Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch): Difference between revisions

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|align=center|[[File:BarrelMVDK.png|79px]]<br>[[Barrel]]
|align=center|[[File:BarrelMVDK.png|79px]]<br>[[Barrel]]
|Can be carried and thrown by the player(s). They can be used to defeat certain enemies, or as auxiliary platforms to reach other platforms or to pass wide gaps with [[Spike Trap|spike]]s.
|Can be carried and thrown by the player(s). They can be used to defeat certain enemies, or as auxiliary platforms to reach other platforms or to pass wide gaps with [[Spike Trap|spike]]s.
|-
|align=center|[[File:MarioVsDKSwitch_CheckpointFlagActive.png|70px]][[File:MarioVsDKSwitch_CheckpointFlagInactive.png|70px]]<br>[[Checkpoint Flag]]
|A flag with Mario's insignia on it that acts as a checkpoint for players in [[Easy Mode|Casual Mode]]. Inactive Checkpoint Flags can be unfurled by coming into contact with one, which will become a new checkpoint that the player will return to upon getting bubbled.
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|align=center|[[File:MvDK NS Switch.png|60px]][[File:YellowSwitchMVDK.png|63px]][[File:BlueSwitchMVDK.png|58px]]<br>[[Color Switch]]
|align=center|[[File:MvDK NS Switch.png|60px]][[File:YellowSwitchMVDK.png|63px]][[File:BlueSwitchMVDK.png|58px]]<br>[[Color Switch]]

Revision as of 01:53, June 24, 2024

Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Box art for Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch
North American box art
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer Nintendo Software Technology Corporation[1]
Publisher Nintendo
Platform(s) Nintendo Switch
Release date Template:Release[?]
Language(s) English (United Kingdom)
English (United States)
French (France)
French (Canada)
German
Spanish (Spain)
Spanish (Latin America)
Italian
Dutch
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean
Genre Puzzle/Action
Rating(s)
ESRB:E - Everyone
PEGI:3 - Three years and older
CERO:A - All ages
ACB:G - General
USK:0 - All ages
ClassInd:L - General audience
SMECCV:A - All ages
GRAC:All - All ages
GSRR:P - Six years and older
FPB:13 - Thirteen years and older
Gmedia:3 - Three years and older
MRO:3 - Three years and older
Mode(s) Single-player, local multiplayer
Format
Nintendo Switch:
Game Card
Digital download
Input
Nintendo Switch:
Serial code(s) HAC-P-A97PA (U.S.)
“The rivalry reignites.”
Advertisement tagline for Mario vs. Donkey Kong

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a Nintendo Switch remake of the 2004 Game Boy Advance game of the same name released worldwide on February 16, 2024. First announced during the September 2023 Nintendo Direct,[2] it is the first Mario vs. Donkey Kong game for the Nintendo Switch and the first one in general since Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars, released almost nine years prior. As a remake of the first game, it is also the first time the gameplay style of the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong has been revisited since the original's release. Unlike the original version's pre-rendered visuals and the rest of the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series opting for a plastic, cartoony look with outlines, the remake adopts a standard modern art style, taking many cues from Super Mario 3D World and its appearance as a theme in Super Mario Maker 2 in particular. Additionally, the game debuts a redesigned logo for the Donkey Kong series. Despite Charles Martinet having stepped down from his role as the voice actor for Mario, several of his voice clips are reused in this game.

A free demo of the game was released on the Nintendo eShop on January 31, 2024.[3] This is the first Super Mario title to omit the ESRB rating on the box art version officially distributed in the Southeast Asian markets, although the first Nintendo-published title overall to omit the rating in those markets is Another Code: Recollection.[4]

Changes from the original game

New content

Game modes
  • Casual Style has been added, with the following changes from Classic Style:
    • No time limit, where the time limit is labelled with an infinity sign.
    • The player starts with five bubbles per level. If the player has any bubbles left, the character will return to a checkpoint in a bubble in situations that would cause them to lose a life.
    • Keys last for 15 seconds instead of 12 when not held by a character.
    • Certain levels contain less enemies.
  • A Time Attack mode has been added for all levels. It is accessed by pressing X Button when selecting a level. In Time Attack, the player must reach the end of the level as fast as they can to beat the target time.
    • Levels completed in Time Attack mode will be marked with a gold medal featuring a clock insignia on it. Completing all levels in Time Attack mode is not required for 100% completion.
    • Time Attack is unlocked for all regular levels and Expert levels once Vs. Donkey Kong is cleared. For plus levels, this requires clearing Vs. Donkey Kong Plus.
Multiplayer
  • Multiplayer has been added, with Toad as the second playable character. He is able to pass through one-block tall gaps by performing a handstand and can climb ropes fast without needing to perform a two-handed climb.
    • Multiplayer is not available during Time Attack mode.
  • In addition to regular keys that appear in the main levels, a silver flying key must also be caught during Multiplayer sessions to use on locked doors and toy boxes.
  • If a player is defeated in Multiplayer while another is still alive, they will float back to the player in a bubble. The player can repeatedly press A Button or B Button to float back faster.
    • Players who get defeated will still lose a life in that way, with similar mechanics to Super Mario 3D World.
Levels
  • Two new worlds, Merry Mini-Land and Slippery Summit, have been introduced as this version of the game's fourth and sixth worlds respectively, with each incorporating new obstacles like Flower Fans, carryable Springs, Warp Boxes and icy terrain.
  • Four new Expert levels have been added, bringing the total of Expert levels to 16, with the levels being based on Merry Mini-Land and Slippery Summit, as well as their Plus variants.
    • Expert levels are now split into two world sets containing eight levels each, coded EX1 and EX2 respectively. They are also now unlocked after vs. Donkey Kong is beaten, instead of after vs. Donkey Kong Plus.
    • The gold star requirements have slightly changed for the Expert levels, with them now having values in multiples of eight (Level EX-1 requires 8 stars, and Level EX-16 requires 128 stars, for example)
  • The bonus present minigames have been replaced with various new bonus levels (though the music is retained and rearranged). In these levels, the player must catch a floating key that opens a treasure box before the time runs out, earning five 1-Ups in the process.
    • There are sixteen new bonus levels that correspond to each world (excluding Expert sets EX1 and EX2), with some level layouts derived from existing levels (both old and new).
    • Bonus levels can appear after approximately every eighth regular level beaten, with the bonus level corresponding to the last world said level was beaten on. On newly unlocked worlds, it is designed in such a way that up to 4-6 regular levels in the same world must be beaten to open the bonus level for that respective world.
Miscellaneous
  • A gallery has been added, where the player can view the cutscenes, music and sound effects of the game.

Changes

Gameplay
  • The scoring system has been removed.
  • The requirements for collecting gold stars has been changed to be performance based, as the scoring system was removed. A "Perfect!" rating (still represented by a gold star) can now be obtained in all levels, excluding final battle and its Plus variant.
    • Clearing a level with all presents, getting all six Mini-Marios in the toy box, and beating a boss level without taking damage are essential to getting stars, which can be used to unlock new Expert levels.
  • Falls are no longer lethal, and only formerly lethal falls now stun the player. Additionally, falls that would non-lethally stun the player in the original no longer do so.
  • The right stick can be used to control the camera in large-scaled levels, meaning that the player no longer has to enter Free Scroll Mode to view the level in its entirety.
  • Retrying a level or exiting a level that has not been cleared yet no longer costs the player a life.
  • Clearing the first level in a world unlocks every remaining level in it except for the Mini-Mario levels and Donkey Kong boss levels.
  • Hammers and Fruits reappear after using them.
  • The player can now jump on birds.
  • Pressing up on the controller no longer makes the player look up.
  • Unlike the Japanese version of the original game, all the e-Reader levels are cut from all versions.
    • Additionally, no unused level maker is present in the game's data unlike the original game in all regions.
Level design
  • Level structural geometry has been slightly altered in some levels like Level 3-5, filling in empty spaces and merging once-floating platforms and spike gaps into the main terrain.
  • Some minor tweaks have been made to level design, typically to adjust difficulty and optimize pacing. Some of the notable changes include the following:
    • The locations of the red and yellow platforms in Level 1-DK have been swapped.
    • Some placements of Color Blocks and Bob-omb Blocks have changed in Level 7-3, especially in the second area.
    • Several changes have been made to Level 8-5 especially in the second area, including addition of a red Color Block to block off the first Sir Shovalot, moving the blue Color Switch into the starting point, and an additional wire below the first blue platform.
    • The conveyor belts and Donkey Kong are placed differently in Level 8-DK and Level 8-DK+.
    • Additional blue platforms were added to Level 1-DK+.
    • There are extra platforms added to Level 3-DK+. Additionally, the disintegrating platforms over the lava pits regenerate once Donkey Kong loses his last hit point.
Text and localization
  • The game has been translated to Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, Korean, Canadian French and Latin American Spanish. The original was not available in these five languages since, at the time, Nintendo of Europe did not do Dutch localizations, Nintendo of America did not do Canadian French or Latin American Spanish localizations, and Nintendo of Hong Kong and Nintendo of Korea did not yet exist.
  • The worlds now are translated in the French, Italian, German and Spanish versions while in the original they were left in English in those versions.
  • Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Plus have been renamed to "vs. Donkey Kong" and "vs. Donkey Kong Plus", respectively.
Graphics
  • The game now uses full 3D models rather than pre-rendered sprites.
  • The title screen now has Mario and Donkey Kong with more movements than just their eyes blinking like in the original.
  • Various backgrounds and terrain in all levels have been overhauled, with the terrain being changed from simple blocky tiles to various ground types that match the theming of the current level.
  • Various items and objects are updated to newer designs:
  • Several enemies have received visual changes to either give them a more toy-like design or simply update their looks:
    • Tane Pakkun are redesigned into mechanical Fire Piranha Plants.
    • The Ninjis are now black with red buttons, similar to the regular Ninjis' current design.
    • Brickmen are given a pair of movable bricks over their eyes to act as expressive eyebrows.
    • Fire Shy Guys are redesigned to look like blue Snifits.
    • Thwomps and Thwimps are redesigned to be mechanical, with a face that slides to change expressions.
    • Spear Guys emits Zs when it is sleeping.
    • Boos have a toylike design, with a face that slides to change expressions.
    • Bob-ombs are redesigned to be slightly more mechanical and toylike. They are also no longer pink.
    • There is a blue, ice-like variant of Fireball that appears in Slippery Summit, though aside from aesthetics, it does not behave any differently than the game's orange Fireballs.
  • Mario's normal and fire death animations now resemble the ones commonly used in modern mainline Super Mario games, rather than showing him recoil and collapse on the floor, and he is no longer charred when he dies from touching fire.
    • In the full game, Mario's fire death animation features a burning sound and a smoke effect, while in the demo, it does not.
  • Donkey Kong has an angrier expression when he has one hit point left in his boss battles.
  • The Game Over screen has been slightly altered:
    • Mario's Game Over animation has been altered, with him occasionally sighing if the player stays on the Game Over screen for a longer period of time.
    • The "Game Over" text is written in the modern Super Mario typeface, and is colored red instead of a white outline.
    • The positions of the Restart and Quit buttons have been swapped.
Cutscenes
  • The Toads in the intro cutscene now wear hard hats.
  • The cutscenes are now fully animated, instead of swapping between different static frames.
  • The before-level cinematics in the regular levels have been completely removed. Some of them were integrated into new Help Boxes as static instructions (ex. the Help Box for performing Hammer Toss in Level 7-2).
  • Mario is no longer seen using the elevator after Donkey Kong kidnaps the Toads and after he is defeated in the final level before the "Plus" levels.
  • The Toads no longer make Donkey Kong fall off the building by stepping on his hand, and both them and Mario look in concern when he falls.
  • Instead of sobbing, Donkey Kong is shown sulking after his defeat in the final cutscene, and Mario does not scold him before giving him the Mini-Mario. However, he does sob after being defeated in-game.
Audio
  • The music has been rearranged like other remakes.
    • Some songs feature extended melodies not heard in their original counterparts, which is notable in songs like the third Spooky House theme.
  • Several songs in the soundtrack have been completely replaced by new tracks, also done by the original composer Lawrence Schwedler:
    • Fire Mountain's music now features a more mysterious and adventure-like feel as opposed to a more upbeat percussion and melodies.
    • Twilight City's music now opts for a jazz-like style as opposed to the more upbeat percussion and melodies that are similar to Fire Mountain's music.
    • Starting in Donkey Kong Jungle, the Donkey Kong boss battle songs in each world have been replaced with new arrangements of the first boss theme from the GBA version. These correspond to theming of each world. As a result, the boss battles in Spooky House, Mystic Forest and Twilight City no longer reuse the same themes from the first three worlds.
    • The music that plays in vs. Donkey Kong now features an electronic-styled arrangement of the first boss theme.
  • In regular levels, the same music plays throughout the entire level, and is not interrupted by a jingle when the player enters a door.
  • In Expert levels, the music is no longer played at a faster tempo, and is treated like how it is played in other levels.
  • One of the channels heard (specifically the audio of an announcer counting in Spanish) on Donkey Kong's television in the intro is changed to a clip of the remake's arrangement of Donkey Kong Plus' music.
    • Nate Bihldorff's voice clips of Shy Guy are heard instead of the fast-talking gibberish when Donkey Kong switches channels to a news broadcast.
    • The last "Buy them all!" from the TV announcer is slowed down slightly.
  • Several archival voice clips of Charles Martinet as Mario and the Mini-Marios are repurposed here, though some of these clips are not present in the original game.
    • Contrarily, Donkey Kong now uses voice clips by his current voice actor, Takashi Nagasako, as opposed to Grant Kirkhope's performance in the original game, which features audio repurposed from Donkey Kong 64. He also no longer speaks full sentences as he did in the original game.
    • Samantha Kelly, in addition to voicing Toad (who does not appear in the original game) through archival voice clips, also voices most of the other Toads throughout the remake in the same way, instead of Jen Taylor's performance from the original game (a few of Taylor's clips are retained in the opening cutscenes, however).
  • Some voice cues no longer occur in some cutscenes and gameplay, with the most notable ones being:
    • Mario, the Mini-Marios, and the Toads laughing at Donkey Kong before the first final boss battle and Donkey Kong Plus.
    • Mario asking, "Hey, Donkey Kong! Are you okay?" in the cutscene before the "Plus" levels.
    • The Mini-Mario calling Donkey Kong "monkey man" in the final cutscene.
    • Mario saying, "Okey dokey! Let's-a go!" when unlocking a door.
    • Mario saying, "Mamma mia!" when all the Mini-Marios get destroyed.
    • Mario saying, "We did it! Good job, little guy." when the Mini-Mario unlocks a door.
    • Mario saying, "Spaghetti" then "Ravioli" occasionally on the Game Over screen.
    • Mario saying, "Ah, that Charles Martinet. Nice Italian boy!" on the credits roll.

Characters

Main characters

Character Description
Mario in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for the Nintendo Switch
Mario
The titular main protagonist of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. He uses a wide range of moves and abilities as he sets out to rescue the Mini-Marios from Donkey Kong.
Artwork of Toad for Mario Party Superstars (reused for Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) and Super Mario Party Jamboree)
Toad
A playable character who has the same abilities as Mario and can be used as the second player character in co-op mode.
Donkey Kong holding a bag full of Mini Marios in Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.
Donkey Kong
The titular main antagonist of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. After robbing the Mario Toy Company and kidnapping all of the Mini-Mario toys, he faces off against Mario to stop him from retrieving them.
A Mini Mario in Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.
Mini-Marios
Wind-up toys resembling Mario who were kidnapped by Donkey Kong.

Items and collectibles

Item Description
1-Up Mushroom
1-Up Mushroom
Green mushrooms that grant the player(s) an extra life.
Cropped screenshot of a Flying key from Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)Screenshot of a gray flying key from the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Flying key
These keys fly around the level and must be collected to open chests containing extra lives in bonus levels. Unlike the standard keys, they simply follow the player around upon contact. Silver flying keys appear in the main and Mini-Mario levels in multiplayer and are required to open the locked doors or chests in addition to the standard keys.
A Hammer in the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Hammer
Items that can be grabbed by Mario and used to defeat enemies.
File:KeyMVDK.png
Key
Keys are found in the first half of every regular level of the game. They must be taken to locked doors in order to open the second half.
File:MvsDK NS Letter T.pngFile:MvsDK NS Letter O.pngFile:MvsDK NS Letter Y.png
Letter Blocks
Letters that spell out the word "TOY" appearing exclusively in Mini-Mario levels that must be collected to complete the level. They can only be collected by the Mini-Marios.
Cropped screenshot of a red Present in the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey KongCropped screenshot of a yellow Present in the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey KongCropped screenshot of a blue Present in the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Present
Wrapped boxes found in red, yellow, and blue varieties. Once all three are collected in a regular or Plus level, the player will earn a Gold Star for that level.

Enemies and obstacles

Enemies

Enemy Description
A Bat in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch
Bats
Bat enemies that fly horizontally, across the stage, and can cause the player(s) to fall from the rope that they were climbing.
A bird in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch
Birds
Avian enemies that fly around and can drop eggs on the player(s), which can be avoided by performing a handstand.
A Bob-omb in the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Bob-ombs
Enemies that light their fuses and explode a few seconds after when Mario is near. They can be carried by Mario and used to defeat other enemies.
A screenshot of a Boo in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Boos
Wind-up Boos that chase the player(s) when they are not looking and remain still while they are being watched.
A Brickman in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Brickmen
A creature hidden in a pile of bricks. They throw three lines of bricks under them, forcing Mario to handstand to avoid being hit.
A Bucket Man from Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.
Bucket Men
Sentient Garbage Can enemies. Mario must be careful when picking up Garbage Cans, as they may really be Bucket Men in disguise. They cannot be picked up, but can be defeated with a hammer.
A fire bird in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch
Fire birds
Flaming avian enemies that fly across the stage and can drop burning eggs on the player(s).
A Fire Shy Guy in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch
Fire Shy Guys
Snifit-like Shy Guys that attack the player(s) with fire from their mask.
A screenshot of a Fireball in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)A blue version of a Fireball in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch
Fireballs
Enemies that move from side to side on a platform. Upon contact, red ones burn the player and blue ones freeze the player.
A Lava Bubble from Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Lava Bubbles
Enemies that are found jumping repeatedly out of lava, and burn the player(s) upon touching them.
A Monchee from Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.
Monchees
Mechanical monkeys with long tails that hang below the platforms they are on. Mario can hang from their tails without getting harmed. However, he still loses an extra life if he touches a Monchee's body.
A Ninji from Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.
Ninjis
Mechanical enemies wearing black ninja outfits with two red buttons. They jump repeatedly in place, and can be used as platforms to traverse spikes.
MvDKNSPolterguy.pngMvDKNSPolterguyBlock.png
Polterguys
Wind-up Shy Guy ghost enemies that transform into blocks when the player(s) press a Color Switch.
File:PurpleRinoMVDK.png
RamRams
Purple rhinoceroses resembling Rambi, an animal friend from Donkey Kong Country. They attack by charging at and ramming the player(s). RamRams can be picked up and thrown on to spikes, allowing them to be used as platforms.
Cropped screenshot of a Robo Kikki in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch
Robo Kikki
Robotic enemies with long tails that function identically to Monchee.
A Shy Guy from Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.
Shy Guys
Wind-up Shy Guys that walk throughout the levels, and can be jumped on.
A Sir Shovalot from Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.
Sir Shovalots
Knight-like enemies that push the player(s) using their shield.
A Snapjaw from Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.
Snapjaws
Crocodile-like enemies that climb ropes. They can only be defeated by falling fruit.
KataKata Yariho MVSDK switch.png
Spear Guys
Enemies that are first found sleeping. Once Mario gets near them, they wake up and start running after him. They go back to sleep if they touch a platform's edge.
Cropped screenshot of a Tane Pakkun in the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Tane Pakkun
Mechanical Piranha Plants that spit fireballs, which damages the player(s) upon contact.
A Thwimp in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Thwimps
Enemies that attempt to crush the player(s) when they get close.
A Thwomp in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Thwomps
Enemies that fall down when the player(s) approach them. Touching one causes an extra life to be lost.
Katakata Spanner Heihou Remake.png
Wrench Shy Guys
Black Shy Guys that throw spanners at the player.

Obstacles

Obstacle Description
A Bird Nest in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch
Bird Nest
Objects that birds can spawn from.
File:CandleMvsDK.png
Candle
Obstacles that moves up and down and burn the player(s) on contact. They can be defeated with a Hammer.
Cropped screenshot of a Cannon from the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Cannon
Obstacles that tilt up and down, firing cannonballs.
Cropped screenshot of a Cannonball from the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Cannonball
Obstacles that are fired from cannons.
Cropped screenshot of a Falling spike from the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Falling spike
Spikes that fall from ceilings as Mario gets near them. Falling spikes that get stuck on the ground act as temporary platforms for the player.
Flower Fan Red OffCropped screenshot of a yellow Flower Fan from the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey KongCropped screenshot of a blue Flower Fan from the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Flower Fan Red OnCropped screenshot of a yellow Flower Fan from the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey KongCropped screenshot of a blue Flower Fan from the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Flower Fan
Floating, fan-like flowers that produce a continuous gust, which can carry Mario and various objects in one direction. Flower Fans of a specific color are activated simultaneously by pressing a corresponding Color Switch.
Cropped screenshot of a Icicle from the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Icicle
Icy stalactites that function identically to falling spikes.
A Lava Geyser in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Lava Geyser
Spouts of lava that rise and cause Lifts to float on top of them, allowing the player(s) to reach higher ground.
File:OilMvsDK.png
Oil
Obstacles that move up and down and burn the player(s) on contact. They can be defeated with a Hammer.
SpikesMVDK.png
Spike
Harmful traps that cause the player(s) to lose a life if touched.
A Spiked Barrel in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Spiked Barrel[5]
Barrels with spiked rims that are thrown as projectiles by Donkey Kong in certain boss battles.
BlockLiftMVDK.png
Thwomp Platform
Grey and yellow stone blocks that rise when the player(s) stand on them.
90x
Wire Trap
Indestructible balls of electricity that travel along wires and electrocute Mario upon contact.

Objects

Blocks

Block Description
Cropped screenshot of a Bob-omb Block from the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Bob-omb Block
Blocks that can only be destroyed by Bob-ombs.
A Donut Block in the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Donut Block
Orange blocks that fall if the player stands on them for too long.
A red inactive Color Block from the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey KongA yellow inactive Color Block from the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey KongA blue inactive Color Block from the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Dotted-Line Block
Blocks that become solid once a Color Switch of the same color is activated by the player(s).
HelpBlockMVDK.png
Help Block
Gray and black variants of ? Blocks that give the player(s) hints and information about the game when hit.
Cropped screenshot of an Ice Block from the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Ice Block
Light blue frozen blocks that come in solid and semisolid variants, and often connect to form icy terrain with slippery traction affecting thrown objects and the player(s).
SandBlockMVDK.png
Sand block
Blocks that crumble into dust when stood on.
A red Warp Box in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)A yellow Warp Box in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)A blue Warp Box in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Warp Box
Clear boxes that teleport the player to another box with the corresponding color and are activated by Color Switches.

Platforms

Platform Description
LiftMVDK.png
Lift
Platforms that are found traveling along tracks, or being lifted by Lava Geysers.
File:SemisolidPlatformMVDK.png
Semisolid Platform
Platforms of varying styles that have solid surfaces, but can be jumped through from below.

Other

Object Description
BarrelMVDK.png
Barrel
Can be carried and thrown by the player(s). They can be used to defeat certain enemies, or as auxiliary platforms to reach other platforms or to pass wide gaps with spikes.
Screenshot of a Checkpoint Flag from the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey KongScreenshot of a Checkpoint Flag from the Nintendo Switch version of Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Checkpoint Flag
A flag with Mario's insignia on it that acts as a checkpoint for players in Casual Mode. Inactive Checkpoint Flags can be unfurled by coming into contact with one, which will become a new checkpoint that the player will return to upon getting bubbled.
A Switch from Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.YellowSwitchMVDK.pngBlueSwitchMVDK.png
Color Switch
Switches are found in three versions: red, yellow, and blue. As the main effect, the switch that is active makes platforms, blocks, and ladders of the same color available to use.
A Garbage Can from Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.
Garbage Can
Can be carried and thrown by the player(s). They can be used to defeat certain enemies, or as auxiliary platforms to reach other platforms or to pass wide gaps with spikes.
File:LadderMVDK.png
Ladder
Climbable objects of various lengths and visual styles. Some can be tuned on and off by Color Switches.
RopeMVDK.png
HorizontalRopeMVDK.png
Rope
Climbable objects that hang from trees or metal rings. Snapjaws can be found moving along some vertical ropes. Horizontal rope variants can also be found, which the player can grab and swing upwards from.
A Spring from Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Nintendo Switch.
Spring
Can be jumped off of to reach high platforms.
A toy box in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Toy box
Objects that serve as the goal in Mini-Mario levels and can be opened by collecting all three Letter Blocks in the level.
A Track in Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
Track
Objects that constantly move platforms along a set path.
MvDK-Trampoline.png
Trampoline
Functions the same as springs but can also be picked up and thrown.

Reception

Reviews
Release Reviewer, Publication Score Comment
Nintendo Switch Charles Harte, GameInformer 8/10 "Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a simple game, but as is the case with Mario's best titles, there's an elegance to that simplicity. Nintendo has done a stellar job adding features to make it more palatable to a modern audience, but it only comes together because of how well the classic levels hold up. Mario and Donkey Kong have been rivals for over 40 years, and this game admirably carries that legacy forward."
Nintendo Switch Steve Watts, GameSpot 7/10 "Mario vs. Donkey Kong feels very retro in certain respects. It's designed to be played in short bursts, which can feel anachronistic on a modern handheld hybrid that's perfectly suited for long play sessions. But it's also a throwback in the best ways, recapturing the clever aha moments of puzzle-platforming that made its predecessors so memorable, all while packing distinct visual improvements and quality-of-life tweaks that bring out its charm like never before."
Nintendo Switch Eric Van Allen, Destructoid 7.5/10 "I could see myself blasting through levels of Mario vs. Donkey Kong while waiting for a flight at the airport, or on the train to work, and that’s the best-case scenario for this package, brimming with bite-sized platforming challenges. It may not contain all the spectacle of others, but there’s enough precise jumping and quick calculations here to satisfy the more hardcore, goal-oriented, score-chasing Mario players around."
Aggregators
Compiler Platform / Score
Metacritic 77

Sales

As of March 31, 2024, the game had sold 1.12 million units worldwide.[6]

Promotion

Tin badge for Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch)
The Donkey Kong tin badge
  • By pre-ordering the game through Otakara, customers received a tin badge depicting Donkey Kong.[7]
  • A bundle containing the game, a 40-piece puzzle, and a set of three stickers is sold on the European My Nintendo Store.[8]

Media

Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

References to other media

Staff

Main article: List of Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) staff

Mario vs. Donkey Kong was developed by the Nintendo Software Technology Corporation, who developed every previous game in the series including the original game. Vivek Melwani, who was previously involved with Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, took on director duties for the remake. Lawrence Schwedler, after leaving NST to work at the DigiPen Institute of Technology around 2012, returns as the music director for the remake, along with bringing DigiPen's music department to help compose the music.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch).

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese マリオvs.ブイエスドンキーコング[?]
Mario buiesu Donkī Kongu
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Chinese (simplified) 马力欧vs.咚奇刚[?]
Mǎlì'ōu vs. Dōngqí Gāng
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Chinese (traditional) 瑪利歐vs.咚奇剛[?]
Mǎlì'ōu vs. Dōngqí Gāng
Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Korean 마리오 vs. 동키콩[?]
Mario vs. Dongki Kong
Mario vs. Donkey Kong

External links

References

  1. ^ Initial post about the Instagram story from an NST contractor Instagram story itself
  2. ^ Nintendo of America (September 14, 2023). Nintendo Direct 9.14.2023 - Nintendo Switch. YouTube. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  3. ^ https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1752859619943194810
  4. ^ https://nintendosoup.com/all-first-party-nintendo-physical-games-in-southeast-asia-will-not-have-a-rating-on-the-cover-starting-from-another-code/
  5. ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) internal filename (Model/BarrelSpiked.bfres.zs)
  6. ^ Nintendo (May 7, 2024) [1]. Financial Results Explanatory Material, Nintendo Co., Ltd. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  7. ^ 【オリジナル特典】マリオvs.ドンキーコング 予約受付中 Otakarasoko.
  8. ^ Mario vs. Donkey Kong + Puzzle + Set of 3 Stickers. store.nintendo.co.uk. Retrieved January 14, 2024. (Archived January 14, 2024, 22:30:06 UTC via archive.today.)