JaseMath
Member
I've always been a big fan of Mario games. However, the last two titles I played in the franchise left me...pretty underwhelmed. I felt that Super Mario 3D Land was clever, but lacked any real heart or charm. Super Mario Galaxy 2 on the other hand, despite several attempts to finish, could never hold my attention past World 3 despite its predecessor being one of my favorite games of all time. For these reasons—as well as my being stupid having heard that Super Mario 3D World was being quickly ported to the Wii U from the 3DS as a desperation move—I avoided Super Mario 3D World. Scoffed at it really, even through critical praise and the gushing over it here on GAF.
Leading up to the Switch presentation, I started getting Nintendo fever. The old sentiment I had for Mario had me lazily wondering what Super Mario 3D World was really like. Another poster on GAF—maxcriden—gave me an honest opinion of the game that made it seem as though it could hit all the right buttons. Intrigued, I purchased a used copy off of eBay.
I watched the Switch presentation Thursday night and started feeling the old Nintendo fan in me getting triggered. Of course I want Zelda like everyone else, but the kid in me wanted Mario. Then this morning, in the game I'm begrudgingly grinding through, this happened. I thought to myself, "Am I really having fun or am I just going through the motions? What would I really rather be playing?" I realize it's almost 100% because of my Nintendo focus lately, but it turns out it's SM3DW. I turned the game off and went to GameStop later in the day. There, I purchased a pre-owned copy of Super Mario 3D World (I'll return it when my eBay copy gets here midweek).
And guys, you were right. I've never believed anyone who said it was great due to my misgivings toward SM3DL and SMG2, but anyone who said this game is one of the best Mario games—even the handful of you who said it's the best 3D Mario—spoke absolutely true. I haven't had this much fun with a game in a really, really long time. Several times I've caught myself just grinning while I play I'm having so much fun. I'm only in World 3 (on to 4), but courses like the Mario Circuit homage (complete with the music!) or the Boo Mansion had me giggling with glee.
And the graphics. Oh my! I realize it's not the technical juggernaut of say, an Uncharted 4 or Final Fantasy XV, but yet, I finding myself more impressed with the visuals of SM3DW than the both of those games. A lot more so. I don't know why. I do know that Nintendo nailed—completely nailed—the essence of Mario with the art style.
It's early, so I can't give a definitive rank amongst the greats of the series, but again, I have a lot more to see and I look forward to what future levels hold. I just can't wait to play again.
TLDR; This game is excellent.
Leading up to the Switch presentation, I started getting Nintendo fever. The old sentiment I had for Mario had me lazily wondering what Super Mario 3D World was really like. Another poster on GAF—maxcriden—gave me an honest opinion of the game that made it seem as though it could hit all the right buttons. Intrigued, I purchased a used copy off of eBay.
I watched the Switch presentation Thursday night and started feeling the old Nintendo fan in me getting triggered. Of course I want Zelda like everyone else, but the kid in me wanted Mario. Then this morning, in the game I'm begrudgingly grinding through, this happened. I thought to myself, "Am I really having fun or am I just going through the motions? What would I really rather be playing?" I realize it's almost 100% because of my Nintendo focus lately, but it turns out it's SM3DW. I turned the game off and went to GameStop later in the day. There, I purchased a pre-owned copy of Super Mario 3D World (I'll return it when my eBay copy gets here midweek).
And guys, you were right. I've never believed anyone who said it was great due to my misgivings toward SM3DL and SMG2, but anyone who said this game is one of the best Mario games—even the handful of you who said it's the best 3D Mario—spoke absolutely true. I haven't had this much fun with a game in a really, really long time. Several times I've caught myself just grinning while I play I'm having so much fun. I'm only in World 3 (on to 4), but courses like the Mario Circuit homage (complete with the music!) or the Boo Mansion had me giggling with glee.
And the graphics. Oh my! I realize it's not the technical juggernaut of say, an Uncharted 4 or Final Fantasy XV, but yet, I finding myself more impressed with the visuals of SM3DW than the both of those games. A lot more so. I don't know why. I do know that Nintendo nailed—completely nailed—the essence of Mario with the art style.
It's early, so I can't give a definitive rank amongst the greats of the series, but again, I have a lot more to see and I look forward to what future levels hold. I just can't wait to play again.
TLDR; This game is excellent.
