Super Mario 3D World
Game Overview
Super Mario 3D World is a critically acclaimed 3D platformer in the iconic Super Mario franchise, developed by Nintendo for the Wii U console. Released in 2013, it marked the seventh 3D Mario title overall and the fifth on a home console, following the beloved Super Mario Galaxy series.
Drawing inspiration from both the 3D and 2D Mario games, 3D World blends the open exploration of past 3D outings with the linear, time-based structure of the side-scrolling adventures. Players navigate through a vibrant, cat-themed Mushroom Kingdom, controlling Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, or the fan-favourite Rosalina as they race to rescue the kidnapped Sprixie Princesses from the clutches of the ever-persistent Bowser.
The game made its debut on November 21, 2013 in Japan, followed by releases in North America, Brazil, Europe, and Australia over the following week. It was a critical and commercial success, earning widespread praise for its level design, visuals, music, and cooperative multiplayer. As of March 2022, Super Mario 3D World has sold an impressive 12.85 million units worldwide, cementing its status as one of the best-selling Wii U titles.
Gameplay Mechanics
Super Mario 3D World combines the familiar 2D Mario platforming with a fully realised 3D environment. Levels are linear in structure, tasking players with reaching the end flag within a time limit, but feature a greater emphasis on depth and exploration compared to previous entries. The stereoscopic 3D visuals provide a heightened sense of spatial awareness, allowing players to precisely judge the distance and placement of platforms, enemies, and power-ups.
The game’s diverse roster of playable characters each bring unique abilities to the table. Mario and Luigi excel at running and jumping, Peach can float mid-air, Toad is the fastest on foot, and Rosalina possesses a wide-ranging spin attack. A key new addition is the Cat Suit, which grants the ability to climb walls, perform devastating claw attacks, and pounce through the air. These distinct playstyles encourage experimentation and cater to various skill levels, from novice to expert.
Cooperative multiplayer for up to four players is a core pillar of the experience. Friends can join in at any time, with each player’s actions affecting the overall outcome. Friendly competition is fostered through a scoring system that rewards individual accomplishments, leading to a playful dynamic of snatching the crown from one another.
Characters
Mario remains the iconic, mustachioed protagonist, leading the charge to rescue Princess Peach once again. His classic moveset of running, jumping, and ground-pounding is complemented by the versatile Cat Suit, making him a well-rounded choice. Luigi, Mario’s taller, lanky brother, jumps higher but has less traction, providing a contrasting playstyle.
Princess Peach makes a welcome return as a playable character, marking the first time in a 3D Mario game that she is not the damsel in distress. Her ability to float and glide through the air sets her apart from the plumber brothers. Toad, the diminutive retainer of the Mushroom Kingdom, is the fastest on foot, while Rosalina, the benevolent guardian of the cosmos, brings her powerful spin attack to the fray.
Levels and Environments
Super Mario 3D World takes players on a journey through the vibrant and diverse Sprixie Kingdom. Each of the 12 distinct worlds features a variety of themed levels, ranging from grassy plains and desert dunes to enchanted forests and icy tundras. Notable stages include the labyrinthine Champion’s Road, the treacherous Rock-Candy Mines, and the cat-infested Plessie’s Plunge.
Scattered throughout the levels are collectible Green Stars and Stamps, which unlock additional challenges and areas. The game also includes a series of puzzle-focused Captain Toad’s Adventures levels, providing a refreshing change of pace from the main platforming action.
Soundtrack and Music
The Super Mario 3D World soundtrack, composed by a team led by Mahito Yokota, seamlessly blends orchestral grandeur with catchy, upbeat melodies. Iconic themes from past Mario games, such as the Super Mario Bros. 3 “Overworld” and the Super Mario World “Athletic”, are reinterpreted and woven into the energetic score.
Standout tracks include the buoyant Title Theme, the whimsical Clear Pipe Theme, and the triumphant Final Boss Battle. Sound effects, from the classic coin collect to the satisfying Cat Suit pounce, contribute to the game’s vibrant and responsive feel.
Development and Reception
Super Mario 3D World was developed by Nintendo’s EAD Tokyo studio, the same team responsible for the acclaimed Super Mario Galaxy series. According to director Koichi Hayashida, the game’s design aimed to “reset the conventions of 3D Mario games” by creating a more linear, pick-up-and-play experience suitable for a handheld device, while still catering to the exploration-focused fans of the 3D installments.
The game was first teased in January 2013 and officially announced at E3 2013, generating significant excitement among fans. Upon release, Super Mario 3D World received widespread critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its masterful level design, visually stunning presentation, and addictive cooperative gameplay.
GameSpot’s Mark Walton hailed it as an “exceptional craft” with “painstaking focus on the minute details that are integral to making it feel special.” IGN’s Jose Otero awarded the game a lofty 9.6/10, calling it a “joy ride from start to finish” that “defies such logic and creativity.”
Commercially, Super Mario 3D World was a major success, becoming the second best-selling Wii U title of all time. As of 2022, it has sold over 12.85 million units worldwide, cementing its status as one of the must-play experiences on Nintendo’s previous-generation console.
Relation to the Mario Franchise
Super Mario 3D World represents a harmonious blend of the series’ 2D and 3D entries, drawing upon the strengths of both to create a truly unique platforming experience. While maintaining the classic Mario gameplay, the game innovates with new power-ups, like the Cat Suit, and expands the roster of playable characters, allowing fans to experience the Mushroom Kingdom from fresh perspectives.
The game’s linear, yet exploration-driven level design serves as a bridge between the open-ended 3D adventures and the more structured 2D sidescrollers. This fusion of design philosophies caters to both longtime fans and newcomers, solidifying 3D World‘s status as a landmark entry in the storied Super Mario franchise.
Spinoffs and Adaptations
In 2021, Nintendo released an enhanced port of Super Mario 3D World for the Nintendo Switch, titled Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. This package included the original game with various quality-of-life improvements, as well as a brand-new standalone campaign, Bowser’s Fury, which featured an open-world setting and cooperative gameplay with Bowser Jr.
Beyond the digital realm, Super Mario 3D World has also inspired a range of merchandise and tie-ins, including a shadow puppet short film, a trivia game, and the inclusion of the Cat Suit in various other Mario spin-offs and crossover titles.
Though Super Mario 3D World may not have received the same level of mainstream attention as the Galaxy or Odyssey games, its lasting impact on the franchise is undeniable. By seamlessly blending the series’ 2D and 3D lineages, it has cemented its place as a beloved, innovative, and highly influential entry in the iconic Super Mario pantheon.
