New Super Luigi U
Template:Infobox
New Super Luigi U (stylized as New Super Luigi Bros. U) is an expansion for New Super Mario Bros. U, released as part of the Year of Luigi, celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of Luigi's initial debut. It features Luigi as the main player, with Yellow Toad, Blue Toad, and, notably, Nabbit (who replaces Mario from the original game) playable in multiplayer mode.[1] Although it refers to him, the game does not feature Mario himself at all, making this the only core Mario game so far to do this.
The title was first released on the Nintendo eShop on Wii U for region price as downloadable content for New Super Mario Bros. U; the game must be updated to version 1.3.0 before New Super Luigi U can be accessed in-game, and requires 731.4 MB of memory to be installed. Once downloaded, the prompt to access the Nintendo eShop to download the expansion is replaced with a prompt to go to the main menu for New Super Luigi U. Support for the Wii U Pro Controller is also included in addition to 
and the 
controls in New Super Mario Bros. U. The game was later released at retail as a standalone game for region price, not requiring New Super Mario Bros. U to play. Both games were later released in a compilation known as New Super Mario Bros. U + New Super Luigi U, initially included exclusively in the Mario & Luigi Wii U Deluxe Set bundle, but later released as a standalone Nintendo Selects disc at a price cheaper than either game individually (the precise price is dependent on the region).
Gameplay
The gameplay is largely similar to its base game, except that the playable characters retain Luigi's higher jump and lower traction from Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. The game has been designed to be more difficult, with each stage starting at only 100 seconds; due to this, however, the courses have also been made shorter than normal while also being packed with enemies and obstacles. While the levels have all been altered from the base game, the world map itself has not been. Elements like items, power-ups, Star Coins, Toad Houses, Enemy Courses, and bosses are retained as such.
The multiplayer of New Super Luigi U is also retained from New Super Mario Bros. U. However, because Mario is not featured in this game, Nabbit is instead used as the fourth playable character. As Nabbit, the player cannot take damage from enemies, but cannot use items; however any items collected are converted to 1-Ups at the end of each stage.
Players can earn power-ups from Toad depending on the time left upon completion of the level. At 077, a Super Acorn is given; at 066, a Mini Mushroom; 055, an Ice Flower; 044, a Fire Flower; and 033, 022, and 011 a 1-Up Mushroom.
Controls
Levels
| Action(s) | Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller | Wii Remote |
|---|---|---|
| Move, swim (Baby Yoshi) |  / 
|
|
| Jump, swim, glide (hold), wall jump, Flutter Jump (Yoshi; hold), double/triple jump (press right upon landing) | Option 1:  /  Option 2:  /
|
|
| Run, carry objects (hold); shoot fireballs/iceballs, extend tongue (Yoshi) | Option 1:  / Option 2: /
|
|
| Ground Pound (normal, simultaneous*) | Jump + (down) / 
|
+ 
|
| Crouch, slide (on slopes) | (down) /
|
|
| Climb (on fences, ladders, poles) | (up) / 
|
|
| Bubble* | GamePad: N/A Pro Controller:
|
|
| Enter door/Warp Pipe | Door: (up) / Pipe: / (in direction of entrance)
|
Door: Pipe: (in direction of entrance)
|
| Spin Jump, Baby Yoshi abilities, dismount Yoshi, Flying Squirrel jump, spin underwater (Baby Yoshi) | (shake) /  /  /  / 
|
(shake)
|
| Grab other players*/frozen enemies | Run + (shake) / / / / (release run button to throw) |
+ (shake) (release to throw)
|
| Pause | 
|
|
| Boost Mode* | (tap screen)
|
N/A |
* Multiplayer only.
| Action(s) | Wii U GamePad/Pro Controller | Wii Remote |
|---|---|---|
| Move, select option | /
|
|
| Open inventory |
|
|
| View map |
|
|
| Pause |
|
|
| Zoom in/out (map view) | / 
|
/ 
|
| Confirm, hide/show Miiverse posts (map view) |
|
|
| Back |
|
|
Characters
Playable
- Luigi - New Super Mario Bros U.png
- MiisNSMBU.png
Mii (only in Flying Squirrel Ovation)
Bosses
- MegaSumoBro..png
Boss Sumo Bro (Tower)
- KamekNSMBW.png
Kamek (Tower)
- NSMBU LarryKoopa.png
- WendyNSMBU.png
- IggyNSMBU.png
- RoyNSMBU.png
Supporting
- MagentababyyoshiNSMBU.png
- BluebabyyoshiNSMBU.png
Changes
The world map itself is unchanged from New Super Mario Bros. U, but level designs have a drastic makeover. As mentioned above, playable characters and their abilities have changed. The timer for each level is also set to start from 100 seconds and the 100-seconds time bonus are added to the timer after going to the boss door in the towers and castles. Items in red Toad Houses may vary as well. For example, a 1-Up Mushroom is in place of a Super Mushroom. Similarly, Enemy Courses contain only Mini Mushrooms and Propeller Mushrooms, as opposed to only Stars. There are no Checkpoint Flags. Many elements of the game are colored green to emphasize Luigi, and most of the levels have hidden Luigis in walls and platforms.
After a level is completed, a Mario Block appears at the beginning of that level. This allows the player to switch to the original game's physics, with lower jumps and better traction. Nabbit is not affected by the block. Nabbit is also playable in single player mode if the player holds down 
on the /
or 
on the while selecting a level. If the same trick is done on the Flying Squirrel Ovation level in Superstar Road, the player's Mii is played as instead of Nabbit.
Worlds
It has been requested that at least one image be uploaded for this section. Remove this notice only after the image(s) have been added. Specific(s): The images should come from New Super Luigi U instead of from New Super Mario Bros. U
Template:NSMBUmap There are 82 new courses replacing the original courses from New Super Mario Bros. U with different level names, while the world names are retained.
| Level | Preview | Description | Bosses |
|---|---|---|---|
| World 1 Acorn Plains |
File:NSMBUMap.jpg | A grassy world with plenty of shrubs, slanted mountains, and the Acorn Tree. | Boom Boom Lemmy Koopa |
| World 2 Layer-Cake Desert |
|
A desert world with various desserts, such as melting ice creams, giant cakes, and a sea of sand with Moai-like statues. | Boom Boom Morton Koopa Jr. |
| World 3 Sparkling Waters |
File:SparklingWaters-NSMBU.png | A tropical world with multiple islands, bubbling water geysers, and a sunken ship. This world can be entirely skipped for Frosted Glacier. | Boom Boom Larry Koopa |
| World 4 Frosted Glacier |
File:Frosted Glacier Map.jpg | A snowy world that takes place at night filled with stars and constellations. This world can be entirely skipped for Sparkling Waters. | Boom Boom Wendy O. Koopa |
| World 5 Soda Jungle |
File:SodaJungle-NSMBU.png | A rainforest flooded by purple poisoned water, based on Forest of Illusion and World 4 from Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros., respectively. | Boom Boom Iggy Koopa Bowser Jr. |
| World 6 Rock-Candy Mines |
File:RockCandyMines.png | A mountainous world with tall, pillar like mountains. A cloud train seems to separate this world from the next world. | Boom Boom Boss Sumo Bro. Roy Koopa |
| World 7 Meringue Clouds |
|
A sky world resembling the foreground of levels in World 7 from New Super Mario Bros.. | Kamek Ludwig von Koopa Bowser Jr. |
| World 8 Peach's Castle |
File:Nsmbufinalworld2.png | A grassland area, similar to World 1 from the previous New Super Mario Bros. games, containing mushroom hills and the castle of the princess. It has been taken over by the Koopa Troop and is slowly transformed into Bowser's image until eventually being surrounded by a tornado. By the time the player reaches the castle grounds, it has been transformed into a lava-based area. Princess Peach's castle remains mostly unchanged on the outside but on the inside it is similar to Bowser's Castle from previous installments. This world must be completed to beat the game. | Bowser Jr. Bowser |
| World 9 Superstar Road |
File:Superstarroad map.png | A secret world unlocked after beating Bowser's final battle. Its levels must be unlocked with the Star Coins collected from all the levels of previous worlds. | None |
| Secret Island | File:Secret Island.PNG | A small area between Acorn Plains and Sparkling Waters that houses a Records Toad House. It must be unlocked as the same way as Superstar Road. | None |
Power-Ups and transformations
 |
 | |||
(starting form) |
(File:Powerup-mushroom-sm.png required) |
(File:WiiU NewMarioU 4 item01 E3.png required) |
(File:Powerup-fire-flower-sm.png required) |
(File:Powerup-ice-flower-sm.png required) |
| No image | ||||
(File:Powerup-mini-mushroom-sm.png required) |
(File:Powerup-super-star-sm.png required) |
(File:P-acornitem.png required) |
(File:Propeller Mushroom.png required) |
(  required) |
Luigi sightings
- Main article: List of Luigi sightings in New Super Luigi U
In every level within New Super Luigi U there is one Luigi image hidden somewhere within the level. There are a total of 83 Luigi sightings, a reference to Luigi's debut year. These images range from 8-bit Super Mario Bros.-esque to his various artworks throughout the series. The way these Luigis are placed in the level ranges from being in the open to being a background detail.
Staff
- Main article: List of New Super Luigi U staff
Gallery
- Box EU - New Super Luigi U.jpg
European box art
American and European Logo
- Luigi and Yoshi Artwork - New Super Luigi U.png
Artwork of Luigi and Yoshi
- Character Lineup Artwork - New Super Luigi U.png
Lineup of the four playable characters
Group artwork (with Soda Jungle background art)
- WUPP NSLU scrn01 Ev05.png
The logo seen in the first level.
- WiiU screenshot TV 01423.jpg
Luigi, Yellow Toad, and Blue Toad being thrown out of Princess Peach's Castle.
Development
During the development process of both New Super Mario Bros. U and New Super Mario Bros. 2, the developers began to think of ideas for downloadable content for the two games. Both teams thought of expanding the secondary modes, New Super Mario Bros. 2 being Coin Rush, and New Super Mario Bros. U expanding on Boost Rush; in the end it was decided that 2 would be the game to receive content first, since it was being released first. However, during the development of the Coin Rush courses the team decided to scrap the idea of additional Boost Rush course packs and began to think of other ideas. The team then began experimenting with the idea of shorter but more difficult courses to replace the ones in the original game.[2].
Originally, the downloadable content was being made with Mario in mind. However, when the Year of Luigi came up during a meeting, it was decided that Luigi would be the focus instead.[3] When it was decided to make Luigi the main character, the developers also decided that Mario would be kept out of the game. When deciding on a new fourth playable character, the original idea was to use three Toads, but when testing this it was deemed too confusing; the idea to use Nabbit as the fourth character then came up, reusing his ability to pass by enemies; around that time, the team had also been talking about adding something for beginners, and the idea to use Nabbit was kept.[4]
Reception
New Super Luigi U was mostly received positively by critics. The game holds a 77 average on Metacritic based on 59 reviews[5], and a 75.92% on GameRankings based on 36 reviews[6]. GameSpot's Peter Brown gave it an 8.5/10, stating, "Though the world map, themes, power-ups, and visual assets are 'old,' Luigi's physics and the level design at large rise to the top."[7] Chris Carter of Destructoid gave the game an 8/10. He praises the game's design, stating that, "There are a lot of new concepts and designs this time around, and even if a large portion of them are re-used assets, they're remixed in a way that makes its own mark on the franchise."[8] Vince Ingenito of IGN gave the downloadable content a 7.3/10, citing that, "Its smaller levels, restrictive time limit, and floaty physics work well as a challenge mode add-on to an already terrific game," but criticizing that it, "[it] still feels more like an addendum to NSMBU [...] rather than something that stands out on its own."[9]
Conversely, Chris Shilling of Eurogamer gave the content a 6/10, criticizing that, "It's not a bad game by any stretch of the imagination: the level design is still a cut above so many of Nintendo's peers. But by the series' consistently high standards, it qualifies as a disappointment."[10]. Edge also gave the game a 6, criticizing the game's stages by saying, "the quality of the level design is mixed: some stages feel claustrophobic yet others are surprisingly baggy, and few are considerate enough to accommodate four players." The writer goes on to say that, "At its best, New Super Luigi U is an exhilarating test of skill," but also criticizes the game by saying that, "on occasion it dangerously approximates a fan-made ROM hack," in the end saying that, "Some will undoubtedly find its challenge inviting, but others will rightly expect more ingenuity from Nintendo than this."[11] GamesRadar writer Henry Gilbert, giving the game 3/5 stars, also says that, "If you’re ready for the heightened difficulty of solo play in New Super Luigi U, then you’ll find it rewarding. Otherwise, it’s a taxing platformer that’s only made more rage-inducing in multiplayer."[12]
As of March 31, 2014, New Super Luigi U is the 5th best selling game for the Wii U, having sold 1.76 million copies worldwide.
References to other games
- Super Mario Bros.: Various Luigi sightings are sprites taken from this game.
- Super Mario 64 DS: The portrait used to enter Big Boo Battle is reused as a hidden Luigi.
- Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2: One of the Luigi sightings is a sprite of Luigi from this Super Mario World version.
- Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon: The Luigi sighting in Vanishing Ghost House is based on Luigi and King Boo's artwork from this game.
References in later games
- Super Mario 3D World: Hidden 8-bit Luigis randomly appear in levels.
- NES Remix 2: Hidden 8-bit Luigis appear in some of the stages.
Trivia
- Even though Nabbit helps Luigi in multiplayer mode, Nabbit still steals items from the Toad Houses, and the players will have to catch him. It will not work when Nabbit is playing in Co-op mode, and in single-player mode if the player does the trick to play as Nabbit in the level where Nabbit went, the player will still continue playing as Luigi.
- An in-game "second" in New Super Luigi U is actually 1 second, while in New Super Mario Bros. U, an in-game "second" lasts only 0.75 seconds.
- Mario himself isn't seen, but he is referenced twice; in the intro, in which his hat is on the table, and in the level Broozers and Barrels, which features a Mario-based snowman at the beginning of the stage. This makes New Super Luigi U the only game so far where Luigi appears, but Mario doesn't.
- US and Canada Club Nintendo members who purchased New Super Luigi U from the Nintendo eShop by August 1, 2013 and completed the surveys within four weeks after downloading could receive double the amount of coins (for a total of 40 coins) compared to the original amount (20 coins). They also had a chance to win 1 of 980 Luigi pins.[13]
External links
- Official American website
- Official European Website
- Official Australian Website
- Official Japanese website
References
- ^ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedNintendo Direct - ^ Iwata Asks : New Super Luigi U : Overtaken by New Super Mario Bros. 2
- ^ Iwata Asks : New Super Luigi U : In on the Action
- ^ Iwata Asks : New Super Luigi U : Nabbit Solves Multiple Issues at Once
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- ^ [3]
- ^ [4]
- ^ [5]
- ^ [6]
- ^ [7]
- ^ [8]
- ^ http://club2.nintendo.com/new-super-luigi-u-promo/
