

Fortunately, multiplayer helps to defuse some of the game’s mounting challenge. Worlds grow longer and less guided, and levels and fortresses increase in difficulty.

The lengthy story mode, which spans eight worlds and tons of levels, starts off sluggish but ramps into into a creative insanity not seen in 2D Mario games since Super Mario World. It is a great realization of playground-like discussions of games and their secrets, and its inclusion makes New Super Mario Bros. The Miiverse integration is only a small piece of the game, but after playing with it, I can’t imagine the game without it. The posts you make note which level you’re on, and remain there for friends and random people to read. Players can post to Miiverse at any time, but the game frequently leaves the player prompts to write about. U’s Miiverse support is simple, but effective in fostering a fun communal aspect. Each world and level has its own name, which, aside from making them stand out from the series’ typical naming scheme, makes the Miiverse integration richer you’ll remember the Prickly Goomba level more fondly than Level 4-3. The overworld is gorgeous, especially in HD, and the nooks and crannies hide numerous surprises. U light years beyond previous entries in the NSMB series. Fortunately, following that slow start, the game opens up to a high degree with an interconnected overworld, clever level designs, and oodles of secrets, all of which place New Super Mario Bros. At the outset, Bowser takes over Peach’s castle, and Mario and company have to fight through common level tropes. U feels bigger and more important, even if it doesn’t start that way. More so than any previous New Super Mario Bros.
