Time Attack (Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch)
Time Attack is a special mode in the Nintendo Switch remake of Mario vs. Donkey Kong. It is a single player-exclusive mode where the player has to beat the level under the target time, often employing the use of shortcuts that are unorthodox from the usual way of completing a level. Time Attack is unlocked for regular levels and Expert levels by completing Vs. Donkey Kong, while it is unlocked for Plus levels by completing Vs. Donkey Kong Plus. To enter a level in Time Attack mode, the player must press 
when selecting a level from the level selection screen.
Changes
Gameplay during Time Attack mode is differentiated from regular gameplay via the following changes:
- While loading a level, instead of the loading screen animation with Color Blocks, the game displays the target time and player's best time (if there is one).
- Before starting a level, a 3-second countdown occurs.
- All intro cutscenes are skipped, even in boss levels, and all transition animations that occur between areas in regular levels are truncated.
- A timer is situated in the top right, displaying the current time and the target time on top of it. If the timer hits the target time for the level, Mario is instantly defeated, causing him to say "Mamma mia, time's up!" while sobbing.
- A special border is visible around the screen to differentiate it further from regular gameplay.
- Casual Mode is unavailable in Time Attack. If enabled before starting a Time Attack, the player will automatically switch to Classic Mode.
- If Mario (or the Mini-Mario in Plus levels) is defeated, no lives are lost. However, in regular levels, the player will need to restart from the beginning of the level if they get defeated in a level's second area (which normally has a checkpoint).
- Collectibles (such as presents and 1-Up Mushrooms) and Help Boxes are removed from the level.
Time Attack can also be played on the "mm" (Mini-Mario) levels and in each world's boss battles against Donkey Kong. Losing one of the Mini-Marios or taking damage in a boss fight does not bar the player from completion, as the only way to lose a Time Attack is by getting defeated or not completing the level before the target time. Time Attack cannot be played on Vs. Donkey Kong and Vs. Donkey Kong Plus, even if the mode is unlocked for every world.
A unique results screen will appear if a Time Attack is concluded in any way, whether by completing the level or getting defeated. Here, the player's best time is recorded, which if it beats the past record (or is a new record on first clear), will flash yellow. The results screen will instead say "Too bad!" if the player is defeated in any circumstance, including failing to clear the level before the target time. Completing a level in Time Attack mode will add a gold medal with a clock insignia to its icon on the level select screen.
Unlike getting a Gold Star on all levels, completing all Time Attacks for each level is not required for 100% completion.
Target times
The following section details a list of target times for each level.
Regular levels
| Time Attack target times for regular levels | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Mario Toy Company | Donkey Kong Jungle | Fire Mountain | Merry Mini-Land | Spooky House | Slippery Summit | Mystic Forest | Twilight City |
| 1 | 18.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 | 35.00 | 38.00 | 50.00 | 35.00 | 70.00 |
| 2 | 38.00 | 40.00 | 43.00 | 66.00 | 44.00 | 56.00 | 62.00 | 90.00 |
| 3 | 35.00 | 25.00 | 48.00 | 90.00 | 80.00 | 60.00 | 66.00 | 77.00 |
| 4 | 28.00 | 42.00 | 50.00 | 44.00 | 60.00 | 50.00 | 68.00 | 87.00 |
| 5 | 30.00 | 46.00 | 34.00 | 42.00 | 65.00 | 58.00 | 53.00 | 102.00 |
| 6 | 58.00 | 55.00 | 56.00 | 75.00 | 90.00 | 44.00 | 87.00 | 114.00 |
| mm | 29.00 | 33.00 | 43.00 | 40.00 | 61.00 | 55.00 | 61.00 | 80.00 |
| DK | 60.00 | 60.00 | 60.00 | 60.00 | 60.00 | 100.00 | 60.00 | 60.00 |
Plus levels
| Time Attack target times for Plus levels | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Mario Toy Factory | Donkey Kong Jungle Plus | Fire Mountain Plus | Merry Mini-Land Plus | Spooky House Plus | Slippery Summit Plus | Mystic Forest Plus | Twilight City Plus |
| 1 | 30.00 | 28.00 | 30.00 | 28.00 | 36.00 | 35.00 | 35.00 | 51.00 |
| 2 | 32.00 | 13.00 | 15.00 | 24.00 | 24.00 | 34.00 | 28.00 | 23.00 |
| 3 | 9.00 | 20.00 | 23.00 | 26.00 | 28.00 | 24.00 | 46.00 | 32.00 |
| 4 | 23.00 | 10.00 | 29.00 | 44.00 | 25.00 | 21.00 | 32.00 | 40.00 |
| 5 | 18.00 | 40.00 | 24.00 | 45.00 | 40.00 | 38.00 | 40.00 | 42.00 |
| 6 | 28.00 | 24.00 | 40.00 | 30.00 | 26.00 | 24.00 | 38.00 | 50.00 |
| DK | 60.00 | 60.00 | 60.00 | 60.00 | 60.00 | 100.00 | 60.00 | 60.00 |
Expert levels
| Time Attack target times for Expert levels | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| EX-1 Level | Time | EX-2 Level | Time |
| 1 | 45.00 | 9 | 60.00 |
| 2 | 28.00 | 10 | 10.00 |
| 3 | 40.00 | 11 | 30.00 |
| 4 | 38.00 | 12 | 30.00 |
| 5 | 48.00 | 13 | 16.00 |
| 6 | 43.00 | 14 | 44.00 |
| 7 | 76.00 | 15 | 29.00 |
| 8 | 85.00 | 16 | 45.00 |
Gallery
Results screen in a successful Time Attack run
Results screen in a failed Time Attack run
