Nintendo Switch among the platforms
For the first time in years, the long-dormant rivalry between the well-groomed plumber and the stylishly dressed great ape was reignited in 2001 with the release of the Game Boy Advance version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. It also served as the catalyst for an entire puzzle-platformer spin-off series, which by the middle of the 2010s had amassed six titles. Though that first installment is starting to look a little antiquated, this high-definition remake for the Switch updates the original with new play options, levels, and captivating cutscenes to appeal to contemporary gamers.
A sense of character and emotion is better established in those improved cutscenes because of certain exquisitely animated moments. Even while they don’t quite measure up to the 2023 film, they’re still a nice addition when the plot is still quite loose: Donkey Kong decides he wants one of the popular new Mini Mario toys, but when he discovers they’re all sold out, he assaults the factory and takes everything. Mario takes immediate action to retrieve the stolen toys and deliver a powerful blow to DK, in what can only be called a direct act of brand defense.
Mario’s redesigned adventure now has eight worlds instead of the GBA version’s six, including well-known places like Fire Mountain and Donkey Kong’s jungle. Usually, each consists of six two-part stages: in the first, you have to deliver a key to open a locked door, and in the second, you have to find one of the misplaced Mini Mario toys. Three present boxes to find, a twist on each problem from the GBA, and one that requires you to give each level a little more thought will be strewn throughout each half.
a clever selection of brainteasers that have been given more than just a cosmetic update.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong, in contrast to Mario’s more conventional platformers, feels like a tribute to Super Mario Bros. 2, since Mario may perch atop enemies and use them as either a mount to ride over obstacles like spikes or a weapon to throw at other opponents. After completing every major stage in the globe, a Lemmings-style level will unlock, where you must lead the saved Mini Marios around to obtain goodies. This level culminates in a final battle against Donkey Kong, which will bring back memories of both characters’ original arcade looks.
With a few minor adjustments, including replacing the stage-by-stage score system with a “Perfect” star for every item collected, the gameplay remains mostly the same as it did in 2001, but that’s a good thing. It’s cozy without being overly retro, in a way that only Nintendo can pull off. Meanwhile, the two new environments, Slippery Summit and Merry Mini Land, introduce a few new gameplay elements to put returning players’ abilities to the test even more. This results in a game that is nevertheless incredibly well-suited for quick on-the-go play sessions using the Switch portable mode.
However, the game also has a steadily increasing level of difficulty, which its adorable design effectively covers. The difficulty increases with each stage, and by the end you’ll be forced to commit adversary motions and layouts to memory like you’re organizing a complex heist, taking into consideration every possibility to unlock the mysteries of each level.
But in contrast to classic 2D Mario platformers, the “puzzle” component of “puzzle-platformer” is the main focus here. Mario still possesses a wide variety of gymnastic skills, such as handsprings, vaults, and leaps, but he never feels quite as accurate or sensitive as he did during his core series performances. This can often be annoying because it requires even more precise platform jumps and slows down your ability to respond to enemy moves. Mario’s one-hit immediate deaths and time constraints to complete each level are thankfully eliminated by the new ‘Casual’ mode, which also makes some of the most challenging stages slightly more manageable.
In addition to a few other well-executed additions, such as the inclusion of a new Time Attack mode and local cooperative multiplayer where a second player can play as Toad with two keys to find in each level, 2024’s Mario vs. Donkey Kong represents a shrewd return to the series, offering a clever compilation of brainteasers that receive more than just a visual makeover.