New Super Mario Bros ticks all the right boxes

The first major game release of 2019 has arrived and it’s a revamp of a beloved classic. So how does the New Super Mario Bros measure up?

The start of a new year is an exciting time in the gaming world, with developers scheduling the release of their best new material into the market for the early months of the year.

This year is no exception, with gamers already sinking their teeth into the first major game release of 2019.

Nintendo’s New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe was released in stores this month, offering old fans a reimagined classic and new fans an addictive new game to try.

The new Super Mario Bros U Deluxe, available on Nintendo Switch.

While 2018 was a huge year for gaming (with the highly publicised release of Red Dead Redemption 2 and God of War) the bright, bubbly New Super Mario Bros offering seems to be commanding all the attention right now.

The first 2D Mario platformer on the Nintendo Switch is a port from Wii U’s New Super Mario Bros U, and while the gameplay is pretty much the same, there are some extra goodies that new and old players of the franchise will love.

If you’re like me, and never owner a Wii U, then it’s been a long time since we were able to play a classic Mario 2D adventure game.

So getting stuck into this revamped version is guaranteed to get you your Super Mario fix.

New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe is now available on Nintendo Switch. Picture: Nintendo

On the new console, Mario, Luigi and the gang are looking better than ever, as they attempt their age old mission of rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser.

The Nintendo Switch version of the game has better graphics and a higher resolution than it ever did on the Wii U, coming in a native display of 1080p in TV mode and 720p in the handheld mode.

You can explore the Mushroom Kingdom by yourself or with up to 3 friends, playing as any of the 5 characters in the game.

You can also switch freely between the characters on the map pause menu.

This includes the two new characters, Toadette and Nabbit, who seem to make the game much easier.

New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe is now available on Nintendo Switch. Picture: Nintendo

Toadette can turn into Peachette and gain Princess Peach’s floating and double jump powers, while Nabbit retains immunity to enemy attacks from the New Super Luigi U DLC.

These characters are great options for new players as it is makes it much harder for the character to fall from the stage.

Nintendo has also introduced a new ‘Hints Gallery’ section, which appears after players have died a number of times or are struggling with a level.

This new change really makes the game more manageable for beginners.

While Bowser, Bowser Jr. and the Koopalings all appear in the game as bosses, Nintendo developers have shut down recent fan speculation, confirming there is no new Bowsette character in the game.

New Super Mario Bros U Deluxe has something for every type of player. Picture: Nintendo

DLC

The new Super Luigi U expansion, which was once available as DLC on the Wii U version of the game in 2013, will be making its return once again, and will be free to download from launch date.

Two games for the price of one? Not bad at all.

The DLC has also seen some new additions, like the ability to play as any of the 5 characters, rather than just Luigi or Nabbit.

PRICE

The new Super Mario Bros U Deluxe costs about $79.95.

VERDICT

The new Super Mario Bros U Deluxe offers players everything from the Wii U version of the game and advances characters and plots.

It also finally brings a staple 2D Mario platformer to the new generation of Nintendo, which was sorely needed.

There’s something for all players, whether you played the game on Wii U or you’ve never played a Mario game before.

And the fact that you get two games for the price of one is a pretty good deal.

The digital version of the game only takes up around 2.5GB of space on the Nintendo Switch, which is pretty impressive considering there are two games included.

Other than being a port, the only real downside is that an early Mario release may mean we don’t see the loveable Italian plumber on our consoles again this year.

But you never know, Nintendo could still surprise us.

RATING

4/5

Wilson Smith is a gaming writer for news.com.au. Continue the conversation @wilson_smithDT