Review
Played on: Switch
Released: 2018
Released: 2018
originally released: 2014 (Wii U)
Introduction
Launched at a lower price point than a full release, I'd been curious about this title, looking for a laid-back and relaxed game to play on a handheld, so I picked it up digitally on Nintendo's eShop. This year has even seen the addition of an extra DLC pack of levels and a free two-player added for good measure!
Let's take a exploration trip around Captain Toads tiny and cute levels!
Plot and setting
Captain Toad follows a simple premise: each level contains three hidden diamonds and a star that ends the level. Each level has an extra objective that gets disclosed after completing it once. Sometimes there's a golden mushroom to find, a certain amount of moves to be made or enemies to avoid. It helps keep variety and new ways to play each level in addition to simply finding the diamonds. Added into the mix to replay levels is a 2D Toad sticker to find by tapping it with either the cursor or the touchscreen. In other words, there's a fair share of replay value to all levels.Each level looks like a 3D cut-out of a little landscape, floating in air, giving it a charming mini diorama look. Featuring lovely Mario inspired fantasy locations. The size of each level is perfect for short gameplay bursts and suits the handheld nature of the Switch extremely well.
Gameplay and features
The campaign eases you into the game mechanics with an introduction level, then gradually increases to more advanced puzzles and level layouts. Gaining diamonds grants you access to new levels, unlocked in a menu stylised as a book, with each page being a level. Bonus levels turn up now and then, between the book pages, giving you the chance to earn more lives.Getting to the ending credits requires you only to complete the first book. There are, however, three books to complete with increasingly difficulty. There's a fair amount of value for money here. Completing the game will earn you even more bonus levels and then there's a fairly cheap DLC book with levels available too!
The gameplay has a low pace, making Captain Toad a lovely game to relax in the comfort of your favourite chair and just enjoy calmly. The required platforming skills don't require high precision or speed, like traditional Mario games. Making it a game perfect for older people too. The key is finding the way through the level, solving puzzles and finding all treasures in each level.
There's recently been added a two-player mode. Where two Toads can complete the level together. My wife and I found the default two-player mode disorientating, as both players can control the camera, which requires to be moved around a lot to spot secrets.
The gameplay has a low pace, making Captain Toad a lovely game to relax in the comfort of your favourite chair and just enjoy calmly. The required platforming skills don't require high precision or speed, like traditional Mario games. Making it a game perfect for older people too. The key is finding the way through the level, solving puzzles and finding all treasures in each level.
There's recently been added a two-player mode. Where two Toads can complete the level together. My wife and I found the default two-player mode disorientating, as both players can control the camera, which requires to be moved around a lot to spot secrets.
We settled with the two-player mode that lets one player control Toad, utilising one horizontal Joycon, while player two controls the camera and onscreen pointer with a vertical Joycon. Player two can in addition shoot at enemies, which makes this coop mode even easier!
Graphics and technical
I found the visuals incredibly charming and cute. You can zoom in and rotate the camera to reveal hidden areas to reach on each level. Typically, you'll see hidden caves underneath the cut-out sectors of sand and earth. There's great variety in the level environments too, from relaxing beach levels, spooky houses at night , deserts, colourful grassy worlds and so on.The artwork and charming love put into this, once again, sets Nintendo as a leader when it comes to making colourful and cute Pixar-like worlds with their roster of Mario characters.
In portable mode Captain Toad runs at the Wii U resolution of 720p, while the docked mode ups the game to a clearer and crisper 1080p for your TV. That's a nice boost in resolution for a bigger screen, and with a 60fps framerate it looks very sharp and clean. Especially when the visuals are made to look like a mini diorama world, it's has a distinct and satisfying visual appeal.
In portable mode Captain Toad runs at the Wii U resolution of 720p, while the docked mode ups the game to a clearer and crisper 1080p for your TV. That's a nice boost in resolution for a bigger screen, and with a 60fps framerate it looks very sharp and clean. Especially when the visuals are made to look like a mini diorama world, it's has a distinct and satisfying visual appeal.
Sound and music
There's a great music score in Captain Toad, bringing back lots of old Super Mario inspired melodies. I got nostalgic hearing themes that remind me of Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 3 tunes.
I loved some of the soothing tunes on darker levels and even the more psychedelic tunes too. Characters and items have the funny, and by now expected, Mario-like sounds.
Summary
I also would have liked to see the onscreen cursor hidden away when not moving. In fact, I found the whole cursor thing more cumbersome in docked mode compared to using the touchscreen in portable mode, so consider that when playing. The game was intended for touchscreen on the Wii U after all. The coop two-player mode aides this a bit though as player two can take care of the cursor.
I found Captain Toad to be a perfect title for a relaxing departure from fast paced modern titles. The puzzles are a nice balance between visual and logic thinking, making them a little tricky, but never overwhelming. The beautiful look of the game with it's charming soundtrack and level design make Captain Toad highly recommended from me. While it's probably of no interest to the owners of the Wii U version, it's a nice chance for Switch players to enjoy it, and unlike the Wii U version this is actually a portable game and really suits it!
I found Captain Toad to be a perfect title for a relaxing departure from fast paced modern titles. The puzzles are a nice balance between visual and logic thinking, making them a little tricky, but never overwhelming. The beautiful look of the game with it's charming soundtrack and level design make Captain Toad highly recommended from me. While it's probably of no interest to the owners of the Wii U version, it's a nice chance for Switch players to enjoy it, and unlike the Wii U version this is actually a portable game and really suits it!
One of last years most enjoyed releases, that continued to add more fun content with new levels and two-player mode this year!
Edit: Super Mario 3D World, where Captain Toad: Treasue Tracker originated from, has since been released on Switch, read my review here!