Super Mario 3D World | legendarygaming

Super Mario 3D World
Nintendo Wii U Version

There's a reason why Super Mario happens to be the best selling video game franchise in world history and a core piece to that puzzle is excellent gameplay consistency across a wide range of Mario related titles. Since the inception of console-based 3D Mario iterations, the high-jumping plumber himself has delivered nothing short of excellent gameplay and charismatic appearances. Super Mario 3D World unquestionably carries on that the legacy of gameplay excellency, yet this time Mario decided to bring along the original cast of Super Mario Brothers 2 as playable characters, as well as a secret (and fifth) unlockable character that will remain a mystery to readers of this review.

Identical in nature to the diverse character selection of the original Super Mario Brothers video game for the NES (US version), Super Mario 3D World gives players the opportunity to play as Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad right from the outset -- with each of the four characters having their own unique qualities. For example: Luigi happens to jump the highest, Toad is the fastest, Peach has the ability to levitate during a jump, and Super Mario himself has the most accurate balance of all, with excellent precision and jumping abilities.
Similar to previous console-based 3D Mario iterations, 3D World does not exactly feature a complex storyline... Bowser simply decides to cause trouble yet again by capturing little wizard like creatures, and aside from locating and defeating both Bowser and each of his goons throughout the main campaign, Super Mario 3D World offers players the opportunity to collect three hidden green stars in the majority of each of the games base levels, with the occasional exception that offers more than three, and others that offer just one. Virtually identical in nature to green star collection in Super Mario Galaxy 2, stars in Super Mario 3D World come across as relatively less important than they do in previous 3D Mario iterations, yet that still doesn't take away the fun since 3D World offers players the ability to collect a whopping total of 380 stars, compared to its developmental successor Galaxy 2, where only 242 stars had been offered. That in mind, and on the same token, Super Mario 3D World offers players and fans alike the most stars to collect in the history of the console-based 3D Mario iterations; certainly a very exciting feature worth noting.

                   In order to successfully progress through the games seven normal levels and beyond, , however, collecting a certain number of green stars isn't optional, but required, since each of the games final stages (per world) will require a certain number of green stars to unlock.
            As is the case with each of the four previous 3D Mario iterations, Super Mario 3D World offers excellent level design, crisp gameplay, and interesting boss fights. As a throwback to the days of old, Super Mario 3D world offers a number of iconic elements from previous titles such as flag poles at the end of each level, and even the famous Toad houses originally found in Super Mario Brothers 3 (NES) that offer players the chance to acquire power ups.
            Speaking of power ups, perhaps the coolest and technically most effective power up new to the franchise is the cat suit; an ability that gives Mario and his companions the ability to jump, climb walls, and attack enemies with precision based accuracy. Aside from the cat suit, however, Super Mario 3D World mostly offers players slightly modified power ups that have made appearances in previous Mario iterations, which certainly is not a bad thing at all given the history of excellent and interesting power ups spanning Super Mario's long running franchise history.
            Although Super Mario 3D World is rated "E", some of the music and gameplay simplicity comes across as a little too easy. In fact, the author of this review was able to collect the full 380 stars in a matter of approximately six or so days, making the game relatively obsolete shortly thereafter, despite the fact that the experience itself was fun, charismatic, and entertaining.

Despite a few technical grievances regarding gameplay, such as the lack of Mario's iconic ability to swing the iconic right cross, Super Mario 3D World unquestionably delivers fans of this beloved franchise yet another charming, charismatic, and technically savvy gameplay experience adding yet another excellent title to the 3D Mario legacy. Indeed, Super Mario 3D World may have not turned out to be as spectacular as its predecessor, Super Mario Galaxy 2, yet it can be fairly difficult topping what many consider to be the best 3D Mario iteration in video game history.

OVERALL SCORE
8.5/10