New Super Luigi U

Worth it?

So I just got my copy of New Super Luigi U for Wii U. I opted for the physical version because I am still a collector as well as a player, and having a "real" copy of the game just sits better in my mind. The eShop version has been out for a couple of months, but I didn't feel like I was being left out of the loop. It's not like it's going anywhere.

The game is still a basic Mario series 2D platformer, although your main character this time around is (not surprisingly) Luigi. The Toads are also selectable, along with Nabbit. Nabbit cannot be harmed by enemies, which makes him a great choice for younger or less skilled players. You can still play with 1-5 players, with anyone joining in whenever they want.

Every single stage has been revamped, but you only have 100 seconds to clear each one. To compensate, the stages have been made much shorter, but also slightly harder. This speedrunning mentality, combined with Luigi's wacky mechanics, make a notably harder challenge overall. In addition, the three Star Coins are also present in each stage. Whereas in New Super Mario Bros. U I could explore and go back if I missed a Star Coin, New Super Luigi U pretty much forces you to complete the level (or die) and try again. There's really not any time to go back. And obviously there are no checkpoints in any stages. I do find it impressive, however, that Nintendo still manages to stick in alternate exits in certain stages.

One of the biggest differences is the physical mechanics. Luigi has his Super Mario Bros. 2 thing going on, where he is very floaty and can jump much higher/farther. Combined with the allowed spin after your jump, he gets some pretty good distance. Also, he has terrible, terrible traction.

The descent is the real drastic change.

Other differences include a new title screen and many objects/enemies/menus/etc. changed to a green color scheme. It is the Year of Luigi, after all. There are also numerous "hidden Luigis" throughout the entire game. It may be an old school sprite stuck to a wall, or part of the scenery itself.

The world map has not changed, which would have been nice, but it's not a deal breaker. Battles with enemies on the world map, however, yield actual useful items as opposed to just Stars. Extra lives are also not hard to come by, since each stage lasts about thirty seconds with an easily reached flagpole.

Most stages have a Mushroom right near the start. However, if you are already big, the box will contain nothing more than a coin. I like this, because giving you excess power-ups for such short stages would be cheap. Yoshi is also absent for most of the game. I think I used him no more than five times.

The fortresses and castles also give you the 100-second time limit, but upon going through the boss door, the game awards you an additional 100 seconds. The initial time is for you to get through the stage, not fight the boss, so I think the extra time is acceptable (even though the boss fights take less than twenty seconds anyway).

I play solo through a whole game like this before I even think of letting someone else join me. I think it's super cheap to let someone grab a Star Coin and fall down a pit because you know they'll respawn in three seconds. Where's the fun in that?

Nintendo also allows the player to play as Nabbit in solo mode. The only justifiable reason I can think of is for younger kids who just don't have the reflexes they need yet. For them, I would say it's a great introduction to learning the mechanics of platformers, except Nabbit still has the oddball floaty/tractionless physics. Pulling in two different directions at once, Nintendo.

After defeating Bowser, the game places a Mario Block at the start of each stage. This changes the physics back to the regular New Super Mario Bros. U. This actually can make the game a lot harder, since the levels were designed for Luigi's mechanics. More often than not, you're really banking on getting that distance/height out of a desperate leap, so taking that away is a challenge. After playing through the entire game and really getting a handle on Luigi's physics, it felt incredibly awkward to go back to regular gravity and distance.

Notably, the digital version requires the owner to also have New Super Mario Bros. U, whereas the physical version does not. But I would say if you're thinking about buying Luigi, you probably already have Mario. It should be noted that apart from the main story, none of the other modes in New Super Mario Bros. U are present in Luigi.

The shortened gameplay and lower price point ($20 digital, $30 physical) really makes New Super Luigi U feel like an expansion rather than an entirely new game. Even Nintendo admits on the main website:

Emphasis on "almost."

I think the price fits. I feel the majority of people picking up the physical copy would either be collectors, or oblivious parents seeing a Mario game half the price of the one next to it. As for the digital, $20 to play over eighty new courses (in a Mario-themed platformer, no less) is definitely a good deal.

Bottom line? If you're satisfied with New Super Mario Bros. U and think that it's enough, it probably is. If you're looking for a little extra challenge and don't mind spending a little bit of cash, then go for it. You won't be disappointed.

Only 30-ish years too late.