New Super Mario Bros. vs Skylanders: Giants
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
New Super Mario Bros. brings the beloved side‑scrolling Mario experience to a modern handheld, combining tight controls with vibrant 2D graphics. Players dash, jump, and collect coins across dozens of inventive worlds filled with secrets and challenges. The game supports both solo play and cooperative multiplayer, letting friends team up to tackle levels together while discovering hidden paths and power‑up combos. Its timeless design appeals to newcomers and longtime fans alike.
Skylanders: Giants is the 2012 direct sequel to Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, blending physical toy collectibles with video game action. Players place real-world action figures onto the Portal of Power to bring them to life in the fantasy adventure. Featuring brand new characters known as Giants who are twice the physical size of regular Skylanders, the game introduces expanded gameplay mechanics, puzzles, and enemies. Developed by Toys for Bob and published by Activision, it continues the beloved action RPG and hack-and-slash franchise experience.
- Tight, responsive controls that feel classic yet fresh.
- Rich variety of power‑ups and level designs.
- Engaging multiplayer modes for up to four players.
- High replay value with secret exits and collectibles.
- Engaging toy-to-life integration that kids love
- Fun cooperative local multiplayer gameplay
- Introduces larger and more powerful Giant characters
- Expands upon the successful formula of the first game
- Limited online features; focus is on local play.
- Graphics, while charming, may feel dated compared to modern 3D titles.
- No built‑in level editor for user‑generated content.
- Requires purchasing additional physical figures to experience all content
- Can become an expensive hobby due to toy purchases
- Core gameplay loop feels similar to the predecessor
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataNew Super Mario Bros. offers tighter classic platforming and richer replay value, while Skylanders: Giants adds toy‑to‑life depth but requires extra purchases.
Key differences
- •Mario is pure platforming with 80+ levels; Skylanders blends RPG progression with toy integration.
- •Mario’s multiplayer is local co‑op/competitive only; Skylanders also local co‑op but depends on physical figures.
- •Skylanders requires additional physical toys for full content; Mario has all content built‑in.
- •Graphics: Mario’s 2D style is charming but dated; Skylanders uses 3D fantasy visuals.
- •Critical reception: Mario scores 95/100 vs. Skylanders 69/100.
Gameplay & fun factor
Mario delivers precise controls, diverse power‑ups, and secret exits; Skylanders relies on hack‑and‑slash with similar loop to its predecessor.
Platform availability
Both are paid, single‑purchase titles released for their respective consoles; no info on cross‑platform support.
Price & value
Mario includes all content for $59.99; Skylanders may need extra figures, increasing total cost.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Mario supports up to four players locally; Skylanders supports local co‑op but limited by number of toys.
Content & replayability
Mario offers 80+ levels, secret exits, and no‑editor replay; Skylanders adds progression but fewer unique levels.
Difficulty & accessibility
Mario’s responsive controls suit beginners and experts; Skylanders’ toy setup adds a barrier for younger players.
Graphics & performance
Skylanders features 3D fantasy environments; Mario uses 2D graphics that may feel dated.
Choose New Super Mario Bros. if…
Fans of classic platformers who want solid local multiplayer without extra costs.
Choose Skylanders: Giants if…
Families attracted to toy‑to‑life collection and willing to invest in additional figures.
Common questions
Do I need extra purchases to enjoy Skylanders: Giants fully?
Yes, additional physical figures are required for many characters and content.
Which game offers more replay value?
New Super Mario Bros. with over 80 levels, secret exits, and varied power‑ups.
Is online multiplayer available in either game?
Neither game lists online features; both focus on local multiplayer.