The differences between the 3DS and Wii U versions of Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars are few and far between, but the 3DS version does feature some differences of note. You can read our thoughts on the Wii U version of the game here.
The 3DS version takes full advantage of the SpotPass and StreetPass functionality of the 3DS' hardware, and by activating these features you'll be able to send and receive custom levels from the workshop without lifting a finger. This is great if you live in a heavily populated area, but those who live away from the hustle and bustle will likely not be able to make the most of this feature.
There's also a notable absence of any 3D visuals, but this is likely less due to laziness and more down to practicality. Because the game is controlled on the touch screen alone, adding 3D would have been a wasted effort, as the top screen rarely displays anything of absolute importance when actually playing the game. It's a pity as this is a title that would look absolutely stunning with some 3D thrown in, but as it stands there's no way this could have been implemented without it being a waste of resources.
The tipping mechanic remains identical to the Wii U version, but despite the cross-buying system the games behave entirely separately. You can easily download any custom levels you have created on the other version as you would any other level, but your stars and progress do not carry over from one version to the other. This isn't really an issue but it may be slightly irritating that you may not have access to all of your unlocked content in the other version from the get-go.
As with the Wii U version, when you buy one iteration you receive a download code for the other - this'll come as a code in North America so, in theory, you'll be able to either use the other copy yourself or share it with another gamer.
Conclusion
When it comes to deciding which version of the game to play, it entirely comes down to personal taste. The Wii U version is slightly more comfortable and easier on the eyes, but the 3DS version does have the enormous advantage of being portable, which will make or break the decision for many people. As far as the core game is concerned however, there is no difference between versions.
Comments 32
I get a big lemmings vibe, thats good in my mind.
Meanwhile in Europe...
@outburst Just two more weeks!
you guys need to have a comparison chart of the differences between previous mvsdk's. for example, the first one on the gba was a straight platformer like donkey kong where you control mario with the d pad and collect keys to open doors through puzzle filled rooms. mvsdk2 jumped over to the touch screen which meant you use your stylus to control the direction of the mini's and tap them to stop them and swipe up to make them jump. this was actually my favorite iteration.. after mvsdk2, the removed the ability to control the mini. this lost me. and i believe this new one is still the more lemmings approach.
what has me interested is the cross buy and level sharing community that is encouraged with tipping stars.
talk about friend codes and how they incorporate online. thats pretty important seeing they have always had that 16 digit hurdle in the past.
Is this an 'all new' game or an older Mario v Donkey Kong redone?
Why was my comment removed? If there was a problem it could have been edited. People might not like it but it was the truth. Destructoid agree with me and are not giving Nintendo an easy pass on the review.
http://www.destructoid.com/review-mario-vs-donkey-kong-tipping-stars-288509.phtml 5/10
While I am considering picking this up for Wii U and giving the code to 1 of my kids, nothing about this looks like a $20 3DS game to me.
3DS has $7 Pushmo and $9 Crashmo which have puzzle solving and level creation and sharing. I think Ninteod would have been better served just making each version $10 and maybe $18 for both.
http://pushmo.nintendo.com/
http://crashmo.nintendo.com/
@rjejr
If you think about it, each version is $10. You're just paying both combined.
This was made in the Nintendo Web Framework wasn't it?
I'll have to catch-up and play every MvsDK at somepoint!
Just bought the game, bout to give 'er a trial run here in a second. Just got back from an emergency root canal, a cracked case for my Smash Bros soundtrack in the mail, and a missing box for my Fire Emblem Radiant Dawn soundtrack from Japan. I need to relax and play some Wii U...
@JaxonH - You need to pick up a vice And I thought my shoveling 6" of snow this afternoon was bad. Was thinkig about picking up the game but my son just discovered Tingle in Hyrule Warriors and now he's obsessed again.
probably a 6/10, i bet
@Nintendude789 - "If you think about it, each version is $10. You're just paying both combined."
Problem is, there are 50 million 3DS in the world but only 10 million Wii U, so the majority of 3DS owners don't own a Wii U and therefore would have to pay $20 for only the 3DS version. Maybe $20 for Wii U, $10 for 3DS but you get the 3DS version free w/ Wii U? Fairer anyway I think.
@rjejr
I have a vice- Monster Hunter and amiibo hunting. Should take note of our Amiibo Alert topic I created, good way to snatch those ever elusive amiibos. Already just in the past 3 days you could have scored Toad, Mega Man, Sonic, and the LE MH4U new3DS, which has all been in stock for brief periods of time. Go ahead and watch the topic- we're keeping posts strictly in-stock finds.
But anyways, I'd give this game a 9/10 all day. It's just really fun, Idk what else to say. It gets Jaxon's Stamp of Approval, so you know it's good.
@Nintendude789 there have been 4 or 5 games and only 2 of them were 10 bucks or so. 3 of them were full priced nintendo games 29.99 list price.
i think the 10 price was aimed at the digital download only games. that they didnt do too much developement on. but this game, since its cross buy between wii u and 3ds..as well as sharing between systems, they are sort of pioneering a new thing that nobody has ever done before.. i can definitely see the 20 dollar price tag as being a very fair price point.
if it was a 3ds eshop only game and there was no effort of changing much from prior iterations, then yeah 10 bucks.. but this game lets the community share levels and play levels between device and console. isnt that worth something?
@JaxonH - "But anyways, I'd give this game a 9/10 all day. It's just really fun, Idk what else to say. It gets Jaxon's Stamp of Approval, so you know it's good."
Yeah, but what don't you like? Well probably FPS, you do have good taste in games.
"I have a vice- Monster Hunter" That's not your vice, that's your life. A vice is what you do when your 3DS breaks and you need to kill time for a week while it gets repaired
I'm not amiibo hunting thankfully. You know how psychotic I am about dates and stuff, I'd turn into a serial killer if I tried to collect those things
@mushroomer - "i think the 10 price was aimed at the digital download only games."
Sorry to jump in, but in the US this is a digital DL only game, which I think is causing some of the issues in comparison to previous games. If it were a $20 Wii U disc game w/ a free download code for 3DS I don't think peole would be complaing as much. But it really does look a lot like this video fomr 2009 for a $8 game.
http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/qusAr1yYWSwy6mt8LwFo1z6kOISzKRrf
@rjejr
Oh, well, debating prices and value with you seems to be the only other vice I would have
There's actually a lot of games I don't like, or rather, don't think are fantastic. I like a lot of games, but I usually only have time to play the best of the best. This game makes it on my list as worthy of my time to play.
Games that don't make that list include The Order 1886, Metro Redux, Assassin's Creed Unity, Call of Duty Advanced Warfare (will not be buying AC or CoD anymore), Pokemon (any of them), Yoshi's New Island (although it was decent), Tearaway, Natural Doctrine, Freedom Wars... I could go on.
Fact is, most of the games that don't make the list are on Vita and PS4 (I only have 3 X1 games otherwise there'd probably be a few on there too). Most Nintendo games that I'm interested in turn out being really fun and addictive. I'd rather get a game like Tipping Stars for my $20 that I'll actually play, than some full price AAA release that looks shiny and visually stunning but isn't all that fun and addicting to actually play.
I'm really developing a strong respect for Nintendo's download and "budget releases". Games like Dr Luigi, Wii Sports Club Golf, Capt Toad, Pushmo World, Kirby Rainbow Curse, Tipping Stars... Lot of good digital exclusives on Wii U.
Doesn't this game have cross buy?
@rjejr
yeah, so i think the 10+10 will hopefully pay off for people who invest in this game not from the 80 levels that ship with it but... the community that could potentially get involved because its not tied to one console. also.. it costs money to upkeep online stuff and this game seems to be more involved. where you are doing some sort of tipping stars to each other. i am keeping my fingers crossed that this will be a great value but in the end, you may be right.
if it was 10 dollars, i can see how online and long term support might be difficult. but it would be nice if amiibo's could unlock things..
BTW on a different topic related to the game, did anybody notice on the official site, that there is this GOLDEN MARIO that you can unlock.. what if the Walmart Gold Mario could unlock that gold mario... as well as grinding..
take a look at the text next to the GOLD mario..
http://mariovsdk.nintendo.com/buildshare
@rjejr
Yeah, I can see the problem. But hey, it's better than paying twice for each system.
@mushroomer
Exactly.
I want to buy this just to support cross-buy and show Nintendo it sells well, but I just don't know when I'm going to play it when I'm currently in the depths of Majora's Mask and Monster Hunter 4 U. Plus Xenoblade is coming out... My poor Wii U is collecting dust not because it doesn't have great games, but because my New 3DS is getting all the beefy titles this winter/spring.
I suppose a new LoZ and Starfox will change that though...
@JaxonH - I am your vice, huh? Guess the shoe fits, but I like debating dates rather than prices more Think its time to move on from MvDK:TS now though. I'll let you know how it goes when we pick it up.
It will be worth $20 for us as we'll have 3 people playing it on 2 different systems, my argument was only ever meant for prospective 3DS only purchasers anyway.
@mushroomer - Nice thought on the gold Mario amiibo, and thanks for the website link. Considering how limited the amiibo have been outside of SSBU - their use in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is almost an embarrassment - that seems like a good idea. Codename STEAM looks like it's using them properly, but that's not out yet, and the amiibo portal for the old 3DS still isn't available to purchase yet anyway.
@Nintendude789 - I think its certainly a good deal for those getting it twice and who play it on both systems, and yes, still better than paying $20 twice.
Tier 1
Miniland Mayhem
Tier 2
Minis on the move
Minis march again
Tier 3
Tipping Stars
GBA
Tier 4
March of the Minis
Still in progress?
@catsrnice Which tier is bad, which tier is good?
@Scary_Old_Lady
I meant it as tier 1 being the best imo.
Well guys, the score's finally up! Sorry for the delay!
Mini's on The Move felt very odd, so I just continued playing Minis March Again. It's good to see a new 2D game. Also, this time there are ramps. WOAH!
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