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Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furyis positively brimming with joy. From its bright colors to its adorable cats, it’s the perfect game to close out Mario’s big 35th-anniversary bash.
Originally released on theWii Uin 2013,Super Mario 3D Worldwas a sort of return to form for the series after more experimental mainline Mario outings likeSuper Mario SunshineandSuper Mario Galaxy. With itsNintendo Switchrerelease, the standout platformer now has a chance to spread cheer to a wider audience of Switch owners. Nintendo even brought a plus one to the party, packing in an extra adventure calledBowser’s Fury.
Taken as a complete package,Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furyis a must-own game for Nintendo Switch owners. The original Wii U platformer is still as vibrant and delightful as ever, and the newBowser’s Furymode iterates on some of the franchise’s best recent ideas to create a memorable adventure in its own right.
Nearly purrrrrfect
Those who never got to experienceSuper Mario 3D Worldon Wii U are in for a treat. The game is a traditional 3D Mario title that focuses on clever level design and power-ups above all else. Nintendo quite literally has level design down to a science, and the 12 worlds present in this gameplay like a developer flex. Each stage is overflowing with creative spirit, from aSuper Mario Kart-style speed gauntlet to an underground level that mostly plays out in silhouettes.
The bright music, vibrant colors, and general tone all come together to form a game that’s just so happy to entertain without pretension.
The most immediate feature is the cat suit, which turns Mario and his pals into full-fledged felines who can scramble up walls. It’s not just a cute gimmick; the cat suit is one of the franchise’s best power-ups. It’s both an ingenious design consideration that allows for more verticality in levels and a friendly tool that makes the platforming more forgiving. There’s something so satisfying about being able to salvage a botched jump by clinging onto the side of a cage and clawing back to the top.
ButSuper Mario 3D Worldis so much more than just the cat suit. Other items, like a cherry that can clone Mario or a giant ice skate, shine just as bright. The overworld is full of secrets and minigames, making it fun to just explore the map between stages. There’s even the diorama-set Captain Toad levels, which were so delightful that they spawnedtheir own game. Every element is so lovingly crafted and nothing feels like superfluous filler.
It never once feels outdated despite being eight years old, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. The movement feels clumsy and slow compared to other 3D Mario games. WhileSuper Mario Odysseylets players string together different jumps to make for some surprisingly complex movement, 3D World feels much more limited. Any time I did a backflip, it was entirely by accident. The game also features some torturously slow auto-scrolling levels, which can kill the pace. Most of my deaths just came from impatiently running too far ahead as the screen moved at a snail’s pace behind me.
Even with those flaws, it’s hard not to be utterly charmed bySuper Mario 3D World. The bright music, vibrant colors, and general tone all come together to form a game that’s just so happy to entertain without pretension. It’s a more successful Mario party thanMario Party.
Fast and furriest
For those who have already playedSuper Mario 3D World,Bowser’s Furyis the star of the bundle. The entirely new mini-adventure goes above and beyond what’s expected from a package like this. While Nintendo has dropped unmemorable side-games with re-releases likeMario & Luigi: Superstar Saga,Bowser’s Furyis so enjoyable on its own that its puzzling players don’t have the option to buy it as its own standalone download.
The premise is simple and hilarious. Bowser has grown to Godzilla-sized proportions for some reason and Bowser Jr. has to team up with Mario to bring his dad back down to size. Mario must travel around a series of islands and collect enough cat shines to morph into a cat kaiju himself. Sometimes, you forget how funny Nintendo can be.
The game remixesSuper Mario 3D World‘s movement and assets,Super Mario Odyssey’s open-ended approach to levels, andSuper Mario Sunshine’s good time beach vibes to create a modern Mariogreatest hits collection.
The islands are dotted with platforming challenges and objectives that seamlessly weave in and out of one another. Imagine if Nintendo took an entire world of Super Mario 3D World and linked all those disparate zones together on one wide-open map. LikeSuper Mario Odyssey, the result is a relaxing, free-roaming vacation that’s filled with rewards and secrets.
The entirely new mini-adventure goes above and beyond what’s expected from a package like this.
The main event is, of course, Bowser. The oversized Koopa occasionally rises from the water, reigning fire on Mario. That created for some tense moments where I’d be slowly making my way through a tricky platforming section, only to be forced to rush through the end before Bowser messed it all up. Some may find the random nature of it a little tiresome after a while, but it adds a layer of challenge to the game as players never know when they’ll get stuck in a firestorm.
When Mario has enough shines, he can enter a supersized boss fight. Considering how powerless players are whenever Bowser rises from the sea, there’s a special pleasure in suddenly getting to turn the tables and thrash back while towering above the tiny islands. The encounters themselves are somewhat basic (Mario sure loves to ground pound bellies) and the camera often doesn’t know how to handle having two titans on screen at once, but the clashes are as goofy and entertaining as a Saturday morning cartoon.
Bang for your buck
What’s most impressive is how much players get with this package.Super Mario 3D Worldwas already a loaded game with eight worlds and four challenging bonus worlds on top of that. Diehards can spend up to 40 hours mastering each level, collecting each stamp, and hunting down every last star. Toss inBowser’s Fury, which contains 100 shines to collect, and the total package contains 50 hours of single-player fun.
Every little piece takes an already great Mario game and tucks it into a must-own package.
That’s not even taking themultiplayerinto account.Super Mario 3D Worldsupports up to four players, which creates the kind of chaotic 3D platforming that friends can laugh over. Bowser’s Fury includes a multiplayer component as well, with one player controlling Bowser Jr., but it’s more of a sidekick mode that’s meant to keep kids occupied while mom or dad plays.
The package even sports a new photo mode, which is a welcome touch. Any stamps players collect through the game can be used in snapshots, so there’s actually a little incentive to hunt them down.
Every little piece takes an already great Mario game and tucks it into a must-own package. Re-releases rarely ever feel essential for players who owned the original (seeSuper Mario 3D All-Stars, with its bare-bones ports of three Mario staples), butSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furybreaks the mold by offering two delightful, content-loaded games for the price of one.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furyis one of the best Nintendo Switch packages money can buy. The Wii U classic hasn’t aged a day and remains a delightful romp that contains some of the franchise’s most creative ideas. Meanwhile, the newBowser’s Furymode is a superb standalone adventure that plays like a short, but sweetSuper Mario Odysseysequel. It’s a joyful duo of games that celebrates Mario’s past, present, and future all at once.
Is there a better alternative?
Super Mario Odysseyis still the best Mario game available on Switch, but this package isn’t far behind.
How long will it last?
Super Mario 3D Worldtakes about 10 hours andBowser’s Furycan be completed in around three, but hitting 100% completion between the two games takes its play time up to around 50 hours.
Should I buy it?
Yes. Even if you ownedSuper Mario 3D Worldon Wii U, the re-release is an essential single and multi-player game that’ll sit right alongsideThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildas a must-own Switch title.
