Game review 19 February 2024, 12:00

author: Giancarlo Saldana

Mario vs. Donkey Kong Review: Back to Basics

The original 2004 Mario vs. Donkey Kong puzzle platformer is back and now on the Switch, but is it new enough for you to pick up and solve it all over again?

The review is based on the Switch version.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong rekindles the classic video game rivalry that was born in arcades decades ago. Though, instead of dodging barrels and climbing his way up scaffolds to rescue a damsel in distress, Mario now finds himself solving puzzles to recover stolen toys Donkey Kong decided to steal for himself. A remake of the 2004 Game Boy Advance game, the game is the first of many in a series of puzzle platformers that are simple in design but crafty in ways they force you to use your head to find their solutions.

20 years later, Mario vs. Donkey Kong plays the same but comes with a fresh coat of paint and a generous amount of new content. Its updated aesthetic puts it in line with more modern Nintendo games, but its gameplay still feels familiar with some updates that crank up the difficulty ever so slightly. It’s a great introduction to those who may have missed it when it first came out years ago, but those looking for a challenge may need to look elsewhere as the game is more geared towards younger audiences.

Familiar Puzzle Platforming

Unlike the traditional Mario game where you can jump, wall-jump, and twirl everywhere you want, Mario vs. Donkey Kong’s main focus is solving puzzles. Each of the game’s original six worlds has six levels where you need to locate a key to open the door to the next section where a Mini Mario figurine is waiting to be rescued. Along the way, you can also pick up three presents to fully complete each level and earn a gold star. It sounds easy on paper, but when you actually play each level you’ll realize that, yes, they are also kind of easy, but each one throws new challenges your way that keep you on your toes and force you to plan your moves carefully.

Each level introduces a new gimmick or enemy that you need to master or exploit in order to complete each level successfully. From fireballs to Shy Guys that turn to blocks with the press of a switch to conveyer belts that can change direction—each puzzle is fun to solve because of how unique each one feels. They gradually get more complex as you progress through each world, but they never fully amount to anything that will keep you up at night. If anything, you want the levels to introduce more past gimmicks and give you a more layered challenge of everything you’ve encountered so far, but like the original, it never truly does.

In addition to these types of puzzles, each world also contains a Mini Mario challenge that requires you to guide a Mini Mario toy to its box while collecting three letter blocks along the way. These are different from the previous type of puzzles in that you now have to worry about keeping a Mini Mario toy safe while it follows your very move through some dangerous obstacles. On top of these levels, each world also comes with a boss fight that puts you against Donkey Kong where the objective is to throw things on his head. These ones are more straightforward and really mainly serve to continue the story that sees you chasing him across various worlds.

Updated and Revamped Content

Not a lot has changed here since the game’s 2004 release, but luckily the remake does introduce two new worlds and even Plus Worlds that offer you even more hours of puzzle-solving good times. You can unlock the Plus Worlds after beating the first eight worlds, and these are essentially puzzles that require you to guide a Mini Mario holding a key to the door at the end. These offer a more engrossing experience considering they happen after you already completed all of the original levels letting you utilize everything you learned in a new way.

The real draw for those looking for a tougher experience, however, is expert levels that you can unlock with all the gold stars you earn. These ones are harder in that they also require some fancy footwork and quick thinking, and the game makes you work hard to unlock them. The core gameplay is still here, but those looking for something more can appreciate the increased difficulty and various ways the game tries to outdo itself during its ten hours of gameplay. Even its new Time Attack mode adds a new challenge and lets the game cater to an older audience without losing its simplistic appeal.

On top of new levels, the game also introduces two-player co-op, which can either turn a puzzle into a cake walk or into a chaotic arena where you need to work together to not mess things up. Playing as Toad, the second player also needs to collect an additional key to open the door at the end, increasing the difficulty a bit. Either character, however, can also jump on each other’s heads allowing you to outsmart some of the level’s design choices making certain ones a breeze to complete. Others, on the other hand, require finesse to stay alive considering you both share the same number of lives. If things get too difficult, you can simply switch to casual mode and not worry about dying or running out of time. Part of the joy of co-op mode is how accessible it makes the game for kids to play with adults and even for two adults to just have a cozy weekend playing it together.

Final Thoughts

While most of the game plays the same as its 2004 version, Nintendo did an impressive job making the game sound and look brand new. Its soundtrack has been rerecorded for the Switch with some songs remixed from the original and new orchestrated and jazzy tracks added in. Some complement the game’s casual vibe while others create a sense of splendor and intrigue you just couldn’t produce on the GBA back then. Even its updated visuals give its world more color, and newly created cutscenes add life and humor to its plot.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong may not revolutionize how the series delivers its puzzles, but it does introduce content that elevates it from the original. Newcomers will appreciate the game’s charming and engrossing levels that keep you wanting to solve them all, but if you’ve already played the original you may question if the extra content justifies picking it up again. It’s still a game that kids can easily gravitate to, but its added levels, co-op mode, and revamped presentation makes it a no-brainer even for older gamers looking for a relaxing, not-too-difficult good time.