Standard Edition
StandardUS$39.99 at launch
In the box
- Wii U disc
- Case with cover art
Wii U
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a 2014 puzzle-platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. The game was re-released for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS in 2018 with additional content.
PlatformPuzzleStrategy
- Time to beat
- about 7 hours
- Plays offline
- Yes
Overview
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a 2014 puzzle-platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. The game was re-released for the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo 3DS in 2018 with additional content. It is a spin-off of the Super Mario series and both a prequel to Super Mario 3D World (2013) and Super Mario Odyssey (2017). The game stars Captain Toad and Toadette as they complete levels, defeat enemies and save each other from the antagonist Wingo. Each level is contained within a miniature diorama-like environment that requires puzzle-solving and platforming challenges to complete. The player also uses the Wii U GamePad to rotate the camera and reveal new information and interact with the environment.
The game originated from the Captain Toad levels in Super Mario 3D World, which started as a prototype concept and were included as side levels in the final product. Captain Toad was selected as the main character because his large backpack would justify the lack of jump controls. The developers had wanted to make the concept levels into a full game since the start of 3D World's development, and upon Shigeru Miyamoto's request, development began after the release of 3D World. Plucking as an action was implemented for additional gameplay variation, and bonus challenges and collectibles were added to help with difficulty. The goal throughout development was to make the game enjoyable to as broad an audience as possible, and help normalize the use of camera control in video games.
Treasure Tracker was announced at E3 2014, releasing November 13 in Japan, December 5 in North America, and the following January in PAL regions. The game received generally favorable reviews, being praised for its graphics and concept but criticized for its camera control and never fully leaning into its gimmick. The 3DS and Switch versions were praised for their utilization of hardware, though the multiplayer was considered lackluster. The Wii U version sold over 1 million copies, making it one of the highest-selling games on the console. The Switch version sold over 2 million copies, placing it inside the top 50 best-selling games for the system.
Official trailer
Trailer. Watch on YouTube
Gameplay
Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker [Wii U Gameplay], ChronoCache. Watch on YouTube
Screenshots
Game details
- Genres
- Platform, Puzzle, Strategy
- Developer
- Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.2, Nintendo
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Series
- Super Mario
- Platforms
- Wii U
- Age rating
- ESRB E
- Modes
- Single player
- Yes
- Local multiplayer
- No
- Online multiplayer
- No
- Co op
- No
- Age ratings
- ESRB
- E
- PEGI
- 3
- CLASS IND
- L
- CERO
- A
- GRAC
- ALL
- USK
- 6
- ACB
- G
Release dates
| Platform | Region | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Wii U | Japan | 2014-11-13 |
| Wii U | North America | 2014-12-05 |
| Wii U | Europe / PAL | 2015-01-02 |
| Wii U | Australia | 2015-01-10 |
| Wii U | Europe / PAL | 2016-09-30 |
Editions
amiibo bundle
In the box
- Wii U disc
- Toad amiibo
DLC
The Wii U game had no DLC. The extra levels came only with the 2018 Switch and 3DS versions.
Playable today
Playable offline todayYes
Single-player only, and the whole game still plays.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Price at release | US$39.99, 5 December 2014 |
| Ever released on disc | Yes, on Wii U disc |
| Ever released in the store | Yes, 5 December 2014 |
| In the store to buy today | No The Wii U eShop closed on 27 March 2023. |
| Can be downloaded again if you already bought it | Yes |
| Disc runs with no patch | Yes |
| Disc runs with the final patch | Yes Wii U updates can still be downloaded. |
| Has online features | No |
| Online servers running today | Does not exist |
| Playable offline today: campaign | Yes |
| Playable offline today: local multiplayer | Does not exist |
| Playable offline today: online multiplayer | Does not exist |
| Playable offline today: DLC | Does not exist |
Online
Plays offlineYes
Reception
- Aggregates
Outlet Platform Score Scale Metacritic Wii U 81 100 - Critics
Outlet Score Scale IGN 8.2 10 GameSpot 8 10 Game Informer 8.25 10 Nintendo Life 8 10 Polygon 8.5 10 Edge 7 10 Electronic Gaming Monthly 8 10 Famitsu 34 40 Nintendo World Report 9 10
Staff and cast
- Staff
Role Name Developer Nintendo EAD Tokyo Publisher Nintendo Directors Kenta Motokura, Shinya Hiratake Producer Koichi Hayashida Designer Yuka Kitahara Programmers Katsuyasu Ando, Norihiro Aoyagi Artists Yuri Adachi, Daiki Nishioka, Keisuke Okubo Composers Naoto Kubo, Mahito Yokota
Notes for collectors
- Grew out of the Captain Toad levels in Super Mario 3D World.
- Scanning a Toad amiibo starts a hunt for a hidden pixel Toad in a random level.
- Japan also had a bundle with the Toad amiibo, from 26 March 2015.
- The Wii U version sold over 1 million copies.
- Single-player only, with no online features.
Credits
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Developer
- Nintendo EAD Software Development Group No.2, Nintendo
- Director
- Kenta Motokura, Shinya Hiratake
- Released
- 2014-12-05
- Age rating
- ESRB E
- Region
- US
- Time to beat
- about 7 hours
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