Game Info
Game Name: Super Mario 3D World
Developer(s): Nintendo EAD Tokyo/1-UP Studio
Publisher(s): Nintendo
Platform(s): Wii U
Genre(s): Platformer/Action/Adventure
Release Date(s): November 22, 2013 (US)/November 21, 2014 (Japan)
ESRB Rating: E
Super Mario Bros….the game that teaches you that eating strange mushrooms is good
The Sprixie Kingdom has been opened…but invaded by Bowser and his children. Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad find themselves in battle once again with their enemy and in a mission to free the Sprixies and their land from the evil clutches of Bowser!
Super Mario 3D World (スーパーマリオ3Dワールド or Sūpā Mario Surī Dī Wārudo) is a level based 3D world entry into the Mario series. Developed by Nintendo and 1-UP Studio, the game combines elements of the original Super Mario Brothers and Super Mario 3D Land which was released for the 3DS in 2011. The game was well received by critics and fans and was the winner of multiple awards.
When I first got my Nintendo, the big thing was getting to hook it up, plug it in, and get to play Super Mario Bros in my home!!! In addition, that Christmas introduced Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad as playable characters with different abilities in Super Mario Bros. 2. As each Nintendo system came out, if available, my first game was always Mario. Eventually, Nintendo stopped giving out Mario with its systems for free and the Wii U’s links to the internet prevent you from popping in the game and playing immediately, but there is still a childlike thrill of playing a new Mario game.
Nessie might be in question but Plessie lives!!!
I loved Super Mario Galaxy (both entries). This game is a bit of a hybrid between it and the New Super Mario Bros. series. It has many of the same style controls and actions and this makes it easy for longtime Mario players to pick it up with little instruction, but it loses a lot of Super Mario Galaxy style in exchange for usually more expansive levels. I wish that the game had kept a few of these visuals and that it went a little deeper in gameplay to vary up the levels. I also feel that the bosses and some of the levels are a little too easy especially when compared to the mind-numbingly difficult New Super Mario Bros. or Donkey Kong Country games.
The game does have a lot of variety however for players. In addition to a four player melee to reach the flag, the game has minigames and powerups throughout the levels. With four different characters (plus a secret bonus character), three stars, and a “stamp” for the stamp collection, the levels have a lot of replay. An additional game within Super Mario 3D World is the Captain Toad puzzle levels which spun off into its own stand-alone game in 2014.
The cat suit is sickeningly cute
The graphics also show what the Wii U is capable of. It is pretty interesting to see how the Wii programmers adapt to HD cartoon style characters. The textures and style of the game are clean and crisp and it is nice to see the redesigns of some Toad and Toadstool who haven’t got much playing time since Super Mario Bros. 2 (plus I love how they look when they aren’t “super”).
Non-Wii U players might be thrown by the game’s use of the Wii U pad. It is a bit too random for my liking and I wish the game had committed more to using it or not done anything with it. Within the game you can blow and tap on the Wii U pad to make things happen on the screen and manipulate platforms. It can also be used in the Toad levels to change perspective for solving the puzzle. It is a useful tool at points, but I do sometimes find myself watching the pad instead of the giant screen in front of me.
Bowser and Mario play soccer
Fans of the original Super Mario Bros. will enjoy this entry especially. The game really feels like that fun you had when you first got your old system. The levels are clever and there is actually some room for exploration with hidden pipes and doorway (and you don’t have Nintendo Power to help you find them anymore). Granted, I believe that the game could be more challenging, and I miss many of the elements of Super Mario Galaxy, but in general, Super Mario 3D World is a must for owners of the system (and encouragement for those who are on the fence about the Wii U).
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