Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Even though I knew this was a direct spinoff of Super Mario 3D World before I started playing, I was surprised by how familiar it felt. Obviously, the game's whole premise comes from the cute side-levels scattered throughout 3D World, but the two games have more in common than that. Sharing a soundtrack, HUD, enemy selection, and control scheme (even down to the touchscreen) made the whole experience feel very comfortable and familiar. Just like 3D World, Treasure Tracker ends up being pretty short if you just play through the levels to beat them. However, it offers a lot more to do if you tackle all of the additional challenges, making for a pretty meaty experience.

Throughout this surprisingly hefty game, you'll play as Captain Toad and Captain Toadette as they hunt for treasure and repeatedly rescue each other from some pretty perilous situations. Just like the side-levels in 3D World, most of the adventure takes place in these meticulously crafted little dioramas, giving you free rein of the camera as you figure out how to collect all of the gems and make it to the star safely. These diorama-style levels, combined with Captain Toad's inability to jump, perfectly support this game's focus on thoughtful puzzles. Since you can't just hop around everywhere, you have to put a lot more thought into how you'll navigate each level while avoiding or defeating enemies. Unfortunately, some motifs end up being a little overused and lose their magic, but that doesn't happen often. Treasure Tracker is loaded with fun mechanics, both new and familiar, that ensure nearly every stage is just as exciting as the last.

After I finished it, I concluded that Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is an excellent choice for puzzle fans and Mario fans alike. The whole aesthetic screams 3D World (except for the bonus Odyssey levels in the 3DS and Switch versions), and ends up making the game feel like it is entirely composed of fanservice. The challenge offered here is also rather unique thanks to the combination of platforming and puzzle-solving, creating an unexpected, but very welcome, addition to the puzzle genre. I ended up enjoying this game just a little more than I expected, and the familiar feeling was a big part of that, but overall, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is an easy recommendation.

The game is available for 3DS here (as of 1/26/22): https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/captain-toad-treasure-tracker-3ds/
The game is available for WiiU here (as of 1/26/22): https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/captain-toad-treasure-tracker-wii-u/
The game is available for Switch here (as of 1/26/22): https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/captain-toad-treasure-tracker-switch/

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