E3 2014: Hands-On With ‘Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker’
As I mentioned during the initial reveal, I was blown away by the idea of Captain Toad getting his own game in the style of his Super Mario 3D World stages. The brief 3D puzzle challenges that starred the adventure seeking mushroom were some of the highlights of an already incredible game, so seeing the Toad get the full release treatment can only mean that we’ll be able to see this 3D puzzle concept get closer to its full potential. So naturally, I just HAD to try it out on the E3 show floor, so when I came across it at Nintendo’s massive booth, was there any doubt that I wouldn’t play it to death?
Featuring a variety of levels with themes such as haunted houses and erupting volcano, I chose to try out the two that seemed different from the mazes that 3D World featured, namely the boss stage and the mine cart stage.
Starting with the boss, this level took the game play from the standard stages and put it in the context of Toad carefully advancing towards the exit while seeking out treasure along the way. Much like 3D World, Toad’s movement is limited to walking and climbing, with the added ability to pluck turnips from the ground for those Super Mario Bros. 2 fans out there. The boss stage in particular had moving ladders, platforms and walls that protected the adventurer from the fireballs the monster was firing at him. Staying safe and picking your spots make this more of a thinking man’s Mario game, which is what made these concepts more enjoyable in the first place. This is in addition to the diamonds that can be found in each stage as bonuses, replacing the green stars that could be sought out before. By the time the end of the stage was complete and Toad claimed the world’s star as his own, it was time to move on to the cart stage.
Did I mention the boss level looks absolutely gorgeous?
For those fearing that there would be a lack of variety in Treasure Tracker, the cart stage turned that concern around really quick. After jumping into a mine car full of turnips, the Game Pad’s view changes to first person, where players will aim and shoot at obstacles, coins, and hidden diamonds. Acting as a rail shooting side quest to give us a break from the standard mazes, the smooth aiming made it feel like a natural fit in an already polished feeling title. I can’t wait to see how much more complex and challenging these stages can get once the game releases at the end of the year!
Ridin’ Dirty
While I doubt anyone was expecting Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker before E3 hit, I know I’m not the only one who became instantly hyped for this surprise title. After getting some quality time with the Captain, it’ll be even harder to wait until this holiday season to play the full adventure. If the demo had this much variety and creativity compared to its roots, just imagine what the final game will be like. Consider us sold!
