Game Review: Super Mario 3D World

Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo

Publisher: Nintendo

Genre: Platformer

Platforms: Wii U

Website: http://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Wii-U/SUPER-MARIO-3D-WORLD-765385.html

Age Rating: 3+ (PEGI)

I made a bold statement not long ago that Rayman had knocked Mario off his perch. In all honesty, that’s only half true, with Rayman being the best 2D platformer while Mario still reigns supreme in the 3D space. I mean, look at Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii and Super Mario 64 before that on the N64. Sublime games with plenty of imagination and silky smooth controls that seem to get better all the time.

With the Wii U now a year old, a full scale Mario game is slightly overdue and somewhat needed in the face of the Xbox One and Playstation 4, but the fact it seems to be a somewhat upgraded version of a fine Nintendo 3DS game hints at potential imagination bankruptcy. Is Super Mario 3D World the game the Wii U needs?

Super Mario 3D World. The title seems a little odd as the Wii U doesn’t do 3D, unlike its more successful handheld counterpart the 3DS. The 3D made sense in the title of Super Mario 3D Land, but at least in this title it lets you know what you’re getting: a console based sequel to the 3DS game.

The concept is exactly the same as the 3DS game, you have to navigate short, fairly linear levels that hop between 2D and 3D to reach the flag within the time limit. Short and simple and incredibly addictive, the game is very hard to put down as you just have to do one more level every time.

Shaking up the concept a bit is the inclusion of not just new powers but also 4 player mode. I’m not going to call it co-op as there’s not really any room for co-operation. Have four players on the go and the camera has difficulty keeping everyone in shot, running can cause you to accidently pick up another player and then throw them (usually into a death trap) and if someone wants to run through the stage as fast as possible then f*** your desire to explore the stage, you have to follow them.

Being four player, there are four characters to choose (with a secret fifth one) but it’s first come first served as you choose between the good all-rounder Mario, his higher jumping brother Luigi, Peach with her ability to hover at the top of her jump and Toad who can run fastest. Peach and Luigi make the game a hell of a lot easier and in the somewhat competitive multiplayer, they pretty much always win.

Simply put, the co-op’s only worth it to see what it’s like and never touch it again. When on your own, the game is much better. The challenge is pretty good, even if it’s alleviated in a ridiculous way if you play as Luigi or Peach, with just the right level of difficulty to encourage you on, though some levels can be pretty brutal. Levels themselves are highly imaginative, ranging from a Mario Kart style track with booster pads, circuses with swings to get across and swamps to stay out of as you float over them on rafts. It’s rare you see the same thing twice, which is also a bit of a con as several excellent ideas are only used once and never seen again.

Maybe two levels require you to use the Wii U Gamepad, blowing into the microphone I actually didn’t realise was there before to move platforms as well as taping some platforms to move them. Beyond that, it doesn’t have much use.

The levels are ultimately linear with only one real route through them, but there’s a surprising amount of room to explore with secret coin stashes, stamps that can be used on Miiverse and Green Stars that in some cases are required to unlock a new level. Some of the Green Stars require a level of cunning to find, while others need you to complete small tasks which are occasionally in their own little rooms and require quick reflexes. A few require you to hop on the back of a new dinosaur friend called Plessie who'll take you though a river run, which is admittedly fun.

Some of the more significant additions, however, are much more welcome then the co-op. Along with the classic Fire Flower, Boomerang Suit and the Tanoki Suit (the racoon suit from 3D Land) there is the new Cat Suit and Double Cherries. The former allows you to attack enemies and climb walls while the latter creates a double of your character that can assist in battles and puzzles, though the walking animation for it gives you a weird feeling towards the people who did the animations. There's also boxes you can wear on your head over other power ups, such as the Cannon Box which fires a near constant stream of cannon balls (causing a additional massive pain in co-op) and a light box for dealing with Boos.

For what it’s worth, there is a plot. While enjoying some fireworks, Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad see Bowser kidnap something called a Sprixie (a name that’s not mentioned in the game) and you have to go rescue them, because why not? Plot’s never been an overly necessary part of a Mario game and this game isn’t looking to change that.

Graphically, the game is beautiful. It’s not quite as awe inspiring as Super Mario Galaxy, but it’s very appealing to look at with plenty of nice little details. The jazzy music is also nice to listen to.

I feel quite a level of ambivalence towards Super Mario 3D World. Part of me is extremely disappointed and critical towards the game as it's not in the same league as Super Mario Galaxy, but despite that the game is a lot of fun when played on your own (as it should be, frankly) and features some brilliantly imaginative, if overly short levels. It may not be the staggeringly ground breaking game Super Mario Galaxy was, but it's still a delightful and fun romp through creative and imaginative challenges, though dabbling in the co-op for too long may make you want to rip a few heads off.

Verdict: Buy!