Super Mario Bros. U
© 2012 Nintendo of America
Feeling nostalgic? Super Mario Bros. U is the newest entry in Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. series that began in 1985 on the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). The headline is that this is the first HD version, because it runs on the new Wii U system. The biggest question might be, why does this game require the advanced Wii U hardware? Maybe the Wii U needs Mario more than Mario needs the Wii U. The startup sequence feels clunky due to the Wii U gamepad, though the gamepad does have extra functions in multiplayer modes and allows you to play the game on the in-controller screen without a TV. Also, the instructions feel complicated - for example button instructions on the control pad screen and the TV are different. But once you hear Mario's famous "Here we go!", it's all good. After a learning curve, however, you're ready to have some fun. The basic gameplay is unchanged compared to all the other Super Mario Bros. games, but Mario does have a new move allowing him to jump off the side of walls. This adds a new strategic element, now making dangerous jumps possible if you can time them just right. There also plenty of fun, frustrating sequences that require puzzle solving or exquisite timing to get through. Strengths include excellent HD graphics, with a whimsical, cartoonish look that is rich and detailed by the crisp, high-definition video quality. In fact, of all the new Super Mario titles, this one looks and feels the most like the very first. The game will appeal to all ages, and while it is intuitive enough for younger kids to figure out, nostalgic adults will enjoy this one. It's a wonderful and entertaining update to a proven old school formula.
$60, Wii U
Teaches: logic, social play, video game history
CTR Rating: 95%