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Mario makes the leap to high-defNov 20, 2012 (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Hardware doesn't sell without a killer app. Nintendo's hoping that New Super Mario Bros. U will be the game that launched a few hundred thousand Wii U consoles. I wouldn't say it's killer, but the new foray into simultaneous Mario multiplayer is a compelling launch title. The integrated world map doesn't quite live up to the one it emulates from Super Mario World, but it's still a welcome change from the isolated worlds in the New Super Mario Bros. family. The worlds are pretty typical, but the level design reaches the high standards of the series. They all look great as well. The Flying Squirrel suit is an interesting twist on the Propeller suit, but the best new in-game feature is the return of Baby Yoshis. Not only are they adorable, adding a backing vocal to any level's soundtrack, but their new powers -- bubbles, inflation and illumination -- are quite useful. Certain types are allowed to travel between levels as well, mitigating the fact that full-size Yoshis (now all green, sadly) are only available in certain levels. Which, to be clear, is still annoying. An intriguing new feature is called Boost Mode. While one to four players are bouncing around on the TV, another person can use the GamePad touchscreen to stun enemies and place platforms. They can be used to reach high places, cross perilous gaps or halt characters midair and send them plummeting straight down the nearest bottomless pit. Au revoir, Luigi! Challenges are a welcome addition. Some, like the time attack and coin rush modes, are fun distractions. Others, like the 1-up challenges that don't allow Mario to touch the ground or the Boost Mode challenges, are like video game meth. You will try again and again and again (and again) until you manage to pass them -- and good luck getting a gold medal. If you do, keep your success to yourself, because I don't want to hear it. All in all, NSMBU is a more polished version of New Super Mario Bros. Wii. It doesn't break new ground like Super Mario Galaxy, and it doesn't really show off the best features of the Wii U. But it's going to sell a lot of systems because the five-player chaos is still one of the best experiences possible sitting on the couch with your friends. ___ (c)2012 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) Visit Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) at www.wcfcourier.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |