New to Shacknews? Signup for a Free Account

Already have an account?

Video Game Release Dates 2024Elden Ring strategy guideShacknews Direct: Introducing Bubbletron!Destiny 2 Complete Strategy Guide
Video Game Release Dates 2024
Elden Ring strategy guide
Shacknews Direct: Introducing Bubbletron!
Destiny 2 Complete Strategy Guide

New Super Mario Bros. U preview

Two-dimensional Mario and friends return in New Super Mario Bros. U, and we check it out to see what sort of improvements the Wii U tablet and new hardware bring to the table.
Jeff Mattas
6
QUICKTAKE: This holiday, Nintendo is bringing 2D Mario platforming back to the Wii U in the not-so-cleverly named New Super Mario Brothers U. The red-overalled plumber brings success for Nintendo wherever he goes, and based on the E3 playable demo, this maiden Wii U Mario outing will entertain, even if it doesn't surprise. THE DEMO: The ten minute playable demo of New Super Mario Bros. U came in two flavors: single player, and five-player co-op. In co-op, one player can use the tablet instead of controlling a character, and can use the touchscreen to create temporary platforms or stun enemies for the other players. Other than the light tablet functionality, a couple of new power-ups, and higher-resolution graphics, this is the same, great variety of 2D Mario platforming that last hit the Wii.

Get your doctorate in Coin Collection at New Super Mario Bros. U.

DETAILS:New Super Mario Bros. U feels a bit like New Super Mario Bros. Wii 1.5. The "improvements" afforded by the new Wii U console--and the tablet in particular--feel underutilized, almost as though the game were conceived as an original Wii title, and then quickly adapted to fill the holiday launch window for the new system. The tablet use is a prime example of this, and while using it to save other players from doom during a 5-player co-op match can be fun for a minute, running and jumping with the other players soon seems far more appealing. Graphically, the game looks very sharp, colorful, and crisp, but due to the simple art style, it's not exactly the best game to show off Wii U's graphical capabilities over the original Wii. The level design exhibited the same clever playfulness of past Mario titles, and the controls are as tight and responsive as ever. Mario also gets a new Squirrel Suit power-up, which allows him to flap and glide. Like Mario's other suits, it's fun to use. The other new power-up in NSMBU is Tiny Balloon Yoshi. He's a mini-lizard that Mario carries around. Like his full-grown Yoshi brethren, he can eat all kinds of stuff (including enemies), but he can also be inflated to carry Mario for significant distances. Based on the demo, I have the strong feeling that New Super Mario Bros. U is probably going to satisfy platforming fans (including me) with another great dose of fun times, but it doesn't feel like a game that needs (or uses) many of the bells and whistles that differentiate the Wii U from the Wii. Underdeveloped tablet integration is a bit disappointing, and though it looks great, I wish Nintendo would have been more inclined to push the presentational style of the game to differentiate it some more.
Filed Under
From The Chatty
Refresh Go To Thread
  • Shacknews legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
    reply
    June 6, 2012 10:00 AM

    Jeff Mattas posted a new article, New Super Mario Bros. U preview.

    Two-dimensional Mario and friends return in New Super Mario Bros. U, and we check it out to see what sort of improvements the Wii U tablet and new hardware bring to the table.

    • David Craddock legacy 10 years mercury mega
      reply
      June 6, 2012 10:06 AM

      Thanks for the preview, Jeff. Does the game require motion controls as with the first NSMB Wii, or were you able to use the buttons and d-pad on the tablet, or perhaps the Pro or Classic Controller, to play? The motion controls were my only complaint with the last thing. They felt tacked on and imprecise compared to the Classic Controller's soft d-pad and buttons.

      • Conan legacy 10 years legacy 20 years mercury ultra mega
        reply
        June 6, 2012 10:27 AM

        They definitely were. I was able to tweak the controls in Dolphin and basically map them to the classic controller perfectly (balance stuff to the shoulder buttons), and it worked fine. Way better than having to jerk the controller around.

      • deathofrats legacy 10 years legacy 20 years
        reply
        June 6, 2012 1:39 PM

        motion controls are why i didn't support that donkey kong game Retro put out. It's a shame because it looks like something i would love if it didn't have that stupid shake to do stuff gimmick.

    • snubble100 legacy 10 years
      reply
      June 6, 2012 10:41 AM

      Really wish they would change the presentation style on this game to differentiate itself from NSMB2. I hate the bland look of the pre-rendered foreground elements.

      I don't mind a clean look for the handheld version because you need to have good visibility on that small screen but this is Nintendo's new console and they're taking the easy (cheap) road on something that they want to be a system seller for years.

      • one random winner legacy 10 years
        reply
        June 6, 2012 1:35 PM

        Yeah, hopefully they start adding more detail, it's in 1080p, start making it look good (albeit, I'm sure SMG:U will look phenomenal).

    • EnhancedInterrogator legacy 10 years
      reply
      June 6, 2012 1:28 PM

      I have yet to purchase a NSMB game. When I hear that one has a decent amount of challenge (a la Rayman Origins), I'll pick it up. The bonus levels in Galaxy 2 really made that game memorable for me, we need more stuff like that.

      • one random winner legacy 10 years
        reply
        June 6, 2012 1:33 PM

        The bonus levels in NSMB:Wii gave me a run for my money, not much before that though.

Hello, Meet Lola