The 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. is wrapping up with an enhanced port of Super Mario 3D World,
complete with an extra new mode that could be a tease of what’s in store for Mario’s future.
Released for Wii U back in 2013,
the original game garnered praise for a multitude of innovations at the time,
but upon closer inspection, some features and design decisions
show their age.
Developed specifically with multiplayer in mind,
this is a distinctly more linear 3D Mario game than any other entry,
with a focus on overcoming obstacles and enemies
in order to reach the iconic flagpole before time expires.
While there is some flexibility in the way you can progress through each stage,
it never comes close to approaching the sense of freedom of its predecessors.
The linear nature isn’t a shortcoming, though.
Many of the levels are cleverly crafted to squeeze as much out of the moment-to-moment action
with far more intense platforming skill required.
The challenge level is much higher than any other 3D installment,
especially when you tackle bonus levels
that provide some of the most difficult platforming sequences in the series.
It’s an older style of design that harkens back to the NES days
when levels were short, but challenging treks that gobbled up lives without mercy.
Optional objectives provide an additional layer of intrigue
to keep things from getting stale
and tempt you to return in pursuit of unlocking every last morsel the game has to offer.
Yet they can be easily dismissed should things get dicey,
as you may opt to abandon a treacherous path dangling a shiny star or stamp
for the simple safety of completing a level.
At its core, this is still a dazzling platformer with clever power-ups
and a unique roster that can change the dynamic of any level,
but where it shows its age is in the camera work.
The limited nature of the perspectives offered in most stages,
especially when the camera is locked into a fixed position,
clashes with your ability to properly judge distance or depth,
robbing you of your ability to execute the precision platforming demanded by numerous levels.
The developers attempt to spice up the platforming mechanics
by adding new moves from more recent entries,
as well as speeding up the general movement of each of the playable characters.
For the most part, these revisions make things a bit easier,
and the extra movesets are certainly appreciated.
Veterans will likely make good use of these new maneuvers, but
they’re not essential to completing any levels.
Perhaps the biggest revision impacts the multiplayer component.
In addition to playing locally with four players as in the original,
it’s now possible to play online.
Tackling levels online is serviceable, but there are noticeable performance dips
and moments of input latency even with a wired connection.
There’s also the issue of the host being the only player who can control camera movement,
which definitely takes some getting used to.
If you’re looking for chaotic fun, it’s likely to be a good time,
just expect a few bumps in the road.
While Super Mario 3D World represents the past,
Bowser’s Fury could indicate where Mario is heading next.
You’re thrown into a more open world structure
with various themed islands scattered across a large body of water.
It’s a level of freedom that goes beyond any previous Mario games,
to an extent that it may feel overwhelming at first.
Each island contains a unique set of obstacles
that reward you with Cat Shines,
and by obtaining enough Cat Shines you can confront a giant, menacing Bowser.
You can go it alone with an AI-controlled Bowser Jr.
assisting you along the way, or have a friend join in for local co-op.
Given the addition of online multiplayer to the base game,
this feels like a missed opportunity,
but in practice, controlling Bowser Jr. isn’t as engaging
as his mechanics are devoid of any actual platforming.
Each time you beat back Bowser, you unlock new islands and expand the scope of the world.
Compounding the situation is that Bowser periodically awakens from his slumber
to rain destruction down upon the world, temporarily altering the landscape with obstacles
and a barrage of fiery attacks.
This might sound intense, but it’s actually tame in practice.
Bowser’s routine appearances are more of a nuisance than anything
as they sometimes interrupt you in the middle of a task, forcing you to take cover and wait it out.
In a way, Bowser’s rampages don’t really shake things up enough.
There really isn’t a serious sense of danger,
nor does he drastically alter the core gameplay mechanics.
The highlight of these encounters is when you gain access to the new Giga Bell item,
enlarging Mario to Bowser’s scale
to face off in gargantuan fist-fights with the behemoth.
Where Bowser’s Fury shines is in the complete freedom to tackle objectives at your leisure.
The more you complete, the more you unlock,
and the individual areas evolve with each Cat Shine you obtain.
The world feels alive and vibrant with these constant changes,
and the objectives are increasingly more complex and unique.
There’s so much potential for this concept,
it just needs a few tweaks and adjustments.
Bowser’s Fury clearly draws inspiration from Super Mario Sunshine for its atmosphere,
with some specific Isle Delfino vibes here and there,
but the thematic nature of the world
doesn’t hold a candle to the ingenious wonderlands of its predecessors.
If the next entry follows in the footsteps of Bowser’s Fury,
the developers will need to devote some more love and care to the appearance of the world.
Also be warned,
Bowser’s Fury suffers from a noticeable dip in fidelity and performance
when played in handheld mode.
Super Mario 3D World holds up well after all these years with solid platforming,
dazzling power-ups, and a fantastic soundtrack, but the camera work holds the experience back.
The various quality of life improvements are a nice touch,
as is the ability to play with friends,
even if the online functionality doesn’t rise above the low expectations typical
of Nintendo’s offerings.
The addition of Bowser’s Fury is a wonderful treat
that teases a potential new direction for 3D Mario
with a truly open-world platformer that allows a degree of exploration
that surpasses even the impressive worlds of Super Mario Odyssey.
By pairing these two very different,
yet captivating styles of platformers in one package,
Nintendo delivers the best of both worlds.
Final score: 8 out of 10.
Easy Allies Reviews are made possible by generous viewers just like you.
If you like what you see, check out patreon.com/easyallies to help us make more.
For just $1 a month, you can gain access to weekly updates, spoiler discussions, and exclusive shows.