Mario is undoubtedly an iconic figure in gaming and is probably the first video game character to have become a household name. His appearance on a new Nintendo console is inevitable and, as history suggests, a full-scale Mario game will continue to dominate “best-selling” charts.
A 3D first
Super Mario 3D Land is Mario’s first adventure in stereoscopic 3D, and Nintendo have claimed that it’s the first title that uses 3D instead of featuring it. This in itself is a bold statement: 3D effects have always been a visual aid, and incorporating it into a gameplay mechanic has never been attempted before.
Well, Nintendo seems to have done it again: revolutionizing the way we play and experience our games. Super Mario 3D Land was designed around the 3D display and playing with the 3D effects turned off will greatly impede the experience. In fact, some levels are virtually impossible to complete without the 3D!
There are sections where platforms extend out of the screen with the camera locked in position. Mario then moves towards and away from the camera – literally walking out of the screen and back in again. At other times there are ink blobs splattered all over the screen to impede your view or Bullet Bills fired out of the display. It’s a truly masterful use of the 3D display that adds more than just depth to gaming.
To aid players in their 3D experience Nintendo have added a handy new feature that allows you to instantly change the view between 3D that falls ‘into’ the screen – or effects that ‘pop out’ of the screen. The view can be toggled by pressing up or down on the D-Pad, and this gives players the ability to change the display to suit the level or their mood.
Playing the game
Super Mario 3D Land has the same plot we all know and love. Princess Peach gets kidnapped and it’s up to Mario to visit all the wrong castles before saving her from Bowser’s evil hands.
Interestingly there is somewhat less of a storyline than previous installments. Storytelling is done through still pictures that Mario finds throughout his adventures. This isn’t really a complaint – who plays Super Mario for the plot, anyway?
The main focus of Super Mario 3D Land is the creative level design that blends old-school platforming that’s hopping with new concepts and ideas. Plenty of ideas from the Super Mario Galaxy series have been incorporated and, although some stages feel familiar, there’s always a new twist that will have you enjoying an old concept all over again. Levels imaginatively change between 2D and 3D platform sections and stages continually impress with remarkable designs.
Nintendo changed the level selection screen into a more linear system. Unlike New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2, you’re not required to clear all of the levels to advance – nor do you need to find some obscure secret to access some of the worlds.
As with all Mario games, we’re treated to new power-ups. Super Mario 3D Land re-introduces the Tanooki suit which debuted in Super Mario Bros. 3 back in 1988. The Tanooki suit allows Mario to glide over a short distance; it no longer gives him the ability to fly. Obtaining this power-up will be a great aid in finding secrets, collecting all three of the hidden level coins and ultimately defeating Bowser.
Then there’s the Boomerang Suit; a brand new power that lets Mario throw a boomerang at his enemies. It’s a pretty handy weapon for knocking out Goombas from a safe distance.
Flying through
I was a bit disappointed with the fast progression of the game. The first eight worlds, although fun and entertaining, didn’t offer much of a challenge. It took only a couple of hours to complete the game – or so I thought.
After completing the main campaign Nintendo dishes out a pleasant surprise by unlocking the ‘Special’ worlds. These worlds feature similar level designs to the stages in the main campaign, but offer a bit more of challenge. They present timed challenges, more complex level design and extra traps here and there. While not frustratingly difficult they’ll usually take quite a few attempts to complete.
On top of the new challenges you can also go back to the previous levels and try to find all three of the hidden level coins.
Super Mario 3D Land also offers some level of StreetPass functionality. When you walk past another person carrying a 3DS (which rarely happens in South Africa) that person’s Mii will show up to give Mario an extra item or life – a clever way to take advantage of the technology at hand. You can also compare your best level completion times with theirs.
Final thoughts
The bright and colorful world of Super Mario 3D Land is a great addition to the Super Mario franchise. It’s the first game to demonstrate Nintendo’s vision with 3D gaming as more than just a visual enhancement, and Nintendo have set a pretty high standard for themselves and other developers.
While Super Mario 3D Land may leave veteran Mario fans wanting a bit more, it’s a perfect place for newcomers to start – which is a bit of an unfortunate trend for hardcore gamers these days. Nonetheless it’s a great game with loads of creative levels and a light, quirky theme that will have you coming back for more.
