Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge

	Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge
	; Official English logo
Developer	Nintendo Software Technology Corporation
Publisher	Nintendo
Platforms	Wii U; Nintendo 3DS
Release date	January 28, 2016 ; March 25, 2016 (early access) ; April 28, 2016 ; April 28, 2016 ; April 29, 2016 ; May 2, 2016 (My Nintendo) ;
Genre	Puzzle
ESRB:	- Everyone
PEGI:	- Three years and older
CERO:	- All ages
ACB:	- General
Mode(s)	Single player
Media	Wii U: Digital download Nintendo 3DS: Digital download
Input	Wii U: Wii U GamePad Nintendo 3DS: Control pad

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge is a downloadable game for the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS systems. It was released in Japan on January 28, 2016, and was released in April 2016 internationally, making it the only installment so far in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series to not be released in North America first. In the United States, it was available for early access between March 25, 2016 and April 27, 2016, with the purchase of any amiibo figure at Amazon, Best Buy, or GameStop. It is the seventh installment in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series and the first to feature amiibo support.^[1] New toys are featured in the game, such as Mini Rosalina, Mini Bowser, Mini Bowser Jr., Mini Yoshi, Mini Diddy Kong, and Mini Spek, while returning toys include Mini Mario, Mini Luigi, Mini Donkey Kong, Mini Peach, and Mini Toad.^[2]^[3]^[4] The Wii U version of this title requires 318.6 MB to be installed, and the 3DS version requires 2,338 blocks.

Gameplay[edit]

The top screen (monitor) shows the entirety of a level, while the bottom (Wii U GamePad) only shows a portion of said level. The player can move the camera around to see more of the level on the bottom screen. The portion currently shown on the bottom screen is marked by a frame on the top screen.

The main game is largely similar to previous installments in the series, in that the player controls a Mini Toy trying to reach the end of the stage. By scanning a compatible Mario series-related amiibo, the player can receive the corresponding toy to play as, while the Mini Spek is received by scanning any other amiibo. Each Mini Toy (with the exception of the Mini Spek) has a special ability that allows it to clear stages easier. At the end of each stage, players are given a score based on their performance, and by clearing it with a high enough score, the player earns a Gold Trophy for that stage. Instead of a regular level selection screen like in previous games, the player now navigates a New Super Mario Bros.-styled map with the chosen Mini figure. Another difference is that the player only has to guide a single Mini to the end of each stage, unlike in other games where multiple had to be managed in order to complete a level.

Within certain main stages are amiibo Doors, which can only be accessed by the corresponding character on the door and unlock special stages themed around that character. Some stages also feature amiibo Tokens, which don't work in any other game and can only be obtained by using the abilities of the amiibo on the token.

Characters[edit]

Mini Toys[edit]

Unlike in previous games, each of the Mini Toys have their own unique special abilities corresponding to them.

Character	Compatible amiibo	Ability
Mini Mario		Wall Jump: Jump off a wall upon moving close to one.
Mini Luigi		High Jump: Jump higher than other Mini Toys.
Mini Peach		Floating Jump: Float over narrow gaps in the ground.
Mini Toad		Small Crawl: Duck and pass through small openings.
Mini Donkey Kong		Quick Climb: Climb up steep slopes.
Mini Bowser (new)		Bowser Bomb: If Mini Bowser falls from a cliff, he will stomp the ground, destroying any rocks in the way.
Mini Bowser Jr. (new)		Spike Guard: Travel over spikes without getting hurt
Mini Diddy Kong (new)		Ledge Grab: If Mini Diddy Kong walks off a cliff, he will grab on to the ledge, instead of falling, and pull himself back up to safety. This won't work with ledges that are the same height as the fall.
Mini Yoshi (new)		Eat Enemies: Eat small enemies.
Mini Rosalina (new)		Lunar Launch: Perform an exceptionally high jump next to high walls.
Mini Spek (new)	Any figure besides those shown above. amiibo cards are unsupported.	None: Mini Spek doesn't have a special ability.

Enemies[edit]

Worlds[edit]

In addition to the main stages in the game, there are also worlds themed around each character toy that can be unlocked by clearing certain stages via an amiibo Door, which can only be accessed by using the amiibo that corresponds with the character's icon shown on it.^[5]

	Main Main Levels These levels are meant to introduce the player to a new concept and are seen before the character-exclusive worlds. Levels Level 1 • Level 2 • Level 3 • Level 4 • Level 5 • Level 6 • Level 7 • Level 8 • Level 9 • Level 10 • Level 11 • Level 12
	World 1 Barrel Blast Jungle Mini Donkey Kong's world, based on Donkey Kong Country Returns. Its main mechanic is Barrel Cannons. The music that plays is a cover of the Jungle Hijinxs theme from Donkey Kong Country. Levels Donkey Kong 1 • Donkey Kong 2 • Donkey Kong 3 • Donkey Kong 4
	World 2 Mine Cart Cove Mini Diddy Kong's world, based on the ruins levels from Donkey Kong Country Returns. Its main mechanic are Mine Carts. The music that plays is a cover of the Bonus Area theme from Donkey Kong Country. Levels Diddy Kong 1 • Diddy Kong 2 • Diddy Kong 3 • Diddy Kong 4
	World 3 Egg Launch Land Mini Yoshi's world, based on Yoshi's Woolly World. Its main mechanic are Yoshi Eggs that Mini Yoshi can ride in and can ricochet off walls after launching them. The music that plays is a cover of the main overworld theme from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Levels Yoshi 1 • Yoshi 2 • Yoshi 3 • Yoshi 4
	World 4 Boost Pad Bonanza Mini Mario's world, based on New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Its main mechanic is Boost Pads. The music that plays is the same cover of Super Mario Bros. 2's overworld theme heard in previous installments. Levels Mario 1 • Mario 2 • Mario 3 • Mario 4
	World 5 Balloon Float Castle Mini Peach's world whose mechanic are balloons that fly in the direction of the arrow once Mini Peach grabs onto one. The music that plays is the Peach's castle theme from Super Mario 64. Levels Peach 1 • Peach 2 • Peach 3 • Peach 4
	World 6 Mushroom Hills Mini Toad's world. The main mechanic of these stages are Bouncy Mushrooms that can be used to bounce the Mini Toy. The music that plays is Winding Ravine's music from the previous game. Levels Toad 1 • Toad 2 • Toad 3 • Toad 4
	World 7 Moonlight Mansion Mini Luigi's world, based on the Luigi's Mansion games. Its main mechanic is candles that can be removed and placed in different spots to stun the Boos and reveal hidden blocks that can be passed through without a torch, but cannot be passed through with one. The music that plays is a cover of the mansion theme of Luigi's Mansion. Levels Luigi 1 • Luigi 2 • Luigi 3 • Luigi 4
	World 8 Air Tumble Rumble Mini Bowser Jr.'s world in which the main gimmick is fans that push the player across gaps, which alternate between turning on and off by tapping them. The music that plays is a cover of Bowser Jr.'s battle theme in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Levels Bowser Jr. 1 • Bowser Jr. 2 • Bowser Jr. 3 • Bowser Jr. 4
	World 9 Fire Ride Fortress Mini Bowser's world, based on Bowser's Castle. Its main mechanic are Fire Blocks. The music that plays is an arrangement of Bowser's theme from Super Mario 64. Levels Bowser 1 • Bowser 2 • Bowser 3 • Bowser 4
	World 10 Gravity Galaxy Mini Rosalina's world, a space-themed world, with the Comet Observatory in the background. The music that plays is a cover of both the Comet Observatory and Luma's themes from Super Mario Galaxy. The main mechanic of this world are Gravity Wells. Levels Rosalina 1 • Rosalina 2 • Rosalina 3 • Rosalina 4
	World 11 Star World The final world, unlocked after clearing all of the main stages. Stages in this world can only be unlocked by collecting amiibo Tokens. Levels Star 1 • Star 2 • Star 3 • Star 4 • Star 5 • Star 6 • Star 7 • Star 8 • Star 9 • Star 10 • Star 11

Help menu[edit]

The player can open a help menu by tapping on a question mark icon at the bottom right of the map screen. The help menu serves the same purpose as the Help Mode from previous installments, in that the player can use it to view tips related to gameplay. In addition, the player can access a sequence with the game's credits.

The table below lists all tips offered in the help menu, along with the pictures that accompany them in-game. These tips also appear in this order on loading screens.

Picture	Tip
	Collect all the coins and reach the door quickly to earn a Gold Trophy.
	Objects like Red Girders use up resources when they are placed. Gain resources back by picking objects back up. British English version: Placing objects uses resources. Gain resources back by retrieving objects.
	On large levels, use the Left Stick or Right Stick to look around.
	You can swap Mini Toys while playing a level or from the level map by touching an amiibo to on the Wii U GamePad.
	You can see a demonstration of each Mini Toy's special power from the amiibo swap screen.
	Collect amiibo Tokens using the Mini Toy's power to unlock levels in the Star World.
	Collect a Gold amiibo Token to earn five amiibo Tokens!
	Tap a Mini Toy to give it a brief burst of speed. British English version: Touch a Mini Toy to give it a brief burst of speed.
	You will exit a vertical Pipe walking the same direction you were when you entered.

References to other games[edit]

Donkey Kong: Like in past games, the hammer appears, with the classic theme music.
Super Mario Bros. 2: Some of Mini Mario's levels use an arrangement of the main level theme from this game.^[6] Mini Luigi and Mini Peach's abilities originated in this game.
Super Mario Bros. 3: Star Road's level music is an arrangement of the athletic theme from this game. Mini Bowser's ability originated in this game.
Super Mario World: The final world is based on the Star World from this game^[7], and features an arrangement of its song on the world map. Mini Yoshi's ability originated in this game.
Donkey Kong Country: Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong's levels feature arrangements of "DK Island Swing" and the Bonus Area theme as background music, respectively.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island: Mini Yoshi's levels are based on this game, and use an arrangement of the game's overworld theme as the background music.
Super Mario 64: Mini Peach's levels are based on her castle from this game, and use an arrangement of "Inside the Castle Walls" as the background music. In addition to this, Mini Bowser's levels use an arrangement of his battle theme from this game as the background music. Mini Mario's ability originated in this game. The Warp Pipe sound is the same as this game.
Luigi's Mansion: Mini Luigi's levels use an arrangement of this game's main theme as the background music.
Super Mario Galaxy: Mini Rosalina's levels are based on this game, and are set in the Comet Observatory. The background music is an arrangement of the observatory and Luma's theme music.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Mini Mario's levels are based on this game, with the background resembling this game's World 1. Mini Bowser Jr.'s levels are based on this game's airship levels as well, and use an arrangement of Bowser Jr.'s battle theme as the background music.
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!: The music that plays in night-themed main levels (Level 7 onward) is a variation of the music of Area 3-DK from this game.
Donkey Kong Country Returns: Mini Donkey Kong and Mini Diddy Kong have levels based on this game, featuring DK's treehouse and mine carts in this game's art style.
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon: Mini Luigi's levels seem to be based outside of Gloomy Manor from this game, since it's seen in the background and on the world map.
Yoshi's Woolly World: The background of Mini Yoshi's levels is based on this game.

Promotion[edit]

The Play Nintendo website features a skill quiz on the subject of Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge.

Reception[edit]

Reviews
Release	Reviewer, Publication	Score	Comment
Wii U	Shanker Varma, Cubed3	8/10	"Anyone with an amiibo should download this to try it out, especially if he or she enjoys puzzle games and/or Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars. Everything has been created with the same care that is found in other Nintendo titles and each of the abilities gives their collectible counterparts probably their best use yet. The mission to get gold trophies means that even the most hardened gamers will find a challenge, while those looking for a more relaxing time can complete each stage at their own pace. This makes it accessible to a range of people, as skill isn't an immediate barrier to enjoyment. The only real barrier is the cost of amiibo, but it could be enough to tip those who were interested in buying one over the edge. Anyone who already has a sizeable collection is sure to relish the extra content that is now available for no additional charge.'"
Wii U	Thomas Whitehead, Nintendo Life	7/10	"As a free app that provides an incentive to explore amiibo, Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge is a good effort. It offers a nice taster for those with non-Mario-themed toys, with 12 levels to tackle, and adds enjoyable twists and extra content for those with the correct figures. It's a fun if not premium experience, with some rather uninspired level designs mixed in with moments of greater quality - for amiibo fans it's well worth a look.'"
Aggregators
Compiler		Platform / Score
GameRankings		70.00%