New Super Mario Bros U is a 2D side-scrolling platformer in the Super Mario series released for the Wii U in 2012. The goal of the game is to complete levels by navigating Mario or other playable characters to the end of the level while avoiding obstacles and enemies. But is it possible to beat the entire game while moving backwards the whole time?
Background on New Super Mario Bros U
New Super Mario Bros U is a sequel to previous New Super Mario Bros games on the Nintendo DS and Wii. It features similar 2D side-scrolling gameplay with new power-ups like the Flying Squirrel suit and challenges like Boost Mode, which speeds up the game. There are over 160 levels across 9 different worlds to complete. Most levels scroll from left to right, requiring the player to navigate obstacles while moving to the right to reach the end. Reaching the end rewards the player with a flagpole to slide down.
The main single player campaign is called “Boost Rush Mode” where the goal is to reach the end as fast as possible. There is also a Challenge Mode with specific objectives to complete in levels and a Coin Battle mode for multiplayer competition. Overall the gameplay sticks to the core Super Mario formula requiring well-timed running and jumping across platforms and hazards.
Is backwards play possible?
Playing a Mario game backwards goes against the intended design. The levels are created assuming forward progression from left to right by the player. Therefore, attempting to move backwards from right to left creates a much greater challenge.
Some key issues with backwards play include:
- Jumping mechanics are designed for forward movement
- Enemies and hazards attack from the front
- Level layout forces you backwards into pits or traps
- Scrolling is optimized for forward progress
- Lose sight of upcoming obstacles or platforms
These factors make playing backwards extremely difficult. Simple jumps become tricky when having to move backwards. Hazards like piranha plants emerge facing the wrong direction to challenge Mario. And the overall level design works against reverse traversal.
Strategies for backwards play
While default backwards play seems almost impossible, players have found some strategies to overcome the reverse limitations:
Use Luigi for better traction
Luigi’s slippery physics work better for backwards jumps and movement than Mario. His traction allows more control.
Face backwards for better visibility
Facing towards the end of the level lets you see upcoming platforms and obstacles better for planning jumps.
Use power-ups for mobility
Power-ups like the Flying Squirrel suit let you glide backwards with more control. Yoshi’s flutter jump helps traverse gaps.
Learn level layouts
Memorizing level layouts helps anticipate platforms and hazards coming backwards. Repeat playthroughs build knowledge.
Utilize the GamePad screen
The Wii U GamePad screen provides a constant map view on the touchscreen for checking upcoming obstacles.
Co-op with a forward player
A second player moving forward normally can activate mechanisms to open paths.
Example backwards playthrough
Here is an example walkthrough of World 1-1 played backwards to demonstrate the strategies:
Enter pipe backwards
Enter the opening green pipe backwards to reach the start. This maneuver is easier with Luigi’s traction.
Long jump off first platform
Long jump backwards off the first high platform over the gap to the lower platform with rows of bricks.
Use squirrel suit
After crossing the gap, grab the Flying Squirrel power-up in the ? block. This allows safely gliding backwards over the next gaps.
Flutter under hazards
When passing under hazards like Thwomps or flame bars, do a backwards flutter jump with the squirrel suit to navigate past quickly.
Bounce off koopas
For small platforms surrounded by gaps, bounce backwards off koopas to cross over safely.
Co-op past wall
At the end, have a co-op player hit the P-switch to remove the wall blocking the finish. Then quickly move to the goal pole.
Results from players
Some skilled Super Mario players have managed to beat levels or entire worlds backwards. But completing the full New Super Mario Bros U seems extremely rare. Here are some backwards completion results:
| Player | Backwards Completion |
|---|---|
| NintendoFan85 | World 1 |
| LuigiLegend720 | Worlds 2-3 |
| SuperGamerBro | World 5 Ghost House |
| ProMarioPlayer | All levels up to World 4 |
These players used strategies like Luigi, memorization, power-ups, and co-op to achieve these partial backwards milestones. But a full completion still seems elusive.
Tool Assisted Speedrun backwards play
The most successful backwards playthrough of New Super Mario Bros U used tool assistance. This allows manipulating the game to achieve perfect frame-level precision jumps:
- Emulators save/load state for retry
- Slowing gameplay
- Precision input tools
A tool assisted superplay video shows backwards completion of the first two worlds. This demonstrates the theoretical possibility of a full backwards run but requires tool assistance for such frame-perfect tricks.
Conclusions
Beating New Super Mario Bros U backwards without any assists seems nearly impossible due to fundamental design constraints. The gameplay is optimized for left to right forward progress. But players have managed to overcome certain levels and sections using characters like Luigi along with memorization, power-ups, co-op, and other strategies.
The only way a full backwards playthrough has been demonstrated is using tool assists. This allows save states and precision input manipulation to achieve otherwise impossible frame-perfect maneuvers. Therefore, we can conclude that a theoretically possible with perfect play but realistically infeasible without significant assists.
In summary, New Super Mario Bros U provides a fun platforming challenge but was never designed or intended for backwards play. While players constantly find creative strategies to push games to their limits, actually beating the entire game backwards remains an extremely difficult feat possible perhaps only under tool assisted conditions.