Review: Super Mario 3D Land may resurrect the 3DS

Power Ups: Back and Better than Ever  

Super Mario Bros. would have been nothing without its power ups. Sure, Super Mario 2 was okay without power ups, but when Super Mario 3 came out, what did you do? Yes, you hid Super Mario 2 in the deepest depths of your closet because the return of power ups in Super Mario 3 turned Mario back in the right direction in the US, and simply put, it was amazing compared to the lackluster Super Mario 2.

Still working off the success of past games, Nintendo improves each Mario with something new and different than the last. For Super Mario 3D Land, it wasn’t just one thing, but the power ups are one of the classics that they brought back and also tweaked a little bit. The super mushroom, star and the fire flower are all back to help Mario as much as possible. Along with the classics, the Tanooki suit plays a strong role in the game and makes its return to Mario for the first time since Super Mario 3 although now coming in the form of a super leaf. Adding to that, the stone statue power up is available as well, which you can acquire by finding a stone-colored leaf.

Other than that, other power ups include a white Tanooki suit and the P-Wing, but these two power ups only come at a particular time. Once the game notices a player is struggling with a particular level, the white super leaf is introduced. The white Tanooki suit is a combination of the Tanooki suit and an unlimited star power up, keeping your invulnerability in tact throughout the level.

On the same note, if you continue to struggle after the white Tanooki suit appears, the P-Wing will then appear after you lose ten lives. Picking up the P-Wing will send you straight to the flag at the end of the course providing an easier way to progress for people struggling through the game.

Although power ups have always been available in Mario, this particular set of power ups works great within the game. If the game is too challenging, you have options to help you to continue through, and if you are a hardcore Mario fan and don’t want to use those options, then you still have the classics to help you on your way.

Re-imagining of the Retro 

Let’s be honest for a second. Nintendo has always been open to its past. It has appreciated the success it has had in its franchises and often makes past experiences return to form in a new title or completely re-release an older title to be played by a newer generation.

Recently, we’ve seen this on a variety of Nintendo consoles and games. Even more recently, we’ve seen Nintendo 64 games such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Star Fox 64 remade in the 3D landscape. Even the support of the virtual console on the Nintendo Wii and the games that have been released from multiple past systems are a tribute to what Nintendo values as important in their lifespan.

With this, the Mario franchise is no different. Nintendo loves Mario and will do anything and everything to keep his past respected and his future in tact, and Super Mario 3D Land has done one of the best jobs in incorporating past Mario gameplay and reimagining it in 3D.

For instance, many enemies are back from previous Mario games. Obviously the goombas, koopas and dangerous plants are back. But also making an appearance are enemies like Rocky Wrenches and Bob-ombs.

With the world’s format and air ships at the end of each world instead of castles, it almost feels as if Super Mario 3D Land took a lot of inspiration from Super Mario 3, which is considered one of the best Mario titles.

Super Mario 3D Land is more than just a Mario in this aspect. It is as if Miyamoto himself decided they were going to use at least one aspect from every Mario to date to create this one. The experience is so refreshing to the series that you almost forget this is the newest Mario game because you are bombarded with gameplay and elements from past Marios that create a truly unique Mario world.

Not as Challenging as your Dad’s Mario

Back in the day, Mario was challenging at the minimum, with most of the worlds being downright ridiculous at times. It was indeed an accomplishment to beat any of the Mario games.

I remember spending hours on end with Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3 with each new level presenting an even more ridiculous obstacle to get through or an extremely difficult boss to fight. Those games lasted forever for me. Of course, it could have been that I was 5-10 years old at the time, but still, it was difficult for anyone to play and beat those games.

Fast forward to the present time, and Mario, especially on Nintendo handhelds, just hasn’t been that challenging. Super Mario 3D Land is, without a doubt, on par with that as well. There wasn’t much that challenged my Mario skills until the last world where, as usual, Bowser makes the rules.

The first seven worlds are still well-designed, absolutely beautiful and a lot of fun. But if you’ve played Mario before, you will breeze through them with ease. You won’t even get nervous until you hit the eighth world.

Couple this in with the fact that there are power ups in place to get you through each level even if you have never heard of Mario and are absolutely terrible at the game makes this one of the easiest Mario games to date. The challenge is really up to you. This could either be an easy except for the last world type of game or just an easy game altogether. Nintendo leaves that up to you, but it is in no way as challenging as other classic Mario titles such as Super Mario Bros. or Super Mario 64.

Conclusion

Challenging or not, Super Mario 3D Land is really a lot of fun. The 2D/3D landscape is enough to get players on board. Even without playing this game in 3D, it can hold its own. It is the fun that only Mario knows how to provide that lets this game shine as it is easily the best game for the 3DS right now.

With the 3D capabilities, it puts Mario into an area that is truly unique. The true 3D world offers an even more in depth look into our favorite video games, and Super Mario 3D Land has outdone itself in this regard. The title should generate enough interest in the 3DS to keep loyal fans happy.

So, without further adieu, Super Mario 3D Land will do a triple jump on Bowser’s head after it receives a score of 87 out of 100 due to its obvious classic gameplay and forward thinking with the 3D capabilities.