New Super Mario Bros. U

 Wii U
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 961 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 715 out of 961
  2. Mixed: 176 out of 961
  3. Negative: 70 out of 961
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  1. Jacob143
    Aug 1, 2023
    5
    This game is so mediocre. It can be fun yes but it doesn't change that this game just feels like New Super Mario Bros Wii dlc in hd with only a couple new powerups and they charged $60 for this. Do not play this just play New Super Mario Bros on the DS or Wii those are actually original and having actual new stuff in them. Do not recommend
  2. blinkmass
    Jun 23, 2023
    7
    A good game, but in retrospect, a terrible launch title for the Wii U. It did a poor job demonstrating the console's capabilities, both in terms of HD graphics and utilizing the GamePad in a compelling way. Not to mention the fact that it released the same year as NSMB2, cannibalizing sales between both games. This was never going to be a system seller, (which a first-party launch titleA good game, but in retrospect, a terrible launch title for the Wii U. It did a poor job demonstrating the console's capabilities, both in terms of HD graphics and utilizing the GamePad in a compelling way. Not to mention the fact that it released the same year as NSMB2, cannibalizing sales between both games. This was never going to be a system seller, (which a first-party launch title should be) considering there were three cheaper, practically identical alternatives available on other consoles.

    If this game has anything going for it, it's the challenge mode. I sunk 15+ hours into finishing that alone, and I enjoyed it considerably more than the main campaign. However, there's really not much else notable about it in comparison to the other games in the series, which appears to be a running theme. The NSMB series is so overdone at this point (and was 11 years ago) and this isn't the big refresh 2D Mario needed and the Wii U deserved, which we seem to be finally getting with Super Mario Bros. Wonder.    … Expand
  3. Derpcat
    Oct 10, 2022
    7
    New Super Mario Bros U came out in the same year as New Super Mario Bros. 2. As a Wii U launch game, it got more copies bought that it would have if it was not a launch game. Right now, you’re probably saying,”Say that again?” It sold better then it should’ve. Does it hold up today?

    The story is a little bit different. Instead, PEACH’s castle was taken over. Well, story never defines a    New Super Mario Bros U came out in the same year as New Super Mario Bros. 2. As a Wii U launch game, it got more copies bought that it would have if it was not a launch game. Right now, you’re probably saying,”Say that again?” It sold better then it should’ve. Does it hold up today?

    The story is a little bit different. Instead, PEACH’s castle was taken over. Well, story never defines a platforming game (Much less a Mario game). The gameplay is the same as it always was, and they added a minimal amount of new gimmicks, which really brought the game down. I’m starting to feel like this is just New Super Mario Bros. Wii. There is one new power up and an “infinite” version of that same power up. The Nabbit chases were probably the only original part.

    The overall presentation is good, just not memorable. The locations are the same as in Wii and 2. There’s nothing that really stood out to me. The soundtrack is bah-bah-boring, and most of the songs are old, and the new ones are bah remixes of the original Super Mario Bros. soundtrack.

    There is quite a bit of content. 3 stars in every level, and if you get a world, you get an extra level. There are some other challenge modes which are a lot of fun, but they are limited and they’re nothing you can’t make in Mario Maker. There are also battle modes against your friends, which I never played because I will never play a 2d platformer with friends.

    This game is so similar to Wii, it should be called New Super Mario Bros: Wiihash. If you don’t own any other 2d Mario game or Mario Maker, then maybe you should get this. Not on the Switch though…    … Expand
  4. Jattaman
    Oct 8, 2022
    7
    Episodio divertente e colorato, giocabile anche in più persone.
    Un platform 2D che segue i classici episodi di Mario, con grafica colorata e ottima giocabilità.
  5. FireBroFilms
    Aug 15, 2022
    7
    ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎
  6. Skyrus
    Mar 24, 2022
    7
    New Super Mario Bros. U is a gem in the Wii U Library and is a must for all Mario fans that own a Wii U. Though the game isn't that different from it's previous titles like New Super Mario Bros Wii. however the game is still filled with some new features like challenge mode and the Game Pad's features that include helping players out by adding platforms and the interactive Boost modeNew Super Mario Bros. U is a gem in the Wii U Library and is a must for all Mario fans that own a Wii U. Though the game isn't that different from it's previous titles like New Super Mario Bros Wii. however the game is still filled with some new features like challenge mode and the Game Pad's features that include helping players out by adding platforms and the interactive Boost mode (which sadly I haven't tried out yet due to that I wanted to play the game by myself). It may be a bit disappointing that Nintendo played it safe once again but this is still a solid Mario Title despite that.… Expand
  7. TeaFan556
    Dec 19, 2021
    7
    {RU]
    Говорю честно, играть в соло очень скучно. Если вы уже набили руку в этой серии, тогда она не особо уникальная. НО! Если проходите её в мультиплеере, тогда получити незабываемый фан. Как-то так :3
  8. BeeSting1
    Nov 26, 2021
    6
    This was the last 2D Mario platformer of my marathon. How did it end? Not bad. There was a “new” flying squirrel power up. But really, it was nothing more than a tanooki rip off without the tail whip. I liked how I could view the entire hub world right off the bat, cause it gave me a sense of what to expect, and allowed me to better manage the power ups I had in storage. Speaking of that.This was the last 2D Mario platformer of my marathon. How did it end? Not bad. There was a “new” flying squirrel power up. But really, it was nothing more than a tanooki rip off without the tail whip. I liked how I could view the entire hub world right off the bat, cause it gave me a sense of what to expect, and allowed me to better manage the power ups I had in storage. Speaking of that. The green toad houses put me in a small mini game where two cannons shot 1-ups and bowser faces. Every 1-up I got was a +1 life, and every Bowser I got was a -1 life. The problem was the hitboxes on these cannon balls. Here, you can clearly see the 1-up intercept Toad’s body, yet it wasn’t captured. And another one here. This happened multiple times. I know this was just a bonus mini game, but it none the less still infuriated me cause I got a couple game overs because I was short a life or two, which could have been avoided if the mini game wasn’t broken. Plus, this game reused the bull **** saving system as the other New Super Mario Brother games, meaning I could only save after boss fights. So game overs were extra punishing.

    Aside from that, the game basically reiterated most of New Super Mario Bros Wii. Though I did like the obstacle design in this one more. Namely, the long retracting platforms that quite a few levels had. The haunted mansions were never my favorite, and it was no exception here. Like this one in world 6. I was stumped for so long. Had the timer run out multiple times, only to learn the solution was to walk into a wall that actually wasn’t a wall. Sure, this has always been a trademark for the mansions, but I’m sick of it. Forcing the player to randomly walk into walls to progress isn’t fun, at least not for me. A little hint of where the false wall is would have been great.

    I don’t know what they can change, but the side scrolling Mario series needs a change. The kind of change we saw from Super Mario 64 to Super Mario Sunshine...then to Galaxy. The “New” Super Mario Bros series isn’t NEW anymore. The title is a blatant lie. It has turned into the Nintendo version of the Call of Duty series. I want something new. Now, the Super Mario Maker series is great, which I’m not getting into in this video, cause that’s more of a player created content peer to peer game. Nintendo, please put an end to the New Super Mario Bros series. I want a truly NEW side scrolling Mario platforming experience.    … Expand
  9. GameDudeGuy
    Feb 4, 2021
    5
    this is the worst new series game for me out of the bunch i really dont like this game its sucks
  10. LeoChikis
    Jun 23, 2020
    7
    this was the very first Mario game I´ve ever played and, well, it was ok the first time, but after playing other Mario games this one is kinda bad, is fun to play but it´s just more of the same. Right now is just another Mario game.
  11. joel_tdl
    Dec 21, 2019
    7
    La siguiente reseña fue publicada originalmente en 3djuegos:

    Más de lo mismo JUGABILIDAD: Una jugabilidad simple y sencilla que no pretende cambiar nada, sino mantenerse en la formula ganadora que Nintendo encontró hace tantos años. El juego es divertido, y de eso se trata. Dicho eso no hay mucho más que agregar, en ninguno de los apartados. GRÁFICOS: MarioU no intenta    La siguiente reseña fue publicada originalmente en 3djuegos:

    Más de lo mismo

    JUGABILIDAD:
    Una jugabilidad simple y sencilla que no pretende cambiar nada, sino mantenerse en la formula ganadora que Nintendo encontró hace tantos años. El juego es divertido, y de eso se trata.

    Dicho eso no hay mucho más que agregar, en ninguno de los apartados.

    GRÁFICOS:
    MarioU no intenta sobresalir en el apartado gráfico, no obstante hay algunos fondos bastante agradables a la vista, si bien no es nada especial o que nos quite el aliento como lo han logrado otras producciones en 2D.

    SONIDO:
    De nuevo, nada especial

    INNOVACIÓN:
    Tal cual el titulo de la reseña. MarioU es divertido sí, pero deja en claro la falta de creatividad en que ha caído Nintendo con la serie.    … Expand
  12. Carp64
    Jun 20, 2019
    7
    New Super Mario Bros. U is a good game that has a good story mode and plenty has side modes to play when you finish the story mode and has a decent sound track the main problem is that it feels to similar to the first New Super Mario Bros. game on the DS.
  13. Mandulum
    Apr 8, 2019
    7
    Favorite Thing: It makes for some good couch coop.
    Least Favorite Thing: Not much has changed since the last time I played a side scrolling Mario game. That was in the late 80s.

    Date Completed: 2019-04-03
    Playtime: 10h
    Enjoyment: 7/10
    Recommendation: It's okay but better with others.
  14. TatsMcGee
    Sep 8, 2018
    7
    What Kind of Adventure?

    2-D Platforming adventure Was it fun? I have never been a huge fan of 2-D Mario games but this is well done and probably my favorite one, I have ever played. Are there any similar games? Any other Super Mario Bros or Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze. Favorite Character? Playing as single player, I had to play as Mario so I guess its an easy choice,    What Kind of Adventure?

    2-D Platforming adventure

    Was it fun?

    I have never been a huge fan of 2-D Mario games but this is well done and probably my favorite one, I have ever played.

    Are there any similar games?

    Any other Super Mario Bros or Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze.

    Favorite Character?

    Playing as single player, I had to play as Mario so I guess its an easy choice, Mario.

    Would you play it again?

    No, I had fun but not enough to play again. Its a well made 2-D platformer but unless you want to Speed Run this game, I don’t see a lot people replaying this game.

    Any Complaints?

    Some of the levels got really hard, I understand thats how Mario games go but by the end, I was pulling out my hair a bit. Also I wasn’t a huge fan of Nintendo really pushing the Mii Verse. After every level, it asked me if I wanted to post something on the Mii Verse. There should be a way to turn that off.

    How many hours did you play it?

    It took me approximately 10-11 hours to beat the whole game.    … Expand
  15. njja02
    May 15, 2018
    6
    The game is fun, especially with co-op. But, the game feels the same as the original game on the DS. Just wish there was more originality.
  16. Kick454
    Apr 30, 2018
    5
    Meh... the only NSMB I don't really like that much. However, there are still things I do like about the game.

    Pros: + Graphics: Wii U games usually look pretty decent, and this one definitely looks better than most. + Baby Yoshis: They're a cool gimmick, but make the game easier than it already is. + Soundtrack: Good, but not great. However I love the grass level theme. Cons: -    Meh... the only NSMB I don't really like that much. However, there are still things I do like about the game.

    Pros:
    + Graphics: Wii U games usually look pretty decent, and this one definitely looks better than most.
    + Baby Yoshis: They're a cool gimmick, but make the game easier than it already is.
    + Soundtrack: Good, but not great. However I love the grass level theme.

    Cons:
    - Almost no Originality: This is a problem within the series as a whole. However, it's not as bad or prominent as in Pokemon.
    - Difficulty: Easy as heck. However, it's still harder than BotW.
    - Level Design: It's... meh.

    Overall, NSMBU isn't a bad game, but it's not good either, and warrants a 5.5/10 from me.    … Expand
  17. BluesBrothers
    Jul 25, 2017
    6
    New Super Mario Bros. U, while as colorful and charming as ever, in some ways feels like a frame-for-frame retread of it's Wii counterpart. It has the same "Bowser stole peach" story, in the same settings, The same Princess Peach voice over from 2 consoles ago, and let's not forget the Koopalings are back. It does, however, introduce some new elements such as the Gamepad platform-creatingNew Super Mario Bros. U, while as colorful and charming as ever, in some ways feels like a frame-for-frame retread of it's Wii counterpart. It has the same "Bowser stole peach" story, in the same settings, The same Princess Peach voice over from 2 consoles ago, and let's not forget the Koopalings are back. It does, however, introduce some new elements such as the Gamepad platform-creating and Nabbit, along with creative and entertaining boss fights as well. I would only recommend this if you already have a handful of WiiU titles and are looking for a game where you don't have to think too much, especially now that it's on Nintendo Selects for half the price.… Expand
  18. CH513
    Jun 12, 2017
    7
    After Super Mario Galaxy 2, the Mario franchise has suffered a huge downfall, and New Super Mario Bros. U is a clear example of that. First, the story remains the same, EXCEPT for having Peach trapped in her own castle instead of Bowser's. The levels feel repetitive and tedious most of the time. The music is mostly reused music from the Wii installment, with only ONE new song. Having theAfter Super Mario Galaxy 2, the Mario franchise has suffered a huge downfall, and New Super Mario Bros. U is a clear example of that. First, the story remains the same, EXCEPT for having Peach trapped in her own castle instead of Bowser's. The levels feel repetitive and tedious most of the time. The music is mostly reused music from the Wii installment, with only ONE new song. Having the koopalings as bosses for the 3rd time has become annoying. But the reason this game gets a 7/10 is because it has a few strong points. Firstly, the game is hard. Even in world 1 I died quite a few times, and the difficulty increases constantly. The acorn suit is a really cool thing to add to Mario's huge power-up collection. Playing in singleplayer feels very rewarding. Catching Nabbit here and there is a fun twist, and the final boss fight is awesome. Overall, this game is lacking in variety, but the difficulty and fun levels will keep you interested in it for a while.… Expand
  19. spongeswift
    Mar 24, 2017
    7
    You can't deny that you didn't have fun playing but with pretty much the same old same old items and enemies it's undeniable that 2D Mario games are getting old. Some of the new world design is cool and the new level design is amazing but they still really need to part with 2D Mario for the next few years. The boss battle was good and the gameplay was easy but still challenging enough forYou can't deny that you didn't have fun playing but with pretty much the same old same old items and enemies it's undeniable that 2D Mario games are getting old. Some of the new world design is cool and the new level design is amazing but they still really need to part with 2D Mario for the next few years. The boss battle was good and the gameplay was easy but still challenging enough for it to be fun. Overall this a solid Mario game that is a hit or miss for a lot of people.… Expand
  20. Laer
    Mar 14, 2017
    5
    Un Mario de corte clásico, con un apartado gráfico mejorado y un añadido cooperativo a 4 jugadores.

    Cumple con su objetivo, es entretenido, pero no mucho más. Si has jugado a anteriores del mismo estilo, y vas a jugarlo en solitario, no te pierdes nada.
  21. BeaQueen
    Mar 4, 2017
    6
    Almost the same game everyone played on Wii. It is a good game, but they didn't add anything special to it. Nintendo, you can do it better than than, come one.
  22. Mariomaster63
    Sep 2, 2016
    7
    This game is pure HD and instead of worlds, you actually have names! Finally! You also can go up to FIVE players instead of 4. The challenges are quite a challenge and you know the graphics are outstanding. But it lacks nostalgia.
  23. guajefer
    Jul 8, 2016
    6
    I know that Super Mario saga is the most popular in the industry but, I don´t like so much. I´ve beaten the game because of my proud, but I haven´t enjoyed like in other games. That is the typical 2D platform in which uou have to run and jump, no more, unless you get a transformation. Is the same gameplay of every Mario 2D game, so it´s a good but nothing new.
  24. Shadow1
    May 27, 2016
    6
    This game is average as New SMB Wii, but graphics much better than in NSMB Wii . Change are small, but this game not worse than New Super Mario Bros Wii, but not better than NSMB Wii and I think NSMB Wii and U much better than NSMB on DS or NSMB 2 on 3DS, but NSMB 2 on 3DS much better than NSMB on DS . In NSMB U graphics is awesome for 2D Game and multiplayer in NSMB U worse than NSMB Wii,This game is average as New SMB Wii, but graphics much better than in NSMB Wii . Change are small, but this game not worse than New Super Mario Bros Wii, but not better than NSMB Wii and I think NSMB Wii and U much better than NSMB on DS or NSMB 2 on 3DS, but NSMB 2 on 3DS much better than NSMB on DS . In NSMB U graphics is awesome for 2D Game and multiplayer in NSMB U worse than NSMB Wii, but very amazing too and I think is good game, but change with NSMB Wii are small because I rate this game is 6/10 .… Expand
  25. Forever_Alexone
    Nov 25, 2015
    6
    There's nothing new on this game. It's pretty much the HD version of the Wii version.... It was fun but I got bored of it right away. This game is more difficult which is one of the reasons I didn't like it as much like the Wii version but eh its okay I guess.
  26. ericwithcheese
    Nov 11, 2015
    6
    A few years ago, the New Super Mario series was fresh and fun: the Nintendo DS version was a great throwback while the Wii edition introduced four player madness. But this Wii U title just feels like a "Me, too!" add on that is just routine, more of the same stuff. Not that it doesn't get fun, but there is nothing here that makes this game stand out.
  27. GoombaJMR
    Jul 11, 2015
    7
    A polished but somewhat bland game released as a launch title for the Wii U. New Super Mario Bros U does a good job of maintaining the good gameplay of the NSMB series. I'd have to say that it's nothing really new, and nothing really too special. The length is pretty short unfortunately, and the music, while somewhat new, is still more of the rehashed music that we've heard many years ago.A polished but somewhat bland game released as a launch title for the Wii U. New Super Mario Bros U does a good job of maintaining the good gameplay of the NSMB series. I'd have to say that it's nothing really new, and nothing really too special. The length is pretty short unfortunately, and the music, while somewhat new, is still more of the rehashed music that we've heard many years ago. I recommend getting the game if you're a fan of mario platform games, but not if you're expecting a good story, a long campaign, or something really new from the NSMB series. The revamped world map system, however, is pretty cool!

    Gameplay: 8.5/10
    Story: 3/10
    Music: 6.5/10
    Presentation: 9.5/10
    Length: 6/10
    Overall: 7.5/10    … Expand
  28. shado474
    Dec 22, 2014
    7
    The game isn't worse that other games in the Super Mario Bros. series but having all these other interesting games to play as well, I usually don't spend much more than 1 hour of continuous gameplay on that one without feeling like switching to one of the more deeply interesting games. It's a fun hour, but it gets boring after that... I like it that it is more challenging than the 3DS game though.
  29. Red-Opposom-098
    Dec 9, 2014
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Pretty good, innovative, and fun, although I wish the game-pad would count as a player, even though hang on SPOILER ALERT the princess gets captured again and is sent to bowser's new castle, if you ask this must have a great army of builders, he may as well just build a wall outside of his castle, but anyways this game is fun non the less it kinda needs a better story other than save the princess… Expand
  30. TheSiriocaz
    Oct 27, 2014
    7
    New Super Mario Bros. U offers the necessary stuff to be a honest and sufficient platformer, just don't demand challenge, new stuff or something like that.
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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Wii U Game of 2012
2
#2 Most Discussed Wii U Game of 2012
1
#1 Most Shared Wii U Game of 2012

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 70
  3. Negative: 0 out of 70
  1. Armchair Empire
    Feb 21, 2013
    90
    Everyone gets a chance to play and interact and have fun. Really, that’s what Nintendo excels at, getting everyone involved and allowing childish enthusiasm to file down the sharp corners of the vexation of adulthood and life experience. New Super Mario Bros. U does that very thing.
    Read full review
  2. Universo Nintendo
    Feb 19, 2013
    90
    Yes, the new 2D adventure is not a demonstration of Wii U's potential, but it's extremely competent as a plataformer, adding some elements that probably will accompany the series in the future and making, though perhaps unconsciously with its final boss, the eyes of players sparkle and give us a taste of what to expect of Mario in its next tridimensional adventure.
    Read full review
  3. Riot Pixels
    Feb 14, 2013
    77
    No matter how much content is recycled here, New Super Mario Bros. U is a gem in Wii U’s launch line-up. Problem is, there is nothing that sets it apart from a long line of its predecessors.
    Read full review
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