Plumber Beware!

Even the denizens of the Mushroom Kingdom need to blow off a little steam, and what better way than with a good old-fashioned game of tag? It’s Mario vs. Toads in a race to see who can tackle Mario first—or at all! In this slightly rough-and-tumble version, though, things might seem initially to be stacked in Mario’s favor. After all, thanks to the GamePad touch screen, he has a bird’s-eye view of the entire map! Although his only control option is to run, if he happens to grab a Star when it appears, he becomes not only faster than he was before, but also invincible and can turn the tables for 15 precious seconds.

Any player that takes up a Wii Remote doesn’t have a birds-eye view and must seek out Mario from a third-person perspective. Up to four Wii Remote players can assume the role of different Toads that can work in unison to locate and box in Mario before he can escape. Toads are faster in a straight line, so if Mario is spotted and doesn’t make enough quick directional changes, the Toads will have him!

Controls

GamePad Controls (Mario)

Those controls look pretty simple, don’t they? That’s because, as Mario, you have the ultimate tool in your hands: The GamePad sees all, including where the Toads are and which direction they’re facing. You have omniscience, and can watch constantly to avoid not just where enemies are, but also where they’re going. Mario is slightly faster when he turns, which means any players lucky enough to have the GamePad should be making plenty of quick turns down side paths wherever possible.

Wii Remote Controls

The Toads’ control options are as simple as Mario’s but their strength is in numbers and communication. Make the most of that tackle move by waiting until the last second to make a jump. Toads are faster on the straightaways than Mario, but a mistimed tackle can mean the difference between victory and loss! Keep an eye at all times on the distance meter at the bottom of your character’s screen; it indicates the range to Mario and updates in real-time.

General Chase Tips

As Mario: Use your enhanced vision of the battlefield to stay out of view wherever possible. Structures with high walls can completely hide you from any searching Toads, and it’s much easier to lose a group of attackers if they don’t know where you are and can’t relay your position. This is your key advantage, and for many Mario players, it’s actually smarter not to move until enemies start to get close. Always leave yourself multiple outs whenever possible to avoid getting boxed in. If you can head down a path to the right and left instead of just doubling back toward a pursuer, you’ll be that much slipperier.

As Toads: Your strength is your ability to communicate with others. Thanks to Mario’s all-seeing eyes, it’s pretty difficult to capture him in a one-on-one match unless he’s not paying attention, which is why the Yoshi Carts, your computer controlled allies, are added to the mix to help you corral the feisty plumber by calling out location information and stunning the plumber with their lengthy tongues. A common (and effective!) strategy is to have one Toad perched up as high as possible to get the best view of the land. Another is to stand near where the Star will spawn to try to tackle Mario as he runs for it. Both methods work very well for players that haven’t yet gotten to know a stage, so be patient, be communicative, and find that plumber!

Stamps

Icon	Name	Conditions
	Starless Getaway	Win a match as Mario without ever grabbing the Star.
	20-Second Catch	Catch Mario within the first 20 seconds of a match.
	Finish at the Start	Be sitting at the starting point as Mario when time runs out.
	1 Second on the Clock	Catch Mario with only 1 second remaining.
	10-Time Champion	Successfully escape as Mario 10 times.

1. Chase Arena

This simple arena (which like all three stages varies in size depending on the number of players) is an excellent tutorial for the various ways in which Mario can both hide and be spotted by the Toads. The green and red sections of the course feature high walls that are perfect for staying out of sight when playing as Mario. As Toads, keep an eye on the yellow section; its walls are low everywhere and these are great places to catch Mario trying to sneak out of or into the green and red sectors. The central starting point where the Star appears is also a great place to guard because it allows for almost 360-degree views of all the colored sections.

2. Mud River Run

The mud here slows down Mario and Toad alike if they happen to run into it, but Mario has one key advantage: When he runs across a bridge over the muck, it disappears for the rest of the round. Used sparingly, these bridge escapes are a good way to shrug off pursuers. If playing as a Toad and on Mario’s tail, try diving with the Tackle move just as the bridges start to blink to avoid getting dunked in the mud. The blue section also has a pair of high points with multiple ways on or off them. Mario can lure Toads over, then use the circular ramps or just jump off the elevated position to make his escape. The low stone walls that line the yellow section are great for doubling back and shaking off pursuers if you’re Mario—or, if you’re Toad, getting the drop on Mario if he isn’t paying attention.

3. Slide Hill

The various slides in this map are a double-edged sword. While they are great for quickly moving from higher positions to lower ones, they can also be used to trap Mario by herding him onto a slide with a waiting Toad at the bottom. The central high point is an essential tool for locating the little plumber, especially if there are multiple Toads that can switch off serving as lookout. Note, too, that the red and green sections are the only ones that have slides all the way to the bottom. Yellow and blue sectors have ramps that lead back up to the top. There are only two directions Mario can approach from when searching for the Star. The long slides that straddle the different colored sections are tempting means of escape, but they too can be used as a trap by positioning a Toad on one of the bridges and jumping in the direction of the decline. (In other words, avoid jumping toward Mario as he slides down and instead try to intercept him as he passes under the bridge.) Mario can take advantage of the fact that slides also lock pursuers into moving in a single direction. Forcing a pursuer to take the slippery slope downward can allow Mario to slide down a short section, double back, then slide down again and run away from the pursuer. There are quite a few places to hide out of the Toads’ sight in the middle of the stage, but keep an eye out for lookouts up near the starting area.