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Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars earned a 70/100 critic Metascore on both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. Metacritic’s pages list 26 Wii U reviews and 15 3DS reviews; the shared score masks a familiar split in the criticism: reviewers liked its polished, quick puzzle play but some wanted a fresher design or a stronger introduction.
What critics thought of Tipping Stars
| Platform | Metascore | Critic reviews | Review distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wii U | 70/100 | 26 | 38% positive (10), 62% mixed (16), 0% negative (0) |
| Nintendo 3DS | 70/100 | 15 | Not stated on the cited Metacritic figures |
These are Metacritic’s platform-specific figures, accessed in 2026, and summarize critic reviews rather than player ratings. The Wii U breakdown shows that most reviews were mixed, not outright negative. Metacritic’s review page lists both editions.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Mario vs Donkey Kong Mini-Land Mayhem! | $54.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Mario vs Donkey Kong, Nintendo Switch-Spiel | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Nintendo Selects: Super Mario 3D World - Wii U Standard Edition | $9.34 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe - US Version | $52.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Mario Kart 8 (Nintendo Wii U) (Renewed) | $27.41 | Buy on Amazon |
Nintendo Life gave each version 8/10 in its 2015 reviews. That is one outlet’s favorable assessment, not the overall consensus: its Wii U review praised the puzzle mechanics and level sharing while noting how little had changed from earlier entries. Nintendo Life’s Wii U review and 3DS review discuss the separate editions.
Why reviews were mixed
The puzzle loop works in short sessions
The game’s appeal is its compact, action-puzzle rhythm: guide clockwork mini characters through stages and use objects such as girders and springs to get them to the exit. GamesRadar+ praised the series’ honed formula and the way it supports quick puzzle sessions; Metacritic reproduces an excerpt of that assessment on its review page.
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Familiarity and presentation held it back for some critics
For reviewers looking for a substantial evolution, the polished formula could feel too familiar. GameSpot criticized how the game introduces its mechanics and supplies little context, arguing that the presentation made it feel more like a tech demo than a full release. That criticism sits alongside praise for the underlying puzzles, rather than showing that critics broadly rejected the gameplay. GameSpot’s review gives its reasoning.
What makes Tipping Stars distinctive
Nintendo describes more than 60 two-dimensional puzzle stages, plus a Workshop for building and play-testing custom levels. Players could share created stages with others, and Nintendo advertised uploading and downloading levels across the Wii U and 3DS communities. Hardware differences meant some user-created stages might not work on both versions. Nintendo’s Wii U product page and 3DS product page describe the game and its features.
Rank #2
The title’s “tipping” mechanic links playing to creating: players can give stars to creators whose levels they like, and creators can use stars to obtain additional level elements. It gives the editor and community features a role beyond simply making stages, though the cited descriptions do not establish whether those online community functions remain available today.
Wii U or 3DS: which version should you choose?
Nintendo Life described the core game as the same across both editions. Its practical comparison favors the Wii U for a more comfortable, easier-on-the-eyes experience and the 3DS for portability. GameSpot also preferred 3DS for people who owned both systems, while noting that Wii U play used the GamePad. Choose based on where and how you want to play, rather than expecting a different puzzle campaign.
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- Each character has unique abilities and play styles. For example, Princess Peach glides over gaps, while Luigi has his trademark extra-high jump.
- The new cat transformation allows players to run on all fours, pounce on enemies, attack in midair, or use their claws to scamper up walls and goal poles.
- Explore colorful 3D environments filled with obstacles and contraptions like transparent pipes and vertical conveyor belts, which add new puzzle elements.
- Use the Wii U Gamepad Controller's touch screen to search for hidden blocks and freeze enemies in place.
- “E” w/Mild Cartoon Violence
- Choose 3DS if handheld play matters most.
- Choose Wii U if you prefer the larger, more comfortable viewing experience described in the review.
- Factor in separate saves and rewards: progress and earned stars do not carry between the two editions. Custom levels could be downloaded across versions, subject to the compatibility limits of some user-created stages.
Is the original two-version offer still available?
Nintendo advertised a historical bonus in which purchasing or redeeming a download code for one platform could provide a code for the other. That was an original offer, not evidence that the codes can still be redeemed or that either edition is currently available through a digital store. Check current platform and regional availability directly before buying; the cited product and review pages do not establish present-day store access or online service status.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- The new antigravity feature allows for never-imagined racing circuit designs.
- Players speed through courses and find themselves suddenly racing on walls in a haunted mansion or upside-down over Princess Peach’s Castle.
- Mario Kart TV lets players share highlight videos they submitted to Miiverse.
- Experience a wealth of features that span the series, including 12-player online competitive play.
- Fan-favorites Waluigi and Toadette re-join the cast of familiar characters from the Mushroom Kingdom.;Crisp HD graphics and a 60-frames-per-second frame rate offer players the most visually stunning entry in the series yet.
Rank #4
- A variety of playable characters are available, some with unique attributes that affect gameplay and platforming physics.
- Younger and less-experienced players will love playing as Toadette, who is brand new to both games, and Nabbit, who was formerly only playable in New Super Luigi U. Both characters offer extra assistance during play.
- Multiplayer sessions are even more fun, frantic, and exciting thanks to entertaining character interactions. Need a boost? Try jumping off a teammate’s head or getting a teammate to throw you.
- Features a wealth of help features, like a Hints gallery, reference videos, and a Super Guide in New Super Mario Bros. U that can complete levels for you if they’re giving you trouble.
- Three additional modes—Boost Rush, Challenges, and Coin Battle—mix up gameplay and add replayability, while also upping the difficulty for players who want to try something harder. Players can use their Mii characters in these modes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
