Official Review
Mario vs. Donkey Kong, a popular Game Boy Advance game from 2004, has been remade for the Nintendo Switch. This puzzle-platformer takes players on a thrilling adventure as they help Mario retrieve stolen Mini-Mario toys from the mischievous Donkey Kong. With its updated visuals, additional modes, and new worlds, this remake offers a fresh experience for both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
The story of Mario vs. Donkey Kong begins with Donkey Kong storming into Mario's toy factory, snatching up all the Mini-Mario toys. As the head of the Mario Toy Company, Mario sets off on a quest to reclaim his stolen stock. The game's fully animated cutscenes bring the story to life and add a touch of personality to the adventure.
In terms of visuals, the original game's pixelated characters and limited color palette have been replaced with a contemporary Nintendo charm. Mario, Donkey Kong, and the various enemy types now shine with a modern sheen. The game's eight worlds feature beautifully designed levels, ranging from lush green canopies to treacherous lava pools.
Despite its updated look, the core gameplay of Mario vs. Donkey Kong remains faithful to the original. Players control Mario as he navigates trap-filled levels, collecting keys and Mini-Mario toys along the way. Mario's moveset includes flipping into a handstand, picking up enemies, and using their heads as mobile platforms.
Each level is split into two rooms. In the first room, Mario must find a key and carry it to the locked exit. However, he can't perform acrobatic moves while holding the key, adding an extra challenge. In the second room, Mario retrieves stolen Mini-Mario toys, often facing unique obstacles and puzzles.
The Nintendo Switch remake introduces two new worlds: Merry Mini-Land and Slippery Summit. These worlds offer some of the most memorable levels in the game. Merry Mini-Land introduces flower-powered fans and teleporter blocks, while Slippery Summit challenges players with icy platforms and sliding mechanics. These new worlds add fresh and creative elements to the game's foundation.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong's overall degree of difficulty may not match that of other challenging platformers, but precise platforming is still essential. Mario can be defeated by a single hit, emphasizing the need for careful maneuvering. Levels require players to manipulate switches, reveal hidden platforms, and solve puzzles. The game strikes a balance between self-preservation and strategic thinking.
Completing the eight worlds initially takes a few hours, but players can unlock alternate versions with additional levels. Surprisingly, the second set of levels in the alternate versions is easier than the first, resulting in a front-loaded difficulty curve. While this was also true in the original game, it would have been nice to see a more gradual increase in challenge.
For players seeking a greater challenge, Mario vs. Donkey Kong offers a collection of Expert levels that can be unlocked by earning gold stars. These stages are filled with traps and require precise timing and execution. Additionally, the Time Attack mode allows players to race against the clock and find the most efficient path through each level.
However, the increased difficulty of these challenges exposes minor control quirks. Mario occasionally fails to grab onto ladders or chains, and landing slightly off-center on an enemy can result in an unexpected death. These quirks detract from the overall experience and may discourage players from pursuing 100% completion.
One of the highlights of the Nintendo Switch remake is the two-player co-op mode. Players can team up as Mario and Toad, tackling levels together. While the level layouts remain the same, the addition of a second key adds a new layer of collaboration and chaos. However, it is unfortunate that the new casual difficulty setting, with invincibility bubbles, cannot be activated during co-op play.
To compensate for potential lives lost during co-op, the game introduces a new chase-based 1-Up minigame that offers a more enjoyable alternative to the original slot machine-style game. This minigame provides an opportunity to recover lost lives and adds an element of excitement to the overall experience.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong for the Nintendo Switch successfully revitalizes the beloved Game Boy Advance game. With its updated visuals, new worlds, and additional modes, it offers a fresh experience for both fans and newcomers. While the game's difficulty curve could be more balanced, the challenging levels and cooperative gameplay provide hours of entertainment. Whether you're a long-time Mario fan or new to the series, this remake is sure to capture your imagination and keep you engaged in the pursuit of Mini-Mario toys.
A Nostalgic Journey
The story of Mario vs. Donkey Kong begins with Donkey Kong storming into Mario's toy factory, snatching up all the Mini-Mario toys. As the head of the Mario Toy Company, Mario sets off on a quest to reclaim his stolen stock. The game's fully animated cutscenes bring the story to life and add a touch of personality to the adventure.
In terms of visuals, the original game's pixelated characters and limited color palette have been replaced with a contemporary Nintendo charm. Mario, Donkey Kong, and the various enemy types now shine with a modern sheen. The game's eight worlds feature beautifully designed levels, ranging from lush green canopies to treacherous lava pools.
Classic Gameplay with a Twist
Despite its updated look, the core gameplay of Mario vs. Donkey Kong remains faithful to the original. Players control Mario as he navigates trap-filled levels, collecting keys and Mini-Mario toys along the way. Mario's moveset includes flipping into a handstand, picking up enemies, and using their heads as mobile platforms.
Each level is split into two rooms. In the first room, Mario must find a key and carry it to the locked exit. However, he can't perform acrobatic moves while holding the key, adding an extra challenge. In the second room, Mario retrieves stolen Mini-Mario toys, often facing unique obstacles and puzzles.
Memorable New Worlds
The Nintendo Switch remake introduces two new worlds: Merry Mini-Land and Slippery Summit. These worlds offer some of the most memorable levels in the game. Merry Mini-Land introduces flower-powered fans and teleporter blocks, while Slippery Summit challenges players with icy platforms and sliding mechanics. These new worlds add fresh and creative elements to the game's foundation.
A Gradual Difficulty Curve
Mario vs. Donkey Kong's overall degree of difficulty may not match that of other challenging platformers, but precise platforming is still essential. Mario can be defeated by a single hit, emphasizing the need for careful maneuvering. Levels require players to manipulate switches, reveal hidden platforms, and solve puzzles. The game strikes a balance between self-preservation and strategic thinking.
Completing the eight worlds initially takes a few hours, but players can unlock alternate versions with additional levels. Surprisingly, the second set of levels in the alternate versions is easier than the first, resulting in a front-loaded difficulty curve. While this was also true in the original game, it would have been nice to see a more gradual increase in challenge.
Extra Challenges and Control Quirks
For players seeking a greater challenge, Mario vs. Donkey Kong offers a collection of Expert levels that can be unlocked by earning gold stars. These stages are filled with traps and require precise timing and execution. Additionally, the Time Attack mode allows players to race against the clock and find the most efficient path through each level.
However, the increased difficulty of these challenges exposes minor control quirks. Mario occasionally fails to grab onto ladders or chains, and landing slightly off-center on an enemy can result in an unexpected death. These quirks detract from the overall experience and may discourage players from pursuing 100% completion.
Cooperative Fun and Casual Difficulty
One of the highlights of the Nintendo Switch remake is the two-player co-op mode. Players can team up as Mario and Toad, tackling levels together. While the level layouts remain the same, the addition of a second key adds a new layer of collaboration and chaos. However, it is unfortunate that the new casual difficulty setting, with invincibility bubbles, cannot be activated during co-op play.
To compensate for potential lives lost during co-op, the game introduces a new chase-based 1-Up minigame that offers a more enjoyable alternative to the original slot machine-style game. This minigame provides an opportunity to recover lost lives and adds an element of excitement to the overall experience.
Verdict
Mario vs. Donkey Kong for the Nintendo Switch successfully revitalizes the beloved Game Boy Advance game. With its updated visuals, new worlds, and additional modes, it offers a fresh experience for both fans and newcomers. While the game's difficulty curve could be more balanced, the challenging levels and cooperative gameplay provide hours of entertainment. Whether you're a long-time Mario fan or new to the series, this remake is sure to capture your imagination and keep you engaged in the pursuit of Mini-Mario toys.
