Mario vs Donkey Kong: our review of the Nintendo Switch remake of the game of the same name

A new chapter opens in this epic conflict: Mario and Donkey Kong clash once again in an ultra-entertaining game on Nintendo Switch. Now available on February 16, 2024. We've tested it and told you all about it!

The story began in 2004 on GameBoy Advance, and is replayed, twenty years later, on Nintendo Switch: the remake of Mario vs Donkey Kong has been available on your console since February 16, 2024. With updated graphics and a game as funny as ever, this opus should appeal to nostalgic and new players alike.

Can't wait to (re)experience this great adventure? The game's free demo is already open to all: four levels are on offer to give you a taste of the title.

Mario vs Donkey Kong trailer:

The game's opening cinematic :

Mario vs Donkey Kong synopsis:

" The old feud that set the Game Boy Advance ablaze returns with a vengeance in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for Nintendo Switch. Discover all-new graphics, solve all kinds of puzzles and put your skill to the test to get your hands on the stolen mini-Mario."

So we're (re)discovering this iconic title from the Mario/Donkey Kong saga, in a modernized version. This game takes up the codes of the platform game... With a special challenge. To advance, reach the end of the level, and collect all the objects you need, you'll need a little patience and reflection.

Observe each level carefully, find the switches, use the environment and plan your path, so you don't get stuck in front of a wall, at the mercy of an enemy. If you need a little help, you can try out the local cooperative mode: with two players, new paths are open to you!

Our review of Mario vs. Donkey Kong:

The best soup comes from the old... This is an adage that Nintendo has understood very well, and for several months now has been releasing numerous remakes of the publisher's flagship games, in particular its very first franchise based around the famous plumber Mario. And Mario vs Donkey Kong is no exception to the rule, as Nintendo has been offering this remake of the game released in 2004 on Game Boy Advance since mid-February.

So, what do we think? Aficionados of the Game Boy Advance release won't find themselves disoriented, as the game uses exactly the same structure and levels, the difference being in the much-improved graphics. In terms of gameplay, the game has been updated, keeping the difficulty intact, but adding a beginner's level with, among other things, unlimited time. Ideal for introducing children to the game.

With Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Nintendo continues to surprise us with its meticulous and effective AD, its accessible gameplay and its touch of nostalgia. The art direction is really very pretty, even impeccable, but above all in line with what Nintendo has been offering with its latest remakes. What's more, we've even rediscovered some of the mechanics from the very first Donkey Kong, released in 1981 (and its better-known Game Boy version, released in 1994). The nostalgia is there... So, of course, we're in.

With its latest games, Nintendo has found a recipe for success in terms of DA and gameplay, and doesn't intend to let go of it any time soon. A must-have for those who haven't experienced the original version, or for nostalgic fans who want to immerse themselves in the adventures of Mario and Donkey Kong. Get your Joy-Con!