The reasons for future retro collectors to pick up a Wii U are shrinking ever further with Nintendo’s plans for the Switch. Next on that list of games that didn’t deserve exclusivity to a commercial flop of a console is Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, a spinoff from Super Mario 3D World that stunned audiences for actually being ruddy fantastic. We’ve had some time with the full version for the Switch and we wanted to give you our thoughts thus far. That’s kind of the point of this kind of thing.
First off, let’s be absolutely transparent; this is almost a direct port of the Wii U version. The differences aside from the new (and cut) content are almost purely performance-orientated, which is what you should expect for a port really. The original chugged along at a perfectly respectable 720p at an unbreakable 60fps, and the Switch version does exactly the same but at a lovely, full 1080p. If you want a more detailed breakdown of frame rates and resolutions, we recommend you check out Digital Foundry’s video on the game.
So what about that new content? Well largely due to its success, Super Mario Odyssey has gracefully shoehorned its way into the world of Captain Toad, bringing a slew of new bonus levels for you to chew on based on that game’s many Kingdoms. You can unlock them by simply scanning one of the Super Mario Odyssey Wedding amiibo on the appropriate screen. It should be said that not all of these levels are unlocked with a simple tap of the amiibo, and whilst it’s not clear to us in the time we’ve played so far, we’d be surprised if there wasn’t a way to play these new exclusives without slamming an appropriate amiibo down.
These new levels are really good fun, and far more tailored to a Captain Toad experience over the Super Mario 3D World levels that were put in the Wii U version. These have also been cut from this version of the game for reasons unbeknownst to us, which is a shame, but it’s a more than worthwhile tradeoff.
We should also mention the game's two-player co-op mode. Sadly, this doesn’t involve two people running around as two differently coloured Toads simultaneously, which now that we think about it would be a logistical nightmare, but instead player one has precise camera control ripped from their hands and placed into those of player two. Player two also controls the pointer (which we’ll get into in just a moment) that replaces the Wii U’s touchscreen functionality. You can also throw turnips, which you should absolutely do at every possible opportunity.
This co-op is a quite a fun way to include another person without it toad-ally disrupting the game’s mechanics. It’s similar to Super Mario Galaxy in its design, but it plays a much more pivotal role than what the Wii could boast. Player one can still control the camera on the X axis, but more precise and/or vertical movement will require breaking the awkward silence you hoped to avoid and communicating with the other player. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s nice.
Now let’s address that whole pointer shenanigan. If you played the Wii U version you’ll know that you needed to use the Gamepad’s touchscreen to activate certain elements in the various levels. This hasn’t really been changed for the Switch all that much, as you still use the touchscreen for all this when in portable mode, but when you’re hooked up to the TV, things naturally have to be a bit different.
You now have to use motion controls to move a cursor on the screen to ‘touch’ the appropriate objects in order to make them do their thing. This is generally fine on the whole, and can be done with a Pro Controller or Joy-Con pair as you’d expect, but all other controllers that don’t have any motion gubbins inside them are no use. It’s a bit clumsy, but it’s not used too often, so it’s not the end of the world.
What is the end of the world, however, is that this cursor is always on screen when you’re in a level. Nobody’s hands are perfectly steady, and so no matter what you’re doing you’re bothered by an irritating speck slowly wobbling around your field of view. It’s incredibly distracting and the worst part is that this can’t be hidden at all. There are plenty of buttons that could have been assigned to turn this on, or off, or have it only appear when one button is held down, but instead it’s always there, always annoying you.
For this reason we feel the game really is best suited to portable mode. It technically works fine on the TV, but the inextinguishable blue dot hampers the experience more than you’d think; you’re spending half your brainpower just trying to not be distracted by it, but it just doesn’t work. Portable mode may be rendered at a lower 720p, but it’s still a much less distracting way to enjoy each level.
Aside from a few irritating decisions, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker on Switch is looking to be another solid Wii U port. The graphics are gorgeous, the gameplay is as solid as ever, the extra Odyssey levels, and the two-player co-op give this plenty of reason to shine on the new system. The inescapable and clunky blue pointer in TV mode is certainly a blemish, but when player portably, this is one seriously smooth experience.
What did you make of our Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker preview? Will you be adding this port to your collection? Share your thoughts below...
Comments 50
Perhaps the Super Mario 3D World levels will be unlocked upon detection of save data of an upcoming port of said game. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a prequel to Super Mario 3D World after all, so it makes sense to port that first. Perhaps this is Nintendo's way of adding value to the game for when it eventually arrives.
In any case, I would expect data miners to uncover whether the levels have been concealed or have otherwise been cut completely from the port (which would be very disappointing).
@Silly_G Don't forget there's a 3DS port so they'd have to address it there too. I initially thought they would port 3D World, but when I remembered the 3DS version I wasn't so sure. Maybe the Switch version hints at 3D World but the 3DS one doesn't? I just don't see the 3DS getting a 3D World port.
@Giygas_95 : I thought about that too. Given the larger and more complex level structures in 3D World, I can't see that being ported over to 3DS (unless it's a New 3DS exclusive) but the ball is in Nintendo's court on that one.
Either way, I would love to see 3D World ported over as I really enjoyed my time with it and it makes for a chaotically fun co-op experience. It's no Odyssey, sure, but it's a very enjoyable game all the same.
@Silly_G At this point I'm fine with Nintendo porting the rest of the Wii U's library honestly. I'd love to see 3D World as well along with Star Fox Zero without the forced motion aiming gimmick. Make it an option, not a design choice.
The only major games left I can really think of that haven't been ported are 3D World, Star Fox, Wonderful 101, Wind Waker HD, and Twilight Princess HD.
Bonus levels locked behind the purchase of a small figurine? No thanks
I'm more convinced to keep the Wii U version (which I haven't been able to sell anyway) because of the little changes and the pointer issue, and getting the 3DS for stereoscopic 3D and Odyssey levels.
@Bondi_Surfer They say it's probably not going to be like this. It never has.
I choose Switch version since the game looks better with One Screen rather than Dual Screens.
touchscreen control only? If so I'll get the 3ds one then
So the mess with the pointer I had in the Demo wasn't my fault?
That's really sad! This was really annoying!
Are there any benefits having the Toad Amiibo? I put it along with my preorder of the game - but it's not too late to change my order.
So a worse version for a higher price? I'll stick to the cheaper original, which I can get in the Selects range on Wii U; just like Donkey Kong.
That blue dot though...
Don't even know how to express how stupid that is. If that doesn't get fixed in a day one update then.. then.....
I really don't know. How can a FP Nintendo game in 2018 make such a mistake =/
@Pahvi This version doesn't require the Toad amiibo to unlock the Pixel Toad mode, it just gets unlocked as you progress.
I’ll proably just stick with the Wii U version. Doesn’t sound like the extra levels and “multiplayer” functionality are worth it (especially because I don’t have an SMO amiibo). Nintendo had a chance to make this port worthwhile, but again, for the nth time, they do the bare minimum to artificially increase the Switch’s library.
Very excited for this. I have ordered both versions as i think they will feel different
Oh no. A blue dot. Whatever will we do with our lives except get over it and move the hell on while playing the game.
It's like playing Super Mario Galaxy. You dont use it much, but there's this annoying blue star thing on the screen all the time...
@Pahvi:
OK - found it here: For Switch version it's for cheating it seems...
https://amiibo.life/games/switch/captain-toad-treasure-tracker
I will be getting this for my birthday on July 15th!
@Knuckles-Fajita:
You clearly haven't played it.
Quite looking forward to this and it makes sense to cut the 3D World stages in favour of Odyssey ones, particularly when they weren't even puzzle levels like the rest of the game.
I'll definitely be playing this in handheld mode as it just seems better suited and no Amiibo are required to unlock anything so that's good 😁
@Coxula Yes, I have, repeatedly.
One does not detect sarcasm I take it.
You should. It's not easy with sarcasm in this internet. OK then.
@AlexOlney So even after double dipping we may ALSO need a mario odyssey amiibo to unlock the new (replaced) levels?
Please could you confirm or deny this in the review. If it requires the amiibo I’ll cancel my pre-order.
As far as I understand you just unlock the levels early.
(--> Link above)
@Moroboshi876 I’m with you. Had planned on selling my Wii U copy (which I hadn’t managed to play yet, was top of my backlog right up til they announced the ports) but think I’ll hold on to it for now (and actually play it).
@Giygas_95 ...and Nintendoland....and Super Mario Maker....all a matter of time truthfully.
But there's nothing wrong with that.
@Magrane Oh yeah, Mario Maker. That would work beautifully in handheld mode, maybe not so well in TV mode. I thought about Nintendo Land, but since that was specifically made as a Wii U showcase I don't see it happening.
I only play switch in portable mode so the dot thing doesnt sound like a problem to me. I wasnt sure what this game was about...sounds like Mario Galaxy but with Captain Toad. Thanks for the review...I'll probably get this now!
Oh, so the blue dot wasn't my fault. Ugh.
Read this passage with a mindset of a cat chasing a laser dot...
What is the end of the world, however, is that this cursor is always on screen when you’re in a level. ....... so no matter what you’re doing you’re bothered by an irritating speck slowly wobbling around your field of view. It’s incredibly distracting ........ it’s always there, always annoying you.
@Knuckles-Fajita Oh how we easily forget.
That pointer better be taken out with an update. I own the Wii U version and will get the 3DS one this time around.
they add how many level from Mario odyssey ?
I'll be playing this along with everyone else...on my Wii U. I only picked up the game last year (before the ports were announced) and feel like it's silly to sell it already in exchange for only a few minor changes.
I shall stick with my Wii U copy. Great little gem of a game!
"it's the exact same twix"
I dunno, how to feel about this game.
i was hoping for alot of extra's levels, and more depth in this version. but i have to buy amiibo's to unlock a few mario odyssey levels!?
€ 39,- feels abit expensive for a direct port, only upscaled to 1080p. counting the amiibo's will be closer to 59,- :/
think i'll pass untill the price drops till 19,- or so, its not worth it at this moment. im not stepping in this nintendo marketing trick/trap.
I would have thought at least a passing mention of how the mine cart levels are done would be in here. After all, they really relied on the dual screens to play properly. If one of the views is gone, it had better be the outside one that played on the TV.
Those were actually the mildly annoying levels on Wii U. Not because they're bad, but they forced you to shift your attention to the gamepad, while also giving you a view you wanted to look at on the TV, but if you did even for a second or two you'd miss your chance to hit the targets.
There's two or three of these levels in the game, and they didn't even think to give us a slight clue as to how they carry over.
@BARSAMAN
that and hyrule warriors internally rendering at 1080 portable is another huge WTF from N.
they're slipping imo.
@RainbowGazelle
Worse? How does one come to that conclusion?
1080p instead of 720p, both console and handheld versions included, and levels more aptly suited to the game...
And this is worse... how, exactly? Because of a cursor on the screen? That's like saying a Kia is better than a Ferrari because there's a bug on the windshield
@JRJalapeno No, touchscreen controls are not required. You might want to try out the demo on the Switch.
I played the demo and liked it a lot. It’s a solid port and I plan to get it!
@kirbygirl thanks. Downloading now
@Giygas_95
Pikmin 3, and Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE
@Pikachupwnage It was early in the morning when I made my initial comment! XD
@Alex_Olney have you tried the Mario cereal to unlock odyssey. I didn't buy the wedding amiibo but bought the delicious cereal and kept the box
@JaxonH More awkward to use the pointer than a touchscreen. 1080p adds nothing. So yes, in my opinion, the original sounds better.
@RainbowGazelle
Well it sure seems to be a hot topic when a Switch game is 720p vs 1080p on PS4/X1. Not that you're the one saying that...
I think its way easier and convenient to tilt a controller 3 degrees and press a button rather than look down in your lap with a stylus in your hand, lift your hand off the controller, reach over and tap. But even if it was more awkward, it would only be slightly. And for only brief, fleeting moments sparingly throughout the game.
It has the exact same functionality of the Wii U version with touch anyways though. The pointer is just above and beyond for when you dont want to have a touch screen in your hands.
The motion controlled pointer in the demo almost made me want to skip the game entirely, but I may buy it and play exclusively in portable mode.
@sailornic 4 levels
.... i will not buy it once again just for 4 levels. But it’s A great game
I've never had a WiiU, so this game will be a purchase in a few months. I'd like to have it on launch day, but I preferred to buy other games these days.
I never use the Switch on TV, so I guess I won't have problems with the pointer. The demo was very nice!! Really liked the mechanics of the game. I'm pretty sure it has a lot of content to ensure hours and hours of gameplay!!!
Yes, it's another port and I understand Nintendo doing that for 2 reasons: 1) few people have the Wii U (I'm one of them), so it's a new game for them. 2) Of course they want to make money on products they already have.
BUT I just think they should invest more on first party games to build a better and more solid Switch exclusive titles library. Not that the ones available are not great, but you know what I mean. Continue bringing us the ports, but give us (great) new ones too!
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