8 /10 12

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe brings two full side-scrolling campaigns to the Nintendo Switch: the original New Super Mario Bros. U and the harder New Super Luigi U. Released in January 2019, this port bundles nearly a decade of Wii U content into one accessible, polished package. Players tackle 164 secret-filled courses with perfectly executed controls and multiple difficulty modes, making it ideal for newcomers and seasoned Mario fans alike. The game consistently delivers satisfying platforming without reinvention, prioritizing quality level design and family-friendly multiplayer fun over experimental mechanics.

How to Play New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

The core gameplay revolves around guiding Mario and friends through 2D side-scrolling levels while collecting coins and reaching the goal. Learn the fundamental controls, progression system, and power-up mechanics that define the experience.

1. Controls – Single Joy-Con or Pro Controller; use D-Pad or analog stick to move left/right, B button to jump. Learning curve is minimal; the game teaches mechanics gradually across early levels.
2. Progression – Clear levels sequentially within each world to advance toward the final castle confrontation. Levels unlock gradually, and you can return to previous worlds anytime to find hidden secrets.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Jump on enemies to defeat them, use power-ups like the Fire Flower and Acorn Suit to gain temporary abilities. Ground pound by pressing B in mid-air for enhanced attacks and to break certain blocks.
4. Tips – Collect all coins and secret exits to unlock bonus content. Use the Super Guide if stuck; toggle assist modes to adjust difficulty without restarting your save file.

Who Should Play New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

This game appeals to a broad audience spanning casual players seeking straightforward fun to completionists hunting for every secret. The accessibility options and multiplayer focus make it inclusive, though franchise fatigue may deter some.

• Family Gamers – Four-player local co-op with forgiving level design allows siblings and parents to play together in the same room with minimal frustration.
• 2D Platformer Enthusiasts – Level design rivals classic Super Mario Bros. games; Wii U owners new to Switch will appreciate the port’s polished execution.
• Completionists – 164 courses, three bonus game modes (Challenges, Boost Rush, Coin Battle), and hidden Toads to discover reward thorough exploration.
• Skip if – You dislike repetitive design or seek experimental mechanics. The New Super Mario Bros. series prioritizes familiar formulas over innovation, which some find creatively stale.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Platform Performance

The game runs at stable performance on all Switch hardware. Handheld mode delivers crisp visuals, while docked mode fills larger screens without noticeable frame drops or resolution scaling issues during normal gameplay.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe System Requirements

As a Nintendo Switch title, no PC system requirements exist. This game is exclusive to Nintendo Switch hardware (standard model, Lite, or OLED). Nintendo eShop digital and physical cartridge versions are available globally.

Similar Games to New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

The 2D platformer landscape offers several alternatives with distinct design philosophies. These titles share genre DNA but diverge in presentation, challenge, or gameplay innovation, providing different flavors of side-scrolling action.

• Super Mario Bros. Wonder – More recent 2D Mario with experimental power-ups and dynamic level design; less traditional than NSMBU Deluxe but more creative.
• Super Mario Maker 2 – Infinite user-created levels, campaign mode, and level design tools; best value for quantity-focused players seeking variety.
• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze – Darker aesthetic, higher difficulty, and mine cart sequences; superior visual variety and challenge depth.
• Super Mario 3D World and Bowser’s Fury – Hybrid 2D/3D gameplay with cat power-ups and open-world Bowser segment; more experimental than traditional 2D Mario.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe vs Competitors

Comparing NSMBU Deluxe against contemporary 2D platformers reveals distinct positioning. The game prioritizes accessibility and multiplayer over experimental design, directly contrasting with Wonder’s creative flourishes and Tropical Freeze’s punishing difficulty.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Story and World

The narrative unfolds in the familiar Mushroom Kingdom, where Bowser’s minions kidnap Princess Peach and the Koopalings scatter across the landscape. Players pursue them through diverse themed worlds: grassy plains, desert canyons, snowy mountains, and volcanic fortresses. The setting avoids complex lore, prioritizing accessible world-building suitable for younger audiences. New Super Luigi U adds a twisted Dark Land as the final world, intensifying difficulty and atmosphere. Cutscenes remain minimal, allowing level design to communicate story progression. While the narrative never surprises, the environmental variety and themed hazards (flying fish, lava, ice platforms) create cohesive world identity within each stage.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Multiplayer and Online

The game emphasizes local co-op over online functionality. Up to four players share a single screen using Joy-Cons or Pro Controllers, with dynamic camera scaling to keep everyone visible. Online play is absent; multiplayer requires physical proximity or LAN setup with multiple Switch consoles.

• Local Co-op Campaign – Four players tackle the main adventure simultaneously. Screen expands dynamically to accommodate all players, preventing anyone from falling off-screen.
• Challenges Mode – Timed obstacle courses and point-based objectives playable solo or with friends for competitive scoring.
• Boost Rush Mode – Continuous auto-scrolling demands precision timing; players race through levels without stopping.
• Cross-Play – No online connectivity; all multiplayer requires local presence or LAN-connected consoles.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe DLC and Expansions

The game includes all original DLC content from the Wii U release integrated into the base package. No additional paid content has been released post-launch; free updates introduced minor visual optimizations for Switch 2 compatibility in June 2025. Future expansion plans remain unconfirmed.

• New Super Luigi U – Complete second campaign included; Luigi’s physics (higher jump, floatier movement) differentiate the experience from Mario’s adventure.
• Nabbit and Toadette – New playable characters with unique abilities; Nabbit cannot throw projectiles but ignores enemy damage.
• Bonus Game Modes – Challenges, Boost Rush, and Coin Battle modes unlock post-launch and offer replayability without new levels.
• Free Updates – Switch 2 visual enhancements released June 2025; no additional levels or characters planned as of early 2026.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe Community and Support

The community remains active despite the game’s 2019 release, with speedrunners, content creators, and casual players maintaining steady engagement. Nintendo provides periodic patches and maintains official support channels for technical issues, though the game has achieved stability and requires minimal ongoing maintenance.

• Official Forums – Nintendo Switch Online app includes community features; official support site hosts troubleshooting guides for technical problems.
• Reddit and Discord – r/Mario and r/NintendoSwitch host active communities sharing speedruns, challenge runs, and multiplayer invitations.
• Mod Support – No native modding tools available; ROM hacking community creates custom levels for emulators.
• Updates – Bug fixes released intermittently; Switch 2 optimization update (June 2025) represents the most recent support. Developers signal no further content additions.