The Joy of Shared Stumbles: Revisiting New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe
There is a particular, chaotic symphony to a four-player session of New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. It’s a cacophony of gleeful shouts, frustrated groans, and triumphant cheers, all set to the familiar, jaunty tunes of the Mushroom Kingdom. This enhanced port of the Wii U’s flagship launch title, bundled with its stellar New Super Luigi U expansion, is more than just a compilation; it’s a definitive argument for the enduring, and often hilarious, appeal of cooperative platforming. While the "New" series has often been criticized for its iterative nature, Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch refines the formula to its most polished and accessible point, transforming what was once a solid solo adventure into a quintessential party experience.
At its core, the gameplay is classic 2D Mario, executed with the precision and inventiveness that defines the franchise. Players run, jump, and stomp their way through six vibrant worlds, each brimming with secrets, alternate paths, and clever level design. The physics are impeccable, offering a satisfying weight to every jump and a responsive control that makes failure feel like a personal mistake rather than a game flaw. The level design in NSMBU is some of the best in the side-scrolling series, moving beyond the straightforward plains and deserts of its predecessors. Courses like the gusty Acorn Plains or the fluid, water-current-filled Sparkling Waters are not just visually distinct but mechanically unique, constantly introducing new ideas and enemies before seamlessly moving on, preventing any sense of stagnation.

However, the true magic of Deluxe is unlocked with a second, third, or fourth player. The co-op experience is a beautiful paradox: it simultaneously makes the game easier and infinitely more difficult. On one hand, having multiple players means more chances to defeat enemies, trigger switches, and rescue each other from pits (a downed player becomes a bubble that can be tapped by a living one to rejoin the fray). On the other hand, it introduces the most unpredictable enemy of all: your friends. A perfectly timed jump can be thwarted by a partner landing on your head. A carefully laid plan to coordinate a shell kick dissolves into a frantic free-for-all. The screen, which zooms and pans to accommodate the group, can become a frantic tug-of-war, dragging cautious players into danger or leaving reckless ones behind. This isn't a flaw; it's the feature. The game transforms from a test of platforming skill into a test of communication, patience, and shared laughter. The goal shifts from merely reaching the flagpole to ensuring at least one of you makes it there, often by any means necessary, including using your comrades as stepping stones.
Deluxe’s most significant addition, and its masterstroke in accessibility, is the inclusion of two new playable characters: Toadette and Nabbit. Toadette isn't just a palette swap; she plays a crucial role in lowering the barrier to entry. When she collects a new power-up, the Super Crown, she transforms into Peachette. This form grants her a floating jump similar to Princess Peach’s from Super Mario Bros. 2 and, most importantly, the ability to recover from a pitfall with a graceful flip, offering a forgiveness the series has rarely seen. For players less confident in their skills, she is a welcome safety net.
Then there’s Nabbit, the purple thief from the original game, now playable in all modes. Nabbit is essentially an "invincible" character. Enemies ignore him entirely; his only threats are pits, lava, and being crushed. He cannot use power-ups, but he also doesn't need to. He is the ultimate equalizer, allowing a young child or a non-gamer to fully participate in the chaos without the constant frustration of dying. Critics might argue this breaks the game, but that misses the point. Nabbit isn't for the seasoned player seeking a challenge; he’s a gateway, ensuring that everyone, regardless of skill level, can be part of the fun. His presence doesn't diminish the experience for others; it enhances it by keeping the party together and the laughter flowing.
The package is rounded out by the incredible value of including New Super Luigi U. This isn't mere DLC; it's a full-fledged, parallel campaign that completely reworks every level into a tighter, faster, and significantly more challenging experience. With a strict 100-second time limit, higher difficulty jumps, and the nimble Luigi as the star (with his higher, floatier jump), it offers a perfect counterbalance to the main game’s more forgiving co-op chaos. It’s a love letter to expert players, demanding precision and speed in a way that feels distinctly different from the main adventure.
Visually, the game is bright, colorful, and crisp on the Switch’s screen. While the art style may not have the groundbreaking charm of Super Mario Odyssey or the hand-drawn beauty of Kirby and the Forgotten Land, it is clean, functional, and perfectly communicates the action. The soundtrack, while occasionally relying too heavily on the now-overused "bah" vocal samples, is nonetheless packed with catchy, upbeat melodies that perfectly complement the on-screen action.
In conclusion, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a title whose whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. Judged solely as a solo 2D platformer, it is excellent yet familiar. But judged as a cooperative experience, it is peerless. It understands that the goal isn't always perfection; sometimes, it's the shared story you create along the way. It’s about the victory snatched from the jaws of defeat when a last-second bubble is popped, the collective groan when a friend accidentally knows a precious Fire Flower into a pit, and the shared euphoria of finally conquering a brutal level together. It is a testament to Nintendo's philosophy that games are at their best when they are social, when they create moments of joy, frustration, and triumph that are best experienced not alone, but surrounded by friends and family. It’s not just a deluxe version of a game; it’s a deluxe vehicle for creating memories.