Summary
Mario vs. Donkey Kong’s remake introduces two new worlds into the game, and two new bosses with them. These new fights don’t just fit seamlessly within the original’s battles, but have some unique twists that add a lot toMario vs. Donkey Kong.
Naturally for a GBA release,Mario vs. Donkey Kongis a pretty short game. While sold at a lower price than most of its catalogue, it makes sense thatNintendo added extra contentto sweeten the deal. The remake adds two new worlds, which get their own ‘+’ versions in the post-game. The first, Merry Mini-Land, is a circus-themed world with teleporter blocks and wind gusts. The other, Slippery Summit, is an ice world that takes advantage of the changed physics for a number of sliding-based puzzles.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Has Some Great New Boss Fights
Mario’s games are rarely known for their bosses, butMario vs. Donkey Konghas some neat ones. Remixing mechanics from the world into a battle with DK, each fight is varied whilst sticking to more-or-less a single formula. They also give DK four hit points rather than the more typical three, giving the fights more spice when compared to typical Mario fare. The new boss battles that come with the remake’s new worlds carry on this trend, remixing the world’s mechanics to create a fun spat with a bit of challenge. One of them even goes in a new direction that’s both difficult and fun.
Merry Mini-Land’s Boss Is A Perfect Fit
Merry Mini-Land is the first ofMario vs. Donkey Kong’s new worldsthat players will encounter. This circus/amusement park environment hosts many new mechanics, including wind gusts. These gusts will blow Mario up, down, or horizontally depending on where they face. They’re also color coded, and will turn on or off depending on what color switch is active. In the world’s DK fight, the ape has a pretty typical setup for the game; a small platform above platforms on the left and right. On his seat he will use color-switching buttons, just as he does in the Spooky House and Toy Factory worlds, in-between throwing spiky barrels at Mario. The wind gusts are the element of the stage that shifts, and also the main way of reaching DK.
The different wind gusts provide a really nice touch to the fight. Donkey Kong switching between them can cause Mario’s projectiles to be thrown off, or thwart his attempts to get near them. However, a crafty player can use these gusts to keep projectiles suspended. While suspended projectiles can’t be grabbed, they will flow towards DK if the right gust is active—sending the projectile into his face. This taps into thepuzzle-solving aspects ofMario vs. Donkey Kong; it allows clever players, especially those who have paid attention to the preceding levels, to use hazards to their advantage.
Slippery Summit’s Battle With DK Raises The Stakes
Slippery Summit focuses more on theplatforming facet ofMario vs. Donkey Kong, presenting perhaps the toughest DK fight in the game. The ape will send spiky barrels careening down different platforms of ice, occasionally sending out a regular barrel that can be thrown back at him. All the while, he will be changing his position to throw barrels at different levels, as well as sending ice projectiles down from above.
Thisbrawl between Mario and Donkey Kongwill really test the player’s prowess in Slippery Summit’s ice physics, whilst not being too much of a drag as to not be fun. It’s a tough, quick affair that will have Mario try to maintain traction and scoop up barrels before they get destroyed by DK.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2024)
WHERE TO PLAY
The rivalry reignites! Donkey Kong has stolen all the Mini-Mario toys from the factory, and it’s up to Mario to get them back! Run, jump, and backflip your way to retrieving them across over 130 levels in this puzzle-style twist on classic platforming action. The rivalry that originally heated up on the Game Boy™ Advance system returns on the Nintendo Switch™ system with newly added co-op play, brand-new worlds, updated music and visuals, and other new ways to play.Put your brain to work and figure out the best way to reach the Mini-Mario toys in puzzle-platforming challenges across eight distinct worlds. Watch for enemies, dodge hazards, and use the tools scattered around. See if you can earn a Perfect rating on each level!
