E3 2014: Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker Finally Puts the Mushroomed One on Center Stage

Is it really possible that Toad has never been the star of his own game? The poor, mushroom-headed, star-crossed yes man has been by the side of Peach and Mario before Bowser even got his own family of indeterminate origin. Despite putting characters such as Tingle and someone named Captain Rainbow front and center, Nintendo has relegated the stumpy one to second- (or even third!) fiddle status. Well, the time has come for Toad to shine. His first outing is a safe venture, one built upon the foundation created in Super Mario 3D World, but that doesn't mean Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is predictable. No, this is a worthy introduction for Toad, one that strikes that smooth balance Nintendo is known for between accessibility and difficulty.

If you've ever been curious what Toad is up to when he's not squealing at the princess or dropping banana peels, well, you may have to conjure up your own fan fiction. Thankfully, we don't get a glimpse of his idle hands here. What we do get, though, is a small piece of his personality that was previously hidden. Wario's greed has reached legendary status, and Mario cannot stop himself from stealing (yes, stealing) every coin, no matter if it's lying on the ground or hovering in a “What's gravity?” manner. It turns out that those moral opposites aren't the only two Nintendo characters who have expensive tastes.

Toad doesn't care one lick about gold, though; his eyes are on diamonds. Or maybe it's crystals? Either way, he fancies precious stones, and he's not going to let the puzzling world he inhabits get in the way of his riches. If the reference to 3D World makes you fear that this is another Mario game, put those thoughts away. Toad has been cursed with squat legs and a giant noggin that throws off his equilibrium (that's true, just ask Dr. Mario), so feats that you and I take for granted, such as moving quickly or jumping, are impossible for that poor, poor man-like creature. Treasure Tracker is a time for Toad (or Captain Toad, though who knows how he got that rank) to make use of his gargantuan head. For it's smarts that will get you through these locales, and the game doesn't take kindly to those who are lacking.

The first thing you have to keep in mind is that, even though Treasure Tracker uses an isometric camera, you must shift your view constantly if you're going to progress. Hideaways, nooks, shortcuts, hidey-holes, and crannies are tucked in unexpected places, so the only way your peepers can spy them is by changing what you see. Once you know where to go, there's still a hiccup or two you have to suppress. You think going through that door will place you elegantly where you want to go? Oh, if only life were that simple. Slide doors to and fro to get them in the right place, and only then can you move onward. I felt a little insulted when a Nintendo rep nudged me in the right direction, but it was downright embarrassing when the person waiting in line behind me got in on the advice giving. Treasure Tracker takes a keen eye and skillful planning, so reaching the end of each stage isn't as easy as it may appear.

For those who lack the determination or cleverness to seek out every diamond hidden about, there's no need to be a hoarder. Just rush toward the star and you can continue to the next level. But if you simply must have everything (and, honestly, who doesn't want all the diamonds), than you're going to get the most out of Treasure Tracker. Anyone can reach a star with a little bit of experimentation. But to get every diamond, you need sharp wits and searching eyes. Difficulty was the major question I had going in. As much as I enjoyed Toad's diversions in 3D World, they didn't make me sweat, so the prospect of an entire game built on that theme seemed unwise. But now I know the truth. There are some real stumpers here, so put your brain cap on.

It's easy to gaze wistfully toward the future when so many Wii U games are being promised. After all, just about every announcement ended in “coming in 2015.” But don't overlook Treasure Tracker just because Toad is an untested protagonist. This is a unique adventure that tests your smarts rather than your dexterity, and is fun to boot. We'll see how the finished product shapes up later this year, but I for one am happy Toad was given a chance in the spotight.

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