New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe similar games & best alternatives

Why it matches

• Both are better with other people Four-player local co-op is a highlight, designed for cooperative play with revive mechanics and passing through players, fostering teamwork.
• Both stay away from violence Combat is cartoonish and non-violent in nature; emphasis on constructive gameplay and playful interactions.
• Both are about exploring Nonlinear world maps, secret areas, and hidden collectibles motivate players to discover new content and revisit levels.

Why it matches

• Both are better with other people Strong emphasis on local multiplayer cooperative gameplay with up to four players working together or hindering each other.
• Both build a real sense of fellowship Encourages social play and shared experiences through local multiplayer and cooperative modes.
• Both stay away from violence Non-violent cartoon-style gameplay focused on platforming and cooperative interaction rather than combat or destruction.
• Same kind of look Screenshots of both games share a very close visual identity (palette, framing, level of detail).

Why it matches

• Both stay away from violence Focus is on platforming and creative construction rather than combat or destruction.
• Both are about exploring Players explore a vast and constantly growing library of user-created levels and new gameplay possibilities within the editor.
• Both let you chart your own course Players have extensive freedom to create their own levels with a robust and intuitive editor, including many customization options and creative tools.

Why it matches

• Both are better with other people Supports multiplayer co-op play with up to four players, emphasizing teamwork and shared objectives.
• Both build a real sense of fellowship Community and social play are emphasized through multiplayer modes and shared gaming experiences.
• Both stay away from violence Minimal cartoonish combat focused on jumping on enemies rather than destructive violence.

Why it matches

• Both are about exploring Strong emphasis on discovering secret exits, hidden levels, and alternate paths across large overworld maps.
• Both stay away from violence Combat is cartoonish and non-violent; emphasis on platforming and exploration rather than destruction.
• Both lean into fantasy Set in imaginative, fictional worlds with fantastical characters, powers, and scenarios.

Why it matches

• Both lean into fantasy Strongly rooted in imaginative, iconic Mario fantasy worlds with fictional characters and scenarios.
• Both are seen as worth the money Free, open-source, with extensive content and customization offers high perceived value for time and money.
• Both let you chart your own course Players have control over character choice, physics settings, damage styles, and can create and customize levels with a built-in editor, supporting personal freedom and decision-making.

Why it matches

• Both are about exploring Strong emphasis on discovering secret exits, star coins, and alternate routes across multiple worlds.
• Both lean into fantasy Set in a whimsical, imaginative world with fantastical elements like giant mushrooms and magical power-ups.
• Both are seen as worth the money Offers substantial content, replayability, and enjoyment for the time invested, considered good value.

Why it matches

• Both are about exploring Players explore diverse themed worlds and hidden secrets, with incentives to discover all collectibles.
• Both lean into fantasy Set in a whimsical, imaginative universe with fantastical characters, power-ups, and scenarios.
• Both reward mastery The game offers a skill-based platforming challenge with a gentle difficulty ramp and rewarding tests of player skill, especially in later levels.

Why it matches

• Both stay away from violence Combat is minimal and cartoonish; emphasis is on platforming and exploration rather than destruction.
• Both reward mastery The game features a high skill ceiling with challenging platforming, advanced movement tech, and difficult bonus levels that test player mastery.
• Both are about exploring Levels contain many secrets, collectibles, and bonus stages that reward curiosity and thorough exploration.