This is classic flat side-scrolling Mario, running right, stomping enemies, and jumping for the flagpole at the end. Up to four people can play the same level at once, which turns into friendly chaos as you accidentally bounce each other into pits. Beginners can play as a character who floats gently and cannot be hurt, so young kids can tag along without getting stuck.
Gameplay video
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Screenshots & review notes
Why it lands
It's competent, pleasant, and a little safe, playing things so straight that it can feel like the least essential Mario platformer on the system.
How it plays
Level design is tight and forgiving thanks to the Baby Yoshi assist option, though veteran platformer fans may find the challenge curve too gentle.
Style and score
The visuals are colorful but flat compared to Nintendo's more ambitious work, functional rather than inspired in almost every frame.
Who it's for
Great for younger players or a laid-back co-op session, but anyone chasing something more inventive should look toward Odyssey or 3D World instead.
Frames captured from the gameplay video above; notes are our own take on the game.
What it's like to play
This is Mario in his most traditional form, viewed from the side, running left to right, stomping on enemies, knocking coins out of blocks, and grabbing the flagpole at the end of each level. Nothing here needs explaining. You have a run button and a jump button, and within thirty seconds anyone understands the goal. Power-ups turn you bigger, let you throw fireballs, or give you a flying squirrel suit that lets you glide and stick to walls.
The levels are laid out across a world map with grass, desert, ice, and lava themes, and each one hides three large coins tucked in awkward spots, which gives you a reason to play carefully rather than sprint through. There are around a hundred and sixty levels across the main game and an included second campaign that is noticeably harder and built for experienced players. It is polished in the way Nintendo platformers always are, with jumps that land exactly where you expect.
Up to four people can play the same level at once on one screen, which is chaotic in a good way, because you bounce off each other, block each other's jumps, and send teammates flying into pits mostly by accident. For young or nervous players there are two characters worth knowing about, one floats slowly downward to make jumps forgiving, and the other cannot be harmed by enemies at all, so a small child can tag along through the whole game without ever getting stuck or upset.