[EXPlay] Mario Vs. Donkey Kong | Nintendo Switch

Welcome to EXPlay, (Explain & Play) the review series where we care not for scores but tell it how it is when it comes to every game we get our hands on, whilst also taking the time to include some lengthy gameplay, to give you the reader, the chance to shape your own impressions and views whilst watching and reading.

In this explanatory review, we’re covering Mario Vs. Donkey Kong by developer Nintendo:

Mario Vs. Donkey Kong (The Explanation)

Mario Vs. Donkey Kong is a series that first came to light in 2004 with its first entry releasing on Game Boy Advance. It is a crossover spin-off featuring Mario and Donkey Kong that focuses on puzzle platforming similar to that of the original Donkey Kong arcade game but taking in a completely different direction. The series itself has spawned a number of titles that have come to Nintendo’s consoles like the previously mentioned Game Boy Advance,the DS, 3DS, Wii U and now Nintendo Switch.

 

The newest title in the series which we will be EXPlaying today is actually a remake of the original Game Boy Advance game with updated visuals, gameplay mechanics and extra content that was not previously available in the original game. The extra content includes two new worlds added to the main story, increasing the base story mode from six to eight worlds. Previous content like Plus Worlds and Expert levels also make a return and include extra stages based on the new Switch exclusive worlds as well.

 

Mario Vs. Donkey Kong has over 130 levels for players to run, climb, and swing their way through. The game begins with a cutscene of Donkey Kong relaxing at home whilst flicking through channels on his TV. An advert appears on the screen showing off some adorable Mini Mario wind-up toys and DK becomes enamored with them. He rushes off to a nearby store but they do not have any stock. Angered, DK runs off to the Mario Toy Company to steal as many of the Mini Marios as he can carry in a big sack and scarpers of with them. Mario catches DK in the act and begins his pursuit of the theiving Kong.

 

The main story of the game, takes place over eight worlds; Mario Toy Company, Donkey Kong Jungle, Fire Mountain, Merry Mini-Land, Spooky House, Slippery Summit, Mystic Forest, and Twilight City (the names in bold are the newly added worlds, exclusive to the Switch version). Each world is made up of eight stages. There are six stages where you must collect a Mini Mario at the end of the stage within a time limit. There are also three presents that you can find within the stages, which will reward you with a perfect rating and can unlock extra stages later on in the game. Upon beating the first stage in a world, you will then have access to play any of the other five standard stages in any order you like.

 

Each stage is home to a number of enemies like Shy Guys, Snifits, Bob-ombs, Pirahna Plants, Boos, Ninjis and more. All can make Mario lose a life if they come into contact with him, or throw a projectile, but Mario can stand on the heads of most of them and can even pick up some of them to throw at other enemies to defeat them or down on spikes and use them as a moving platform to access another area of the stage.

 

Some of the platforms and obstacles in Mario Vs. Donkey Kong are colour coded red, blue and yellow and can be activated by jumping on their respective switch. When one colour Switch is activated, it will make all obstacles and platforms of the same respective colour appear and the others will disappear. You will be relying quite a lot on stepping on the switches multiple times throughout each stage in order to access different platforms that you may not be able to reach otherwise. There are also conveyor belts and moving platforms that have their own special switch, which will change the direction they are moving when activated.

 

That is pretty much stages one to six but stages seven and eight are a little different. They are unlocked in succession upon beating all previous stages (seven becomes available when all six previous stages have been beaten and the eighth opens up when stage seven is beaten). In stage seven, the Mini Marios that you have found in the previous stages, will now follow Mario around and you will now have to guide them back to a toy box whilst avoiding obstacles and collecting tiles that spell out the word T.O.Y.

 

In Stage eight, it is time to take on Donkey Kong himself. Using items like barrels, dustbins, fruit and bombs, (exactly what you use depends on the theme of the world you are in), you must climb the platforms to throw what you are carring at DK. However, to make things a bit more challenging, DK will throw obstacles your way as well like bombs and spiked barrels, unleash critters to climb up vines, and provoke falling objects to come crashing down from above. If you can hit DK four times without dying, you will win but if DK hits you four times (or six if you have collected all the Mini Marios in the world), then you will have to retry.

 

That is pretty much all there is to the main game of Mario Vs. Donkey Kong. The game is pretty straightforward and is primarily focused on getting from A to B within a time limit and trying not to lose a life. Although you can play the game in Classic Style (time limit, one hit = KO), there is also a Casual mode that allows players to enjoy a more relaxing experience without a time limit and the ability to take five hits without losing a life. Up to two players can work together as well in couch co-op with one player as Mario and another as Toad.

 

For players who prefer more of a challenge, they will need to beat the game once to unlock the Plus stages. These stages have more obstacles for players to overcome and then there are Expert stages to really put players through their paces. For real puzzle solvers and platforming pros, they will still probably breeze through these stages as well but for those who are new to puzzle platforming, you will be find Mario Vs. Donkey Kong a nice game to get to grips with the basics. On top of that, a Time Attack mode also becomes available upon beating the game once so those who are looking to speed run through stages, will be able to keep a note of their progress in each stage.

 

I think with all that has been said and done, it is time to wrap up this EXPlay. Mario Vs. Donkey Kong I personally found very enjoyable but I will admit that it doesn’t pose too much  of a challenge. I would say that it is ideal as an entry level title for those looking for some casual puzzle fun rathing than for seasoned sleuths. This is by no means the big Donkey Kong game that fans have been waiting for but it is still a decent enough title to help pass the time with some of your favourite characters.

 

Mario Vs. Donkey Kong: (The Gameplay)

Game Specifications:

Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch (eShop)
Category: Puzzle, Action
No. of Players: 1 (Single System)
Release Date: NA| EU: February 16, 2024
Price: $49.99
File Size: 1.3 GB
Nintendo.com Listing