Two of Nintendo’s most enduring Switch titles find themselves at a fascinating crossroads in 2026. New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Nintendo Switch) arrives at £48.46 as a polished, complete platforming package with confirmed free Switch 2 enhancement already secured. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate commands £72.82 as an Italian/English import, carrying a substantial markup above what domestic alternatives currently charge. Both titles are outstanding. Neither represents equal value at its current listed price.
Here’s the complete breakdown before you commit to either purchase.
Engine Architecture: Efficiency vs Complexity
The technical foundations separating these titles explain the pricing and performance differences more clearly than any spec comparison could.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Nintendo Switch) originated as a 2012 Wii U release, built on a highly efficient 2D/2.5D engine purpose-designed for consistent delivery. It achieves a locked 1080p at 60fps on original Switch hardware without compromise, bundling both the base game and the complete New Super Luigi U expansion for 164 total courses. This is feature-complete software requiring no further investment. The streamlined engine guarantees performance stability that more technically ambitious titles cannot always match.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate operates on an entirely different tier of technical ambition. Coordinating up to eight simultaneous players with highly detailed 3D character models, nearly 90 fighters, and over 100 distinct stages creates data overhead of considerable magnitude. Sustaining 60fps under maximum load demands significantly more from the hardware. The result is the most content-dense fighting game ever released on a Nintendo platform, at the cost of a more demanding technical profile.
Content Scale: 164 Courses vs 89 Fighters
Both titles justify their existence through content volume, though the delivery mechanisms differ fundamentally.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Nintendo Switch) packages two complete games on a single cartridge. The primary New Super Mario Bros. U campaign traverses multiple worlds with branching exits and hidden secrets. New Super Luigi U transforms every level through shortened time limits and Luigi’s distinctively floatier jump physics, creating a genuinely fresh experience using familiar assets. Four-player simultaneous co-op operates across both games. Nabbit and Toadette provide accessibility options for younger or less experienced players without diminishing challenge for veterans.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate delivers the most staggering roster in fighting game history. 89 playable fighters including all DLC characters, over 100 stages, more than 1,000 music tracks, hundreds of Spirit encounters, and the substantial World of Light adventure mode. The content scale is genuinely difficult to comprehend until you’re inside it. Every platform fighter that exists measures itself against this title’s shadow.
Switch 2 Treatment: Free Enhancement vs Backward Compatibility
The two titles receive meaningfully different handling on Nintendo Switch 2 hardware, and this distinction carries real weight for 2026 purchasing decisions.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Nintendo Switch) is confirmed within Nintendo’s “Free Performance Patch” programme for Switch 2. This update elevates the game to native 4K output in docked mode, a substantial visual upgrade for a title already celebrated for clean, vibrant presentation. No additional purchase is required. Existing ownership receives the enhancement automatically.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate hasn’t received a dedicated “Switch 2 Edition” paid upgrade, but the hardware’s raw processing power delivers tangible improvements through standard backward compatibility. Alternate costume loading for late-roster and DLC fighters (previously introducing 1 to 2 second delays for characters like Terry, Joker, and Kazuya) now resolves instantly. Frame stability on demanding stages like Fountain of Dreams improves noticeably during chaotic eight-player sessions involving multiple Ice Climbers pairs.
Honest Pricing Assessment (February 2026)
| Game | Amazon Listing | General UK (New) | General UK (Used) |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe | £48.46 | £30.00 to £35.00 | £20.00 to £25.00 |
| Super Smash Bros. Ultimate | £72.82 | £44.95 to £46.00 | £30.00 to £40.00 |
Both listings carry premiums above current UK market rates. The £48.46 price for Mario U Deluxe exceeds the current lowest domestic retail offer of approximately £24.32. The £72.82 Smash Ultimate price reflects import status rather than any content advantage, sitting well above the domestic UK average of around £44.99.
If budget influences your decision, both games are available more cheaply through domestic UK retailers. The import premium provides zero gameplay benefit in either case.
Regional Compatibility: Understanding the Import Labels
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Italian Box): The listing specifies “Italian Box, English Game.” The Nintendo Switch’s region-free architecture means the cartridge functions identically on UK hardware. The game supports 11 core languages including British English. DLC compatibility also crosses regions cleanly, so Fighters Pass purchases through the UK eShop work without issue alongside the Italian cartridge.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Nintendo Switch) (Import Note): The listing notes the product “has not been produced specifically for the UK.” Gameplay remains identical regardless of region, but non-UK cartridges can occasionally prevent My Nintendo Gold Points accumulation, as these are frequently tied to the cartridge’s region of origin. Worth confirming before purchase if Gold Points factor into your Nintendo Account usage.
Social Gaming Function: Co-op Platform vs Competitive Fighter
These titles serve distinctly different social gaming purposes, and matching the right game to your household matters more than any technical specification.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Nintendo Switch) excels as a family and casual gaming solution. Four-player simultaneous co-op creates shared experiences that function across age groups and skill levels. Accessible character options (Nabbit avoids damage entirely, Toadette provides additional power-up benefits) allow younger players meaningful participation without frustration. This is the reliable “everyone present can play” title for gatherings, family sessions, and casual evenings.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate provides unmatched depth for competitive engagement. Local multiplayer accommodates up to eight simultaneous players. Spirit Board and World of Light deliver substantial single-player content for solo sessions. The online competitive community remains active in 2026 through Nintendo Switch Online. This is the stronger purchase for players seeking long-term engagement and competitive progression rather than casual drop-in play.
DLC Reality: Complete Package vs Ongoing Investment
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Nintendo Switch) requires no additional spending. Everything ships on the cartridge: 164 courses, two complete games, all playable characters. Whatever price you pay covers the entire experience.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate at £72.82 covers only the base 74 fighters. The remaining 15 DLC characters across Fighters Pass Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 require approximately £35+ combined. A genuinely complete Smash experience approaches £80 to £110 total depending on where you source the base game. Factor this into your budget planning before purchasing.
Purchase Guidance
Choose New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Nintendo Switch) when:
- Four-player co-op across mixed age groups is your priority
- You want a complete experience with zero additional purchases
- The confirmed free Switch 2 4K enhancement appeals
- Value for money is a primary consideration
- Your household skews toward casual or family gaming
Choose Super Smash Bros. Ultimate when:
- The definitive competitive fighting game experience is your goal
- You have budget allocated for eventual DLC roster completion
- Your gaming circle plays at comparable skill levels
- Long-term competitive engagement matters more than casual accessibility
- You source it from domestic UK retailers at approximately £45.00 rather than paying the £72.82 import premium
The Bottom Line
At their respective listed prices, New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Nintendo Switch) delivers stronger immediate value. The confirmed free Switch 2 4K enhancement, complete bundled content requiring no further investment, and accessible domestic pricing create a straightforward recommendation for most buyers.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate delivers superior depth and longevity as a gaming experience, but not at the £72.82 import price. The identical English-language game is available from domestic UK sellers for approximately £45.00. Purchase it there and redirect the saving toward DLC.
Both titles deserve space in any serious Switch library. Just exercise pricing discipline and avoid overpaying for either.
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