Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Switch) review: A charming remake for the modern era

Note: This review was first published on 22 April 2024.

Nintendo’s latest remake, Mario vs. Donkey Kong for the Switch, is a pretty good puzzle platformer. Originally released on the Game Boy Advance (GBA) in 2004 as a sequel and spinoff to Donkey Kong ’94, Mario vs Donkey Kong Switch version isn’t just a cursory update; it boasts a significant graphics update that brings it in line with the existing Mario games on the Switch console. Nintendo has also added more levels here, as well as a new multiplayer mode.

However, the multiplayer feature, designed for cooperative play, seems somewhat pointless, as it often relegates the second player to a passive role – more of a non-active collaborator than a participant. It certainly didn’t quite work for me and my partner, but I can see the appeal of this setup for parents who want to let their younger children take charge while taking a backseat approach to guiding them through the game.

To cater to a broader audience, Nintendo has also introduced a ‘Casual’ mode to make Mario vs. Donkey more accessible. This mode significantly dials down the difficulty by removing the game's timer and allowing Mario to endure some hits before a level reset is necessary. While this reduces the challenge considerably – perhaps overly so for a game not known for its challenges in the first place – it clearly serves to make the game more approachable for families and very young kids.

That said, Nintendo has not forgotten the regular gamers. Mario vs. Donkey Kong also features several new modes, such ‘World+’ and ‘Expert’ that can offer a good challenge for even the most hardcore puzzle fans. Expert only unlocks once you’ve beaten the game’s final boss, adding another 16 Expert Levels. But in order to access these levels, players will need to a set of eight gold stars for each additional level to become available. As if that’s not difficult enough, to unlock all Expert Levels in Mario vs. Donkey Kong, you will need a total of 128 gold stars.

Yet, it's the ‘Time Attack’ mode that might catch the eye of the competitive player, which becomes available after you’ve beaten the game. In these, players are tasked with completing levels as quickly as possible to earn bragging rights. Although the levels are not particularly lengthy, they possess a depth and intricacy that challenge players to perfect their speed-running techniques.

Despite the abundance of content in Mario vs. Donkey Kong, I feel that the levels in the game do lack complexity and creativity. I also found myself wishing Donkey Kong had a more substantial role, given his limited but impactful appearances as the antagonist overshadowed by the challenges posed by the Mini-Marios. You see, at the core of it, the game is still pretty much a remake and so retains the core of level designs from the original GBA version. Nintendo is known for their fresh and inventive concepts and their library of Switch titles – from the breathtaking Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to the charming Super Mario RPG – have been nothing short of stellar, and it does make one wonder if Nintendo could have done better with a Mario vs. Donkey Kong made from the ground up rather than a faithful remake.

But if you’re looking to explore different gameplay of Mario games, Mario vs. Donkey Kong does have its appeal. It may not be groundbreaking like past Nintendo titles mentioned above, but it does come with the kind of “cutesy” (and I don’t mean it in the bad sense) visuals that we have come to expect from any Mario-named title, as well as a catchy soundtrack that I can’t help but hum along with it during my time with the game.

Mario vs Donkey Kong, while not as spectacular as other Mario titles, is particularly well-suited for short, engaging gaming sessions, ideal for filling time during a commute or just a quick session that you can easily put down and continue after. And I think that’s not necessarily a bad thing for the audience is made for: families and young kids.

Note: Mario vs. Donkey Kong is available at Nintendo's Lazada store for $57.50.

Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.