Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge

Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge is a free-to-download puzzle game for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. The seventh entry in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, this game requires the use of amiibo figures and introduces several new toy versions of various Mario characters. In the US, it was first made available on March 25, 2016 as part of a promotion with Amazon, Best Buy, and Gamestop where download codes for the game would be provided with any amiibo figure purchased from those retailers. This promotion ended on April 27, one day before the game became available for free on the Nintendo eShop.

Gameplay

Gameplay remains largely similar to that of previous Mario vs. Donkey Kong titles, with the player tasked with safely guiding a Mini (wind-up toy) version of a Mario character to exit of each level. The player has no direct control over the Mini. After being activated it simply continuously walks forward, changing direction when it hits a wall too big for it to leap over. At the end of each level, players are scored based on their performance. Unlike previous games, however, the player must own amiibo figures to scan into the game in order to play.

Each character has their own special ability that can make completing levels easier and are sometimes used to reach character specific items and alternate exits. Taking those alternate exits unlocks new levels tailored to that character's abilities, as well as having their own unique mechanics. The game's characters (and compatible amiibo) include: