Review: Super Mario Brothers 3
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:The original NES release didn't feature a way to save your progress - you needed to complete the entire game in one sitting. However, you can pause at any time by pressing START on your controller. Time needed per session:Like many games of the era, you're expected to play through it in a single 2-hour session. You can save time by using warp whistles to skip to later portions of the game, but it's still going to take a while.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | No - this is a great game for Christians There are some magical elements, but it seems like a stretch to say that this is a serious issue as it never goes beyond what you'd find in a lighthearted fairy tale. |
Screenshots
Game Overview
When Super Mario Bros 3 arrived on the NES in 1990, it a return to form for the Super Mario games, reinstating a formula that they've generally maintained in the years since. It ignored the characters and mechanics of the previous title, returning to the simpler gameplay of having Mario and Luigi stomp enemies as they head to the right of the stage.
This time, Bowser wasn't acting alone: the Koopalings had been sent into the seven kingdoms of the Mushroom World to cause havoc among the population. Their plan was pretty direct: each Koopaling would steal a magic wand from a ruler, then use its powers to transform them into random beasts! In order to set things right, the Mario Brothers would need to explore each kingdom, board the Koopaling's airship, and retrieve the wands from their grubby little claws.
But this game wouldn't be as memorable as it is if that was all that changed. It also introduced a number of new mechanics to the series, such as a map screen that allows players to skip levels they aren't interested in, bonus stages where they can collect items, an inventory system that can be used between stages, and perhaps most importantly, a way for Mario and Luigi to fly into the sky!
Now, if you're playing the Super Mario Bros games in order for the first time, you'll notice something else about SMB3 that's worth highlighting: unlike the earlier games, the levels in this game are teeming with all sorts of detail! By this point, the developers at Nintendo had mastered the hardware, and it shows in how the stages feature diverse environments, a plethora of new enemies and hazards, and even different types of levels to challenge players.
With all of the Mario that they packed into Super Mario Bros 3, it's no surprise that this is the second best selling NES game of all time - it's second only to the original Super Mario Bros. It's the definitive Super Mario experience on the NES, and it definitely belongs in every retro gamer's collection!
This time, Bowser wasn't acting alone: the Koopalings had been sent into the seven kingdoms of the Mushroom World to cause havoc among the population. Their plan was pretty direct: each Koopaling would steal a magic wand from a ruler, then use its powers to transform them into random beasts! In order to set things right, the Mario Brothers would need to explore each kingdom, board the Koopaling's airship, and retrieve the wands from their grubby little claws.
But this game wouldn't be as memorable as it is if that was all that changed. It also introduced a number of new mechanics to the series, such as a map screen that allows players to skip levels they aren't interested in, bonus stages where they can collect items, an inventory system that can be used between stages, and perhaps most importantly, a way for Mario and Luigi to fly into the sky!
Now, if you're playing the Super Mario Bros games in order for the first time, you'll notice something else about SMB3 that's worth highlighting: unlike the earlier games, the levels in this game are teeming with all sorts of detail! By this point, the developers at Nintendo had mastered the hardware, and it shows in how the stages feature diverse environments, a plethora of new enemies and hazards, and even different types of levels to challenge players.
With all of the Mario that they packed into Super Mario Bros 3, it's no surprise that this is the second best selling NES game of all time - it's second only to the original Super Mario Bros. It's the definitive Super Mario experience on the NES, and it definitely belongs in every retro gamer's collection!
Points of Interest
Many hidden secrets
This game is packed with secrets, ranging from rewards for exploring out of the way areas to alternate stages, like the famous Coin Ships. Many of the "random" surprises you'll encounter on the map screens aren't actually random at all, and clever players can trigger them on purpose!
Themed worlds, not just a number
If you were to play this game and look back at the first Super Mario Bros, you'll immediately notice just how limited it was. Nearly every level back then was created from the same small selection of blocks. This time, everything always looks unique, as you've got a desert (complete with a pyramid), an underwater world, a world made from the pipes Mario always travels through, and even a world where everything is giant-sized!
Active speedrunning community
While Super Mario Bros is one of the most popular games to speedrun, Super Mario 3 is a very close second. The main difference between these communities lies in the methods used. SMB1 players tend to use the game's mechanics against itself, relying on fast movement and warp zones to get through the game at blinding speed. SMB3 players, on the other hand, are more likely to use tricks that cause the game to glitch or break in specific ways.
One of the more famous examples of this is the Wrong Warp speedrun technique: players get to level 7-1 as quickly as possible, then position enemies so that they cause the game's memory to glitch out. By jumping into the side of a warp pipe, they then drop Mario into the game's actual RAM, which allows them to flip a variable and trigger the end game cutscene. It's freaky to watch.
One of the more famous examples of this is the Wrong Warp speedrun technique: players get to level 7-1 as quickly as possible, then position enemies so that they cause the game's memory to glitch out. By jumping into the side of a warp pipe, they then drop Mario into the game's actual RAM, which allows them to flip a variable and trigger the end game cutscene. It's freaky to watch.
Retcons can be annoying for older fans
Out of all the changes that have occurred in the Mario franchise over the years, the nature of the Koopalings is probably the one that bothers the most people. Put simply, the games and other sources haven't been consistent with whether or not they are related to Bowser. Sometimes they're his children, sometimes they're just high ranking minions and Bowser Jr. is his only son.
The current official story is the latter.
The current official story is the latter.
Concerns and Issues
Mild Magical References
This game features more magic than the earlier games. The magic wands are an obvious example, but the Boo and Dry Bones enemies also debut in this game. Boos are shy little ghosts who freeze when you're watching them, while Dry Bones are the animated remains of turtles. Players can defeat Dry Bones by jumping on them, but they'll re-animate after a moment and resume their patrols.
Mild violence
What little violence there is in this game is more pronounced than it was before, largely because the graphics are better. Again, players can flatten some enemies, defeat them with fireballs, smack them with their tails, hit them with a turtle shell, or otherwise defeat them in a number of different ways. Regardless of the method used, defeated enemies either disappear in a puff or fall off the stage. It's pretty family-friendly.
The one major exception to this is Boss Bass - a giant fish found in some stages that can swallow Mario or Luigi in a single gulp, sort of like Monstro from Disney's Pinocchio. They can be frustrating to deal with or even downright scary from a little kid's perspective.
The one major exception to this is Boss Bass - a giant fish found in some stages that can swallow Mario or Luigi in a single gulp, sort of like Monstro from Disney's Pinocchio. They can be frustrating to deal with or even downright scary from a little kid's perspective.
Reference to Japanese Mythology
One of Mario's new powerups is a "tanooki suit". This resembles a mascot costume designed after a raccoon, but it's actually a reference to the tanuki, a raccoon-like species native to Japan. Tanuki are very frequently seen in Japanese folklore, where they play the role of fun loving pranksters who use their talents to toy with gullible humans.