User blog:TheBlueRogue/5 Things You Need To Know About New Super Mario Bros. U

1. The Characters
New Super Mario Bros U includes several returning characters from the Mario franchise, including Mario, Luigi, Toad, Yoshi and Bowser. In a change of pace from his usual kidnapping routine, Bowser, along with the Koopalings, decides to invade Princess Peach's castle, using a giant mechanical arm to throw Mario, Luigi and the Toads far away. Mario and company must now travel across this new land and find a way back to the castle in order to save Peach. Players can also play as their Mii in select modes of the game.

===2. New Items=== The game includes the introduction of a brand new power, called the Flying Squirrel Suit, which allows players to glide and grab onto edges and walls. The gliding follows a similar pattern to Cape Mario. Other power ups, such as the Fire Flower, Ice Flower, Penguin Suit, Propeller Mushroom, and Mini Mushroom are set to return.

3. Mulitplayer
Up to five player multiplayer is supported in New Super Mario Bros U. The game returns with the typical four player mulitplayer, but another player can be added while playing on the Wii U's GamePad screen. This fifth player can only assist the players, in a mode known as Boost Mode. This mode allows the fifth player to create temporary blocks to either assist or annoy the other players attempting to progress through the level. The player operating in this mode can also use the blocks to stun enemies.

4. The World
The game environment includes 8 brand new worlds for players to explore. The worlds include Acorn Plains, a grass world wihch lots of shrubs and slanted mountains, Layer Cake Desert, a desert world filled with various desserts, Sparkling Waters, a tropical world with mulitple islands, Frosted Glacier, a snowy world that takes place at night, Soda Jungle, a rainforest world with giant enemies and blocks, Rock Candy Miners, a mountainous world with tall, pillar-like mountains, Meringue Clouds, a sky world, and Peach's Castle, the place for the final showdown.

5. New Modes


Along with the main adventure, there are other options such as Challenge Mode and Boost Rush Mode. Challenge Mode has players completing objectives under a specific time limit. Boost Rush has auto scrolling stages where the player must progress through two to three selected stages. This mode bears a resemblence to the Coin Rush feature in New Super Mario Bros. 2. Coin Battle from New SUper Mario Bros Wii will also make a returned appearance.