New Super Mario Bros. U

Game images by RAWG

New Super Mario Bros. U

Nintendo EAD

Wii U; Nintendo Switch (Deluxe)premium

Health Score

GOOD

Official Website Watch Gameplay

About This Game

Super Review

New Super Mario Bros. U offers classic platforming fun, perfect for families. Children jump, collect, and solve environmental puzzles through vibrant levels, often cooperatively. While challenging later levels and chaotic multiplayer can lead to minor frustration, its premium model and mild content make it a good, straightforward gaming option.

Super Review

Parent verdict

New Super Mario Bros. U is a good choice for families seeking a traditional, side-scrolling platformer without online social pressures or in-game purchases. Its "Good" rating reflects a solid, entertaining experience that promotes basic problem-solving and can be enjoyed together, though parents should be aware of potential sibling squabbles during its occasionally frantic four-player co-op.

What kids actually do

Players precisely time jumps and movements to navigate treacherous gaps and avoid enemies, exercising motor skills and spatial awareness.
Players gather coins, power-ups, and hidden Star Coins, encouraging exploration and observation within each level.
Players cooperate (or playfully compete) with up to three other players, coordinating efforts to reach the flagpole at the end of each stage.

Where it shines

The game provides a clear, universally understood goal in each level, making it easy for players of all ages to grasp and enjoy immediately.
Its cooperative mode allows up to four players on the same screen, fostering shared experiences and laughter as family members navigate challenges together.

Parent watch-outs

The cooperative play, while fun, can sometimes devolve into accidental bumps or character overlap, leading to minor frustration or arguments among siblings.
Later levels and secret areas present a significant difficulty spike, which might be frustrating for younger or less experienced players without adult help.

Family rules worth setting

Establish a 'no purposeful bumping' rule during co-op play to minimize arguments and keep the experience positive.
Set a time limit for play sessions, especially when kids are tackling difficult levels, to prevent excessive frustration and encourage breaks.

Talk about this

Discuss how working together, even when it's tricky, can help everyone achieve a common goal in the game and in life.
Chat about how persistence and learning from mistakes, especially in challenging levels, helps improve skills over time.

Play style

New Super Mario Bros. U offers short, digestible levels perfect for quick play sessions, but the overall adventure can span many hours. Difficulty ramps up gradually, with later levels and secret areas posing a genuine challenge. It shines in its local co-op, allowing up to four players to share the screen, though this can sometimes lead to friendly chaos. Younger children might need help with precise jumps or boss battles.

Score Breakdown

Positive Aspects

Educational Value

2/5

Creativity

3/5

Pro-Social

2/5

Risk Factors

Addictive Monetization

0/5

Time Pressure / FOMO

1/5

Social Risk

0/5

Content Intensity

1/5

Why this rating

Educational Value

2/5

The game offers limited overt educational content, focusing instead on entertainment and fundamental gaming skills. While it subtly teaches timing and basic problem-solving, these are inherent to platforming rather than explicit learning objectives.

Addictive Monetization

0/5

As a premium game, New Super Mario Bros. U has no in-game purchases, loot boxes, or other monetization mechanics designed to encourage spending or extended play. This ensures a straightforward, complete experience without financial pressure.

Creativity

3/5

While players explore diverse environments and find hidden paths, the game's core is structured platforming rather than open-ended creation. Its creativity largely comes from clever level design and varied power-ups, not player-driven building or imaginative expression.