PAX 2011: Super Mario 3D Land Hands-On - Classic Mario in 3D Done Right
By:
Andre Segers
|
August 26, 2011, 5:06 pm

We’ve written about Super Mario 3D Land pretty in-depth before, but we decided to take it out for another spin...a Tanuki tail spin! This time we paid particular attention to the 3D effects that perminate nearly every level, noticing how the rotating platforms nearly seemed to spin right out of the screen. On the doomship level, the bulletbills that launched from the background threatened to destroy my face as Mario narrowly dodged out of the way. And we dug how fireballs appeared to bounce right out of the screen when launched at the camera.


The myriad  throwbacks to previous Mario games, such as classic power-ups, bosses, and secrets, are as fantastic as ever. We even found a classic-style Warp Zone, though only of the three pipes lead anywhere - the end of the level - though we hope this changes to something a little closer to the original in the final release, enabling you to skip entire stages.
 

And in another classic Mario throwback - and a 3D Mario first - Mario can only kill his enemies by jumping on them directly, or by using a power-up or item. That means to more punching, kicking, spinning, or dousing them in water--it’s all classic, all the time. It’s a small detail that I haven’t noticed garnering much attention, but one that’s critical in its old-school feel. And we dig it. Also, unlike the 3D ones, you actually have to hold a button to run!

Unfortunately, my complaint of Mario feeling sluggish still holds true. Mario moves just slightly less quickly than in the Galaxy series, and while I’m sure we’ll get used to it, it does lend the game a slightly slower pace.

I’ve mentioned before how Super Mario Galaxy 2 felt like Super Mario Bros. 3 in 3D. I was wrong...Super Mario 3D Land is almost exactly what I would imagine SMB3 in 3D to be. It’s a fantastic reinterpretation of the classic title, only in 3D--both gameplay-wise and stereoscopic 3DS-wise.

Keep an eye on GameXplain.com for more on Super Mario 3D Land as we approach its November release.
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