Game     Pandemic

I wanted to hate New Super Mario Bros U, I really did. I picked up the case that looked like every other New Super Mario title, watched the paper-thin story intro and expected to be utterly bored in playing the game. But as an older, less jolly Italian once said, just when I think I’m out…they pull me back in.

When I booted up the Wii U, after tracking my way through the menu interface, I immediately popped in the New Super Mario Bros U disk, and just like that nostalgia and childhood memories flooded back. It’s hard to believe that this game (in 2012) is actually the first Mario title ever to appear in HD, finally Nintendo gamers will be able to see the gloss and polish they’ve been missing. That being said however, the game is not a graphical power house by any means. The frame rate is perfect, the animations are clear and the backgrounds are robust—but overall, the presentation is merely passable. Hopefully, later on in the Wii U’s life cycle, a new NEW Mario title will show off the true graphical horsepower of the console.

The appeal of the game does not stem from graphical style, but instead the beautiful cohesion between avatar and environment—Nintendo masterfully develops stages and levels once again. Maybe that’s the problem, the environments are all so balanced and wonderful, that from almost all the “NEW” series of 2D platformers, I can’t remember a single level. As seen in some of the game play trailers, there is a single level designed based on Van Gogh’s Starry Night painting: this beautiful backdrop evokes pure emotion but doesn’t last long. Perhaps Nintendo should have developed more levels with this creative design in the way the “sunset” levels from Donkey Kong Country Returns was implemented in 2010.

The sound design is good, but safe, you’ve heard these songs before and you will not be singing them while cleaning up in the shower after marathon gameplay sessions.

One of the core competencies for the console Mario experience has become the multiplayer aspect. The style of play ranges on the player’s attitudes between counter and co-operative. However, in the end, the teamwork boils down to power-up stealing and toads that get in the way. The player with the Wii U gamepad, who can place platform blocks on the screen at will, is quite useful, surprisingly. At the same time though, you don’t want to be the block “placer”—it’s not nearly as much fun as free running as Mario or his friends. Controlling the gamepad is about as much fun as being a designated driver at a bachelor party…nuff said.

For those of you fatigued by the 3DS title that was released just 5 months earlier, the emphasis on coin collection did (thankfully) not make its return. Mario has ditched his hedonistic ways in exchange for a well-realized challenge mode. This challenge mode adds value beyond the relatively short story line. Take a break from dashing to the flag by taking out enemies, playing in escort missions, or dodging enemies’ attacks. Overall these challenges are a nice change of pace, but will not inspire you to replay missions arcade style, to get the highest score possible.

Calling this game “NEW” in the title is as paradoxical as calling Final Fantasy “FINAL”: the game feels strikingly familiar. Despite this familiarity, there is a lot of fun to be had for those who fight through the nostalgia. Elements of creativity are found in the challenge mode and select artistically crafted levels, but these elements fail to come through as a whole. Yoshi’s back though, and who can say “NO” to a green dinosaur? In conclusion, New Super Mario Bros U is one of the best launch games on the Wii U: it’s hard to imagine any person (from infant to seniors) that wouldn’t want to give it a go.