“Mario vs. Donkey Kong” overloads you with fun and excitement at the same time

“Mario vs. Donkey Kong” was released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance mobile gaming console and subsequently spawned a number of spin-offs using the same gameplay principle.

Now Nintendo has decided to give the original form of this game series a general overhaul to delight both connoisseurs of the original and newcomers at the same time. The result is an amazingly entertaining puzzle video game that you’ll enjoy playing again and again and that will tax your brain cells when you want it to.

Looking for toys

While Donkey Kong is chilling on the couch, he becomes obsessed with collecting. Because when an ad for the new Mini Mario toys flashes across the screen, the desire to own one of these lively little guys is immense. So full of anticipation he goes to the nearest toy store, where he soon realizes that the object of his desire is sold out.

So full of greed, he breaks into the production factory to steal a whole bag full of mini Marios. Of course, that’s not possible and it just so happens that Super Mario discovers this crime and from then on chases him through colorful scenes to save the little toy.

More than 130 levels!

In short levels that are thematically and visually different, Mario is always looking for a key that will pave the way for him to finally acquire one of the countless mini Marios and thus free him. Once six are found, a squad waits for these little guys to be led into a large box without any damage.

This is followed by a mandatory boss battle with Donkey Kong, who runs away again after the defeat and waits in a new section for the repeat procedure. More than 130 levels want to be completed by the players, while the difficulty constantly increases and requires our puzzle and jumping skills.

With handstand and back somersault

Eight worlds wait to be mastered. And if you think that’s somehow not enough, rest assured. Because after the normal storyline there are still many additional worlds waiting to be played.

Just like in the original, our dear Mario runs, jumps, climbs and swings through clear levels and presses many switches so that he can continue his way around the restricted area. He can even do a handstand to block falling objects. With a backflip he reaches higher levels, which becomes increasingly important to complete the difficult puzzles. To make it even more exciting and challenging, different gift packages are distributed per level that provide extra points and items.

Pure stress or pure relaxation

Anyone who chooses the original game variant in the beginning will quickly work up a sweat and quickly become acquainted with the frustration factor. Because an annoying time limit causes one or two drops of sweat on your face. Additionally, Mario is not protected from attacks or contact with traps in this mode. This means that if Super Mario gets injured, he will have to start the level over from the beginning.

All this takes a lot of nerves. But if you don’t want to face these negative feelings, you can now switch to Relaxed Mode in the new edition, where there is no time limit and Mario has multiple lives per level.

New dress and other trinkets

And what else is new? Naturally, the remake comes in a new, optical dress that caresses the eyes with razor-sharp details. The music has also undergone a major overhaul to please the ears.

There are also new worlds, new bonus levels and a best times mode to tickle the competitive heart. The game also has a fun two-player mode, where one player takes on the role of Toad to support Mario.

“One more level to go!”

Conclusion: What fun! I really didn’t think this remake would captivate me so deeply on screen. The original mode is unforgivably harsh and nasty in places, but in relaxed mode you can play one level after another with ease. The hours pass and you keep thinking: “One more level is possible!”.

Moreover, the high cuteness factor always puts a smile on your face. When one of the little mini Marios goes missing and screams for attention from the bottom of the screen, a Nintendo fan’s heart melts. If you are looking for a suitable game for in between, then you have found a fantastic game here that is very entertaining and will get your brain cells running at full speed.

If you’re still not convinced, you can check out the free demo and you’ll quickly admit that you’ll want more afterward.

“Mario vs. Donkey Kong” will be available for the Nintendo Switch on February 16. Approved for children from 3 years.