New Super Mario Bros. Wii

What is it?

New Super Mario Bros. Wii is a 2D side-scrolling platformer that deliberately revives the design philosophy of the original NES Super Mario Bros. Published in 2009, it proves the enduring appeal of that formula. Players control Mario through eight worlds, each containing multiple stages, all aimed at rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser's clutches. The level design respects the series' roots—run right, jump over obstacles, collect power-ups, reach the flagpole—while introducing new mechanics and challenges.

Control options exemplify Wii-era thinking: hold the remote sideways like a traditional controller with the D-pad and buttons, or point it upright and use motion to jump and attack. This flexibility meant newcomers could play motion-focused while veterans gravitated toward traditional controls. The game doesn't demand motion control, but it welcomes it.

How it plays

Up to four players can play simultaneously, cooperating to complete levels and competing for position simultaneously. Power-ups include classics like Super Mushroom and Fire Flower alongside new additions: the Propeller Mushroom, letting Mario hover upward; the Penguin Suit, enabling ice sliding and sliding underwater. Many stages require specific power-ups to complete, turning level design into a puzzle of resource management and sequencing.

Hidden areas—'secret doors'—scatter throughout the world map, hiding alternate routes and bonus levels. Collecting all secrets rewards persistent players, and post-game 'Luigi's Challenge' offers additional difficulty. The co-op multiplayer is intentionally double-edged: while you can help each other reach high platforms, you can also fight over items and accidentally knock each other into pits, blending cooperation and competition naturally.

Why it sold

Arriving in early December 2009, the title captured the vital holiday shopping period. Four-player co-op gameplay appealed to multi-child households, and the Wii's family-friendly reputation made it an obvious purchase. The red box art became iconic on retail shelves. Pre-launch buzz was substantial, and the final product satisfied expectations.

The animation was notably detailed, with Mario's movements responding crisply to player input, his expressions reflecting each action. Mario's pixel-perfect physics and the abundant level variety gave it substantial replay value. Nintendo packaged additional challenges for post-game completionists. The red-packaged design became visually synonymous with the game, establishing a visual identity that later red-boxed titles tried to replicate. While online multiplayer remained absent, the four-person local co-op proved sufficient for Wii's audience.