New Super Mario Bros. U
| New Super Mario Bros. U | |
|---|---|
 Packaging artwork released for all territories |
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| Developer(s) | Nintendo EAD Group No. 4 |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Director(s) | Masataka Takemoto |
| Producer(s) | Takashi Tezuka Hiroyuki Kimura |
| Designer(s) | Shigeyuki Asuke Daiki Iwamoto Ryutaro Kanno |
| Artist(s) | Masanobu Sato |
| Composer(s) | Shiho Fujii Mahito Yokota |
| Series | Super Mario |
| Platform(s) | Wii U |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Media/distribution | Wii U Optical Disc, Nintendo eShop |
New Super Mario Bros. U (ニュー・スーパーマリオブラザーズ・U Nyū Sūpā Mario Burazāzu Yū) is a 2012 side-scrolling platform video game in the Super Mario franchise developed by Nintendo for Wii U. It is the fourth title in the New Super Mario Bros. series of Mario games. It was released as a launch title in North America on November 18, 2012, in Europe and Australia on November 30, 2012, and in Japan on December 8, 2012.[1] An additional campaign for the Year of Luigi, New Super Luigi U, will be released as downloadable content on June 20, 2013, and as a standalone package in July 13, 2013 in Japan July 26, 2013 in Europe and August 25, 2013 in North America.[2]
Contents |
Gameplay [edit]
New Super Mario Bros. U iterates on the gameplay featured in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The objective of each level is to reach the goal flag at the end of each level while avoiding enemies and hazards.
The game can be controlled either using Wii Remotes or the Wii U GamePad, the latter of which allows for Off-TV Play, where the game can be played strictly on the Gamepad's screen, without the use of a television.[3] The Wii U Pro Controller cannot be used, although it has all the necessary buttons.
Up to five players can play simultaneously. In multiplayer, the player using the Wii U Gamepad cannot control characters (Rather, this player can put blocks down and stun enemies). Wii U owners must therefore purchase 2–4 Wii Remotes to control 2–4 characters. The players using Wii Remotes can choose from Mario, Luigi, and two Toads (although the first player is always Mario in the main game).
Certain game modes also allow players to play Mii characters saved on their console. New to this version is an asymmetric multiplayer experience called Boost Mode. In this mode, the player with the GamePad can use the touchscreen to place blocks on the screen or stun enemies to aid the other player(s). This can be used to both assist amateur players and allow expert players to perform speed runs.[4][5] The Koopalings, Bowser, Kamek, Boom Boom and Bowser Jr. appear as the game's main villains.
Along with returning elements, such as Ice Flowers and Yoshis, New Super Mario Bros. U introduces new power-ups, such as a flying squirrel suit that allows players to glide across long distances or slowly descend down vertical paths[4] and cling to the side of the walls.[6] Baby Yoshis can be carried by the individual players. Each baby Yoshi has a special ability based on its color, such as inflating in midair, blowing bubbles to attack enemies and illuminating dark areas.[5] Some older power-ups also have new abilities; for example, the Mini Mushroom now allows players to run up walls.[7] Unlike the previous New Super Mario Bros. games, which have separate maps for each of the game's worlds, New Super Mario Bros. U features one large map containing all the game's worlds and levels, similar to that of Super Mario World. Some levels have multiple exits that lead to the different areas on the map.[8] The Super Guide, which takes control of the player's character and moves it automatically through a level, is available in case the player has failed a level many times.
The game features two new modes of play, Challenge Mode and Boost Rush. Challenge Mode adds unique challenges, such as clearing levels quickly or earning as many 1-UPs in a row as possible without touching the ground. The Coin Battles from New Super Mario Bros. Wii also return and this time, the player can customize the battles with the GamePad to place the coins and Star Coins on the course.
Boost Rush takes place on an automatically scrolling level which increases in speed as players collect coins, with the goal to clear the stage as quickly as possible.[7] The game also utilizes Miiverse, allowing players to share comments about particular levels with one another.[6][9]
Plot [edit]
In a change of pace from his usual kidnapping routine, Bowser, along with the Koopalings, decides to invade Princess Peach's castle, using a giant mechanical arm to throw Mario, Luigi and the Toads far away. Mario and company must now travel across this new land and find a way to go to the Princess' castle in order to save Peach again. On the way, they encounter each Koopaling and some minor enemies found inside levels. By conquering levels, they inch closer to Peach.[10]
Development [edit]
New Super Mario Bros. U started development shortly after the release of New Super Mario Bros. Wii and took three years to develop.[11]
The game, initially entitled New Super Mario Bros. Mii, was first revealed at E3 2011 as one of several tech demos demonstrating the capabilities of Wii U. The demo's visual style duplicated New Super Mario Bros. Wii, but featured high-definition graphics, and Mii characters were notably featured as playable characters alongside Mario and Luigi.[12] Shigeru Miyamoto later announced that the Mario demo was going to be released as a full game for the system, and would be demonstrated in its revised form at E3 2012.[13] The new game, titled New Super Mario Bros. U, was revealed at the event and was announced to be released alongside the Wii U console.[1][14]
Audio [edit]
The game's soundtrack was written by Shiho Fujii and Mahito Yokota, who both reprise their roles as composers in the series from New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Super Mario Galaxy, respectively. Koji Kondo served as the sound advisor.
Charles Martinet reprises his role as Mario and Luigi, while Caety Sagoian returns as the voice of Bowser Jr. and Bowser is voiced by Kenny James. Lani Minella, Mike Vaughn and Dan Falcone reprised their roles as the Koopalings and Sam Kelly reprises her role as Princess Peach, Blue Toad and Yellow Toad.
Reception [edit]
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 84.48%[15] |
| Metacritic | 84/100[16] |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| 1UP.com | B+[17] |
| G4 | 3.5/5[18] |
| Game Informer | 9.25/10[19] |
| GamesMaster | 82%[20] |
| IGN | 9.1/10[21] |
| Official Nintendo Magazine | 86% |
| Joystiq |   [22] |
| Giant Bomb |  [23] |
The game received mostly positive reviews from critics. GamesMaster magazine called it "a great excuse for families to gather round the TV, and an enticing glimpse of Mario's HD future".[20] IGN stated that "Nintendo's approach here strikes a great balance in all areas, ranging from its difficulty to design to enemies and bosses".[21] Joystiq commented "There's a sense of wonder again, of exploration and discovery. I'm not quite prepared to say New Super Mario Bros. U fully recaptures the spark of Mario's 2D heyday, but it's an impressive step in the right direction".[22]
Despite the positive reviews, Giant Bomb noted "Everything about New Super Mario Bros. U is pretty exciting, except the game itself. Is it possible that this is the best game in the 'New' series to date--not to mention one of the best exclusive Wii U games on the market, by default--and at the same time kind of flatly uninteresting? Apparently so. The game is perfectly well made for what it is, and I had plenty of fun playing it in short bursts here and there, but at this point the series' by-the-numbers design philosophy is starting to lend the name 'New Super Mario Bros.' a degree of unintentional irony".[23] At the 10th Annual Spike Video Game Awards on Spike, New Super Mario Bros. U won "Best Wii/Wii U Game".
As of March 31, 2013[update], New Super Mario Bros. U has worldwide sales of 2.15 million.[24]
Awards [edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Spike Video Game Awards | Best Wii/Wii U Game | Shigeru Miyamoto | Won |
New Super Mario Bros. U was also won the "Wii U Retail Game of 2012" by NintendoLife,[25] and was awarded Game of the Year by Vooks.net.[citation needed]
New Super Luigi U [edit]
| New Super Luigi U | |
|---|---|
 North American box art |
|
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Series | Super Mario |
| Platform(s) | Wii U |
| Release date(s) | DLC
|
| Genre(s) | Platform |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Media/distribution | Wii U Optical Disc, Nintendo eShop |
A downloadable content (DLC) package focusing on Luigi, titled New Super Luigi U, is currently in development. Playing as Luigi, the DLC will alter all the levels with a reduced time limit of one hundred seconds.[26][27] With Mario excluded from the playable character lineup, an additional character, Nabbit, is playable in multiplayer. Nabbit is immune to enemy damage, but cannot pick up any power-ups. The game will be released as downloable content for the main game on the Nintendo eShop on June 20, 2013. A standalone retail version will be released on July 26, 2013 in Europe and on August 25, 2013 in North America.[28]
References [edit]
- ^ a b Newton, James (19 June 2012). "First Impressions: New Super Mario Bros. U". NintendoLife. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ http://kotaku.com/new-super-luigi-u-gets-a-full-retail-release-august-25-508193346
- ^ Stein, Scott (November 19, 2012). "What the Wii U needs next". CNET. Retrieved December 9, 2012.
- ^ a b George, Richard (5 June 2012). "E3 2012: New Super Mario Bros. U - The Glory of the Flying Squirrel". IGN. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ a b Little, Riley (12 June 2012). "‘New Super Mario Bros. U’ Hands-On Preview". Game Rant, LLC.
- ^ a b Charles, Jonathan. "New Super Mario Bros. U Not Launch Title or Rehash of Predecessors". Mobile & Apps. Retrieved July 2012.
- ^ a b "It's Impossible to Hate the New New Super Mario Bros. U". Kotaku.com. 2012-09-13. Retrieved 2012-11-19.
- ^ Fletcher, Leon. "Fab New Super Mario Bros. U Details Revealed". Palm Gamer. Retrieved 8 September 2012.
- ^ George, Richard (5 June 2012). "E3 2012: Behind the Scenes of New Super Mario Bros. U". IGN. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Little, Riley. "New 'New Super Mario Bros. U' Screenshots and Details". Game Rant. Retrieved September 2012.
- ^ "What Should Be New?". Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. U. Nintendo. Retrieved November 16, 2012.
- ^ "E3 2011: The Miis Meet Classic Nintendo Franchises on Wii U". IGN. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Dawson, James (16 April 2012). "New Super Mario Bros. Mii Is the Mario Bros. Wii U Game". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved 28 June 2012.
- ^ Narcisse, Evan (5 June 2012). "Hallelujah! New Super Mario Bros. U Coming to Wii U". Kotaku.
- ^ "New Super Mario Bros. U for Wii U". GameRankings. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
- ^ "New Super Mario Bros. U for Wii U Review". Metacritic. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
- ^ "New Super Mario Bros. U Review: Nintendo's Safe Bet". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
- ^ Wishnov, Jason (2012-11-15). "New Super Mario Bros. U Review". G4. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
- ^ "New Super Mario Bros. U Review". gameinformer. 18 November 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
- ^ a b "First review of New Super Mario Bros. U and Nintendo Land arrived". 5 November 2012. Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ a b "New Super Mario Bros. Wii Review". IGN. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
- ^ a b "New Super Mario Bros. U review: A return to form". Joystiq. Retrieved 2012-11-15.
- ^ a b "New Super Mario Bros. U Review". Giant Bomb. Retrieved 2012-11-18.
- ^ "Top Selling Software Sales Units - Wii U Software". Nintendo. 2013-03-31. Retrieved 2013-04-24.
- ^ Whitehead, Thomas. "Game of the Year: Nintendo Life's Staff Awards 2012". NintendoLife. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- ^ Karmali, Luke. "Nintendo Announces New Super Luigi U DLC". IGN. Retrieved February 2013.
- ^ http://kotaku.com/new-super-luigi-u-dlc-coming-this-summer-474834474
- ^ http://www.joystiq.com/2013/05/17/super-luigi/
External links [edit]
- Official website
- Official European website
- Official Japanese website
- New Super Mario Bros. U at MarioWiki
- New Super Luigi U at MarioWiki
- New Super Mario Bros. Mii at MarioWiki
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