Few grudge matches have lasted quite as long as the one between Mario and Donkey Kong. It’s been 40 years since the pair first squared up, and 20 years since Game Boy Advance reignited the battle. 2004’s Mario vs. Donkey Kong was an interesting spin on the puzzle platformer, where you collect items and make your way to an exit in the spirit of the original arcade hit, Donkey Kong.

The pair square off once again in a remake of the classic Game Boy Advance game. Simply titled Mario vs. Donkey Kong, this Nintendo Switch exclusive adds around twenty new levels. The 2024 MvDK remake also adds a co-op mode to bring a friend or family member along for the ride.

Switched In

Mario vs. Donkey Kong sees you play as Mario in hot pursuit Donkey Kong, who has stolen a number of Mario dolls. It’s up to our can-do plumber to return the dolls and put a stop to Donkey Kong once and for all.

Donkey Kong 2024 game boy advance puzzle platformer

That is really it when it comes to the tale. Mario vs. Donkey Kong‘s story is a light frame that holds the level-to-level action together. This is a Mario game and reasons to hop, bop and drop have never been particularly important.

The gameplay is simple and immediate but the level design exploits the mechanics perfectly. Things start simple to let you learn the ropes, than branch off into new challenges to test your timing, skill and problem-solving.

Creation of Joy and Ponder

Each single-screen level is a lovingly designed puzzle. As you progress, Mario vs. Donkey Kong adds an ever-growing number of hazards or features that add new variables around which to apply your skills.

Later on, Mario vs. Donkey Kong also takes what you have learned and twists it in creative and fun new ways. The level design, especially as you progress, gets really creative but it’s all so deliberate and carefully made. Each screen is just a joy to behold, get to know and then conquer.

Many Levels of Challenge

That said, Mario vs. Donkey Kong starts misleadingly easy-going. Then just as you manage to grab all the collectables and dolls without really breaking a sweat. The game ups the challenge quite quickly and has many heights to reach.

Later ‘Expert’ worlds will take considerably more time to assess and overcome, given the complexity offered and the dexterity demanded. However, there’s only a dozen or so of the expert stages on offer. In contrast, there are over 110 of the regular stages making up the majority of the 130-plus levels on offer in the 2024 remake.

Though, this game is mainly aimed at younger Nintendo fans, MvDK (2024) is far from a pushover. having a similar feel and vibe of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker on the difficulty front.

Mario vs. Donkey Kong zone lava fire 1-1 2-4

But, if you need a bit of help, you can switch to the new casual mode – which gives you more health and removes the in-game timer, so you don’t have to rush to the end. This is a solid addition, especially for the youngsters being courted by Mario vs. Donkey Kong.

Micro Worlds, Micro Length

You’ll be able to see the credits roll in under 10 hours give or take, Mario vs. Donkey Kong feels a little bit on the short side. It would be unfair to say that it’s light on content, with over 130 levels, but they are all very bite sized in nature. Even the hardest levels will, ultimately, only take a few minutes to clear.

It must be noted that the original game, tied to a tiny GBA cartridge, offered over 100 levels – 102, to be exact. So, the addition of 30 or new levels is much appreciated.

Also new to this build is a co-op mode where Mario is joined by Toad. The pair can attack levels together for a bit of couch co-op fun. In co-op, the levels now have two keys that you must collect, if you want to complete them. While this is not a huge change-up, it does offer enough extra play to make you want to drag a friend in.

Nintendo Charm

Mario vs. Donkey Kong looks great. It’s infused with the signature Nintendo style and polish. And with its artistic nod to its 2004 original, Mario vs. Donkey Kong on Switch represents a bit of a ‘glow up’ from its Game Boy Advance roots.

The audio of Mario vs. Donkey Kong is, again, typical AAA Nintendo, with an outstanding orchestral score. The game also features those smile-inducing chimes and dings you’ll know well. Mario yelping and yahooing along the way.

Rounded Kong

Mario vs. Donkey Kong is a well-rounded remake with a good level of polish to it, that makes it pop on the Switch – while offering something a little different for newcomers from the standard Goomba stomping action.

FAQ playthrough Mario vs Donkey Kong remake Switch

Though if you’re old enough to have played it first time around you may feel disappointed that it doesn’t really add much in the way of new content, beyond a few levels and the co-op mode.

Read More: The Enduring Legacy of Nintendo 64

But that all said, what is on show is fun and enjoyable, if brief and insubstantial. This feeling of brevity is not helped by the series changing its gameplay style for the titles that followed. The latter titles’ Lemmings-like puzzles presented much longer levels and felt like a meatier package because of this.