New Super Luigi U

It's time to go on an adventure with the lanky Nintendo icon. Thirty years after his first appearance Luigi finally gets his well earned time in the limelight as Mario relaxes his busy schedule. New Super Luigi U is a DLC expansion for New Super Mario Bros. U, that's getting a retail release.

The intro sequence is unchanged (minus Mario). The world map also remains, but the levels are different. Sure it still has the same sort of vibe, but small changes in the backdrops and brand new level design alters everything you thought you knew about New Super Mario Bros. U. When you start a level with Luigi you're immediately treated to that well known melody that signals only 100 seconds remains, and that's enough to get your pulse racing. Regardless of the time limit, you're in no real rush - all the levels are very short.

At first they come across as too short. It feels a bit abbreviated, you've hardly gotten started before the level is over. A issue that thankfully dissipates as you progress through the game, as you quickly forget how short a distance you have to traverse as the difficulty levels amps up significantly.

In the original New Super Mario Bros. U you don't really need to fight very hard to overcome Bowser's underlings and various obstacles. The extra lives are handed out generously, and most of the time you've got a power-up equipped. That's not the case in New Super Luigi U as you're going to have to keep an eye on the remaining continues as you try and make your way to the next savepoint.

It's also a good thing that Luigi isn't a clone of his older brother, but instead sports his own abilities. He jumps higher, is not as quick to halt his stride, and doesn't turn as easily. This makes ice levels extra tricky, especially when they requires stops on small platforms in the midst of the jumping.

Overall the levels are well designed and varied, and the only thing you really grow tired off, if you're an avid fan of the brothers, is the familiar music of the "New" series. It would have been nice with something a little bit more unexpected.

As far as the overall quality there are no complaints to be had. Sure the early stages will feel abbreviated and not challenging enough, but as soon as you've made it past a world or two things really get going. There are several hours of entertainment to be had, in spite of the omission of a Challenge Mode, and the difficulty level is close to that of The Lost Levels. If you want to make life a little easier you can pick Nabbit, the bunny you get to chase in the original game. He's more or less immortal.

You can also pick Nabbit as one of the characters in multiplayer, as well as two Toads and, naturally, Luigi. As you'd expect it's great to share in the fun, but as this version comes with more challenging levels we preferred to play it solo as the mess that usually takes place when you share the screen with your friends can wear on you. One thing we'd have loved to have seen change is the fact that the screen freezes when you grab a power-up. The main drawback is that when you're faced with that game over screen it's final, so there is no friend to save the day and let you jump back in.

The price of admission feels appropriate as this is far more value than your typical DLC. Luigi's adventure is a game in its own right and it will last you a long time. If you're new to Mario games it may even last a little too long, as this is a proper challenge.

If you're aiming to get all the coins you're going to need some serious skills, and you'll have a long journey ahead. If you're looking for something more forgiving and relaxed, then you should play Mario's game instead. But seeing as this is "The Year of Luigi", there is every reason to celebrate the lanky fellow's time in the spotlight.