New Super Mario Bros. U will include Coin Battle and Challenge modes, as well as a twist on the classic series world map and a mysterious creature that drops a special powerful item, Nintendo announced today.
Coin Battle is a rush for players to collect the most coins, and a multiplayer spin on Nintendo 3DS' New Super Mario Bros. 2 Coin Rush mode. One player uses the Wii U GamePad while up to four more players participate on Wiimotes. The player on the GamePad can place special power-ups called Boost Blocks around the map to help other players snag coins that are difficult to reach. The GamePad can also be used to customize coin layout on Coin Battle courses.
Challenge Mode gives players specific objectives to complete in certain courses, such as clearing a course without touching coins or the ground. Challenges are divided into four single-player modes — Time Attack, Coin Collection, 1-Up Rally and the "Special" miscellaneous challenges — and one multiplayer mode, Boost Mode. In Boost Mode, one player uses the GamePad while another uses a Wiimote. Challenges are recorded and saved upon completion and can be viewed later.
The World Map has been tweaked to be seamless and nonlinear, with named worlds and courses and several secret exits that will reveal shortcuts. A creature called Nabbit will also appear on the map in certain levels. Players must enter the level and nab Nabbit to obtain the P-Acorn, at item that grants continuous flight through a stage. Catching Nabbit is the only way to get the P-Acorn.
New Super Mario Bros. U will launch alongside the Wii U on Nov. 18.