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Mario vs. Donkey Kong turns toy rescue into puzzle chaos

5 October 2026

Chase stolen Mini Marios through clever rooms packed with keys, switches, moving platforms, presents, and local cooperative puzzle solving.

A key was sitting only a few steps away from Mario, yet reaching it felt impossible. A red switch changed the platforms, spikes blocked the obvious path, and Donkey Kong was probably somewhere laughing about the whole mess. That tiny room explains why Mario vs. Donkey Kong is so much fun. It looks cheerful and simple, then quietly makes your brain work.

The trouble begins because Donkey Kong wants a new Mini Mario toy, but the shops have sold out. Instead of waiting patiently, he breaks into the factory and steals the lot. Mario chases him through a collection of puzzle rooms to bring the little toys back. It is a wonderfully silly reason for an adventure, and it suits a game where clockwork Marios march about like they own the place.

Platforming with a plan

This is not a normal Mario game where racing towards the right side solves most problems. Each stage is more like a compact puzzle box. Mario usually needs to collect a key and carry it to a locked door, but platforms, enemies, springs, conveyor belts, and coloured switches get in the way. Spotting the door is easy. Working out the safe route is the tricky bit.

Mario still has plenty of moves. He can run, jump, climb, swing, perform a handstand, and backflip. The handstand is especially funny because it can protect him from certain falling objects. It also leads into stronger jumps, so a move that looks like showing off becomes part of the solution. Learning when to use each ability makes the puzzles feel clever rather than random.

There are three presents to collect in many stages as well. They are optional, but leaving one behind can be annoying when it was sitting just out of reach. Going for every present changes how I look at a room. The fastest path to the door might not be the best route if I want a Perfect rating. Suddenly a short level becomes a proper challenge about timing and planning.

Tiny toys and big trouble

Some stages put the Mini Marios in charge. Once they start walking, they keep marching, so Mario has to guide the group towards a Toy Box. Watching several toys toddle near a hazard is both cute and stressful. You need to understand where they will go before opening a path. One bad decision can send the whole parade in the wrong direction.

Nintendo says the Switch version has more than 130 levels across eight worlds. The places are not just different backgrounds either. New obstacles and mechanics keep appearing, which stops the rescue from becoming one long collection of key hunts. At the end of each world, Mario faces Donkey Kong in an arcade inspired showdown. Those battles add a louder burst of action after all the careful puzzle solving.

The remake also includes two new worlds, updated graphics, and newly arranged music. Everything has a toy shop brightness to it. Mini Marios wobble around, switches make satisfying clicks, and the stages are clear enough that important objects stand out. That matters in a puzzle game because getting stuck should come from the solution, not from being unable to see a platform.

Solving it together

Local cooperative play lets a second player join as Toad. The levels change when two people are playing, so it is not simply another character copying Mario. Working together can make a difficult jump or switch puzzle easier, but it can also create hilarious confusion. One player might have a brilliant plan while the other has already pressed the wrong button.

I reckon that makes it a good family game. Someone who spots patterns quickly can explain an idea, while another person handles the jump. Taking turns is also easy because the stages are short. If one player gets stuck, passing the controller does not mean losing half an hour of progress.

There is a Casual Style for anyone who wants more time and fewer worries while solving puzzles. Players who enjoy pressure can chase better ratings, tackle special challenges, or try Time Attack. Having both approaches is smart. Younger players can enjoy the toy rescue without every mistake feeling enormous, while puzzle experts still have reasons to replay stages and sharpen their routes.

A clever remake

Mario vs. Donkey Kong first appeared on the Game Boy Advance, and this version keeps its mixture of platforming and puzzle solving while making it welcoming on Switch. It does not need a giant open world or a complicated story. A room, a key, and a few suspicious switches are enough to create that feeling of staring at the screen and suddenly shouting, “Oh, I get it!”

The best puzzles make me feel clever without giving away the answer. I might fail because I pressed a switch too early, forgot where a moving platform would stop, or jumped before checking what was above Mario. Then the pieces connect and the same room that looked impossible becomes obvious. That moment is brilliant.

Donkey Kong may have started this adventure with a terrible shopping decision, but his toy robbery creates a surprisingly thoughtful chase. Mario vs. Donkey Kong combines funny characters, precise movement, and puzzles that fit into quick play sessions. Saving the Mini Marios is satisfying, collecting every present is properly tempting, and solving a stage with someone beside you can turn one little key into a lounge room celebration.