Super Mario 3D Land

Intro


Regardless of the rocky start the 3DS has suffered in its first few months into its life, it has been a fantastic year for the 3DS. Like most Nintendo products, the Italian plumber mascot is always available to pick up the sales of any console the big N throws in our direction. Before this game was released excitement always surrounded this game for two reasons; 1. It is developed by the same team behind the amazing Galaxy series, 2. It has the dearly missed tanooki suit from Mario Bros. 3. So is this a match made in heaven? Or is this dream like combination a recipe for disaster?

Graphics


Artistically the graphics really bring it all back to basics and gives the essence of old school Mario. Unlike the previous Main Mario games this game is not set in space or in a tropical island its the good old Mushroom Kingdom, and the Mushroom Kingdom has never looked so good. In terms of the levels they are packed with weird and wonderful things to look at, however the backgrounds are plain but you will more then likely notice.

Technical graphics are amazing! This game has the best graphics on the 3DS for 2011. If you have a keen eye you may notice some blur but this will not effect you. All the colours poured in is very impressive the main graphical achievement this game has achieved is the 3D effect. Seen as though this also effects the Gameplay I will talk about it there but for now all you need to know is that it is awesome.

Sound


When does Nintendo let the mustache mascot down with a poor sound track? I'll tell you never! Super Mario 3D Land is no exception, the music is catchy as hell! The funky jazzy music is played on the calmer levels and is so catchy that I have found myself humming the song in awkward situations! The tense epic music of Bowser's castle helps the player keep on his or hers toes. Like with the art styles the music gives an old remixed feeling.

Cartoon sound effects are in this game to (and a number of Mario games) and it really does add to the charm. As tanooki Mario hovering you can hear the sound of Mario's feet struggling to stay in the air. Mario Jumping has Mario expressing his own amazement with a trademark Yahoo!

Control

The controls are very flexible, you have a choice on how you want to play and you have to mess around with those quite annoying options that you have to in most games. Feel like the B button is not the way forward in making Mario jump? Then use the A button instead! This not only allows for fluent controls but it also makes the game very easy to pick up.

The position of the games camera reminds me very much of Mario Galaxy, at times the game will be positioned in a typical 3D platform fashion and then it it change into over head shot and then into 2D platform. The camera really does clash all aspects of Mario together to make something wonderful.

Gameplay

Wow! This game is fun! This game truly feels tailored for the 3DS and it shows in its gameplay.The levels are full packed but are completable in a matter of minutes. This is perfect if you are on the bus to work/school etc. This is what is needed in a portable game the ability to give a fun, challenging and engaging levels that are also short.

What also makes this game feel like a game only playable on the 3DS is the 3D effect. This is the first game that uses 3D to change the actual gameplay. Not only is it easier to stomp on Goombas, but jumping on to precise platforms is also a delight in 3D. Some areas are more or less only doable in 3D, some rooms have a star medal and the path is only in view in 3D. Its odd but really awesome.

Power ups are core to this Mario game especially. Unlike previous Mario games, a health bar is not in sight it is more like Mario Bros. Normal Mario has 2 hits before death, small Mario has one and fire, tanooki and boomerang Mario have 3 hits. This simple but effect system really brings that old school Mario feeling back.

Lastability

The games first 8 world will take round 5 to 7 hours to finish, once complete the special worlds are unlocked and will test the most advanced Goomba stomper and will last absolutely ages. Along with that and the possibility of downloadable content in the very near future this game will indeed last.

Verdict

This is the most innovative, fun and simple Mario game available. Outdoing most Mario games this is on par with Super Mario Bros. 3 and Mario Galaxy 2. Mashing all the main Mario games has truly paid off.

10/10