Super Mario 3D Land sees the return of Nintendo’s iconic mascot for the company’s latest platform the Nintendo 3DS, but is it as good as others would have you believe? Read on to find out.
How does Super Mario 3D Land look?
The first thing that strikes you when you embark on Mario’s latest adventure is just how crisp, colourful and downright gorgeous the game looks. Whilst Super Mario Galaxy 2 looked beautiful on the Wii you couldn’t help but notice that the visuals weren’t as sharp as you would have liked due to the standard definition display on Wii. With Super Mario 3D Land on Nintendo 3DS everything is razor-sharp due to the small LCD screen which leads you to believe that Super Mario 3D Land is the more visually impressive game out of the two. The game looks stunning.
As it’s a handheld game will I be able to explore?
The first question I had when I first played Super Mario 3D Land is will I be able to explore the levels, or will they be too small and compact? With Mario games I love to explore the open worlds, climb the trees and take in the scenery from all different angles and I was able to do this with Super Mario 3D Land. Yes, the stages are smaller than Super Mario Galaxy but they’re packed full of little touches and star coins that entice you to explore every nook and cranny the game has to offer.
So, how are the 3D effects?
As some of you may know I don’t generally play Nintendo 3DS games in 3D but with Super Mario 3D Land I felt compelled to. It really does make a difference to the gameplay. With the 3D on you’re able to navigate any tricky jumps better and of course Nintendo has included set pieces which take full advantage of the 3D effects such as Bowsers notorious fireballs amongst others. This is the first Nintendo 3DS game I’ve played with the 3D on the whole way through the game and not once did anything make me want to turn it off.
Result
Super Mario 3D Land combines the best of Super Mario Galaxy and New Super Mario Bros Wii to create the perfect Mario game for a handheld. There’s been so much love, dedication and experience put into Super Mario 3D Land that you really couldn’t ask for more from a handheld Mario title. Highly recommended.
9.5/10
Out of curiosity, what is it about the game that made it lose that .5 of a mark?
To be honest the only reason I didn’t give it a ten is I would have preferred it on a console due to the sheer size it would have offered. But as a handheld Mario it honestly doesn’t get much better than Super Mario 3D Land.
I’m sorry but that isn’t a valid reason actually. Just because you have prefered to have it on a home console.
It would have got a ten if the environments were bigger, but they couldn’t be any bigger as the game’s on a handheld. As I say it’s perfectly suited to a handheld but the game also wasn’t as ground-breaking as Super Mario 64 which I would have given a ten.
I’d say thats completely valid
One reason I’ve heard pretty regularly for 9.5 is that everything up to World 8 is on the easy side, giving the game a “slow start.”
They did that because they wanted the game not to be too difficult for young kids just starting 3D Mario games. I think.
woof
well mabye future games will allow bigger envirroments cause it is capable of it with it’s 8 GB cartridge
they could make a game with big environments like super mario 64, this game is just more linear because its a mixture of 2d mario games
I’ve got over 180 star coins so far. Love the game. Hard to put down. Really liked the Zelda level and when the secret chime sounded when I lit the four torches. Haven’t focused too much on the time challenges yet but I plan on it. This game is a must for all 3DS owners.
First! Great, I have to get my parents to buy me a 3DS someday!
Damn, so much for that…
you should kill yourself
That was horrible. You’re a terrible person for suggesting someone to commit suicide.
Dont listen to that bone head.
As soon as I go to NY, I’m buying it! Nice review sickr, these short reviews that you write cut right to the chase.
Thanks :-)
I am IN LOVE with this game! =D totally worth staying up to get good grades so my parents would buy it!! you guys should totally get it! X]
I don’t mean to offend, but I hate your faq review style, Sickr.
You’re entitled to your opinion. I don’t enjoy typical reviews personally.
^this just wish youd cover gameplay elements, presentation, sound, and replay value… you know the important stuff
Then it would be a long and lengthy review which isn’t something I was looking to do. The reviews will continue in this format as I believe they work. If you want lengthy reviews (which I don’t read) then head to Eurogamer or Edge.
I have to admit, for the purpose of this website, a full-length review wouldn’t be ideal. I can understand what you’re trying to do. That being said, they could use a little more substance, instead of a couple arbitrary questions. Then again their are other outlets to see in-depth reviews so hey, I’m not complaining.
but that is complaining :l
Great review my man. I am IN LOVE with the game and am working on my review as well. I completely agree with the 3D. I never turned it off and it felt just natural.
Already Pre-ordered it, finally I’ll have a reason to open up my 3DS and dust it off.
I got mine yesterday and it was incredibly fun, but it’s also super easy compared to the older games, I’m in world 4 and only died 5 times and you get like 3 1UPs everytime just by finishing a level.
good for causal players
After level 8, the game gets progressively more intense. Don’t prejudge.
Ahh yes the special worlds….get as many lives as you can before the special worlds.
Those worlds are insane! Anyone else get the special pre-order keychain? What Special world are you guys on? I’m on 5- something or other.
I dont have anything against super mario 3d land when i say this its a very great epicly awesome game but i honestly feel like the levels were made too short a bit too easy i mean ive beaten literally more then half of the main story of the game in 1 day being yesterday to World 5’s castle but i would’ve liked it if the levels were a bit longer compared to Super mario galaxy and mario galaxy 2’s levels.
It’s supposed to be a pick-up-and-play title, fittingly enough for a handheld game. The first 6 worlds or so a pretty easy, but the difficulty picks up from there.
In terms of completion yes, in terms of collecting coins – I’ve noticed a few that are harder to get (I didn’t have much trouble, but can see others seeing it hard). Like there’s one in world 3 or 4 where you need to jump down grab the coin and use the propeller block back up.
After world 8 it gets harder! Be patient
I’m enjoying the game, but I have a few issues. It seems like the run button doesn’t work as effectively as it does with NSMB. It makes a few jumps harder to do, and I have to try a few times before I get it right. I also wish that the Tanooki suit allowed you to become a statue, that was a classic part of that power up.
I love the music and love the retro music from Mario 3. The game is still great, I just had a few nit-picks about it. I’m on 5-1 after this morning.
You could turn into a statue in the trailers they showed alot
I wonder how then since I haven’t been watching trailers (trying to remain mostly spoiler free).
Go into the my nintendo news archives and look for any SM3DL related videos and see what you see.
After world 8 you get a silver leaf and a brown leaf the silver one allows you to turn into a statue
That seems kind of silly. Why different leafs? I guess I’ll figure it out when I get there.
Hey Sicr will you do something like this for Mario Kart 7?
Yeah, I’ll be reviewing both Skyward Sword and Mario Kart 7 :-)
Sweet can’t wait! :-)
You should buy both. Seriously.
Sorry, wrong comment.
Should I buy this or MK7?
I’ve only played a demo of Mario Kart 7 but from what I played the game is shaping up to be possibly the best Mario Kart ever. Will have to wait and see!
Thanks :-)
You should buy both.
I’m not made of money you know I don’t have 80 dollars to spend on video games right now
It’s a great game, and I’m glad your many posts about it had convinced me to pick it up on launch day yesterday (US). I thought I beat the game, but nope, saved the Princess and there’s more to do! It’s fantastic!
After playing Super Mario 3D Land, I thought it was good, but nothing special. Bottom line, if you have a 3DS, buy this game, otherwise, don’t feel like you should buy a 3DS just to play this game. The levels are easy and short, you’ll end up with more lives than you know what to do with, and it feels similar to past Mario titles. (NSMB for example, just in 3D environments) But even so, it’s still a fun little adventure to go on that caters to our nostalgic histories with the Super Mario Bros. My personal score: 8.5/10
Hmm it seems like every review I’ve seen here(I’ve only been here a few months) has been a 9 or 9.5. But I think one may have been an 8…Can’t remember. I don’t really care much though.
How is the frame rate? It looks kind of slow judging by videos, but the compression videos go through when uploaded and converted may be the cause of this. Does it run at 30fps or 60 like Galaxy? If 30, does it still feel nice and smooth? The videos just seem a tad off to me.
It’s perfectly smooth, like 60fps, I don’t know where did you see that.
EASTER EGG :D INFINITE LIFE
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Did you make this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m wanting to create my own blog and want to learn where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Thank you!
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