Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Nintendo Switch / Nintendo 3DS)

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a puzzle platform for the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch. They are prequels to Super Mario Odyssey instead of Super Mario 3D World unlike the Wii U version of the game. This game is the fourth game starring Toad as the main protagonist, the first being Wario's Woods that was released fifteen years prior, Kinopo Live that was released fourteen years prior, and the Wii U version of the game that was released four years prior.

Differences

 * Due to hardware limitations, some of the bonus objectives in the Nintendo 3DS version of the game are changed, such as the one in Poison Canal Cannon Run being changed from "Cleared course with 4 Toadettes!" to "Found the hidden Gold Mushroom!".
 * Futhermore, the 3DS version uses the Super Mario 3D Land engine and runs at 30fps in comparision to the Wii U and Switch versions, using the Super Mario 3D World engine, running at 60fps.
 * In the Wii U version, the Bonus Episode features stages in locations from Super Mario 3D World. The Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS versions replace these stages with ones based in kingdoms from Super Mario Odyssey.
 * To reflect this, the Episode 3 ending differs. In the Wii U version, the introduction cutscene of Super Mario 3D World plays after the credits, followed by a scene of Captain Toad entering a Clear Pipe to the Sprixie Kingdom. In the Switch and 3DS versions, the ending instead leads into Super Mario Odyssey, with Captain Toad running toward the Odyssey in the Sand Kingdom.
 * Unlike the Super Mario 3D World stages, the Super Mario Odyssey stages contain Super Gems.
 * The Toad amiibo is not needed to play "Hide & Seek," which is now accessible after beating a level.
 * Captain Toad's eyes in the Nintendo 3DS version are larger than in the Wii U or Nintendo Switch versions.
 * The Nintendo Switch version features multiplayer, as well as the paid DLC Special Episode. These features are absent from both the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS versions.

Story
Captain Toad and Toadette are out treasure hunting, climbing a structure to get a Power Star. They soon after notice feathers falling from the sky when Wingo, a large bird who's described as "a lover of all things shiny", grabs the star. Toadette attempts to retrieve it while Captain Toad is temporarily knocked over. Wingo makes off with both the star and Toadette, leaving the Captain on his own. Captain Toad must then go through stages collecting Power Stars to reach Wingo and save Toadette.

Once Captain Toad reaches Wingo's fortress, they fight, and after Wingo is defeated, Toadette is rescued and they continue treasure hunting. However, Wingo returns to steal their treasure again and ends up capturing Captain Toad, allowing Toadette to journey on a solo adventure. After another long journey, Toadette saves him, although immediately afterward Wingo reappears, captures Toadette again and blows Captain Toad away.

The Captain awakes in a dark cave, where he finds another Power Star snatched away by Wingo. Toad pursues to a large mine. Meanwhile, Toadette escapes Wingo and goes off to reunite with Captain Toad, though is captured again soon after. Wingo then takes her to the same tower, while Captain Toad arrives. After a final fight, Wingo is truly defeated, and the two Toads ride off in a minecart as the credits play.

After the credits, the minecart goes to the Sand Kingdom and Captain Toad notices the Odyssey flying, and chases after it, leaving Toadette in the minecart.

Gameplay
Captain Toad controls similarly to The Adventures of Captain Toad in Super Mario 3D World, and is unable to jump. Instead, he can pull on Pluck Patches, patches of grass which can contain items such as coins, power-ups, or turnips, which can be thrown at enemies in a Super Mario Bros. 2 fashion. The camera can be rotated in any direction to view the stage at different angles.

The main goal of the game is to reach the one Power Star in each stage; the player must do so by navigating each stage and solving puzzles to reach them. Unlike The Adventures of Captain Toad, the levels have no time limit and score feature. Instead, the game keeps track of the highest number of coins earned in each level and the time taken to complete each level. Each stage also has 3 Super Gems (similar to the Green Stars of Super Mario 3D World) to collect, as well as a bonus objective that appears after beating the stage, in which the player must clear the stage while performing a certain task (collecting a certain mushroom, taking no damage, defeating certain enemies, etc.).

amiibo
Like the Wii U version of the game, this game in compatible with amiibo. But, by scanning the Toad amiibo, instead of using it for hide and seek, it can be used for playing a level while invincible, similar to the effects when scanning a Mario amiibo in Super Mario Odyssey. In addition, the Wedding Mario, Peach, or Bowser amiibo unlocks the Super Mario Odyssey-themed courses early in the game. Any other amiibo can give Captain Toad 1-UP Mushrooms.

Controls
The Nintendo Switch version of the game can be played without the touch screen in TV mode and with the touch screen in handheld mode.

Nintendo 3DS controls

 * Move -
 * Run/pluck/throw - /
 * Spin - (rotate)
 * Turn on/off headlamp -
 * Camera:
 * Tilt - Gyroscope (if enabled in-game) / Touch Screen
 * Zoom in/out -
 * Move left/right - /  /  (left/right)
 * Move up/down - (up/down)
 * Pause menu - /
 * Use amiibo - Tap amiibo button on touch screen (only in level select menu).
 * Play Hide and Seek with Pixel Toad - Tap Pixel Toad on touch screen (only in level select menu).

Nintendo Switch controls

 * Move -
 * Run/pluck/throw - /  /  /  (only on Handheld Mode)
 * Spin - (rotate)
 * Turn on/off headlamp -
 * Camera:
 * Tilt - /
 * Zoom in/out -
 * Move 45 degrees - /
 * Move behind player -
 * Pointer:
 * Use pointer - Joy-Con Icon.svg (move) (only on TV mode)
 * Interact with object and enemies - (only on TV mode)
 * Recenter the pointer - /  (press)
 * Use amiibo - (only on menu)
 * Play Hide and Seek with Pixel Toad - (only on menu)
 * Catch Pixel Toad - (only on TV mode)

Two-player modes
In the Nintendo Switch version of the game, two types of cooperative two player modes are available in every level. Both of these modes are only available in the Nintendo Switch's TV / Tabletop mode.

Assist Mode
In Assist Mode, Player 1 assumes the normal role of Captain Toad or Toadette, except for the change that Player 2 now exclusively controls the pointer.

Player 2 also gains the ability to fire red turnips towards wherever the pointer is located. Red turnips can be used to obtain collectibles (except Super Gems and Power Stars), defeat enemies, or break small blocks. They cannot be used to activate switches, enter Clear Pipes, break Rock Blocks, or damage bosses. This mode also allows Player 2 to fire even during Mine Cart sections and to use the pointer when inside it, which is usually not possible.

This mode is only playable using two Joy-Con controllers. Joy-Con (L) is always assigned to Player 1, and Joy-Con (R) is assigned to Player 2. When switching the game to or from this mode, all controllers currently synced to the Switch will turn off. Attempting to sync another controller will fail. Syncing a controller in the Home Menu and then going back into the game will turn the newly synced controller off. Wired controllers will also appear desynced.

Adventure for Two
Adventure for Two was added in the 1.1.0 update on February 13, 2019. This mode allows both players to control a Toad Brigade Member, with Player 1 controlling the assigned character for the level, and in all episodes but Special Episode, Player 2 controlling a purple palette swap of Captain Toad. In Special Episode, Player 2 controls Toadette.

Any control method is available to both players in this mode, as well as a sideways Joy-Con. Notably, the button to rotate the camera in this mode was changed for the sideways Joy-con configuration, and a new button was added to activate the cursor. Additionally, both players can Bubble themselves to float above the other player's head, until they wish to pop out and continue playing.

When a player loses a life in this mode, they are sent into the Bubble. If a player is in a bubble or is in the process of losing a life as the other player does the same, the players must start the level over. If the players are too far apart from each other, one will automatically be warped to the other's location via bubble.

If either player is using a Spinwheel and the other approaches another Spinwheel, they cannot use it until the player actively using a Spinwheel steps off.

If either player enters a Clear Pipe cannon, or a Mine Cart, the other player will be warped there quickly. However, Doors, Pipes, Clear Pipes and others do not force the other player to warp.

Both players can collect Super Gems and Power Stars (or Power Moons / Shiny Crowns) in this mode. The player who reached the Power Star first is the one visible during the Course Clear animation.

Playable
Draggadon and Gold Draggadon are also playable in several cut-scenes, but due to the player having limited control, they are not directly considered playable characters. * Second player, Nintendo Switch version only

Supporting

 * Blue Toad
 * Yellow Toad
 * Green Toad

Other

 * Mario (Cameo)
 * Princess Peach (Cameo)
 * Mole

New

 * Flaptor
 * Piranha Sprout
 * Mud Trooper
 * Stumper
 * Mummy-Me

Bosses
{
 * Draggadon
 * Wingo
 * Gold Draggadon

Stages
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker features 79 stages (referred to as "mini-universes" ). The game is divided into various "episodes," with their own plots, as well as containing a number of different stages played as each character. Each stage also features a challenge that can be completed for an extra bonus.

An update for the Nintendo Switch version released on March 14, 2019, includes 18 new courses ranging from sunken ships to an area based on sweets.

Version 1.1.0 (Nintendo Switch)
The Nintendo Switch version of the game received an update on February 13, 2019, which added 2 Player co-op into the game. The update also added the Special Episode (if players pre-purchased the Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker - Special Episode content from the Nintendo eShop), allowing players to play the first level as a pre-purchase bonus.

This update also included changes to existing elements. Players can now toggle their character's headlamp by tapping the playable character with the pointer. Players may also toggle their partner's headlamp when playing in Adventure for Two mode. The second player in Assist Mode can toggle the first player's headlamp in this way.

A "Restart" button was added to the pause screen or every level. Restarting a level returns the player to their starting point or latest checkpoint, resets the timer and coin counter to 0, but retains all Super Gems they collected. Restarting does not cost lives. If the player restarts a level after a checkpoint, the timer will not be displayed and saved as their best time.

Additionally, this update made it no longer possible to run over Spinwheels in Handheld Mode, instead automatically snapping the player to them without touch screen input, same as in TV / Tabletop Mode.

Version 1.2.0 (Nintendo Switch)
The Nintendo Switch version of the game received an update on March 14, 2019, adding the remaining seventeen levels to the Special Episode for players that purchased the Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker - Special Episode content from the Nintendo eShop.

Additionally, to better distinguish the 2 players, Toadette's headlamp now has a distinctively warmer tone than that of Captain Toad's when playing in Adventure for Two mode in the Special Episode.

References to other games

 * Donkey Kong: The music that plays when using a Super Pickax is a remix of the theme that plays when Mario collects a Hammer in Donkey Kong; the way in which the pickaxe is swung is also a reference to the Hammer. Retro Ramp-Up is based on the first level from this game.
 * Super Mario Bros.: A cover of this game's underground theme is used in Mine Cart Tunnel Throwdown.
 * Super Mario Bros. 2: Turnips and sprouts on the ground return, Shy Guys appear as basic enemies, and various buildings draw from the design of Wart's castle.
 * Super Mario World: Wingo has a feather on his hat that resembles the Cape Feather. During the fights against Wingo, Toadette will throw Toad a Super Mushroom, similar to Peach in the final Bowser battle.
 * Super Mario 64: When playing in a Coins Galore level, a remix of the slide theme of this game plays.
 * New Super Mario Bros.: This game's lava level music is partially covered in Drop-Road Dash's background music.
 * Super Mario Galaxy: Captain Toad and the Toad Brigade return from their debut in this game, along with their iconic sound track. Also, the Starshroom appears in the ending credits if the game is beaten twice. The Starshroom appears secretly in Episode 1's Gold Galore if the player rotates the camera. It is seen in the distance.
 * Super Mario 3D Land: A cover version of this game's beach level music appears. Flip Panels makes a reappearance as well.
 * New Super Mario Bros. 2: The Gold Mushroom returns as an item.
 * Super Mario 3D World: The core gameplay is based on The Adventures of Captain Toad levels first featured in this game. Many mechanics from this game return, as well as cover versions of several tracks from this game.
 * Super Mario Odyssey: When encountering Captain Toad in the Lost Kingdom, he mentions he was dropped by a giant bird, but a different bird than "[his] usual one," referencing his kidnapping by Wingo. Four levels based on the Sand, Cascade, Metro, and Luncheon Kingdoms appear in the Nintendo Switch and 3DS versions of the game.

References to later games

 * Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam: Toadette often references her adventures in this game in her dialogue. Additionally, some of the battle cards that are unlocked by the Toad amiibo also use some of Captain Toad's artwork from Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.
 * Paper Mario: Color Splash: Draggadon reappears in this title. After using the Basin Thing in Redpepper Volcano, a bump comes out of its head, just like in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker after a rock falls on it. Also, when this happens, Mario can ride Draggadon as Captain Toad did in his game.
 * Super Mario Odyssey:*Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam: Toadette often references her adventures in this game in her dialogue. Additionally, some of the battle cards that are unlocked by the Toad amiibo also use some of Captain Toad's artwork from Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.
 * Paper Mario: Color Splash: Draggadon reappears in this title. After using the Basin Thing in Redpepper Volcano, a bump comes out of its head, just like in Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker after a rock falls on it. Also, when this happens, Mario can ride Draggadon as Captain Toad did in his game.
 * Super Mario Odyssey: When encountering Captain Toad in the Lost Kingdom, he mentions he was dropped by a giant bird, but a different bird than "[his] usual one," referencing his kidnapping by Wingo.
 * Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: "Plucky Pass Beginnings", the Toad Brigade theme, and "The King of Pyropuff Peak", Draggadon's battle theme, both appear in this game. Additionally, artwork of Captain Toad and Toadette are used for their spirits. At Toadette's Explore area, she references the title by saying, "Choose up to four treasure trackers!"
 * New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe: The Super Crown appears after Chaos in the Grand Labyrinth is beaten.