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MARIO VS. DONKEY KONG
review | SWITCH
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Publisher: Nintendo.
Developer: Nintendo Software Technology. Released: February 2024. Genre: Puzzle-Platformer. Posted 27th June 2025. By Shane Battams © 2025 |
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Two decades after launching on Game Boy Advance, Mario vs. Donkey Kong made a surprising return at the twilight of the Nintendo Switch’s life. After a handful of entries across both handhelds and consoles, the puzzle-platformer hybrid series would endure an eight-year hiatus until this remake landed. As attention shifted to a potential console successor, it seemed that this remake was gifted as a stop-gap until the next system launch. But it proves a worthwhile revisit that is faithful to the original, perhaps to a fault, but should please both newcomers and those who enjoyed the battles between man and ape on prior systems.
Like the GBA original, Mario vs. Donkey Kong pits plumber against gorilla as the latter grows obsessed with Mini-Mario toys. After finding them sold out, Kong goes directly to the factory and steals a batch of them, with Mario in pursuit trying to reclaim his property. This sets the stage for eight worlds of puzzle-platforming where you attempt to regain the Mini-Mario wind-ups. It’s worth mentioning that, though infrequent, a few newly crafted animated scenes are really well done. They look excellent and feature some cracking comedic timing, especially the opening as DK sees the advert for the Mini-Marios.
Mario vs. DK marks a welcome change of pace for the legendary plumber, with clever level design that will keep players busy
Mario vs DK attempted to meld platforming with a puzzle structure, which proved a novel mix-up in 2004. This remake proves a notable restoration, swapping out the pixelated style for a clean, modern look. The 2D stages still showcase colour, charm and distinct themes ranging from DK’s jungle to a haunted mansion, but everything looks crisp and sharp. Animations look lovely, performance is rock-solid, and there are some neat touches that faithfully emulate the original. The start screen retains the same theme, with Mario and DK eye-balling each other from both sides of the screen and Kong’s animation when he enters the door keyhole is charmingly re-created. The sound is also ace, with a selection of fantastic re-arranged tracks which take advantage of superior hardware. From the jazzy opening stage to drum-driven jungle tracks, it captures the vibe of the original splendidly. Voicework and sound effects are all on point too, from the comedy of the opening FMVs to satisfying collection jingles.
It’s worth mentioning, however, that those expecting a fast-moving and ultra-responsive Mario will find it instead feels surprisingly heavy and deliberate. It’s a necessity to cater to the puzzle-focused gameplay, but still takes time to acclimatise to. Nonetheless, jumping feels responsive and performing actions like holding onto chains and doing a triple-jump with Mario’s handstand move work well enough. It proves an enjoyable hybrid that offers inventive puzzle solutions with each world adding a new gimmick to complicate reaching the end goal, such as Switches with three colours force you to think laterally, instead of jumping on enemies to rid them most can be picked up and thrown over spikes to create a moving platform, and then there’s the facet of getting the key through the stage to unlock the door, which can require some interesting tactics.
It’s worth mentioning, however, that those expecting a fast-moving and ultra-responsive Mario will find it instead feels surprisingly heavy and deliberate. It’s a necessity to cater to the puzzle-focused gameplay, but still takes time to acclimatise to. Nonetheless, jumping feels responsive and performing actions like holding onto chains and doing a triple-jump with Mario’s handstand move work well enough. It proves an enjoyable hybrid that offers inventive puzzle solutions with each world adding a new gimmick to complicate reaching the end goal, such as Switches with three colours force you to think laterally, instead of jumping on enemies to rid them most can be picked up and thrown over spikes to create a moving platform, and then there’s the facet of getting the key through the stage to unlock the door, which can require some interesting tactics.
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Not everything hits the mark, mind you. The difficulty proves pretty straightforward with a majority of stages requiring one or two attempts to clear. It isn’t really until the last couple of worlds that things pick up and see your lives begin to drop. Special stages also reward several at a time if you grab them all quickly enough, replacing the shuffling affair of the original with a more active effort. The replayability is also limited, mostly due to the removal of time bonuses required for Gold Star. Instead, finding each of the three presents and reaching the end is enough. It’s a bit of a shame, though in fairness, MvDK is not what you’d call short. There are eight levels in each world, with six regular stages followed by a special Mini level where you must guide your collected miniatures to the end and a fight against Donkey Kong. These boss battles make novel use of mechanics such as switches being flipped by Kong.
It will take a few hours to finish, but a Plus mode then becomes available, revealing new levels focused on guiding a Mini-Mario to the end, and they are different enough to prove enjoyable. Getting Gold Stars also rewards Expert Levels, which really test your mettle for those who found the core experience too easy. Two new worlds are added to this remake. Merry Mini-Land proves the better of the two, adding novel twists such as flower fans which allow Mario to float across or upward. Slippery Summit has cool ideas too, such as using the ice to slide under smaller gaps, though the physics and controls are perhaps strained here where executing a solution is made trickier. Time Attack also tests your skills at finishing stages fast, though irritatingly, requires you to beat the entire game first rather than becoming available as you polish off stages. Outside of that, new to the remake is a full-fledged local co-op mode where another player can join as Toad and a second key you must collect. It proves a fresh, enjoyable way to re-experience this one as it shakes up how you approach puzzles. Additionally, new players can enable Casual mode to add infinite time, checkpoints on stages and multiple hits before losing a life.
It will take a few hours to finish, but a Plus mode then becomes available, revealing new levels focused on guiding a Mini-Mario to the end, and they are different enough to prove enjoyable. Getting Gold Stars also rewards Expert Levels, which really test your mettle for those who found the core experience too easy. Two new worlds are added to this remake. Merry Mini-Land proves the better of the two, adding novel twists such as flower fans which allow Mario to float across or upward. Slippery Summit has cool ideas too, such as using the ice to slide under smaller gaps, though the physics and controls are perhaps strained here where executing a solution is made trickier. Time Attack also tests your skills at finishing stages fast, though irritatingly, requires you to beat the entire game first rather than becoming available as you polish off stages. Outside of that, new to the remake is a full-fledged local co-op mode where another player can join as Toad and a second key you must collect. It proves a fresh, enjoyable way to re-experience this one as it shakes up how you approach puzzles. Additionally, new players can enable Casual mode to add infinite time, checkpoints on stages and multiple hits before losing a life.
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Mario vs. Donkey Kong proves a faithful re-creation of a handheld classic, and while it perhaps carries over some baggage from the original, it still marks a distinct move away from the typical platformers or kart racers Mario is often associated with nowadays. Clever puzzling, a charming overhaul of the presentation and tonnes of levels to clear ensure it’s worth the asking price, though it perhaps lacks replayability and challenge in spots. Nevertheless, those wanting a solid puzzler for both portable and home play should check this one out, even if it’s just to see Donkey Kong making love-eyes at Mini-Marios.
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VERDICT"While perhaps carrying over some baggage from the original, Mario vs. Donkey Kong still has clever puzzling and a charming presentation overhaul in this faithful re-creation." OVERALL: 7/10 |
EARLIER OUTINGS FOR MARIO & DONKEY KONG REVIEWED
Super Mario Land (1990, Game Boy)
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Donkey Kong Country (1994, Super Nintendo)
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