Super Mario 3D Land - 3DS

Super Mario 3D Land is a 3D Mario game, but the levels have a classic 2D feel to them which gives makes it seem different to previous Mario releases. As usual, Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser and so Mario must travel through 8 worlds to save the day. However, there are only 5 stages in each one plus a couple of extra, optional levels; so the game feels rather short. However, once you do this, it turns out you are only really half way to complete the game because another set of 8 worlds with 5 stages in each is revealed, and the real challenge begins. However, to play these extra levels, there is a increasingly harsh coin cost to unlock them. The required coins are the special 3 coins found in each level, located in the more dangerous and harder to reach places. If you want to play these extra stages, you will need to make sure to find the 3 coins, unless you will be replaying levels again and again to find the ones you missed the first time round. In terms of power ups, the usual Mario ones are featured, and a stronger emphasis is placed on the Tanooki suit in which Mario can spin attack and partially glide using the tail. The propeller box can make Mario fly to large vertical heights then slowly glide back to the ground, and an uncommon Boomerang Bro's suit makes an appearance in a handful of levels. The main game is mainly easy and experienced players won't die too often. Most deaths I found were caused by some platforms being hard to judge their position, or when Mario didn't gain as much speed as predicted. Maybe it was me that just had problems with the 3DS circle pad, but sometimes Mario often didn't like jumping diagonally and came up short. In the event that you do die many times, an optional Invincibility Leaf can be used which basically is a cross between a Tanooki suit and permanent Star power, which allows you to focus on the platforming and ignore all enemies. The special worlds are much more trickier, with a higher amount of enemies, particularly the tricky ones like Spineys, and after the first world, you can have the choice of playing as Luigi. If you plan on playing through the main game, you may end up being disappointed with the games length and challenge, but if you judge the game as a whole, it is enjoyable and should provide a fairly long lasting challenge.

One of the best 3ds games I have played on the 3ds. 3d graphics work really well. Gameplay is good too. Expect a good mario game.

I have played Mario games for many years and this one is no different in that it provides some solid platforming action. The 3D graphics are a nice gimmick, but aside from adding a bit of depth they make little difference to the way the game plays, so I found myself switching them off as my eyes became tired. I was glad that the shape of the worlds has returned to a more classic style rather than following Super Mario Galaxy.

The game is definitely very playable, and most parts seem to be well thought out, but there are some battles with Bowser that are difficult. Bowser can take up the whole of the walkway making it impossible to run around him, which can be frustrating when you have to get around him to complete the level. The good parts of the platforming are things like tight ropes, springy blocks, heli-boxes(I'm not sure what they are actually called), and blocks that flip as you jump, plus many more.

The only thing that let the game down for me was that I didn't want to replay levels after they were complete. There was the challenge of collecting the 3 stars on each level, but once these are done there isn't much reason to go back. Time attack is available once the game is complete, and some pipes can be used to visit other areas, but this didn't hold my interest for very long.

The length of the game is also a little short. There are 8 worlds with about 6 levels in each, and each level takes under 5 minutes to complete. So in total that's about 5 hours entertainment, or a bit more if repeating levels.

Overall, it's another good Mario title, but not one that it going to dominate your time playing your 3DS. It's hard to see what could have been done better, but the length of the game is the biggest issue for me.

If your a fan of Mario this is a must have. The 3d graphics really brings the game to life.