Mario is even more super in 3D
This game is fun for longtime Mario fans and newcomers alike
Mario and his gang of zany friends are back for another romp, and this time they are mixing old-school action with new world ideas to create one of the best Mario titles ever released.
In Super Mario 3D World, players get back to the 3D world first introduced in the Super Mario Galaxy games on the Wii. Mario breaks free of his 2D side-scrolling world and can move anywhere on the screen. It’s a dynamic that takes some getting used to, but once you’ve started playing in 3D space, you won’t want to go back to the old style of play.
Another draw to the title is how it pays homage to Super Mario 2, released in 1988. That game allowed players to choose which of four Mario characters they wanted to be before they started a level. Each character has its own strengths; Mario himself is a well-rounded character. Luigi is slow, but can jump higher than others. Princess Peach can float for a short period of time and tiny Toad is the fastest of the bunch, although he can’t jump as high as others.
Super Mario 3D world brings the choice back and combines it with the 3D gameplay to create a home run that’s fun for longtime Mario fans and newcomers alike.
Another new aspect is the use of the tablet-like screen on the Wii U controller. Players touch various blocks on the screen to make them move in the game, giving the characters access to various levels. Blowing on the screen causes various items to move out of the way of onscreen characters, and when controlling one of Toad’s onscreen friends, players look at the level through the touch screen as if it were binoculars. In order to see what’s happening to the left, players have to turn left with the game pad. It adds a level of hilarity, and difficulty, to the game play as players are physically bending, turning and shifting around a room as the tiny character traverse various obstacles.
The storyline is pretty much what you’d expect from a Mario game. Bowser is back and has a new plan to take over part of the Mushroom Kingdom. In order to accomplish this, he captures coloured fairies and locks them in various castles. Mario and his friends have to fight through various terrains to reach each of the castles and free the fairies. At the end of each castle, the crew confronts Bowser, who offers some sort of epic battle sequence.
At a time when the world is focused on new video game console launches, Super Mario 3D World stands out as the blockbuster title that Nintendo so desperately needs. Make no mistake, this game will sell Wii U consoles.