Super Mario Bros. 3

INTRODUCTION

When I got my first game console, the NES, for Christmas from one of my uncle’s back then, the game that came bundled with the 8-bit system was a game that would later be one that would enjoy this franchise to the very end.  A game that kept me playing till I bought the enhanced version for my next Nintendo console.  That’s correct, Super Mario Bros. 3 is hands down the greatest game I’ve ever played and my all-time favorite game.  I have played every version of Mario Bros. 3: the original from the NES, the Super Mario All-Stars version on the SNES, the Game Boy Advance version updating the game with the short-lived e-Reader cards, and now that it’s on the Wii Shop Channel, I downloaded the game right away and started playing this classic.

GRAPHICS

Even thought the enhanced versions have improved their graphical power from the SNES and GBA, SMB3 is still one of the best-looking NES games and still stands even today.  At the time the graphics for this game went beyond the power of the NES, ensuring victory for the aging console during the early 90’s before the successor, the SNES, took over.  The sprites of Mario, and enemies, items, bosses, and even the levels themselves differentiated itself from other Mario games prior to this one.  It is by far the best-looking 8-Bit Mario title to date and cannot be happier with the hard work Nintendo did to polish the game’s graphics and shine so well that even veterans of the series will to this very day admire the pixilated art style of the Mario universe.

GAMEPLAY

Even after how many years, SMB3 still plays well even today.  For the Wii version, I would recommend the Wii Classic Controller since the Wii remote and the Gamecube controller do not play well when playing the many levels of this brilliant title.  The gameplay is simple: run and jump your way through various levels in 8 worlds.  But this was the Mario game that introduced the map layout of the series.  You can choose your path on what levels you want to complete, enter Toad’s house to get items, and even play some card games in the 8 worlds you encounter.  This also was a game that had suits Mario can use for certain levels.  From the Raccoon suit (allowing you to fly) and the Frog suit (use for more tight swimming in water levels), there is no end to what you can use and many different ways in completing the level.  It’s a very good innovation that would be used in future Mario titles (as you can see from Super Mario Galaxy on the Wii).  The boss battles at the end of the worlds are unique as well.  The bosses, Bowser’s spoiled Koopa kids, play different in each of the worlds you go to, and your new items come to great use under these conditions.  And you will be able to acquirer flutes that will allow you to warp to other worlds, which makes the game non-linear than the Mario games before this one.  Even if you’ve beaten the game before, you will return to play some more as this game is addicting.  You will come and come again to enjoy what was then and may be Mario’s best adventure in gamer’s memories.

MUSIC

If you like 8-bit music (I know I do), then you will enjoy the music Super Mario Bros. 3 has to offer.  Enhanced versions of the underground theme and the Airship theme will keep your noggin burned with these catchy tunes.  Even some of these sounds were enhanced on various Mario titles (especially Mario Galaxy and the Smash Bros. series).  If you do not like the 8-bit sounds, try playing the Mario All-Stars (SNES) or Super Mario Advance 4 (GBA) to hear the more improved versions of this game’s soundtrack.

CONLCUSION

If you like the Mario series, own a Wii console, and have 500 Wii Points, get this game now!  It’s a Mario game that needs to be in your Virtual Console collection.  You won’t be disappointed when playing this game as this NES title is one of the best-selling games in history.  Worth the 500 points and worth playing.

See Ya!!