New Super Mario Bros. U vs Super Paper Mario
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
New Super Mario Bros. U is an engaging side-scrolling 2.5D platform game where players guide Mario, Luigi, and friends through imaginative worlds. Bowser's gang has seized control of Princess Peach's Castle, setting the stage for a classic rescue mission across diverse levels filled with secrets, enemies, and challenges. The game introduces the exciting Super Acorn power-up, granting players the Flying Squirrel ability to glide through stages. Featuring both single-player campaigns and multiplayer cooperative modes, alongside innovative Wii U GamePad features like Boost Mode and various challenge modes, it delivers timeless platforming fun for all ages.
Super Paper Mario is a unique dimension-shifting platformer and action RPG released for the Nintendo Wii. When a mysterious top-hatted villain abducts Princess Peach and forces her into a wedding with Bowser, a rift of dark energy threatens to tear the universe apart. Mario must embark on an epic quest across multiple worlds to collect the pure hearts and stop the impending apocalypse. Blending classic side-scrolling 2D action with a groundbreaking 3D perspective flip mechanic, the game introduces puzzle-solving elements alongside traditional role-playing progression. Players can control multiple characters including Mario, Peach, Bowser, and Luigi, each with distinct abilities essential for overcoming obstacles, defeating enemies, and unraveling the humorous storyline.
- Engaging multiplayer co-op support
- Challenging extra game modes
- Fun new power-ups like the Super Acorn
- Charming 2.5D art style
- Innovative 2D to 3D dimension-shifting mechanic
- Hilarious and engaging storyline with memorable characters
- Multiple playable characters with distinct abilities
- Charmingly stylized paper-craft visual aesthetic
- Similar visual style to previous titles
- Limited innovation over prior franchise entries
- Multiplayer can sometimes lead to chaotic moments
- Leans more heavily into platforming than traditional turn-based Paper Mario RPG combat
- Some puzzles can feel obscure without experimentation
- Wii remote controls are mandatory for certain gameplay elements
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to New Super Mario Bros. U
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Classic Mario platforming reborn with fresh power-ups and multiplayer fun.
Alternatives to Super Paper Mario
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Join Mario, Luigi, and Toads on a 2.5D side-scrolling platform adventure to rescue Princess Peach.
Team up with friends in this cooperative 3D platforming adventure on the Wii U.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataSuper Paper Mario offers a unique 2D‑to‑3D shift and richer single‑player story, while New Super Mario Bros. U adds co‑op multiplayer and newer power‑ups but is less innovative.
Key differences
- •Super Paper Mario features a dimension‑shifting mechanic and multiple playable characters; New Super Mario Bros. U focuses on 2.5D side‑scrolling with co‑op multiplayer.
- •Super Paper Mario is single‑player only; New Super Mario Bros. U supports both single‑player and cooperative multiplayer.
- •Price: Super Paper Mario $49.99 vs New Super Mario Bros. U $59.99.
- •Critic scores are close (78 vs 80) but New Super Mario Bros. U scores slightly higher.
- •Release dates differ: 2007 for Super Paper Mario, 2012 for New Super Mario Bros. U, indicating newer hardware features in B.
Gameplay & fun factor
Super Paper Mario’s 2D/3D shifting and multiple character abilities create novel puzzles not present in B.
Platform availability
Both are Wii‑U titles; no platform distinction given.
Price & value
Super Paper Mario costs $49.99, $10 less than New Super Mario Bros. U’s $59.99.
Multiplayer / co‑op
New Super Mario Bros. U includes cooperative multiplayer; Super Paper Mario is single‑player only.
Content & replayability
B offers extra high‑difficulty challenge modes and multiplayer replay value; A relies on single‑player story.
Difficulty & accessibility
B is designed for families and casual gamers with accessibility, while A has obscure puzzles and mandatory Wii‑remote controls.
Graphics & performance
Both use stylized, cartoonish graphics appropriate for their audiences; no performance data provided.
Choose New Super Mario Bros. U if…
Players who value co‑op multiplayer, extra challenge modes, and are willing to pay a bit more.
Choose Super Paper Mario if…
Fans who want a single‑player, story‑driven platformer with innovative dimension‑shifting.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
Super Paper Mario costs $49.99, while New Super Mario Bros. U costs $59.99.
Does either game support multiplayer?
Only New Super Mario Bros. U offers multiplayer/co‑op modes; Super Paper Mario is single‑player only.
Which game has a higher critic score?
New Super Mario Bros. U has a slightly higher critic score (80/100) compared to Super Paper Mario (78/100).