List of New Super Mario Bros. U pre-release and unused content

These are the beta elements of New Super Mario Bros. U.

HUD Change
As shown by the screenshots below, the HUD of the game was originally more like New Super Mario Bros. Wii's, with white, stylized font for everything besides the Coin counter, which had orange instead of white. Later on, the HUD font was changed to a more opaque and metallic font.

Baby Yoshi Changes
Baby Yoshis in E3 builds did not vocalize the chorus at all. Later builds had Balloon Baby Yoshis vocalize the chorus, though the other Baby Yoshis remained silent.

Bulb Baby Yoshi in the E3 2012 trailer had the ability to glow brighter when the player shakes the Wii Remote, though a sound effect did not accompany it.

Early Boost Mode and Boost Rush Mode
Boost Mode in early builds worked similarly to the final version, except that Blue, Purple, Red, and Green Boost Blocks kept their symbols at all times, and didn't spit out coins. Instead, a separate Boost Block did that, a smaller one with a coin symbol. These types of Boost Blocks would only appear if the Wii U GamePad player tapped on the screen twice. The amount of coins that were given were less than the final version. Instead of five, it would have given three instead. Boost Mode also seemed to lack the Purple Star and special Boost Mode properties.

Boost Rush Mode has not changed alot from the earlier builds, except that the Coin Meter was below the Coin counter instead of the timer.

Peach's Castle colors
The Peach's Castle seen in Acorn Plains Way had its colors more faded out in early E3 builds.

Course Changes
Acorn Plains Way, Mushroom Heights, and Spinning Star Sky were named Course 1, Course 2, and Course 3 respectively in early E3 builds, presumably to avoid spoiling the world/names.

Acorn Plains Way has gone through various changes since the original showing during June 2012's Nintendo Direct, mostly in the main grassy area. Most noticeably is that the pipe leading to the sky sub-level has been moved further back in the final build and the hidden area near the Midway Point was much more narrow and shorter in the E3 build.

The version of Painted Swampland shown in the E3 2012 trailer had pipes that were primarily green, while the final version has pipes of varying colors.