New Super Luigi U Review: Nintendo Delivers a Unique Challenge on Wii U

Nintendo's legacy of creative reinvention shines through in New Super Luigi U, an ambitious expansion released for the Wii U that reimagines the established platforming formula.

Introduced as a bold downloadable content (DLC) package for New Super Mario Bros.

U in June 2013, New Super Luigi U celebrates Luigi’s year-long spotlight with gameplay that goes far beyond a simple character swap. In a move that redefines the concept of DLC, Nintendo invested substantial development resources to not only overhaul each level but to elevate the experience for seasoned platformer fans.

Rather than offering minimal additions, every stage in New Super Luigi U is meticulously redesigned, creating significantly greater challenges compared to the original New Super Mario Bros.

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Nintendo’s messaging around this release emphasized its distinctive identity, ensuring fans understood that Luigi’s adventure was more than just an add-on. Players immediately notice the increased difficulty: levels are shorter and packed with complex obstacles, demanding swift reflexes and strategic play to achieve success.

The absence of mid-level checkpoints adds to the intensity, as players face the risk of being sent back to the world map after each failure.

Community sharing thrived on Miiverse, as players frequently recounted their experiences struggling through tricky sections and tough enemy placements, a testament to the game’s demanding nature. One of the most significant alterations is Luigi's unique play style.

With higher jumps, longer slides, and increased movement quirks, players are challenged to adapt, leading to rewarding moments as they master Luigi’s distinctive controls.

Nintendo’s trademark polish remains evident—controls are consistently responsive, and mistakes feel attributable only to player skill. To support newcomers and younger audiences, Nintendo introduced Nabbit, a character immune to damage, as a playable option in both multiplayer and single-player modes.

While this addition opens up the experience to less experienced players, it also offers a safety net through the toughest gauntlets—a contrasting approach in a game designed to push platformer veterans. However, some aspects remain unchanged from New Super Mario Bros.

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The narrative is familiar—Luigi, instead of Mario, takes on the task of rescuing Princess Peach, and boss battles retain their original design, which some critics found lacking in innovation. Despite minor shortcomings, New Super Luigi U stands out as both a fresh test for experienced players and a celebration of Luigi’s iconic journey.

Its approach to downloadable content set a notable precedent for future Nintendo expansions, demonstrating how creative vision and robust design can transform familiar foundations into something uniquely challenging and engaging. New Super Luigi U is available via the Nintendo eShop and as a standalone retail release for Wii U, adding another memorable chapter to the history of Super Mario platformers.

For Luigi fans and skilled platform gamers, it remains a rewarding and memorable entry in Nintendo’s distinguished catalog.

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