Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars: Difference between revisions

The game was later removed from the Wii U and 3DS eShop services after their discontinuation on March 27, 2023, making it no longer possible for players outside of Japan to purchase the game, but players who did so before this date can still play it as long as any version is on their Wii U device, their 3DS device, or both.

==Story==

As in previous ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' games, [[Pauline]] is once again kidnapped by [[Donkey Kong]], although this time, no motivation is given. [[Mario]] chases after Donkey Kong with his [[Mini Mario (toy)|Mini Mario]] toys to rescue her.

Each world contains eight levels and follows a specific formula:

*the first level of every world introduces a new game mechanic, which becomes recurrent from that point onward.

*the fourth level is always a Multi-Door course, the rest being Single-Door.

*the fifth level is marked by the presence of a type of Monkey Robot, such as [[Circus Kong]]s, [[Cannon Kong]]s or [[Capture Kong]]s.

*the seventh level has a locked exit, which can only be opened by a [[Key]] Mini Mario.

*instead of a boss battle as in the predecessors, every world is closed by a level where a [[Cursed Mini Mario]] has to be reverted to its normal state by hitting it with [[Hammer]]s, then escorted along with the other Minis to the Goal Door.

When there are only 30 seconds left in the timer, a frantic melody starts playing, prompting the player to hurry and finish the level. The music is the same as in the [[Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!|third installment]], but remixed.

The game presented online functions, which were paired with [[Miiverse]]. However, as of November 7, 2017, when the service was shut down, these are no longer available. Before the discontinuation, levels made and shared by other players could be accessed in Community mode. People could play and 'Yeah' these levels. Stars earned in the main game or by playing user-created levels could be tipped to level creators, which unlocked Miiverse [[stamp]]s for the tippers in exchange. Levels could be sorted by "Popular", "Latest", "Saved" (there was a download feature), "Friends & Followed", "[[List of official Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars online levels|Official Levels]]", and "Street Pass".

===Help Mode===

In the main Game and Bonus menus, tips are related to gameplay. They are the following:

|'''Chain Rule:''' ''Minis must reach the goal close together, otherwise the M Door will shut and lock the others out.''<br><small>'''British English version:''' ''Minis must reach the goal close together; otherwise the door will shut and lock the others out.''</small>

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|align="center"|'''[[Bonus 3]]'''<br>'''Levels'''<br>[[Level B-17|B-17]] • [[Level B-18|B-18]] • [[Level B-19|B-19]] • [[Level B-20|B-20]] • [[Level B-21|B-21]] • [[Level B-22|B-22]] • [[Level B-23|B-23]] • [[Level B-24|B-24]]

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===Other areas===

There are four unlockable backgrounds in the Workshop Store that can be used by players to decorate levels created by them in the editor. Although these areas do not have their own worlds in the main game, they theme some of the [[Bonus Levels]]. In the Workshop, there is an additional Editor Land theme, which is available to use from the start; however, none of the pre-built levels feature it.

|{{anchor|Winding Ravine}}'''Winding Ravine''' is a sky area with rocky peaks and crags seen in the far background. Many huge, colorful mushrooms are grown above the clouds. Winding Ravine is set at dusk, as there are many stars visible in the sky.

Enemies in the game can be divided into two categories, based on how they affect the player. [[Monkey robot]]s are rather large and indestructible but do not cause damage, and in some situations their capacities are helpful; however, they can also often impede the player, in which case [[Hammer]]s are available to stun them temporarily. Aside from monkey robots, there are harmful enemies that only serve as obstacles and can usually be destroyed with Hammers or other means of attack.

{|width=100% cellspacing=0 border=2 cellpadding=3 style="border-collapse:collapse;"

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!width=10% |Enemy

|align="center"|[[Level 6-8 (Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars)|Level 6-8]]

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|A tall, spiky, three-segmented enemy that simply roams back and forth on a platform, with no active intent to hurt the Minis, despite being harmful to touch. Pokeys can be defeated with Hammers, by sliding into them, or by blasting into them from a cannon.

|align="center"|[[Level 5-3 (Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars)|Level 5-3]]

|align="center"|[[Level E1-3]]

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|A stout enemy that walks from side to side, destroying a Mini if it comes into direct contact. Shy Guys can be defeated by using Hammers, by sliding into them, or shooting into them from a cannon.

|align="center"|[[Level 1-3 (Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars)|Level 1-3]]

In a more critical review, Brendan Graeber of IGN rated the game 6.5/10, evoking how players who have played previous titles from the series would be disappointed with this game's few new gameplay mechanics. Although he did acknowledge the new [[Cursed Mini Mario]] mechanic as "the highlight of ''Tipping Stars''’ meager innovations," he added that it does not contribute much to the gameplay. Conversely, Graeber appreciated the rich content of the game, including the plethora of levels, the substantial level editor, and the "new and improved" community hub where players could share their created levels. He likewise regarded the in-game practice of earning and tipping stars to other players as a "brilliant model," although only in theory. He explained that the community was profuse in short levels that allowed players to obtain stars quickly, considering it disadvantaged the "many smart amateur level designers out there who [had spent] their time crafting challenging and creative levels for us to play."<ref>Graeber, Brendan (March 12, 2015). [http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/03/12/mario-vs-donkey-kong-tipping-stars-review ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars'' Review]. Retrieved March 9, 2018.</ref>

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|align="left"|"''Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars might not be the smash-hit the Wii U needs to lift its sluggish sales figures and lacks the graphical flourishes we’ve seen in other Nintendo first-party software, but for pre-existing fans of the series and puzzle-lovers alike it’s sure to provide more than its fair share of entertainment. Besting all of the single-player stages is no mean feat, but its the level creation tool – along with the online community which accompanies it – that are certain to make this a release which continues to attract attention months if not years from now.''"

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