Everyone’s favourite weirdo mushroom is Toad. The genderless one is the best choice in any Mario Kart game and Toad is also super cute.

Captain Toad launched in 2014 following the popularity of a mini-game in the fantastic Super Mario 3D World (2013). And we’re reviewing it now. Because we want to.

Captain Toad and the Pursuit of Existential Horror (i.e. fun)

Launching on the Wii U in 2014, Captain Toad was the worked of Nintendo EAD and was directed by Kenta Motokura and Shinya Hiratake.

In Super Mario 3D World there were six Adventures of Captain Toad levels. In those you had to navigate the cute one around isometric 3D stages. Manipulating the environment, the goal was to ensure Toad collects stars to complete the level.

It was very popular, so Nintendo decided to provide Captain Toad with a game.

For Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker there’s a small plot to go with it. Toad and Toadette ascend a tower together to claim a Power Star, but the giant crow SOB Wingo turns up and steals the star. Thus, it’s up to the intrepid duo to complete many stages in the name of glory.

There are 70 levels here from which the Wii U’s GamePad helps players to manouvre the captain around environments. Behold!

Some of the stages are more advanced, though, and Nintendo had a lot of fun creating all sorts of different environments here.

As you can see, it’s all about shifting the screen around to allow wee Toad to complete various missions.

Along the way, clever stages make you swoon in wonder.

It’s all classic Nintendo fun and games, even if Treasure Tracker is clearly aimed more towards younger players. You’d have to have a heart of stone to not enjoy this delightful little romp along.

The title is light-hearted fun and earned strong reviews from the gaming press, with a lot of praise for the worldbuilding nature of the title and its innovative take on Super Mario lore.

Treasure Tracker is far from a phone in experience, with Nintendo’s trademark inventiveness at play here across each level.

Total delight. It’s a casual time of it, sure, but this game will lift even the heaviest of hearts with its relentless onslaught of cuteness.