A solid remake of the GBA that ends up adding more levels and modes to extend replay value. The core level design for the main levels remain the same but receives the graphical remake upgrade as well as cinematic animated cut-scenes that are very well done.

The way the game is set up is very interesting, inviting the player to get "perfect" scores (by collecting all gifts plus the missing Mario action figure) for the main six levels for each world to then play the Mario toy levels where the more toy Marios you have, the better and easier the DK boss fight of each world become. This setup encourages the player to do its best at each level and is very well implemented. With that being said, obtaining a "Perfect" score is not that challenging for most levels but the reward makes it worth pursuing said score. Regular levels are for the most part straightforward and not very challenging but fun to play. Only the last few worlds and corresponding levels start posing a challenge. Luckily for those seeking a challenge, the "Expert" levels open up once you beat the game as well as a TimeTrail mode.

By the time you reach the new plus and Expert levels the gameplay and overall objectives of the game start becoming a bit tiring and repetitive but it's always better to have more extra content than none at all.