If you thought Mario and Donkey Kong had patched things up over the years, you’d be wrong. They’re facing off once again in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch — a remake of the 2004 Game Boy puzzle-platformer with enhanced graphics and a local co-op mode. Wahoo!
Manoeuvre Mario through a series of stages and recover the Mini-Mario toys Donkey Kong’s stolen from your factory. You’ll have to use all your smarts to get around the obstacles, enemies, and traps he’s set to stop you though. Oh, and keep an eye out for any barrels hurtling your way…
Let’s unlock all the details about the upcoming game from Nintendo. From the release date and price to the nostalgic gameplay that this 2.5D side-scroller has in store.
What is Mario vs. Donkey Kong’s release date?
You haven’t got long to wait. Mario vs. Donkey Kong marches its way onto Nintendo Switch on February 16th, 2024. We expect that there’ll be plenty of button-mashing action, so you better start warming up those thumbs.
How much will Mario vs. Donkey Kong cost?
You won’t need to do any plumbing work on the side to afford this game. Mario vs. Donkey Kong will only cost you £39.99.
Can I pre-order Mario vs. Donkey Kong?
You can pre-order physical and digital versions of Mario vs. Donkey Kong on the official Nintendo Store right now. Or pre-purchase your copy from Currys instead and get free UK delivery, plus up to 3 months Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and Apple Fitness+ free. Mamma Mia!
Mario vs. Donkey Kong platforms
Mario vs. Donkey Kong is exclusive to Nintendo Switch, so you can’t play it on any other gaming consoles. Unless you’ve got a copy of the old Game Boy Advance version lying around somewhere…
How to play Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario and Donkey Kong are reigniting their age-old rivalry in this remake for Nintendo Switch. Donkey Kong missed out on bagging the new, best-selling Mini-Mario toy. But instead of waiting for the next truckload of stock to hit stores, he's broken into the factory where they're made and nicked the lot!
You’ll have to solve challenging puzzles and put all your platforming skills to the test to chase after him and get those stolen Mini-Mario toys back. Princess Peach, you’re safe in this caper…
Jump and climb your way through city, jungle, and underground levels to reach keys that’ll unlock doors hiding each Mini-Mario. But keep your wits about you, as Donkey Kong's blocked your path with Shy Guys, Piranha Plants, and all sorts of contraptions you'll have to overcome. And like loads of previous Mario games, there’ll be boss battles that pit the two titular characters against each other.
How many hours of gameplay will Mario vs. Donkey Kong have?
If we're going by the original game for Game Boy Advance — which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year — Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Switch should give you about 5 hours playtime for the main story mode. Add a couple of hours on top of that to get all those side missions done and dusted. And about 10 hours if you’re a completionist going for that 100% stat.
Aside from the much-improved graphics, we reckon Nintendo have probably added a few extras for you to get stuck into. So, fingers crossed you’ll get a few more hours out of the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong.
What are Mario vs. Donkey Kong’s main characters?
The clue’s in the title, folks. This game is very much about Mario and Donkey Kong, whose feud stretches all the way back to the legendary arcade game from 1981! They still haven’t made up, and DK’s recruited a few familiar foes from the Mario universe to stop you from recovering the toys he’s stolen.
Fun fact: Have you ever wondered "who came first, Mario or Donkey Kong?" Well, they both first appeared in Donkey Kong (1981). But Mario didn't get his own game until Mario Bros. (1983). So, you could argue that it was Donkey Kong who came first in terms of game chronology.
Who’s backing up Mario, though? Well, you can rely on Toad in this adventure. Just pass a Switch controller to your mate and they can lend a helping hand using the local co-op mode.
What Mario vs. Donkey Kong features are player-customisable?
From what we’ve seen online, Mario vs. Donkey Kong is all about the gameplay and it won’t let you tweak much beyond maybe a few controls. Mario’s outfit is iconic, so why would you want to change it anyway?
Will Mario vs. Donkey Kong have a multiplayer mode?
It’s not all “it’s-a-me, Mario!” in this showdown. The game doesn't feature online multiplayer, but you can enlist the help of a friend or family member to play as Toad in the local co-op mode — shedding some light on new routes through the tricky stages.
Any more questions?
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