New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a spruced up version of the 2012 Wii U launch title. This is the complete package containing both New Super Mario Bros. U and its add-on New Super Luigi U. According to Digital Foundry's latest video upload, about the only thing missing is Miiverse integration. Apart from this, the conversion - in terms of scope - is similar to the likes of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
So, how does the Switch version look and perform in contrast to the original effort? Crucially, nothing has been downgraded. The resolution has been bumped from 720p in the Wii U release to 1080p docked on Switch. There are many subtle refinements throughout, although the texturing and assets are broadly identical. Out of all the characters, the only one to receive a visual makeover is apparently Peach, with each of her features now more defined. Other than this, there are also high-resolution shadows on display.
In the portable mode, the experience is mostly the same - with the core visuals identical to the docked mode, barring a change to a native 720p. In contrast, Wii U portable play ran at what was "essentially" 480p. In terms of the performance across both modes of play, the Switch iteration appears to have no issues maintaining 60fps at all times.
Digital Foundry admits this is not the most ambitious conversion and explains how most of all, it highlights the conservative nature of the original game. In saying this, Nintendo could only improve upon it in so many ways, when working with such simple visuals. Take a look at the full analysis in the above video and tell us if you’ll be adding Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe to your Switch library.
[source youtu.be]
Comments 36
I mean... it's a New Super Mario game. Love this particular entry but no matter what they do to it, it's never not going to look bland.
There is something special about the 2D Mario games. Easy to pick up and play for a casual bit of fun that gives you both a sense of nostalgia and a new experience at once.
The graphics updates are as expected. You can’t expect much more really.
Preloaded. Never been disappointed by a Mario game. Didn't play the Wii U release.
Played the Wii U release and its actually a great game and tough too. I will be getting it in March though, I have a huge back log..
Let's talk about that $60 price tag though. For what is essentially a 6 year old game with very little changes it's hard to justify given they didn't really do much new and while having both nslu and nsmbu together is nice the series itself has never really felt like a series Nintendo put a lot of effort into. First game was a nice novelty but ugh. You look at a game like Tropical Freeze (which was another game I wasn't enamored with the price) it just puts nsmbu to shame in terms of design, music and gameplay.
It was a good game and the best in the series but admittedly that's not saying much. As a former Wii u owner maybe I'm salty the Switch isn't get new games but instead getting Wii u retreads at full price but I've never liked the practice of ports of old titles being full price anyway.
I think the main issue here is the pricing.
For people who already have both on Wii U, full price is too much to ask.
I’m on that side of the camp definitely.
Even considering I do want to play the switch version.
For people who never played the Wii U version.
This is a great deal, and a good lay over until the new original Switch games come.
I think the pricing depends on which way you look at it,if you have owned the game on the Wii U and have played it to death,then the price should make no difference to you as you would be mad to buy a game again that you have already played to death.
If you are new to the game then you have not already played it to death on the Wii U,so the price should be o.k as you have not already played the game to death on the Wii U.
I paid 39.99€ for the physical edition.
And having played it on Wii U and knowing it's the best "New" ever, I think it's a fair price. I never finished it (got stucked at the last boss !) and I will play it a second time with pleasure.
I love Digital Foundry's idea that Nintendo could have add different art styles, like in Mario Maker : Super Mario World, Super Mario Bros 1 & 3. This would have been awesome !
@JpGamerGuy90 This should be more prominent when sites are discussing these ‘lazy’ ports.
I just don’t get it why Nintendo is getting a free pass here.
What would happen if all big players would use this tactics? I don’t think it’s healthy for the consumers.
What’s next? Releasing Tetris Gameboy for Switch at full price? It’s still a good game though
I cannot justify £50 for an essentially 7 year old game that my tv could upscale anyway... I love the opportunities to try quality games from the failed Wii U platform but it’s too Xxpen5ive... £30-£40 is top end... I’m sure it will end up being reduced in the future!
@koekiemonster,
Perspective fella,old overpriced game to some brand new title with lots of content for others.
Nintendo is the most innovative of the games companies, and to get that one new great idea there has to be flops. The question could be, are the flops worth the one new idea? Or would Nintendo have been better doing what PS and Xbox do, better graphics etc, showing their games as good as current tec allows?
Gamers are now asking for a Switch Pro, so new third party game can be played without being downgraded.
The Wii TV remote style controller and balance board, all great at the time have now bitten the dust. As is the Wii u controller and soon (I hope not) 3d games.
If Nintendo had gone with HD for the Wii u instead of the extra screen their games would have looked better back then and now.
@Simonmoskovits,
It's only expensive on download,which to me is a stupid way to buy games anyway as they have no resale value,storage space and Nintendo's outdated account system...which we always seem to moan on and on about on here.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Super-Mario-Deluxe-Nintendo-Switch/dp/B07HHN42WK/ref=sr_1_3?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1547116528&sr=1-3
£42 for the boxed version on Amazon and I am sure you can pick it up cheaper.
The game in top of the pre-order bestseller list on Amazon U.K
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/videogames/ref=zg_b_bs_videogames_1
So just wondering on peoples take on this,if the game sells well are Nintendo vindicated in their decision to port the game to the Switch?,they are after all a business at the end of the day.
@johnvboy There are always new Tetris players. So a hypothetical Tetris DX for Switch should be full price!
Perspective my friend
@koekiemonster
Agreed,so companies can charge what they want for a game,it's then up to us as consumers to decide if it's good value or not.
If it's not in our personal opinion then we don't buy the game...simple.
@Ashunera84 I hope you enjoy it
@johnvboy thanks for that... that’s the top end of what I’d be willing to pay for such an old game.. I’ll be interested to see what the reviews are like when they start coming thru... I must admit, I’m all for digital because it means less to cart around, but also the most expensive way to purchase apart from the random eshop sales... I spent over 100 hours on BOTW, Odessy, Smash Ultimate.. I don’t mind paying the £50/60 for that much content but the ‘challenges’ on this just look frustrating. I’m sure I’ll end up buying it at some point, I just don’t feel it has the WOW factor to justify the cost!
I used to love Super Mario 2D games, but it looks so blend, generic..I would have bought it if it was 10-20 USD. Nintendo needs to make more Donkey Kong Country platformers. I enjoy DKC, Rayman Legends, Hollow Knight..while 2D Mario is just not making my list anymore.
I really enjoyed this on WiiU and played it to death. Therefore I won’t be picking this up but I am very happy for those new to it. It may not have the charm of SMB3 or SMBW but it’s still a quality 2D Mario game. It’s also a good laugh in multiplayer. If you haven’t tried it I recommend you buy it, if you don’t like it take/ send it back and get a full refund. No harm done.
Ninty must be working on the next 2D Mario game presumably with a different art style. Can’t wait to see what they’re up to. Hopefully we’ll get a glimpse at next E3.
Pre-ordered the physical version. I still love the first Mario games on the NES and the GB/GBC. Mario and Zelda are the only games I still play over and over again! A good old 2D Mario on the Switch can't go wrong!
@estaate
I don’t know where you are getting it looks bland? Have you seen it in action in person? It looks great. They put a ton of detail into everything, especially the backgrounds of the levels. I can see people complaining about the price but it has the original $60 game and the $20-$30 DLC which essentially doubles the size of the game. If you’ve never played this, and you love 2D Mario games, then this is a great game. It may not knock Super Mario 3 and Super Mario World off the top but it is still a very fun game.
@rdrunner1178 There’s no justifying the price of this game except Nintendo is gouging their fans. That’s their right and most companies will do the same. Let’s just not pretend Nintendo sees their fans as anything but dollar signs.
I am made up with all these ports as I never owned a Wii U. The pricing is very "corporate" though. For former Wii U owners, I can see your point but Nintendo are still releasing new games too. I wonder if these ports have made them cut down on new content or are they in addition?
You can use blue toad by pressing L when highlighting yellowtoad on the character select screen. But they can't both be used for multiplayer. Glass half full
@WOLF13
Where did I say that Nintendo was some philanthropist company? I said that I understand people complaining about the price, especially if they played it originally on Wii U. It was $59 then and worth the money. Then there was also the $29 Super Luigi DLC, which is included with this release, and it contains 96 more levels just as the main game does. I see that as worth the price if you have never played this before, which there is a sizeable portion of the Switch owner base who did not own a Wii U and didn't play this game originally. I would have liked it to be $39 and it would have been a no-brainer for me to pick it up again. I still may pick it up since it has been 6 years since I played it. You are getting the $90 worth of game for $60. You either buy it or you don't.
Honestly I am fine with the price...... but it should go down in price fast though.
I'm not ok with the price. A port shouldn't cost full price. I expected it because Nintendo overpriced most of their ports already.
That said, I wasn't going to buy this anyway so it's not that big of a bother.
I'm really looking forward to receiving my copy tomorrow. I bought the game on the Wii U launch day. I haven't touched it in years now, but I have a lot of good memories playing this with my daughter and sister. It's, by far, the best of the New series. I'd put this game right up there with Super Mario World as one of the best 2D Mario games.
As for those complaining about the price, don't buy it if you don't think it's worth it. The majority of Switch owners weren't Wii U owners, so it's a new game for many. It makes sense that Nintendo wants to recoup their losses and give Wii U games a second shot at success. Doubtless, all these Wii U games would have had much better sales if Wii U had been more successful.
@rdrunner1178 my comment about Nintendo itself wasn’t directed at you. But it’s $90 worth of game if it was the year 2013.
@WOLF13
I agree that $59 is too high if you've played it before. Even $49 would be a lot easier to swallow, but it is still probably worth $60 if you have never played it before. A new game in the series probably wouldn't have anymore content than this one does with the DLC added in. It would be nice to have these Wii U games $39-$49 for those of us who have played them already (especially Tropical Freeze since it merely added a new character and easy mode).
I agree the price tag is a little too high ($79 in AU) for a game that's that old. However. I did buy it and pre load it. I'm filthy about it but Nintendo knows people like me enjoy the games, have good memories of how fun they were in multiplayer and knows il throw money at a Mario title.
@johnvboy despite my protests about the pricing... I think I may have succumbed by the end of the evening... double gold points and my gold points from last few months = just within what I said I’d spend! Will be taking the switch to bed tonight lol
@Simonmoskovits,
Hope you enjoy the game fella,this is tempting me because of the handheld mode.
Tap here to load 36 comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...