Nintendo brought back Mario vs. Donkey Kong with a remake for the Switch. Players can enjoy the Game Boy Advance classic once again with a renovated art style, and those who have never played this series can experience another side of Mario for the first time. Every gamer has their own play style, which is why Mario vs. Donkey Kong offers two options: Casual and Classic.

mario jump and mario high jump
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: How to Jump Higher

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This guide will tell players the difference between the two play styles so that they can decide which one will work best according to their preferences.

Casual or Classic: Which Play Style Should You Choose?

play style differences bubble and fight

Mario vs. Donkey Kong isn't as hectic as some of the other games in the Mario franchise. Gamers can oftentimes turn on Free-Scroll Mode to focus and think the levels over in order to figure out how to solve them and grab all the collectibles. There are only two elements in Mario vs. Donkey Kong that might make gamers feel pressured: the timer and the fact that Mario can only take one hit.

If players choose the Classic play style, they will have to open the door and reach the second stage before the timer runs out whenever they start a level in Mario vs. Donkey Kong. They will then receive additional seconds to complete the rest of the level. If the player doesn't complete the level on time, they will lose a life and have to retry. On top of this, they will have to complete the level without getting by an enemy or a projectile, without falling out of bounds, and without landing on a dangerous surface.

The Casual game mode gives players unlimited time to complete each level. Mario will also be able to endure five hits; if the player is somehow injured, Mario will get carried away in a bubble to the start of the level, and they'll be able to take advantage of this ability five times without losing a life.

How to Change Play Style

changing play style options in mario vs donkey kong

There are two ways to change play style in Mario vs. Donkey Kong:

  • Press the "-" button while in the level selection menu
  • Pause the game mid-course and select the Change Play Style option

Gamers should keep in mind that even though they can change their play style preference at any time, if they do it while completing a course, they will have to restart it from scratch.

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Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2024) Tag Page Cover Art
Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2024)
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Released
February 16, 2024
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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Developer(s)
Nintendo
Franchise
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Platform(s)
Switch
Genre(s)
Platformer, Puzzle