New Super Mario Bros U Message Board older than one year ago

Even if 32GB isn’t that much and a black Wii U might not match your living room setup, Nintendo is producing a solid incentive to pick up the Wii U Deluxe Set with its digital promotion bonuses.

Anyone who purchases the $399 Wii U Deluxe Set becomes part of a two-year (November 18, 2012 through December 31, 2014) promotion that will give consumers money back for making digital purchases. For every 500 points earned through purchases, you get $5 back. Pick up New Super Mario Bros. U for $59.99, for example, and you’ll have earned 599 points, enough to get $5 back.

You will not be able to participate with a vanilla Wii U Basic Set, nor will you accrue points with purchases made on the 3DS eShop. The latter is bothersome, though one assumes (hopes?) Nintendo will come up with a way to unify the platforms, and allow Wii U Basic Set owners to purchase their way into the digital benefits program. Nintendo has not made any comments on this possibility yet, and the company confirmed the inability for Wii U Baset Set owners to opt-in when I asked today.

Weirdly, however, redemption points earned through Wii U eShop purchases can be used to buy games on the 3DS eShop. That's good but weird, I guess? A website is launching in December to help users manage their accounts.

In New Super Mario Bros. U, Mario, Luigi and Toad are joined by a new character – you! Play as your Mii character to run, leap and stomp through a 2D side-scrolling Mario adventure. Explore a giant world map full of brand new courses, and experience ways to play that are only possible on Wii U.

Transform into Flying Squirrel Mario to swoop through stages and cling to walls, or hold onto Balloon Baby Yoshi to float gracefully through the air. Different coloured Yoshis and new power-ups offer fresh ways to play and experience the Mushroom Kingdom, while some old favourites are sure to return!

With the Wii U GamePad, multiplayer becomes even more enjoyable than ever. Up to four players with Wii Remote controllers can run and leap through all-new stages as an additional player joins in with Boost Mode on the GamePad. Using Boost Mode, the player in charge of the GamePad can tap the touch screen to place platforms on the TV screen, which adds an exciting new facet to classic Mario gameplay. Players can all work together to clear a course, or engage in some good-natured competition in a race to grab coins and power-ups – while avoiding bothersome blocks being placed by their GamePad-toting friend! If co-operation is your aim, Boost Mode lets you place platforms strategically to access hidden areas or find faster paths through levels. Race along routes you can only reach by working together, and set new score or time records with friends and family.

In New Super Mario Bros. U, a variety of gameplay modes offer plenty of opportunities to stretch your Super Mario skills. In Boost Rush mode courses scroll automatically, scrolling faster as you collect more coins. Two to five players must work together to clear the course as quickly as possible, and after finishing you can watch a replay of other players’ runs to get some ideas for your next attempt.

For a real test of your abilities, try Challenge Mode. Play Time Attack, 1-Up Rally and much more, on your own or in multiplayer, and try to set new best scores and unlock further challenges. Learn how to make your Boost Mode gameplay more effective with Boost Mode Challenges, and watch a replay after completing each Challenge to think up strategies for future runs.

Ramp up the competitive spirit with Coin Battle mode. While two to four players go head-to-head as individuals or teams and try to grab as many coins as possible, an additional player can use Boost Mode to place platforms and favour – or foil – a particular player. Coin Edit allows the GamePad user to place coins wherever they like, resulting in a new experience every time.

Use Miiverse to share your accomplishments with other players connected to the Nintendo Network, or leave advice, warnings and challenges for them to see as they play. This title also offers the opportunity to play on the big or small screen by switching gameplay from the TV to the Wii U GamePad’s integrated second screen at any time.

Limber up those fingers and get ready to jump right into a brand new Mario adventure, in New Super Mario Bros. U!

Classic Mario action: race through a 2D side-scrolling Mario adventure filled with all-new courses as Mario, Luigi, Toad and your Mii character

Varied modes: on top of the main game, take in Boost Rush, Challenge Mode and Coin Battle

TV-free play: enjoy the game on your TV or on the Wii U GamePad’s integrated second screen

Expand and share: ask for advice on a tough level or share an achievement with other online players through Miiverse

New Super Mario Bros. U is a new, side-scrolling adventure featuring Mario, Luigi, Toad … and your Mii character. Now’s your chance to step inside the Mushroom Kingdom and explore new worlds, new power-ups and new ways to play. Up to five players* can jump into the fun, with up to four people using Wii Remote controllers and one on the Wii U GamePad. The experience is different, depending on which controller is used.

FEATURES:
• The Wii U GamePad controller offers a new way to experience multiplayer Mario fun. Create Boost Blocks out of thin air to help players navigate tricky stages or access hidden or hard-to-reach items, and distract onscreen enemies, all with the tap of their finger or stylus.
• Swoop through levels and cling to walls when Mario transforms into Flying Squirrel Mario, or gently float through the air while hanging onto Balloon Baby Yoshi.
• Boost Mode also makes cooperative speed runs possible for the first time. Use the GamePad to interact with and manipulate enemies and objects in real time, and discover new ways to find the fastest route through each stage.
• In addition to the main Story Mode, in which players must rescue Princess Peach, New Super Mario Bros. U features three more exciting game modes, including:
◦ Boost Rush: Using Boost Mode, two to five players work together to clear many different courses in the fastest time possible. The scene auto scrolls, forcing you to move ahead through the course. As you collect more coins, the scene scrolls faster. Once you’ve completed your run, you can watch a replay of other players’ Boost Rush to help strategize
for your next attempt.
◦ Challenge Mode: Numerous single-player and multiplayer challenges incorporate a series of familiar Super Mario gameplay concepts in a fun, competitive way. These challenges offer high replay value as players try to achieve the best score and unlock new challenges. Boost Mode Challenges help players practice the teamwork necessary for effective Boost Mode
gameplay. After finishing, players can watch a replay of their Challenge to strategize for next time.
• Play on the big screen or the small screen. Switch single-player gameplay from the TV to the GamePad at any time to continue playing even when others are using the TV.
• Families and friends can experience Mario together like never before with Miiverse. See other players’ comments and accomplishments while you play, and leave your own feedback for others to see when connected to the Nintendo Network (broadband Internet access required).

Platform: Wii U
Genre: Side-Scrolling Adventure
Players: 1 – 5*
Rating: E (Everyone) – Comic Mischief
Release: Nov. 18, 2012
Developer: Nintendo
URL: http://www.nintendo.com/wiiu
Suggested Retail Price: $59.99