Mario vs. Donkey Kong (NSP, XCI) ROM + v1.0.1 Update (Full Game)

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: The Intense Rivalry Resumes! Mario faces the challenge of reclaiming the stolen Mini-Mario toys from Donkey Kong. Navigate through over 130 levels, employing classic platforming maneuvers like running, jumping, and backflipping in this puzzle-infused adventure.

The revived rivalry, originally kindled on the Game Boy Advance system, returns on the Nintendo Switch system with newly introduced co-op play, fresh worlds, updated music, visuals, and alternative gameplay methods.

GAMEPLAY

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong, the player assumes the role of Mario, who is pursuing Donkey Kong through a toy factory to retrieve several stolen Mini-Mario toys. The game, a puzzle platform game, plays similarly to the Game Boy Donkey Kong game, giving Mario a vast set of different athletic moves, including a handstand, a sideways somersault, and a triple jump, all of which can be used to maneuver platforming stages in different ways.

There are several different environments, ranging from a lava environment to the classic construction site, and there are five different types; in the first, and most common, Mario has to pick up a key take it to the locked door, and then find and pick up the Mini-Mario toy at the end of the level. The second type is where Mario must guide six Mini-Mario toys to the Toy Box while protecting them from dangerous environments.

The third type is the boss level, where Mario must fight Donkey Kong to proceed to the next world. The fourth type is the Plus Level, where Mario must activate one Mini-Mario in the level, which is holding a key, and take it to the door. The Plus levels are overall designed to be more difficult than the main levels. The fifth type of level is the Expert level.

The Expert levels can be accessed after beating the main worlds, and after collecting enough stars in the main and levels. In the Expert levels, Mario must get the key and lead it to the door, much like the main levels, but the Expert levels are the hardest in the game. Getting through the door beats the level in Plus and Expert modes, rather than sending Mario to a second part.

PLOT

Mario is the owner of Mario’s Toy Company, a toy enterprise in which he sells a series of small wind-up toys called “Mini-Marios”. After seeing a television advertisement for the Mini-Marios, Donkey Kong immediately falls in love with the toys and sets out to the toy store to get one for himself, only to find that they are sold out.

Furious, Donkey Kong breaks into Mario’s toy factory across the street and steals all of the Mini-Marios, prompting Mario to chase after Donkey Kong to get his toys back. Mario travels in pursuit of Donkey Kong, rescuing the Mini-Marios and battling Donkey Kong several times along the way before retrieving all of the toys.

Upon realizing that all the stolen toys are now gone, Donkey Kong kidnaps all of the Toads and imprisons them on the tower of a big building. Mario climbs to the top of the tower, rescues the Toads, and battles Donkey Kong once more, after which Donkey Kong falls onto a truck containing a shipment of new Mini-Marios. Donkey Kong then promptly steals this set of toys as Mario pursues him once again to reclaim them.

Following another cat-and-mouse chase, Mario gets back all but six of the captured Mini-Marios, which Donkey Kong holds captive and guards with a large robot mech. Mario fights Donkey Kong one last time, destroying Donkey Kong’s mech and finally getting back the rest of the toys. Upon noticing Donkey Kong’s upset, Mario decides to give Donkey Kong a free Mini-Mario toy. After finally getting what he has wanted all along, Donkey Kong, Mario, and the remaining Mini-Marios all rejoice together.

REMAKE

A remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong was released on the Nintendo Switch on February 16, 2024. It features enhanced graphics and local co-op multiplayer with Toad as the second player character. Players can select between two “Play Styles”, Casual and Classic.

Casual removes the time limit, adds checkpoints to levels, and lets Mario take five hits before losing a life, while Classic is akin to the original game. Two new worlds have been added: Merry Mini-Land, taking place in an amusement park, and Slippery Summit, an icy mountain. These worlds also receive Plus counterparts, making for 30 new levels, and pushing the total beyond 130. After finishing the game, “Time Attack” becomes available, challenging players to beat each level as fast as they can.

FEATURES

• Embark on the Puzzle Journey Across 130+ Levels Engage your intellect to strategize the best approach for recovering Mini-Mario toys in puzzle-platforming trials across eight distinctive worlds. Beware of adversaries, evade hazards, and utilize scattered tools. Strive for a Perfect rating on each level!
• Locate the Mini-Mario Toys Carefully survey your surroundings, plan your moves, and retrieve the key to save the Mini-Marios.
• Direct the Mini-Marios to Their Toy Box In specific levels, guide a group of mechanical fellows through precarious terrains. Attempt to collect all letter blocks and safely escort as many Mini-Marios as possible into their toy box!
• Confront the Big Lug in Battle Conclude each world by applying acquired skills to defeat Donkey Kong in an arcade-style platforming showdown. Show no mercy, as he won’t either!
• Perils Abound! Apply wit and impressive moves to navigate a variety of puzzle-platforming challenges.
• Master Your Moves Mario can run, jump, climb, swing, handstand, backflip, and pick up objects, showcasing his versatility in tackling each level.
• Mind the Obstacles Navigate obstacles like spikes, moving platforms, and falling bricks. Each world introduces unique obstacles and enemies, so stay on your toes!
• Team Up with a Friend Bring a second player into the action as Toad in Two-Player Mode on the same system. Collaborate to solve over 130 levels, and you may notice differences when playing together.
• Choose Your Playstyle Discover your preferred way to play, with various styles, challenges, and modes.
• Explore New Worlds Apart from familiar locations like Mario Toy Company, Donkey Kong Jungle, and Mystic Forest, enjoy two fresh-themed locales featuring novel obstacles and challenges.
• Merry Mini-Land Experience pure joy in this amusement park.
• Slippery Summit Maintain composure as you navigate through this wintry wonderland.