This is Mario at his cooperative best. The four-player simultaneous gameplay actually works—no small feat—and parents confirm that preschoolers through elementary kids can all play together without constant meltdowns.
The level design is clever, the cat power-up is charming, and there's zero predatory monetization. It's just a well-crafted platformer that respects your time and your wallet.
The catch: this is the 2013 Wii U version, which means you need outdated hardware to play it. The game itself holds up beautifully, but the platform doesn't. If you already own a Wii U, this is a must-have. If not, skip to the Switch version (Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury) instead—same great game, modern hardware, plus bonus content.
For what it is, it's excellent. But in 2025, recommending the Wii U version feels like suggesting someone buy a VCR to watch a great movie.







