The Wii U, in my opinion, was an underappreciated console with a solid library of games. Super Mario 3D World stood out as a highlight upon its release seven years ago. Following the trend of porting classic Mario titles, the Switch now receives its version. As an added bonus, players also get Bowser’s Fury, a mini-Mario adventure built upon the same robust game engine, offering a fresh 3D experience.
For those seeking a deeper understanding of the core game, Super Mario 3D World, you can refer to the original Wii U review here. The Switch version retains the core gameplay while introducing several enhancements. Notably, the presentation receives a significant upgrade; the Switch boosts the resolution from 720p on the Wii U to 1080p (Full HD in docked mode, with dynamic resolution scaling), maintaining a fluid 60fps, even in multiplayer. While the four playable characters (Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad) were primarily differentiated by aesthetics in the Wii U version, they now possess distinct characteristics, reminiscent of Super Mario Bros 2. Luigi boasts the highest jump, albeit with a longer stopping distance. Toad is the fastest runner but has the weakest jump. Peach excels at gliding, and Mario offers a balanced, all-around playstyle. While these differences were present to some degree in the original, they feel more refined and impactful here. Furthermore, character movement speed has been increased by approximately 50% compared to the Wii U version, a welcome change from the sensation of sluggishness that often necessitated constant use of the sprint button.
The multiplayer component has also been expanded, now offering both local co-op (up to four players) and online multiplayer. For the latter, a coordinated group is recommended to avoid a stressful experience, as the “lead” player dictates the pace for the rest. This is a game best enjoyed at a leisurely pace, discovering its secrets, rather than rushing through it.
The true highlight of the Super Mario 3D World+Bowser’s Fury package is undoubtedly Bowser’s Fury. In this mini-adventure, Mario’s arch-nemesis, the colossal Bowser, is enraged. Mario must collect “cat shines” – small cat medallions similar to stars – to illuminate lighthouses across the open world. These lighthouses then push back Bowser’s darkness and the malevolent goo corrupting the island. Aiding you is Bowser Jr., whose level of assistance can be adjusted (computer-controlled) or controlled by a second player, akin to Cappy in Super Mario Odyssey (2017’s best game). Bowser Jr. can explore areas inaccessible to Mario, collect bonuses, and engage enemies and bosses. Periodically, the gigantic Bowser emerges, reminiscent of a Balrog, and you can either fight him by activating lighthouses or trigger a Giga Bell (a giant bell) that transforms Mario into a massive Cat-Mario for a battle of giants à la Godzilla vs King Kong. This provides a compelling and enjoyable experience.
While we haven’t seen a new mainline Mario game since 2017, Bowser’s Fury serves as a worthy substitute. As is typical for Nintendo and the Mario franchise, it delivers brilliant platforming, showcasing the genre at its finest. The adventure is somewhat brief, lasting approximately five hours, and the difficulty increases significantly towards the end after a relatively easy start. Furthermore, it experiences occasional slowdowns and frame drops when the action becomes intense (particularly in “Godzilla mode”), especially when using the photo function, resulting in considerable lag. Playing in docked mode is highly recommended, as it maintains a relatively stable 60fps at 720p. In portable mode, the developers have prioritized resolution over frame rate, resulting in a halved frame rate (30fps) that drops noticeably towards 25fps during demanding scenes. A lower resolution and fewer details on the smaller screen, with a consistent frame rate, would have been preferable. However, beyond these technical imperfections, it offers a pure and rewarding experience, making it worth the price of admission alone. And if you’ve never played Super Mario 3D World, you have a fantastic game to look forward to, made even better by the enhancements in this release.
In conclusion, Nintendo delivers yet another polished title for the Switch, reaffirming their and Mario’s position as the undisputed leaders in the platforming genre for the past 35 years. While anticipation for a more powerful Switch console remains (hopefully to be addressed this year), good games ultimately transcend hardware limitations. Playability remains paramount, and Nintendo’s mascot consistently delivers in this regard.
A must-have, regardless of whether you’ve experienced the base game before (but especially if you haven’t).
