Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars

Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars is a 2D puzzle game starring Mario and Donkey Kong. The monkey still likes to kidnap and the player has to complete levels helping Minis, wind-up toy versions of Mario and other characters, while solving puzzles. They walk by themselves and need to be guided to an exit. The player interferes by using touch on the GamePad to manipulate the environment. This is done by leading enemies away, covering traps, building or removing girders and adding or removing springs. Some levels have a character that needs to be freed and guided to safety. Other elements are escalators, conveyors with different directions, free-form building blocks, spikes to avoid, hammers to defeat Donkey Kongs blocking paths, toy Donkey Kongs with cannons heads, cursed Minis that need to be reclaimed etc. Levels are grouped per eight and each group introduces a new mechanic before mixing them up. It no longer uses Pipe Dream-like mechanic from the previous title Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move.

All levels are played in a small environments. Many only have a limited amount of objects to help the characters and in some cases additional elements need to be picked up in the environment before they can be used. This also requires removing items when the characters have passed a section. Along the way small coins and a large 'M' coin can be collected for additional points or an additional challenge. The characters need to reach the exit together and cannot be left behind. Up to three stars can be earned by completing a level.

The game includes a level editor. In the workshop players can design custom levels and share them through the Miiverse. Sharing levels is rewarded with stars. They are also earned by playing custom levels, having your levels played, and players can tip each other's creations with stars, which the title references. Levels can only be shared if the original creator can fully complete the level collecting all coins and not losing any Minis. Stars unlock new elements for the level editor and open up bonus levels.

It is the first Cross-Buy across the two systems (through an additional download code) and there are only a few differences. On the 3DS the game is controlled through touch and displayed on the bottom screen. There is no 3D support. The top screen shows the same, but in a smaller box, along with the score, remaining items and the remaining time. Through SpotPass and StreetPass players can send and receive custom levels regardless of the platform they are created from or played on. Stars and progress are not carried over across platforms.

While the levels have the same general layout for both the Wii U and.Nintendo 3DS, the 3DS levels have some level layout differences when compared to the Wii U version due to the smaller screen display.