How Many Players Can Play New Super Mario Bros. U Together?

New Super Mario Bros. U offers a robust multiplayer experience that allows friends and family to enjoy the platforming action side by side. Depending on the specific version of the game and the hardware used, the maximum number of simultaneous players varies, with the original Wii U release supporting up to five players at once. This overview explains the player limits, controller requirements, and key differences between the original console version and the later Nintendo Switch release.

In the original Wii U version of New Super Mario Bros. U, up to five players can play simultaneously. Four players use Wii Remote controllers to play as standard Mii characters, while a fifth player uses the Wii U GamePad. The GamePad player can choose to play as a Mii or take on the role of Nabbit, an invincible character designed to help younger or less experienced players without interfering with the others.

It is important to distinguish this title from New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, which was released for the Nintendo Switch. The Deluxe version supports a maximum of four players simultaneously, with each participant using a Joy-Con or Pro Controller. While both games share the same levels and core mechanics, the player count difference is a key factor when planning a multiplayer session based on your available hardware.