Amidst all of the Mario and Luigi hoopla recently, it is now Toad's time to shine. Remember those excellent Toad mini-games in Super Mario 3D World? Well, Nintendo decided to take that and vastly expand upon it. Now we have Captain Toad Treasure Tracker for the Wii U.
In this standalone Toad title, players control Toad and Toadette as they traverse various levels with many challenges. It may seem simplistic at first glance, but there is more to it than meets the eye. The goal for each stage is to get the star at the end. Along the way, you will be tasked with collecting a few diamonds, a bunch of coins and one specific task that will give you a "complete" stamp for each level. For the completionists, this game will be a blast. There are over 70 levels in the game, each with their own unique style and challenges. Nintendo really found a way to make each one different, which is no easy task. There are dark caves, tropical vistas and sunny deserts. What makes each one so fun is the challenge. This is by no means an easy game. You always have alter the camera angle to see every nook and cranny of the stage you're playing. Oh, and Toad can't jump either. Players must find a way to the end by walking alone. You have outsmart your enemies and use every resource available.
The visuals and sound are what you have come to expect from Nintendo. Toad, Toadette, enemies and stages are all sparkling with beauty. The music is pretty solid as well. What sets Toad's adventure apart is the gameplay and ability to force players to think, really hard. I mean, you have to be smart and witty to complete most of the levels. There are several times where I re-played a level and still couldn't locate the golden mushroom. Those things are hidden remarkably well! That type of gameplay translates to sky high replay value, something us gamers absolutely love. If you have a Wii U, Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker is a superb addition to your library. It is simply a must-own and a game that will get your wheels turning. Sometimes it felt like I was getting an education or doing some type of brain exercise. There's nothing wrong with that.