In 1985, Nintendo launched a console with a game in which players ran from side to side,

jumped on turtles and saved a princess. And almost three decades later, they’re doing

the same thing. Only this console comes with a touch screen, and this game is f*cking unbelievable.

Hey, I said things stay the same, too. It’s New Super Mario Bros. U.

Of course, it’s only fair—and a little surprising—to point out...that this is the

first Mario game Nintendo has launched with a home console since 1996, and the first of

the side scrolling variety since the Super Nintendo in 1991. That game was called Super

Mario World, and it’s only fitting that this game would share some history with it.

I mean, why not? It shares everything else.

Continuous overworld? Check.

Baby Yoshi? Check.

Suit that lets you float? Check.

Mario U is so reminiscent of Mario World, and even Mario Bros. 3, to an extent, that

if you grew up playing those games...you’ll immediately fall for this one.

Now, that’s not to say this is just a cover band playing all the greatest hits. It’s

obvious the people designing today’s Mario games adored the classic titles, as their

nods to the old-school are abundant. But the work on Mario U suggests they’re finally

interested in progressing 2D Mario design, as well.

For starters, this game has some of the best Mario levels in years...maybe decades, and

that’s not hyperbole. They get better and better as you get closer to Peach’s Castle,

but even the early stages benefit from really clever approaches to 2D platformer design.

The foundation is clearly a combination of Mario’s two best side-scrollers, but from

there, New Super Mario Bros. U gets genuinely creative.

Not to mention brutal.

And while it doesn’t do much with the GamePad, aside from letting you play on the touch screen...Mario

U does quite a bit with the platform’s built-in software. No other launch title shows as much

potential for the Miiverse, allowing players to share their reactions to levels with drawings

or messages. And the game even has modes for things like speed runs, which is awesome for

veterans.

But of course, the game isn’t perfect, either. The gameplay is unreal, the controls are sharper

and more responsive than most games wish they could be...but Nintendo was obviously content

with the status quo for its presentation. Mario looks good in HD, but the art really

plays it safe. And although Nintendo does dip their toe in the water, in terms of teasing

artistic creativity, they never actually jump in.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t, once again, jump into the Mushroom Kingdom.

If you’re a regular visitor, plenty of new features and razor-sharp platforming awaits

you. And if it’s been a while...you might be surprised by what they’ve done with the

place. A masterful combination of new and old, New Super Mario Bros. U is the Mushroom

Kingdom you’ve always remembered...only better.