4/5 ★ – MechaniChris's review of New Super Mario Bros. U.

Fully expected this to just be a rehash of New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which, I guess it kind of is. However! This one actually manages to improve upon the gameplay and level design, making it easily the best yet of this series. Not only that, it brings in my favorite element of the OG Super Mario Bros. 2 and let’s you choose between multiple characters with different play styles. It always feels like cheating to do anything in “easy” mode, but playing as Peach is always SO MUCH fun in any game, I can’t resist choosing her. That is to say, I chose Toadette, who can use a crown power-up to become a Peach, which raises a LOT of questions about what Princess Peach is. Has she been a Toadette this whole time? Is that why she’s called Princess Toadstool? Is Mario actually taller than her true form?? So many questions.