New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (NSW) Review

Let's strike while the iron is hot! Actually, the iron is frozen solid due to this arctic weather we're currently experiencing in the Midwest, but that's neither here nor there. The point here, is that we're striving to keep the momentum going together, and this next review will do just that. It's New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, the latest Wii U-to-Switch port from Nintendo. Let's-a go check it out!

New Year, Familiar U

In 2012, New Super Mario Bros. U was one of the premiere launch titles for the Wii U--arguments on that being damning testimony as to why the Wii U failed to light up the charts notwithstanding. The core game was a lot of fun with enjoyable multiplayer, fantastic level design, and new HD visuals. The game sees itself making the leap over from the Wii U to the Switch, like many of Nintendo's game have done already. However, since its launch, there have been some truly excellent 2D platformers, some from Nintendo itself, that are by far better games and make this entire New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe package feel a tad antiquated in 2019, even more so than it might have to players back in 2012.

It's like returning to a familiar old friend with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.

Let's go over what you get with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. You have the core New Super Mario Bros. U game and the added New Super Luigi U expansion that released in 2013, as part of Nintendo's Year of Luigi promotion. New Super Mario Bros. U is a more relaxed game that doesn't really get too terribly challenging until the latter of the eight story-related worlds within. Meanwhile, New Super Luigi U features shorter, more challenging levels where you have only 100 seconds to complete them, and Luigi's physics are more in line with Super Mario Bros. 2's USA version, where he has a higher jump and features more slippery controls.

Thank goodness Mario is using his burner account on this level.

Included with the New Super Mario Bros. U side of this Deluxe package is a series of challenges that you can play through. These range from speed runs on original courses and ones already featured within the base game, to survival challenges, to trying to successfully jump on enemies to get 1-Ups without ever hitting the ground. For those who played the Wii U game, you might recall there being a Boost Mode, played with the Wii U GamePad. Rather than retool these for the Switch release, all of these GamePad-related challenges from the original 2012 game have simply been removed.

Between New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U, you're easily getting over 100 levels total, and these are all smartly designed obstacle courses, which is definitely shown through the added Hint videos available for budding speed-runners and those who wish to be inspired by some truly expert playing. Each level holds three Star Coins in them, and many times they'll be placed in precarious, risk-vs-reward locations, or require some sleuthing to discover them (i.e. finding a secret pipe or hidden alcove in a level). Players will want to get all of the Star Coins in the game to fully enjoy New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U to see everything these games have to offer level-wise.

Mario better be careful with his platforming, or he may see the point... of this Urchin, that is!

A fresh addition to both New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U is the ability to play as Toadette. She's listed as an easy character to play as--with Nabbit being the easiest (so easy that if you're playing in solo mode, you won't get a legitimate mark on the world map for "beating" the level). This is because she doesn't slip on ice, gets extra seconds added to her timer in New Super Luigi U, and is about to transform into Peachette via special Crown power-up, exclusive to her character. The Crown power-up gives the newly formed Peachette the ability to float in the air for a limited period of time, as well as perform a recovery with a shake of the controller or press of a button--great for saving herself from platforming errors.

Don't worry--SuperPhillip Central will not post any Bowsette fan art. (In this review.)

While we're on the subject of platforming errors, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe features a questionable design decision with regards to its controls. In the original NSMBU and NSLU, Mario or whoever the player controlled could flick the controller or press the trigger to perform a twirl. This could give the player some extra air time to pull off some proficient platforming--or just save their own skin. In New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, while both shaking the controller and/or hitting the Joy-Con's trigger with allow players to perform a midair twirl, the game also assigns the twirl to the jump button. This can result in some unwanted damage from enemies, or worse yet, undesired deaths. During my time with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe in both Mario U and Luigi U forms, this did not occur often at all, but it is a potential problem for players to keep in mind.

Perhaps now is not a good time for the player to learn about that jump button problem...

To speak more highly of this Switch compilation of New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U, it's absolutely fantastic and convenient to already have two controllers available to you via being able to split the Joy-Con between two players. Just another Joy-Con set, and you can have the maximum amount of players on screen at once--four of you, bouncing off each other's heads to reach high up places, tackling enemies and platforming challenges together with great rhythm and--aw, who are we kidding--if you're like me, you're just going to get your teammates killed over and over again by chucking shells into them. Still, multiplayer is a fine amount of fun, and when you're all working together--and even when you're messing one another up--it's a good time. Of course, some levels are better in co-operative play than others--yep, I'm looking at you, New Super Luigi U's Fire Bar Sprint.

Like many Switch multiplayer games, just the Joy-Con pair that comes out of the Switch
box is all you need to enjoy some two-player co-operative play.

New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U have never looked better, thanks to the touch up in resolution in the Deluxe version. Not only does New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe look great in docked form, as expected, but it look and runs awesomely in handheld form, as well. That said, even in 2012, these games weren't the bastion of high definition graphics, but still, they look delightful enough all the same. If only we could all say similar things about the music. While I don't mind the "bah, bahs" heard throughout the game's soundtrack, nor its less than impressive instrumentation, no doubt others will. Regardless, the compositions are solid and hark back to the regular old Super Mario Bros. in the catchy-ness department.

Was this screenshot taken in NSMBU's ice world or the United States
during this week's Polar Vortex? (How's THAT for topical humor!)

With every Wii U to Switch port that comes about, the question is always, "Should I buy this game if I already own it on the Wii U?" Well, with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, I can definitely say that unless you just have to get rid of your Wii U or find no pleasure in playing on that relatively clunky system, then you can easily pass on this port of these two games. They're still fun to play and marvels of terrific level design, but they're also rather dated compared to many of the 2D platformers that have popped up since 2012 that have far outdone the House of Mario's Wii U launch offering.

Mario will do anything to keep his plumber's license, won't he.

However, if you've never owned a Wii U before or somehow missed out on one or either of these two games, then answering if you should buy New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is as easy as accidentally running into the first Goomba in the game. That is to say--easier than you'd think. And the answer is a certain "yes". Looking at these two platformers relative to those that came out after paints a lesser picture of these two New Super Mario Bros. adventures, but by themselves, New Super Mario Bros.U and New Super Luigi U never lost their individual quality.

[SPC Says: B+] 

Review Round-Up - August 2013

Even Alph and Brittany enjoyed a day at
the beach for the last full month of summer.

It was hot and heavy month for SuperPhillip Central! We reviewed nine games total, and had two special review-specific segments. Let's run through the reviews, shall we? It's a monthly tradition, after all. We began with a mini-game compilation from Wario's wicked mind, Game & Wario (7.0). We then loaded up our Walther PPKs only to be disappointed by 007 Legends (4.25). Then we moved onto a pair of games that both got a score of 6.0, Project X Zone and Smash Bowling 3D. Just remember that even though they got the same score, they don't hold the same weight. You can't really fairly compare a crossover strategy game with a bowling title! Next up, Mega Man came charging in with the classic Mega Man 2 (9.5). The Year of Luigi continued with New Super Luigi U, which leaped its way into an 8.5. Mega Man wasn't done afterwards, as he returned for our review of Mega Man 3 (9.5). Our GotM, Pikmin 3, earned itself a tremendous 9.5. Earlier this evening we saw Luke fon Fabre and the gang's game, Tales of the Abyss, get a 7.0. Lastly, we had the return of both SPC Quickies and One-Sentence Reviews!

Next month is sure to continue our reviewing momentum, with reviews of games like BioShock Infinite, Rayman Legends, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, and many more!

Game & Wario (Wii U) - 7.0
007 Legends (Wii U, PS3, 360, PC) - 4.25
Project X Zone (3DS) - 6.0
Smash Bowling 3D (3DSWare) - 6.0
Mega Man 2 (NES, Wii U VC, 3DS VC) - 9.5
New Super Luigi U (Wii U) - 8.5
Mega Man 3 (NES, Wii U VC, 3DS VC) - 9.5
Pikmin 3 (Wii U) - 9.5
Tales of the Abyss (3DS) - 7.0

SPC Quickies - Volume Twelve
One-Sentence Reviews - Volume Four

And since the weather was so hot,
Luigi and friends went for a swim.

New Super Luigi U (Wii U) Review

Available in both downloadable form (as of June) and now retail form (as of late this month), New Super Luigi U gives everyone's favorite green-clothed plumber some more time in the spotlight. What's that, Mario? You getting jealous? Why, you're turning so green with envy, you're starting to look like your brother! Anyway, here's SuperPhillip Central's review of New Super Luigi U.

It Ain't Easy Being Green,

But It Sure Is Fun.

When the Wii U was released back in November of last year, New Super Mario Bros. U was a heavily popular launch title among purchases. Nintendo had promised some form of downloadable content in the near future. Well, the near future is upon us, and instead of creating packs of three levels like New Super Mario Bros. 2 on the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo has created what is essentially a brand-new game. With Mario out of the picture, Luigi is the star of his own platforming adventure, New Super Luigi U. (It is the Year of Luigi, after all!) While folks with a copy of New Super Mario Bros. U could download the game for twenty dollars in June, the retail version of the game was released this past week-- one that could be purchased for New Super Mario Bros. U-less Wii U owners or collectors like myself. Does New Super Luigi U add enough content to justify its price tag?

In a word, yes. New Super Luigi U has the exact same plot of New Super Mario Bros. U, and a similar opening cinematic. The only difference is that Mario is nowhere in sight, so it's Luigi's turn to save the princess from the fearsome Bowser, who has taken over Peach's castle. There's one more similarity, and that's the world map. Everything remains unchanged on that front.

A thorn in my side since the original
Super Mario Bros.-- the Hammer Brother.

New Super Luigi U isn't downloadable content that simply rearranges levels. No, the developers have crafted incredibly made new levels to test players' skills. If you thought New Super Mario Bros. U was too easy of a game, New Super Luigi U's first world is about as challenging as New Super Mario Bros. U's fourth world, and it only gets crazier from there. By the ninth world, you will be running through 1-ups like toilet paper to a man with diarrhea. Sorry for the mental picture.

Why the long faces?

Every level in the game gives you only 100 seconds to work with, meaning you don't have much time to dilly-dally around. That said, the levels are much briefer affairs than New Super Mario Bros. U's. That's a good thing, too. Levels in New Super Luigi U have zero checkpoints, much more fiendish star coin locations, hard secret exit spots (all secret exits are located in the same levels as in NSMBU) and a level of challenge that 2D Mario fans haven't seen since the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2. The risk of death is much greater, and the fast levels make having to replay them much less of a hassle. It's also terrific for playing in short bursts.

Give those Piranha Plants a
taste of their own medicine.

A part of the challenge is how Luigi, his two Toad counterparts and the all-new playable character Nabbit (more on him later) control compared to their New Super Mario Bros. U counterparts. They can jump much higher and get extra hang time in the air. However, each character's momentum will have them putting on the brakes noticeably slower than NSMBU's physics. This can make those death-defying leaps all the more intense.

Luigi's just showing off now.

Another aspect of challenge concerns multiplayer. New Super Luigi U wasn't really built for four players. There's far too many thin platforms and jumps that require pixel perfect (or is it polygon perfect?) precision. This can be hard (and quite frustrating) to have a group try to make jumps only to have someone jump off another player's head and bounce into the abyss, or push another player into the lava. Even with two players the game can have some truly tricky spots. Still, players are able to freely enter a bubble at any time to stay out of the way of harm, but this can be abused to make New Super Luigi U easier than intended. Don't disgrace yourself and your friends by doing this. If there is no dignity, then there is no honor-- or something like that.

There's not much real estate to
work with here for four players.

New Super Luigi U is a devious game in difficulty, so some might be curious as to whether or not the game would be suitable for younger children and family members to play. This is where the fourth playable character comes in, Nabbit. Nabbit is unlike Luigi, Yellow Toad and Blue Toad. He can only lose a life by being crushed, falling down a pit, or touching lava or poisoned water. He can run through enemies without taking damage. Nabbit cannot pick up objects or use items. He simply grabs them and puts them in his burlap sack. How ever many he nabs will grant him several 1-ups at the end of a given level.

I'm guessing someone doesn't
want us in this tower.

New Super Luigi U delivers something that a lot of Mario fans have been desiring for a long time-- a 2D Mario platformer that is tough to beat. Technically, this isn't a 2D Mario game, but a 2D Luigi game, so theoretically Mario fans are still waiting. In all seriousness, New Super Luigi U is a great game to play in small sessions, but also nice for long playing periods. You can make a hefty amount of progress in a few short hours. The levels are magnificently designed, the level of challenge is high but fair, and the option to play as Nabbit allows a type of accessibility so all can enjoy this downloadable content turned retail package. As the tagline of this review reads, "It ain't easy being green, but it sure is fun."

[SPC Says: 8.5/10]

2013: The Return of the Year of the Platformer?

We don't follow the Chinese New Year at all, so we're not certain of what year it is for that country. Year of the Snake? Year of the Dragon? Year of the Dolphin? Who knows. What we do know is that for the gaming industry, we're seeing a large number of platforming titles, both 2D and 3D, that make us extremely happy. Platformers are what we grew up on as 8-bit and then 16-bit era kids. It's our fondest genre to play. Perhaps we could call 2013 the Year of the Platformer instead of whatever animal China has. Here are nine of the biggest retail platformers that are coming out from now until the end of the year!

Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

We are of the mind that Super Mario 3D World is the type of game that players won't know they wanted until they get to experience the final version. No doubt many have already made up their minds about the game because it's not Super Mario Galaxy 3, or a reasonable substitute. Instead, the game is akin to one of the greatest Nintendo 3DS games, Super Mario 3D Land. That excites us already, as that game was a perfect mix of 2D and 3D Mario gameplay. The addition of true multiplayer, a first for the 3D line of Mario games, is something we know will make us play through Super Mario 3D World a plethora of times. Knowing that each of the four playable characters control differently is exciting as well. We were hesitant at first to hype Super Mario 3D World, but then we remembered that one of the greatest and most heralded studios in Nintendo EAD is working on the game. Based on their output, we can feel at ease in giving them the benefit of the doubt.

New Super Luigi U (Wii U)

Speaking of years, it's the Year of Luigi, as well. This game has already been available via downloadable content to New Super Mario Bros. U. However, a separate (and $10 more expensive) retail release is coming to North America this Sunday. New Super Luigi U consists of drastically shorter and much more challenging levels than what players experienced in New Super Mario Bros. U. Even the first world consists of difficulty that wasn't present in Mario's adventure until much later in the game. The ability to play as the untouchable Nabbit will allow even beginning players to enjoy Luigi's platforming journey. We wanted more challenge from New Super Mario Bros. U, and now with New Super Luigi U, we've got it!

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U)

When Retro Studios was asked which project they wanted to do next, they jumped on the chance to create a new entry in the Donkey Kong Country series. After seeing how well Donkey Kong Country Returns turned out, we're feverishly anticipating Tropical Freeze, set to release some time in November. Levels are much more dynamic this time around, with barrels that blast players around giant trees with a camera that follows. Dixie Kong has returned from her long hiatus from the series, and speaking of hiatuses, Dave Wise, the original composer of the SNES trilogy is on board to create the music for this Wii U exclusive. Did we mention that swimming has returned as well? Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is shaping up to eclipse Retro's initial DKC offering, and that will be one amazing achievement.

Sonic Lost World (Wii U, 3DS)

People often bring up the "Sonic Cycle" for new Sonic the Hedgehog games, but if Sonic Colors and Sonic Generations are anything to go by, that so-called cycle has been broken for a while now. Sonic Lost World hopes to continue that streak, and thus far the circular worlds of the game and parkour-like platforming make us cautiously optimistic. Controlling Sonic is much easier, utilizing the shoulder buttons to set Sonic's speed. This is contrary to past games, where you didn't have as much control over how fast Sonic ran. Without a shoulder button held, Sonic simply saunters. It's only when a shoulder button is pressed down does he speed through levels. Sonic Lost World came as a surprise, and we hope that it succeeds in giving Nintendo another excellent platformer and game on their system.

Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus (PS3)

The past two Ratchet & Clank games were respectable in the regard that they tried something new with the series. That said, they were lesser experiences compared to past installments. All 4 One tried four player co-op both online and off, and Full Frontal Assault attempted an action-based tower defense game. Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus is a budget title ($29.99 MSRP) that returns the lovable lombax and robot pair to the origins of the series: action platforming with a focus on leveling up weapons through repeated use and using gadgets to explore the colorful worlds of the game. Ratchet & Clank is one of our favorite PlayStation franchises, and we cannot express how happy we are to see the series return to what made it so popular in the first place.

Puppeteer (PS3)

Sony's Japan Studio has not been very pronounced this past generation. They seem to be coming back with a vengeance, however, with the upcoming early September release, Puppeteer. The game is a 2D side-scroller which has players controlling Kutaro, a boy who has been transformed into a puppet and has had his head stolen. Using a magical pair of scissors, Kutaro goes on a platforming journey to retrieve his pilfered head and return to his own world. Sony has no doubt impressed us with the amazing amount of new franchises they have created in the PlayStation 3 era. Not only are they new franchises, but they're new experiences. So many times new IPs are made that simply feel like games we've already played. Puppeteer is thankfully not one of those, and that's why we're so hyped for it, regardless of how well (or bad) it will do commercially.

Rayman Legends (Wii U, PS3, 360, PC, Vita)

Let's get this out of the way. We've tried the PlayStation 3 demo of Rayman Legends, and the Murray parts just don't work as well as the Wii U version. That shouldn't be any surprise, as the Wii U was the system Rayman Legends was built for. Nonetheless, we're bound to have a good time regardless of the platform we get the game on. Ubisoft's delay of Rayman Legends has given the game a multitude of new levels, boss battles, and even Rayman Origins levels made using Legends's sophisticated graphics engine. We cannot wait to finally be able to insert the Rayman Legends disc into our hungry Wii Us. Multiplayer is going to be an absolute blast, if Rayman Origins is anything to go by. We'll most likely be the first ones at our local game store to pick up Legends when it releases early next month. Lucky European gamers can grab the game next week.

Skylanders: Swap Force (PS4, XONE, Wii U, PS3, 360, Wii, 3DS)

Disney Infinity released this past week and has given this next game series some stiff competition. The third game in the Skylanders series is set to release in North America first (unlike past games that Australia received first) this November. It's called Skylanders: Swap Force, and the swapping in the title refers to how each figure has a top half and a bottom half. These can be swapped with other figures to create entirely different creatures. While past console installments have been brawlers with some exploration, Swap Force allows each character to jump, expanding the level design possibilities greatly. Seeing as Skylanders: Swap Force is releasing on practically every platform under the sun, it will be hard to miss when it releases in a few months.

Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (Wii U, PS3, 360, 3DS)

Okay, we might be stretching it with this one, as Pac-Man as of late hasn't had the greatest success game-wise. Furthermore, a game based off a television show isn't the most promising proposition either. Regardless, we're listing Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures here anyway. If Namco Bandai can fix some of the issues of the Pac-Man World games, such as the camera, for one, Ghostly Adventures will be a much better game for it. While the console versions are 3D platformers, the 3DS version has us most interested, as it is entirely 2 1/2-D. We'll see if our skepticism of Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures is justified when the game releases towards the end of November.

New Super Luigi U (Wii U) E3 2013 Trailer

Releasing on the Wii U eShop later this month and in retail form late August, New Super Luigi U is downloadable content down right. Watch the challenging-looking levels-- over 80 of them in the final game-- that will get players losing lives at a fast pace.

New Super Luigi U (Wii U) Overview Trailer

Part of the Year of Luigi, New Super Luigi U features over 80 new courses, a new playable character in Nabbit, and a whole new level of challenge. The downloadable version of New Super Luigi U releases in North America on June 20, while the retail boxed copy arrives late August.

New Super Luigi U (Wii U) Box Art and Screens

New Super Luigi U had its release date announced today. On June 20 those with New Super Mario Bros. U can download the game for $19.99. Those without NSMBU or wish to have a boxed copy of the game for their collection will have to wait for late August. They will also need to pay $29.99 for the game. For now, look at the official box art and some new screens for the game.

New Super Luigi U (Wii U) New Screens

If you've been living under a rock or do not follow gaming news regularly, then let us enlighten you on New Super Luigi U, downloadable content that is coming out this summer for the Wii U launch title New Super Mario Bros. U. The DLC will be single-player and star a Luigi that can jump higher, but has bad stopping power. 80 new levels will be available for those who can't get enough 2D Mario (like us) to enjoy.