What is there to say about New Super Mario Bros. U? You pretty much know exactly what you're getting from the game. I don't mean that in a bad way by any means. I'm just saying that it's very easy to see that this game is mostly more of New Super Mario Bros. Wii. If you enjoyed that Mario outing, there's no reason why you won't dig what's going on here. As for the extra twists thrown into the gameplay, those are give and take.

The frantic 4-player Mario mechanic is just as fun as it was on New Super Mario Bros. Wii. You run around and either help/hinder your friends as you try to make it to the flag poll. We all know what Mario games are about, so I feel like explaining the setup is just a waste of your time. It's the type of run and jump Mario gameplay that we've come to love over all these years, and can never get enough of!

The new power-up mechanics shown at E3 were both charming and engaging. The Flying Squirrel suit is ridiculous cute, but it also adds in some neat mechanics. You can float through the air and grab yourself a double jump that will launch much higher than usual. If you get your friends to bounce you up high, you can soar through big portions of the level. The Flying Squirrel suit is a power-up you'll really want to hang on to in order to reach all those secret places that are otherwise just out of your grasp.

The inflatable Yoshi mechanic is just plain weird, but I love it! Grab a Yoshi and shake him up to have him turn into a balloon that pulls you up into the air. Again, this is another power-up that you're going to want to hang onto...literally! If you make a wrong move and lose your Yoshi, you could find yourself plummeting to your death in a hole you just floated over! Certainly a new way of seeing Yoshi, but a welcome one at that.

As for the most lackluster element of the gmae, I think that has to go to the GamePad abilities. Having a 5th player add in platforms or tap enemies for you isn't really all that fun. If people are playing the game, wouldn't you rather be doing the platforming than making it? I feel like this is the perfect mode for your non-gaming parents to try, or the one that you can let your little brother do as you try to finish a level. I really don't feel that the controller adds anything worthwhile to this Mario experience, but I hope that changes in the future.

Overall, it's more of the same game that hit the Wii. That's fine with me, as it means another fantastic pure-platforming Mario. I'm very intrigued to learn more about the Miiverse inclusion, which could really add a nice layer to this game. As for what we got to play on the show floor, you can sign me up for a purchase.