mais qui reste un bon jeu à faire en famille ou avec des amis.
Nov 16th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewJeuxvideo.fr (7 out of 10) (70%)
C'est indéniable, New Super Mario Bros.U possède toutes les qualités d'un excellent jeu de plateformes en 2D. Une formule gagnante qui a déjà fait ses preuves sur les différentes générations de consoles du constructeur nippon. Nintendo joue ainsi la carte de la sécurité en se basant sur un vrai savoir faire, sans pour autant prendre de risque. On regrette justement que cette version soit si proche, dans le fond et dans la forme, de la mouture sortie sur Wii... Mais quand on fait venir un plombier rouge en 2D dans son salon, on ne s'attend pas à autre chose que ce qu'on nous propose ici. En revanche, les fonctionnalités autour du Gamepad, sympathiques au demeurant, sont clairement trop limités. Il faudra sans doute attendre une version 3D pour toucher à une nouvelle expérience.
Nov 27th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewNintendo Difference (14 out of 20) (70%)
Certes, on sent très vite que Nintendo ne s'est pas foulé avec ce New Super Mario Bros. U et recycle bon nombre de ses anciennes recettes, y compris provenant d'illustres ancêtres en 2D comme Super Mario World ou Super Mario Bros 3. Mais il reste malgré tout un bon jeu de plates-formes, agréable à jouer à défaut de révolutionner la série, et qui fait preuve de bonnes idées disséminées par-ci par-là. Une vieille recette que l'on mange pour se remplir l'estomac, mais on aimerait bien goûter à autre chose de la part de Nintendo.
Nov 29th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGamekult (7 out of 10) (70%)
New Super Mario Bros. U est sans doute le meilleur volet de la série ; encore heureux après quatre épisodes tous calqués sur le même patron. Éprouvée mais efficace, la recette fonctionne encore et toujours sur Wii U, qui parvient à canaliser ce qui faisait le fun en multi de la version Wii en ajoutant quelques éléments pour flatter les fans de la première heure, à commencer par la carte du monde façon Mario World et les nombreux défis annexes. De là à y voir l'ambassadeur rêvé de la Wii U et de son GamePad, il y a quand même un monde. A force de recycler les mêmes éléments visuels, les mêmes musiques, les mêmes bruitages et à peu de choses près les mêmes transformations, on a fatalement l'impression de rejouer au même jeu. Et si l'intégration de la manette comme des fonctionnalités réseau de la Wii U apportent leur pierre à l'édifice, il faudra attendre un autre Mario pour en exploiter tout le potentiel. A ce rythme-là, on ne devrait pas attendre trop longtemps.
Nov 26th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGiant Bomb ( ) (60%)
Everything about New Super Mario Bros. U is pretty exciting, except the game itself. Is it possible that this is the best game in the "New" series to date--not to mention one of the best exclusive Wii U games on the market, by default--and at the same time kind of flatly uninteresting? Apparently so. The game is perfectly well made for what it is, and I had plenty of fun playing it in short bursts here and there, but at this point the series' by-the-numbers design philosophy is starting to lend the name "New Super Mario Bros." a degree of unintentional irony.
Nov 18th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewGuardian, The ( ) (60%)
It's frenetic and anarchic, but hardly the stuff that will convince you to buy a Wii U. Come on, Mr Miyamoto: let's have a proper Mario game for the Wii U. And a Zelda, and a Metroid, and a Pikmin, and a Donkey Kong and so on...
Nov 30th, 2012 · Wii U · read reviewPlayer Reviews
The Good
When the Wii launched in 2006, one of the biggest complaints lobbied at its launch lineup was the lack of a Mario title. The first Mario platformer for Wii wouldn't actually be released until nearly a year after the console's launch.
This time around, Nintendo hopes to rectify that with New Super Mario Bros. U, the fourth installment in the New Super Mario Bros. subseries which got its start on the Nintendo DS in 2006. With three titles under its belt, including one released on 3DS barely three months before this one, there has to be at least a growing sense of tiredness amongst the players who bought and completed all of the games. For me however, this is the first NSMB game I have ever played for a significant amount of time.
The premise is the same as any Mario games both before and after this. Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser AGAIN, and you need to save her AGAIN. It's a timeless tale that will never ever be changed.
What has changed, is the presentation. For the first time ever, a Mario game is finally playable in full High-Definition graphics. While the graphical boost over previous titles is significant, it is also a lot subtler than the label of HD Upgrade would imply. In fact, looking at screenshots of this game, it's hard to tell if this is simply an original Wii game upscaled instead of a brand new game. In fact, it's more than likely running on the same graphics engine. Yet a closer comparison between this and New Super Mario Bros. Wii reveals some surprising differences. The lines are much cleaner and anti-aliased, the colors are far richer, and the backgrounds are filled with double the amount of detail. The cloud effects are especially impressive, leading to some stunning backdrops in the sky levels. That said the art style is still the same as the other New Super Mario Bros games : a combination of 2D levels with 3D models and backgrounds. As a result of the unchanged art style the HD graphics enhance and sharpen the look of the game significantly, but don't dramatically alter it. Technology can only go so far in changing a game's look.
But has there been anything new added to the classic gameplay? The answer is yes. While you'll still be running and jumping and collecting coins and doing all the things that plumbers don't do, there are a few new features this time around. First is the Squirrel Suit. When you collect an acorn (an acorn with eyes, naturally), you'll be able to use the squirrel suit to glide across gaps as well as give yourself an in-air boost by pressing ZR. Another new feature is the addition of a brand-new enemy: Nabbit. At random points in the game, Nabbit will steal all of your items and run to a random level. You have to chase after Nabbit by running through the level as quickly as you can until you can collide with him. Once you get your stuff back, you'll earn an extra "P" mushroom, which gives you a more powerful version of the squirrel suit.
The levels themselves start out very easy and almost uninspired, but later levels get significantly crazier, offering up secret areas and pathways, multiple large gaps, physics puzzles, and deviously placed hazards, all of which can, and will trip you up. The game's difficulty is interesting. You'll end up dying a lot, but the game gives you so many lives that unless you're completely new to Mario games, means you'll never run out and reach the game over screen. Saving the princess is pretty easy if you've ever played a 2D Mario. However, the REAL challenge lies in not beating, but completing the game 100 percent. To do that, you'll need to collect the three Star Coins on each level, including the hidden ones. Some of these are virtually impossible to find without a walk through or some serious trial-and-error. Collecting all of the coins in a land unlocks a corresponding, brutally-difficult level in the hidden Superstar World.
But that's just the beginning of the challenges that NSMBU offers to the player, as there are now two additional modes that are playable outside of the campaign. First is the Challenge mode. This mode consists of smaller levels that require certain tasks to be completed to a standard to earn medals, which in turn unlock new challenges. For example, you might have to race through a course under a certain time limit, or not touch the ground by jumping on enemies for as long as possible. It's incredibly addictive to try and complete them all, and for sure one of the best additions to any Mario title in years.
The other new mode is Boost Rush. Boost Rush turns Mario into a racing game, and no, I don't mean Mario Kart. The idea is to collect coins as the stage auto-scrolls. The more coins you collect, the faster the stage scrolls. The goal is to complete the stage in as little time as possible, but to do that you'll have to collect as many coins as you can without dying. Very fun, and another great addition.
Thankfully, you'll have some help overcoming all of these trials in the form of Miiverse. Miiverse is Nintendo's online social network for the Wii U. The idea is simple. Let's say there's a secret exit you can't find or a Star Coin that you just can't reach. Posting on Miiverse allows you to contact actual players who are also attempting to solve the same problems as you. You can even post a screenshot of the game you are playing to let everyone know exactly what you're talking about.
I've found Miiverse users to be responsive and often extremely helpful. In addition, you can also use Miiverse for other things, such as bragging to the world about how you completed that very tricky level without taking damage. It's a really neat system, and it opens up a level of player-to-player interaction and cooperation that gaming has never seen before.
The Bad
The thing I hated the most about the game were the ghost house levels. These are some of the least-fun levels in any Mario game I've ever played, because rather than running from left-to-right, you're forced to go through a series of rooms in maze-like fashion until you stumble upon the way out. These have long been a staple of the Mario series, but they're taken to an absolutely obnoxious new low here, with some of the routes out being next-to-impossible to find. I actually had someone use a boost block to allow me to cheat my way out of actually finding the exit in one of these levels because it was so hard to find. If there's one thing I could remove from the otherwise great Mario gameplay formula, it would have to be these levels.
Speaking of hard-to-find pathways, there's a point in the game that requires you to find its secret exit in order to advance. The secret exit doesn't lead to an alternate path like it normally should, it is required to advance on the MAIN one. This completely breaks the fundamental gaming rules of secret exits always leading to alternate paths. What's worse it that there is zero indication that you even need to find a secret exit. I was stuck for quite some time because I thought that somehow my game glitched since I couldn't move on despite hitting the flagpole and completing the level. A quick post on Miiverse revealed that I had to find the secret exit in order to actually win. While I commend Nintendo for the Miiverse system, I have to say shame on the designers for making me think that the game was broken and forcing me to use Miiverse to figure out the problem.
Multiplayer is odd, to say the least. The entire game is playable with up to four players. However, unless everyone is an absolute Mario god, don't expect to seriously finish the game with a group of your friends. The player sprites can collide with each other, and this can lead to some very awkward situations when a platform is only a block wide or even when just jumping around.
Another weird thing about multiplayer is the game's usage of the GamePad. While you can play the entire game as a single player on the GamePad, as soon as someone joins in on a Wii Remote, the GamePad switches to Boost Mode. In Boost Mode, the player with the GamePad can place up to four blocks into the game world via the touchscreen to help the other players who perhaps aren't quite as adept with jumping. While an interesting idea, there are two problems I have with Boost Mode. First off, it's far too easy for your attempts to help someone go disastrously wrong and end up hindering them instead. The second issue is that the game forces the Boost Mode onto the GamePad with no input from the player. Once multiplayer mode is active, the only way to join in is to grab a Wii Remote. In other words, you cannot have Mario controlled with the GamePad and Luigi with a Wii Remote, the game forces you to use two remotes instead. Why? Why does Boost Mode have to be forced on the player who wants to jump around instead? Why aren't we given a choice as to what we want to do with out controllers? While the asymmetric gameplay is perfectly fine in games such as Nintendo Land, some games, like this one, are better off without forcing it on us.
The Bottom Line
If I had to say one thing about NSMBU it is this: despite all of the crazy new additions, at the end of the day, Mario is still Mario. This is gaming comfort food. You know what to expect, Nintendo knows exactly what you want, and they give it to you, plus a few unexpected but welcome extras. Though perhaps not quite as fun as the early Mario titles, NSMBU offers a lengthy, polished, and challenging experience that will keep even the most diehard players hooked for days on end. Who can argue with getting such a game as that with their new console?
by krisko6 (813) on Jan 23rd, 2013 · Wii U
Contributors to this Entry
Critic reviews added by Tim Janssen, Alsy, lights out party, Alaka, A V, Patrick Bregger, jaXen, Cantillon, Rellni944, GTramp, CalaisianMindthief.