Summary

  • The Mario vs. Donkey Kong Switch remake features 130 levels across various world themes, including two new exclusive worlds.
  • The game introduces a local co-op mode where one player controls Mario and the other controls Toad.
  • New features include a "casual" mode with checkpoints and an unlockable Time Attack mode for added challenges.

A new trailer for Mario vs. Donkey Kong has revealed the game's level count, new worlds, and features that were added to the Nintendo Switch remake. Nintendo surprised a lot of fans when it revealed the original Mario vs. Donkey Kong GBA game was being remade. Much like the GBA original, Donkey Kong has stolen all the Mini-Mario toys, and the player must navigate Mario through a series of platforming puzzles to get them back.

The remake adds a host of new features to not only entice older fans, but also help new ones get the hang of the title's unique gameplay. One of these new features includes a brand-new local co-op mode for Mario vs. Donkey Kong, with one player controlling Mario while the other controls Toad. A new trailer details some more of these new features, along with the content added to expand upon the original game.

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This Mario vs. Donkey Kong trailer confirms that there will be 130 levels to play in the game, which is an increase over the original, as it had 90 levels and 12 expert stages. The classic game spread these levels across six distinct world themes, with two boss stage-only levels against DK himself. The increase to 130 levels comes in the form of two brand-new world themes in the remake, which include an icy cave known as Slippery Summit and a circus fairground called Merry Mini-Land. These worlds also come with their own gimmicks, such as slippery ground, icicle spikes, and flowers that blow objects in certain directions. On top of that, there are expert levels that can be unlocked, just like in the original. These are meant to challenge the player's skill after obtaining a certain number of Perfect rating stars, with 16 unlockable expert levels set to feature available in the remake.

Other features were detailed in both the trailer and Nintendo's official store page. One of these is a "casual" mode, where if a player gets hit by an obstacle, they don't lose a life. Instead, they are brought back to a checkpoint and allowed to try again via a bubble, akin to a similar system in the New Super Mario Bros. Series. Players can take five of these additional hits before they end up losing a life. Players can opt to play the game the normal way in "classic" mode.

Features in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2024):

  • 130 Levels
  • Eight World Themes
  • Two Remake exclusive Worlds (Merry Mini-Land and Slippery Summit)
  • 16 Expert Levels
  • Two Player Local Co-op Mode
  • Classic and Casual Modes
  • Unlockable Time Attack Mode

Aside from the two previously mentioned modes, when the player beats the main game, they will unlock a new Time Attack mode where they are tasked with trying to beat each level as fast as possible. With this remake boasting plenty of new content, upgraded visuals, music, and local co-op, fans will have a lot to look forward to when Mario and Donkey Kong's rivalry reignites this February.

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Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2024) Tag Page Cover Art

Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2024)
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Platformer
Puzzle
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Systems
super greyscale 8-bit logo
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Released
February 16, 2024
ESRB
E For Everyone
Developer(s)
Nintendo
Publisher(s)
Nintendo
Franchise
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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The rivalry reignites! Donkey Kong has stolen all the Mini-Mario toys from the factory, and it’s up to Mario to get them back! Run, jump, and backflip your way to retrieving them across over 130 levels in this puzzle-style twist on classic platforming action. The rivalry that originally heated up on the Game Boy™ Advance system returns on the Nintendo Switch™ system with newly added co-op play, brand-new worlds, updated music and visuals, and other new ways to play.

Put your brain to work and figure out the best way to reach the Mini-Mario toys in puzzle-platforming challenges across eight distinct worlds. Watch for enemies, dodge hazards, and use the tools scattered around. See if you can earn a Perfect rating on each level!

 

Platform(s)
Switch
Genre(s)
Platformer, Puzzle