Home

 › 

Articles

 › 

New Super Luigi U Review for Wii U

New Super Luigi U Review for Wii U

Mario Bros.–Prepare To Die Edition

New Super Mario Bros. U was released on launch day, alongside the brand new Wii U console. While enjoyable, it is a relatively safe game. New Super Luigi U isn’t a safe game. It’s a bold, challenging, rewarding game.

The game’s premise is simple: remake the courses from New Super Mario Bros. U and have Luigi as the playable character. If Nintendo simply enacted this premise, the game would still be above average. But that’s not all they’ve done. The courses are harder, the plumber handles completely different, and the timer is shorter. Yet despite these challenges, the traditional Nintendo charm we’d expect from a Mario Bros. platformer still exists, shining above the game’s difficulty.

Ducktales: Remastered - Announcement Trailer

I’m not joking around, either. I’ve been tempted to throw my GamePad into a wall many times. But, you know, those are really expensive…

The game’s story starts exactly the same as New Super Mario Bros. U, only there’s an exception: Mario’s absent. Missing. Gone. And he’s not hidden in some painting a la Luigi’s Mansion, either. This is 100% Luigi’s game, and Nintendo wasn’t afraid to run with it; they created courses that not only use Luigi’s strengths but also punish them. Compared to Mario, Luigi can jump longer, higher, and has a longer slide. These traits will come in handy quite often, as many of the game’s levels involve precise distance jumps. You can’t get too confident, though, because if you’re overeager when you land, you’ll slide right off a platform and fall to your death.

These scenarios create the need for a combination of speed, precision, and patience. That first part, speed, is especially important due to the game’s new clock. Instead of having 300 seconds to complete a level, you’ll now only have 100. The second you start a new course, you’ll hear that hurry-up tune chime, giving you a sense of urgency. It creates a tension that sticks with you as you play. You have to move quickly, but you can’t be careless.

New Super Luigi U Screenshot

There’s also a certain sense of nostalgia as you play through the game’s familiar sights and sounds. The worlds remain the same; the songs remain the same; and the graphics remain the same. But like all successful remakes, Nintendo knows that it’s safe to stray from the original formula. That familiar feeling immediately disappears when each level kicks your butt from here to Katmandu.

The game’s challenge…

Okay, I’ve noticed that I’ve used that word a lot. Challenge.

New Super Luigi U Screenshot

Let me make something clear: this game is hard, but it’s not impossible. One of the issues I have with New Super Mario Bros. U is that I rarely feel challenged. That’s most definitely not an issue I have with New Super Luigi U. The thought of going back through every level and collecting the three giant gold coins gives me nightmares.

But anyway, where was I? Oh yes, the game’s challenge brings back the relevancy of lives in a Mario game. Many people often wonder if there is a point to having lives if we’ll just end up with 56 halfway through the game. If I ever see someone end up with 56 lives at any point during this game, I’d like to meet them and shake their hand, because obviously, they’re a lot better at video games than I am. Personally, I’m willing to bet the general population ends up using 56 continues.

New Super Luigi U Screenshot

Like the original release, New Super Luigi U also features co-operative multiplayer for 2-5 people. The game plays out in a very similar fashion with one exception: Nabbit is now a playable character. Nabbit is special due to the fact that he doesn’t take damage, allowing less skilled players to still enjoy the platforming challenges.

New Super Luigi U is the kind of game the Wii U needs. It’s familiar enough to bring in long-time Nintendo fans; it’s new enough to bring in the newcomers; and it’s challenging and rewarding enough to keep people playing. The discounted price ($19.99 if you own New Super Mario Bros. U, $29.99 at retail) sure helps, too. It makes me wonder what the future for Mario Bros. DLC holds. Will we see a New Super Princess Peach U? Will there be a similar release with Super Mario 3D World? If New Super Luigi U is any indication as to how these games would play out, then sign me up.

RATING OUT OF 5 RATING DESCRIPTION 4.0 Graphics
The same colorful graphics as before. If you’ve played New Super Mario Bros. U, you know what to expect. 4.0 Control
Luigi definitely handles different than Mario. While it creates a unique playing experience, it can also at times be frustrating. 4.0 Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
There are a lot of clever little touches that are appreciated, such as Luigi saying “phew” whenever he completes a course. 5.0 Play Value
This may look like New Super Mario Bros. U, but it’s definitely a new game. It’s also a very challenging game. 4.3 Overall Rating – Great
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 – 1.9 = Avoid 2.5 – 2.9 = Average 3.5 – 3.9 = Good 4.5 – 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 – 2.4 = Poor 3.0 – 3.4 = Fair 4.0 – 4.4 = Great 5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

  • Revisit New Super Mario Bros. U with Luigi, who can jump higher and slide longer, controlling completely different than Mario.
  • 80+ redesigned courses create an all-new experience.
  • 100-second limit on each course means you gotta get a move on!

  • To top