New Super Mario Bros. U has a very interesting intro scene. In the intro scene, instead of Bowser and the Koopalings just outright kidnapping the princess, the Koopas do an airship assault. Each Koopaling has their own airship (you can tell because their daces are on the front of them). Once they get to the castle, a giant mechanical hand attached to the main airship grabs Mario, Luigi, Blue Toad, and Yellow Toad and throws them into the Acorn Plains. There is only one new item in this game which is the Acorn Mushroom. The Acorn Mushroom gives you a gliding squirrel suit. If you jump and hold the jump button (via tablet or remote) you can glide slowly down. If you jump and shake, you get a short but high height boost. This game also brings back some retro memories from Super Mario World. For example: Worlds and courses having names, Superstar Road, and Baby Yoshis.

Rating: *****