New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe is a side-scrolling platform game released for the Nintendo Switch on January 11, 2019. It is an enhanced version of the 2012 launch title originally for the Wii U, and bundles the expansion New Super Luigi U. Announced during a Nintendo Direct presentation in 2018, the Deluxe edition updates the original package with additional playable characters and quality-of-life changes while preserving the level-based, precision-jumping gameplay that defines the New Super Mario Bros. series.

Gameplay and features

The game retains traditional side-scrolling mechanics: run, jump, defeat enemies, and collect power-ups. It supports cooperative play for multiple players on a single console, allowing friends to coordinate or compete while clearing courses. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe introduces two new playable characters. Nabbit acts as a newcomer-friendly option who is immune to enemy damage, and Toadette can use a new item called the Super Crown to transform into Peachette. The Super Crown gives Peachette abilities that aid navigation and recovery, such as short floating and a midair recovery that can save a player from falling into pits.

Contents and differences from the original

  • Includes both the base New Super Mario Bros. U campaign and the stand-alone New Super Luigi U content.
  • Adds Nabbit and Toadette (with the Super Crown transformation) as playable options.
  • Controls and menus adapted for Joy-Con play and handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch, while maintaining classic platforming design.

Development and release context

The Deluxe edition was produced to bring the Wii U title to a broader audience on Nintendo's newer hardware. While the core levels and visual style are faithful to the original, the package streamlined accessibility and introduced tweaks that suit local multiplayer sessions on a single portable console. The Super Crown item, while designed to give Toadette a unique role, also became widely discussed in online fan communities for inspiring creative fan art and cultural conversation about character design and transformation.

Legacy and reception

Critics and players generally viewed New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe as a convenient and content-rich way to experience the Wii U classic on modern hardware, praising its cooperative play and the variety of level designs. The Deluxe edition made the long-running 2D Mario formula available to a new generation while sparking interest in the series' design choices, power-up variety, and how small gameplay changes can broaden accessibility.

For more information about the game's platform, genre and series, see entries on side-scrolling mechanics, the platform game genre, and character lineage related to Princess Peach.