“New Super Mario Bros. U” is a very enjoyable game, but it comes with several aggravating flaws.
This was my most anticipated launch title for the Wii U, and while the game itself is very enjoyable, it suffers from several long load times and other minor flaws that, while not bad enough to turn players away, will annoy them.
The first time I started the game I was prompted to download a software update, which took 40 minutes to download and install. Software updates by themselves don’t bother me, but having to download one the day the game comes out does. Once the update finished, I came across my biggest problem with “New Super Mario Bros. U.”
The game takes upwards of five minutes to load on the initial start-up. Even worse, the game doesn’t display a loading message or animation of any kind to let you know what’s going on. I thought the system had locked up the first time it happened, but additional testing proved that it just takes a really long time to load the game.
The loading time is much shorter on subsequent start-ups as long as the disc is left in the system, even if the Wii U is powered off. However, if the disc is removed, perhaps to play something else, and then re-inserted, you will have to deal with another five-minute loading session. Admittedly, this is a relatively minor complaint, and one that will hopefully be solved by another 40 plus minute update sometime in the future.
Once I finally got to play the game I was thoroughly entertained, although it should be noted that this game looks and plays basically the same as the “New Super Mario Bros. Wii,” other than the levels being new and a couple of different power-ups, making it feel more like an expansion rather than a true sequel.
The game controlled well and had nice level designs, while not offering anything noticeably different from any of the other Mario titles in the “New” series. It was challenging without feeling frustrating. Those familiar with the previous title in the series, “New Super Mario Bros. Wii,” will feel right at home with this one; the same multi-player options are present in this version as are the same flaws and benefits, although now a fifth player can use the Wii U’s game pad to create platform blocks to help the other players get to hard-to-reach areas or prevent them from falling to their deaths.
The graphics are colorful, varied and all-around very pleasant, but do not appear significantly better than games being released on the Xbox 360, PS3 or even a late-release Wii game. They are unlikely to impress a seasoned player, but they get the job done.
The sound is equally competent, for the most part. The game’s music is catchy, but nothing out of the ordinary. Sound effects are handled efficiently but forgettably with a couple of exceptions.
The various hoots and exclamations made by Mario and the other players are repetitive and quickly grow tiresome and irritating.
One neat sound gimmick that I really liked occurred during games with multiple players. If one character dies while another is still alive, the dead character can respawn on-screen in a floating bubble and can rejoin the game if the still-living character reaches him or her. Players can shake their remotes to move the character in the bubble, and doing so will result in a brief phrase such as “Help me!” or “Get me out of here!” to emanate from the speaker on their controller. It’s a small touch, but I enjoyed it.
Overall, “New Super Mario Bros. U” is a fun and challenging game, and the best of the three games I got to play. If you do decide to buy a Wii U, and the load times don’t bother you, definitely give Mario a try.
