Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Switch Gameplay Impressions, Videos and Features

Nintendo continues its excellent streak of remakes of beloved classics with Mario vs. Donkey Kong.

Nintendo fans were treated to high-quality remakes and remasters in 2023 with releases such as Metroid Prime Remastered, Kirby's Return to Dream Land Deluxe, Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp and Super Mario RPG, all of which featured incredible gameplay, graphics and improved quality-of-life features to make them the definitive installment of each title.

Now just a few months shy of the 20-year anniversary of its original release on the Game Boy Advance, this remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong offers fans the ideal way to experience this beloved gem. Whether fans are returning from the Game Boy Advance version or jumping in for the first time, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a fantastic puzzle game that needs to be added to any Switch gamer's library.

Gameplay and Top Features

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is an awesome puzzle game for young gamers, inexperienced gamers or those who have never played the series before. For returning fans, the remade graphics and additional content more than make this a worthy release to jump back into the series. Although the additional content. such as new levels, ensures there's something for returning solo players, the local co-op feature is another reason this is a perfect puzzle game for parents and children.

The game features quick, bite-sized puzzles that may only take a few minutes to solve but still feel rewarding. The overall game spans across several different worlds and offers great variety. Throughout the main levels, gamers find presents on the path to achieving 100 percent, while finding keys to unlock doors to the next level and Mini-Mario toys for completion. To achieve a perfect score, collect all three gift boxes in a level, but it's not mandatory for those who just wish to advance quicker. Each level isn't overly intense or long, so the gameplay flows extremely well and keeps gamers wanting to play 'just one more' level.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong features simple gameplay with super creative levels. It is the perfect blend of being a relaxing puzzle game while also providing adequate challenge. There are two difficulty options, classic and casual, with the latter removing a time element to reduce the intensity and pressure. The casual feature is perfect for those who want a leisurely experience.

The game features a great mix between platforming and solving puzzles, which makes sense for a Mario game. Playing as Mario, gamers will have traditional Mario-type skills to help traverse the levels and dodge obstacles in order to solve the overarching puzzle to advance to the next stage. There's a lot of platforming, which feels responsive and tight as gamers expect from Mario games.

At times with puzzle platformers, the user's character can be 'slippery' or imprecise, but Mario controls extremely well to avoid frustration. Arguably the most entertaining item is the famous big hammer, which allows Mario to become invincible and smash enemies or bricks blocking the path. Traditional 'Mario' staples are smartly introduced throughout the game. For example, there are environmental aspects such as ice, different enemy types, switching blocks, conveyor belts and ladders that are all brilliantly spaced out throughout dozens of levels.

As the player advances in the game, puzzles naturally become more challenging. The later stages can become extremely challenging brain twisters. It feels rewarding to figure out the puzzle, especially if one is stumped at the beginning of the level trying to figure out how to advance. Arguably the most fun puzzles include the use of the Mini-Mario toys as they only move in direction of the user-controlled Mario and the player has to try to navigate them to conquer the level.

Nintendo brilliantly paces the structure of the game so that the player isn't constantly experiencing the same type of obstacles to solve the puzzle. As is tradition with Mario games, each world ultimately has a theme and that keeps the game engaging throughout. Mario's famous world building perfectly fits into the puzzle genre, making for one of the most enjoyable puzzle games on the Nintendo Switch.

As gamers have come to expect from Nintendo in the Switch era, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is extremely well polished and optimized. Loading times are quick, especially when looking to retry or exit a level. The graphics are fantastic with high-quality fidelity and stunning background art in each level. The background music may be the most impressive aspect and is among the most enjoyable in a Nintendo game. Nintendo's care and attention to detail for this remake is on full display, providing excellent quality for this beloved classic.

Conclusion

Nintendo appears to be replicating 2023's success with remakes with Mario vs. Donkey Kong to start the year, plus Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Luigi's Mansion 2 HD to come this year.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is exactly what fans need from remakes on current-gen hardware. The graphics are completely redone for hi-def modern gaming, the gameplay is still perfect and the quality-of-life features push this to be the best version of the game.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is extremely creative for the number of levels that are in the game. The gameplay never gets boring and is the perfect 'just one more' puzzle game because of the size of each level. This is an amazing game for young gamers or for parents to play with their children. It's an excellent introduction to puzzle games and a must-add to a gamer's Nintendo Switch library.