[Boss Doggie]

Honestly, a lot of the modern Mario games always like to squeeze dat Mario 3 homage that sometimes I'm saddened that they like to forget SMW's style.

What I love World's design is in the levels and in the overworld. A lot say that you can finish a level with a cape. That's the point. You can finish many of the levels in multiple ways. The freedom it gives on flight is something I wish explored more in Mario games, especially when they net routes.

Overworld design is superior. It doesn't have set paths - the areas seemingly aren't too obvious and I love the take on making the whole "world" the overworld rather than just "areas". You can take different paths in approaching the final castle, for instance.

[ElectricBlanketFire]

But Mario 3 has the P-Wing and you can take multiple paths as well...

And warp whistles...

[Mister Saturn]

God (Miyamoto) is on our side with this. SMW for life.

[Peru]

Platforming in 3 is just much tighter, there are more genuine platform challenges per meter traversed, more inventive ideas in smaller levels. Superior Mario Bros 3.

[GooeyHeat]

I think both games excel in different areas. When it comes to pure platforming, 3 is simply unbeatable. However, this one isn't called Super Mario World for no reason: the exploration and size of the map makes it a very different (and also awesome) experience.

I wish we got a New Super Mario World to go along with New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
While we're at it, New Super Mario Bros. 2 should have involved trekking through Subcon and chucking vegetables.

[Criminal Upper]

Mario 3 is so much better, it's embarassing, really.

[br0ken_shad0w]

*high-fives*

The controls is why I put this above SMB3.

[Boss Doggie]

But Mario 3 has the P-Wing and you can take multiple paths as well... And warp whistles...

Warp whistles technically don't give you alternate paths - just fastforwarding you.

Platforming in 3 is just much tighter, there are more genuine platform challenges per meter traversed, more inventive ideas in smaller levels. Superior Mario Bros 3.

I think that's why I enjoyed World more - it's not too platforming. It's mixed up with some adventuring.

[Combichristoffersen]

SMW is a so-so rehash of the vastly superior SMB3 IMO. Never thought SMW was anything special tbh.

[blizzardjesus]

you can finish most worlds with a cape, just need to have the right timing.

SMW is a so-so rehash of the vastly superior SMB3 IMO. Never thought SMW was anything special tbh.

SMW's Technicality and Music is vastly superior to SM3. Control wise it is also more precise.

[Seanspeed]

I couldn't pick between em.

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Warp whistles technically don't give you alternate paths - just fastforwarding you.

There are multiple paths without using warp whistles.

Don't get me wrong, I like SMW over 3 myself, I'm just saying your reasons aren't the best examples as both games have those features.

[Sixfortyfive]

Inferior to all 4 NES titles. Maybe I'll give it the edge over SMB2USA on a good day.

SMW gives you a dozen different powers but rarely challenges you to master any of them. That's almost exactly the opposite thing I look for in most video games.

[Bentendo]

Agreed. SMW will always (always) remain my favorite game of all time.

People can complain about the cape all they want. The fact is it still requires people to finish a level unlike some newer Mario games that shall remain nameless.

Oh, and it may sound cliche but it must be said. Yoshi... Yoshi... Yoshi. Nothing introduced in SMB3 even compares to this. SMW introduced what is arguably one of Nintendo's top 5 most popular characters.

[Boss Doggie]

Inferior to all 4 NES titles. Maybe I'll give it the edge over SMB2USA on a good day. SMW gives you a dozen different powers but rarely challenges you to master any of them. That's almost exactly the opposite thing I look for in most video games.

I disagree - I mean, a lot of people use capes argument :P

There are multiple paths without using warp whistles. Don't get me wrong, I like SMW over 3 myself, I'm just saying your reasons aren't the best examples as both games have those features.

Ehhh... the multiple paths don't really show up til around world 6 and 7, and even then it sort of feels restricted.

[MisterHero]

SMB3 had an awesome variety of powers. SMW had slightly harder level design (with the option to make them a little bit harder via Star Road).

I think it's really great how they feel so different. Yoshi alone is enough to make the difference, and yet it's not whether one is better than the other.

SMB3 had FAR BETTER multiplayer though.

[piratepwnsninja]

This is why SMW is actually superior.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0CYNm_dRBA

[Sgblues]

The one feature I loved in SMW was the ability to store extra power-ups and switch between them if you needed to.

Want to use fire Mario? Np, back to cape Mario? Sure we can do that, all in all a great addition to the series.

SMB3 might win with the amount of unique power-ups you get but you get to use use Yoshi(s) so that makes it come close.

[Coppertracks]

A New SMW is definitely what we need! 3DS or WiiU, just give us one!

[Saroyan]

Super Mario World is the best Mario game ever, I don't even see why we need this thread since everyone should already know this. :)

[WillyFive]

Super Mario World is the best in the genre.

Mario 3 is so much better, it's embarassing, really.

I find absolutely no way in that SMB3 could be better than SMW. SMW has better music, level design, game engine, visuals, sound effects, world map, power ups, and more.

It's fine if you like SMB3 more than SMW because you grew up with it first, but come on. SMB3 is not even the best of the NES Mario games.

[Conor 419]

World and World 2 are unequivocally the best 2D Mario's. It's tragic that we're getting SMB4 instead of a conclusion to the epic World Trilogy.

[Sunflower]

SMW has so much content. Better game than 3, hands down. Tons of secrets, levels, alternate paths, and wicked ass controls. Great music too...except for the goddamn piano rag.

[beril]

Yes Super Mario World is godly.

Super Mario Bros 3 is actually one of my least favorite mario games. Levels are too short, some of the powerups doesn't do much and overall the pacing is generally a bit slower than SMB1 and SMW.

Part of it is of course that I didn't really play SMB3 until after SMW, so all the massive advances from previous games didn't impress me as I'd already experienced SMW. SMB3 was an extremely impressive game when it was released but judged on their own merits Super Mario world is just so much more fun.

[KillGore]

My favorite Mario game and one of my favorite games, ever, plus it has the best and most iconic OST of all Mario games as well. My ultimate dream is for Nintendo to make "New Super Mario World"

Tracks like this, this, and this will always be remembered

[Chip N Chance]

Mario World is my favorite Mario game and also happens to be my favorite game of all time. The world in SMW is something that hasn't been replicated in a 2D Mario since. They're all so plain and flat compared to that game. I also think the graphics have aged very well, even though SM3 is no slouch.

[Boss Doggie]

SMW has so much content. Better game than 3, hands down. Tons of secrets, levels, alternate paths, and wicked ass controls. Great music too...except for the goddamn piano rag.

I thought World 2 was much worse with the piano.

[Mister Saturn]

Truth.

[Deputy Moonman]

Super Mario World is the best in the genre. I find absolutely no way in that SMB3 could be better than SMW. SMW has better music, level design, game engine, visuals, sound effects, world map, power ups, and more. It's fine if you like SMB3 more than SMW because you grew up with it first, but come on. SMB3 is not even the best of the NES Mario games.

SMW has so much content. Better game than 3, hands down. Tons of secrets, levels, alternate paths, and wicked ass controls. Great music too...except for the goddamn piano rag.

Agreed! Despite the fact that Mario64 will always be my favorite, SMW was awesome. I definitely enjoyed it more than 3.

[dark10x]

Without a doubt I prefer SMW to SMB3. The level design, the multiple exits, and the power-ups all appeal much more to me. The game features some of the best controls to ever grace a platformer.

I can understand why people would prefer SMB3, but I could not possibly disagree with them more.

Honestly, I think Super Mario World is the single greatest platform game ever made. I love it that much.

[Combichristoffersen]

World and World 2 are unequivocally the best 2D Mario's. It's tragic that we're getting SMB4 instead of a conclusion to the epic World Trilogy.

Wait, what. Tell me more.

[USD]

I think Super Mario Bros. 3 had stronger, more varied design, but most of the levels were so short. Super Mario World also controls much better and the physics make actual sense. I love both games though.

I had the most fun with SMW when I did a limited run of the game, mushroom only, no feather or Yoshi except when absolutely necessary for secret exits.

Too bad Yoshi's Island is better than both of them.

[witness]

It is by far my favorite old school game ever. The art style, music, animations, level designs, and the secrets to find throughout the word are just unforgettable. My dad and I spent countless hours playing that game together. That SNES, SMW was a pack in, was probably the best Christmas present from my childhood aside from the original '70s Star Wars toys I got a couple years later.

I just can't praise that gem enough. Really the only thing that can top it for me is Mario Galaxy.

[TheLastCandle]

SMW and SMB3 are both fantastic, probably my 2 favorite 2D platformers ever. My wife and I tend to argue about which one is better, with me on the side of 3 and her on World's side. In the end though, they both fucking rule.

World's music is definitely better, though.

[MisterHero]

I find absolutely no way in that SMB3 could be better than SMW.

That's a bit much isn't it.

SMB3's multiplayer/VS. mode alone is one reason that SMB3 can be praised above SMW.

World and World 2 are unequivocally the best 2D Mario's. It's tragic that we're getting SMB4 instead of a conclusion to the epic World Trilogy.

It's really the SMB3 Trilogy. World was a direct tie-in to SMB3's story (the doomship right before the Valley of Bowser). :P

[bluehat9]

It's still my favorite Mario game (although that could be due to the fact the game and snes were the first videogame stuff that actually was my own and at my house all the time and not my cousins').

[Why would you do that?]

Super Mario Bros. 3 is far easier to play in short bursts, since 1) levels are short, 2) you don't have choice paralysis since you start from the first level, and 3) you can get to any level in the game within a few minutes.

Because of that, I like 3 more. It's just much more fun to play in short bursts.

As for gameplay mechanics, I love the suits (which have better/cooler powers than the colored Yoshis), and the general "zaniness" travelling the world map, including the random bonuses that will appear, minigames, enemies, hands sucking you into levels, etc.

I also like how many items in Mario 3 are 1) too awesome to use, or 2) rare items that you hear about in legends on the playground. The anchor, warp whistle, coin ship, three suits, and P-wing all qualify.

[raven777]

SMW is special to me because its the first video game I have ever played.

[Jason's Ultimatum]

Never understood the love for this game. Even when I was a litte kid, I thought the game was too easy; I wanted more. Hell, I though the platforming was easy as fuck. At the end of the game, and finding secret levels, I was like, "is this it?" And I was probably around 10 years old.

Now Mario 3 OTOH was a bitch to me when I was a kid.

[ElFly]

Special World alone is better than anything in any other Mario game.

Fucking Tubular, man.

[butter_stick]

Mario 3 is for men. World is for babies.

[Magicpaint]

I haven't played these games in a while, but SMB3 has always been by far my preferred platformer between the two. Much tighter, much more memorable and more variety to boot. SMW is weaksauce as a platformer in some ways, even though it's undeniably a great game.

[Boss Doggie]

That's a bit much isn't it. SMB3's multiplayer/VS. mode alone is one reason that SMB3 can be praised above SMW.

Well, SMW doesn't really have a versus so there's that. The only use I have for 2 player is to steal lives :P

Mario 3 is for men. World is for babies.

So that means World is for classy men since only babies need to classify what games are for men. Thanks for confirming :D

[Hot Coldman]

My love of power-ups means 3 can not be beaten.

SMG2 is better than both though.

[butter_stick]

Well, SMW doesn't really have a versus so there's that. The only use I have for 2 player is to steal lives :P So that means World is for classy men since only babies need to classify what games are for men. Thanks for confirming :D

This is a Mario World tier argument.

[Danielsan]

Mario 3 is for men. World is for babies.

The Lost Levels is for men.

Super Mario World is for connoisseurs.

[anotherVegan]

Can't we just like both? Both are amazing games.

[Pyrrhus]

World has tighter, faster physics. I like the way it moves better. It also has the cape and Yoshi. It also was the first game to let you control your ascent while swimming by pressing up or down on the control pad while pumping the jump button. And it has Banzai Bills and cool little cinemas between levels. Beyond that, it had even more wow factor than SMB3 because it was the first game most people ever played on the SNES.

Both games are great, but Mario World feels better and its gimmicks are better integrated into the core gameplay.

[Solstice]

Mario World is superior for two main reasons:

[Magicpaint]

I think that's why I enjoyed World more - it's not too platforming. It's mixed up with some adventuring.

I prefer YI's mix of both over SMW. SMW feels relatively light on BOTH.