New Super Mario Bros. U + New Super Luigi U

Why recommended

• Features incredibly tight and responsive platforming controls, requiring precise jumps, dashes, and wall-climbs that will feel familiar to fans of Mario's acrobatic movement.
• Criteria — Offers a high level of Challenging Difficulty through its intricate level design, demanding pixel-perfect timing and execution, with optional 'B-Side' and 'C-Side' levels pushing the challenge even further.
• The core gameplay loop is pure Action platforming, focusing on movement mechanics and overcoming environmental obstacles rather than combat, similar to the pure platforming focus of Mario.

Why recommended

• Combines demanding platforming sections with challenging boss battles and environmental hazards, requiring players to master movement and combat similar to Mario's blend of action and platforming.
• Criteria — Features a strong sense of Adventure through its vast, interconnected world filled with hidden paths, secret abilities, and a rich, melancholic lore to uncover, encouraging exploration.
• The combat and movement require precise timing and execution, offering a significant Challenging Difficulty that rewards skill mastery, much like the later levels and secret exits in Mario games.

Why recommended

• Features highly dynamic and fluid platforming mechanics, including double jumps, dashes, and grappling, which demand precision and quick reflexes similar to Mario's advanced maneuvers.
• Criteria — The game's core loop involves constant Action, from agile platforming to engaging combat against various creatures, requiring players to master a diverse set of abilities.
• Offers a significant Challenging Difficulty, especially in later areas and boss fights, where players must combine all their learned skills to overcome intricate obstacles and powerful foes.

Why recommended

• Offers classic 2D side-scrolling Action platforming with a focus on precise jumps, enemy patterns, and environmental puzzles, reminiscent of the core Mario experience.
• Criteria — Provides a consistently Challenging Difficulty curve, with cleverly designed levels and memorable boss encounters that test player skill and pattern recognition.
• The game is an Adventure at its heart, taking players across diverse themed levels, each with unique mechanics and secrets to discover, akin to Mario's world-hopping journeys.