Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker for the Nintendo 3DS is a brief, whimsical journey through puzzle-block dioramas. Each level takes less than five minutes, and none are hard. With around 80 adorable puzzle-block levels (I finished the game while only collecting every "gem" from about 50), its whole vibe is pretty forgiving.

The game starts and stops so often, it feels like a dark pattern to make sure you take breaks. Playing three or four levels before bed became a ritual, and this feels like the best way to experience the game's tranquil charm.

What surprised me most is how Captain Toad creatively repurposes assets from Super Mario 3D World, akin to the clever strategy of Metal Gear Solid VR Missions or Majora's Mask. Like VR Missions, it shows just how many good ideas don't necessarily make the cut in the "A" game.

While it lacks a distinct style, its cuteness is undeniable. Toad and Toadette won me over with cuteness, which made it kind of heartbreaking when I would accidentally drop them off a sheer cliff.

I love that Toad and Toadette took turns getting kidnapped. The game has minimal violence, even compared to a Mario title. Even the baddies are just little guys.

Screenshots: https://parosilience.tumblr.com/tagged/Captain%20Toad