Overall 6.9 Graphics 9 Sound 5 Addictive 3 Story 1 Depth 4 Difficulty 3
6.7
What's Old is New tyranit
Ahh, the New Super Mario Bros. franchise, I really tried to enjoy this series but it just feels the same over every game. This was really shown here with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, as it just ports over the entirety of the two Wii U titles, New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Luigi U, which aren't bad platformers at all, in fact, they're some of the best 2D Mario games out there, they just leave a lot to be desired.
Graphics - 9:
I think the graphics look as crisp as ever, both in TV mode and in Handheld mode, the game runs smoothly and looks beautiful. The only point taken off here is because it's been the same art style since the DS NSMB that came out years ago, just with an HD coat of paint to add to it. The vibrant colors and enemies are still there, along with lush environments that Mario and Luigi can travel through. I love the look of it, but that's basically the only great thing about this game.
Sound - 5:
New Super Mario Bros. games don't ever really have that iconic of music, the only ones that I can come up with off the top of my head is the Main Theme of New Super Luigi U, but that's mainly because it was involved in FamilyJules's Super Mario Medley which included songs from every Mario game, so it's not even from the original game that I can remember it from. However, the songs are not irritated and ear-degrading as some other games can be. Overall, I'm indifferent to the music, hence the straight down the middle score of 5.
Addictiveness - 3:
This game is not addictive. I can run through the game once in a few hours, put it down, and sell it because I don't want to play it again. This is my second playthrough already, as I had already played these games on Wii U so this already felt redundant, as there really wasn't anything that was added that substantial increased replayability for me. However, it's 2D Mario, it's not bad, so it's solid to play through and enjoy for the first time, but I really don't think I would enjoy playing these games for a third time.
Story - 1:
What, it's a Mario game! It's just Princess Peach getting kidnapped by Bowser and the Koopalings. I can't really say more because you don't expect more from a Mario game unless it's something from either the Paper Mario or Mario & Luigi series, since those are actually meant to have a story, unlike a side-scroller Mario.
Depth - 4:
I only give this high of a score of depth because there are two games on it. After all, you see all you can really expect from a 2D New Super Mario game, star coins, Yoshis, the works. It's just not too in-depth, nothing I can really sink my teeth into for long enough to feel invested, like I can with Paper Mario or Mario & Luigi, and while I get that those games are Turn-Based RPGs, I can't help but see that they're the same franchise with much more to do.
Difficulty - 3:
I have never found 2D Mario games to be hard, aside from World 8 of Mario 1 and 3, and even those aren't that hard when you know what's coming and have played them countless times. Even on my first playthrough on the Wii U, I didn't game over once due to how easily you can obtain lives in this game. It's very accessible for younger audiences and is a fun casual playthrough if you're looking for something to unwind with, rather than spending multiple frustrating lives on some other side-scroller like Castlevania or Mega Man.
Overall - 6.5/10:
I give New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe a 6.5 out of 10, mostly because it's a solid but extremely safe game, since this only is a port of two, albeit beautiful, really safe games. There's nothing that really strays away from the Mario formula, other than a few new power-ups that are exclusive to this game, like the Acorn suit, which is fun to use, but again, exclusive and you'll never see it again. Hopefully if Nintendo decides to do another 2D Mario game, that they look for a new art direction and try to stray the formula a little more, maybe like a Metroid-vania style game that you look for Power Stars in a 2D environment, I think it would work wonders. But that's getting off topic, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a fun time but lacks the depth that makes me want to play it again and again like I do with Super Mario Bros. 1 or 3.
Graphics 9 Sound 5 Addictive 3 Story 1 Depth 4 Difficulty 3
Review Rating: 4/5
Submitted: 01-22-19
Review Replies: 0