Super Mario 3D Land Review

Nintendo didn't do itself any favors launching the 3DS without a Mario game available. In the current gaming world, it is important for Nintendo to "bring out the big guns" right at launch, every time. That being said, Mario is here now, with the fantastic Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3DS. Yes, I am a "Nintendo Fanboy". But my review is still honest.

The plot is the familiar "Princess Peach gets kidnapped by Bowser and Mario has to rescue her". And why not, that's what goes on in Mario's world. This is Mario's first outing on the 3DS, so sticking to the basics makes perfect sense. And stick to the basics is what this games does. For the most part the big, open worlds are gone. These worlds or levels are smaller. But let's make no mistake, it's still very challenging. There were times when I grumbled and even yelled at my mistakes (as though they were Mario's), or did the same when I lost a suit or was killed. But this is a sign of a good game, truthfully.

The suits ("power-ups") include a Mushroom for "Super"-sizing, a Tanooki suit (allows you to float slowly downward for quite some time after a jump), a "Fire Ball suit" (my term- this allows you to throw the fire balls), a "Boomerang" suit (allows you to throw boomerangs), and a Golden Tanooki Suit (actually white with gold trim- allows you to blast through enemies as if you had a Star, but does not render you invincible. Hopefully you'll play this game and see what I mean).

The worlds are varied and different, but as I said they kept it simpler than their previous 3D Marios (er, without full 3D effect, like Super Mario 64 or Galaxy). There is still a bit of "seek and find" in this game, and certain worlds and boss fights are unlocked only by presenting the proper number of Star Coins that are collected throughout the worlds. 1UPs are found through seeking as well as bopping on the right enemies. The Tanooki and "Fire Ball" suits are found when certain bricks are broken and sometimes when certain enemies are killed as well. The Boomerang suit is obtained by bopping the Boomerang Bro.

The graphics, especially with the 3D effect are absolutely amazing. The 3DS is a hand held unit, but the graphics are crisp, clean and well rendered. With the 3D effect it's just stunning. It really does help determine how high and far to jump when you can see Mario's world in 3D. I found myself making fewer "jump-errors" than ever on games like Super Mario 64, Sunshine, or Galaxy.

Which brings us to the control. The control is dead-on accurate. It is probably the easiest Mario game to control, from any era. Mario's moves are as smooth and fluid as you could possibly want. Any mistakes in this game are truly yours.

There are two kinds of boss fights. Those with Bowser, and those with Bowser's offspring. Bowser's children are beaten with the typical "3-bops-and-you're-out" formula. Bowser is beaten by getting behind him and hitting a switch that pulls the bridge out from under him (every time), sending him into the lava below. This is, of course, a nod to the original Super Mario Brothers first boss fight with Bowser. Comically, he falls for this trick again and again. Kind of makes me think of an old "Road Runner" or "Tom and Jerry" cartoon.

I had trouble putting it down. I beat the main game (without all of the Star Coins, but rather enough for me to pass) in 11 hours and 3 minutes.

The Golden Tanooki suit was key- if the player makes several mistakes on a level, a golden brick will appear floating near the start point that dispenses the suit when hit. The suit gives Mario a serious advantage, but does NOT render him completely invincible. Fire and falls are everywhere, just waiting to happen. Upon restart the Golden Tanooki suit is again available. So completion hinges on old-school "hop and bop" skills, and mad ones at that. There is an abundance of 1UPs, and certain worlds have half a dozen and even more.

Mario fans, it's a must. You will love this latest installment, I promise. Hard-core gamers, this one's for you as well. I give Super Mario 3D Land for Nintendo 3DS a perfect 10/10.