At its core Yoshi's New Island isn't a bad game and is a more-than-competent platformer. The problem is that it plays almost exactly like Yoshi's Island, but without any of that game's magic or charm.

Nintendo once again proves that they know the platforming genre better than almost anyone. While polished in its design, I can’t help but wish it was a little more challenging. You can fly through the levels rather quickly without breaking much of a sweat; extra challenges add some life for more advanced players but young ones are likely to get more out of the game.

There's enough merit to the stage designs and standard controls that make this something worth playing, but not in that must-have day one way that tends to mark a quality Nintendo release.

This is a super cute game. While I prefer the cartoonish but hard-edged look of the original Yoshi's Island, I can't deny the feltboard aesthetic on display here is pretty great.