
Ladders, ramps, and moving platforms may yield an avenue to the stage's goal, a golden star, or they could be false leads.

You ultimately seek items that are nestled in hard-to-reach corners of levels that are dense with paths and possibilities. Such simplicity may sound boring, but it works because you're more reliant on elements in the world than your abilities to get from A to B. All they can do is walk, climb ladders, throw turnips, and use their headlamps to fend off ghosts. They can't jump, and they don't take on any super-powered transformations. The Toads' outing is distinct from other adventures in the Mario universe for many reasons, but one in particular stands out: their abilities are pared down to the basics.

While it has a gleeful exterior, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker's also a deceptively challenging romp, especially if you attempt to uncover all of the game's hidden items. The two tiny explorers squawk and trot to all corners of the Mushroom Kingdom in search of golden treasure, and occasionally to rescue each other from danger.

Now, Captain Toad and Toadette, his partner in plunder, have hit the road on a quest of their own, and it's one of the most charming and enjoyable games to grace the Wii U. Little did we know at the time that the compact, puzzle-like levels would eventually find new life in a full-fledged game, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker. The bite-sized Captain Toad stages in Super Mario 3D World were a wonderful side dish, offering a very different type of challenge from the rest of the game.
