Super Mario 3D Land makes me feel 7-years-old again (Hands-On)
By:
Wesley Ruscher
|
October 6, 2011, 2:53 pm

Super Mario 3D Land makes me feel like I’m seven-years-old again and I love it. While Mario’s past adventures in 3D and even the one on the DS have encompassed the classic nostalgic Nintendo feeling -- the kind that leaves you all warm and fuzzy inside -- they haven’t left me with quite the same feeling I received the first time I saw that fat Italian plumber waddle his way into my heart... until now. 


Having recently has the chance to play nine levels of Super Mario 3D Land -- including all of the first world -- I can’t help but be excited. This game epitomizes what Shigeru Miyamoto created in, what I consider his finest Mario game, Super Mario Bros. 3. There is a reason the Tanook suit is back. A symbolic return to the pure fun and innocence that only a Mario adventure can bring to the world of video games.
 

Like all Mario games my endeavor started off with world 1-1. Right off the bat everything just screamed classic. From the instantly hummable melodies to the familiar foes, getting immersed isn’t very hard. The sense of depth added from the 3DS’s 3D capabilities, once accustomed to, again only makes this Mario experience all the more enjoyable. Running, jumping on heads, smashing bricks feels as good as ever and in true original Mario fashion every stage ends with the classic flag down the pole routine. It’s the subtle touches like this that puts that big childlike smile across my face.

Sticking with the vintage style level 1-2 finds itself back in the dank sewers. The level plays very close to one of its 2D counterparts, but the with the added depth of 3D new paths and secrets hidden in the backgrounds make the level every much explorable as any 3D Mario level. Super Mario 3D Land incorporates a lot of throwbacks to what made the series such a legend, but even with the old there is much new to be discovered.
 

 
Level 1-3 is really where I began to find the game grow into something completely fresh, original, and instantly classic. While the first two stages coddle with recognizable tropes it was from level 1-3 on in my time with Super Mario 3D Land where I really got sucked in. The first stages were walks in the park and the same can be said for the careful gamer for the rest of World 1, but 1-3 is where my little Italian boy saw his first demise.

Making my way through, this is where the added of depth of 3D blew my mind. There is a part where you have to drop down to cloud platforms below that feel like they are 100’s of feet down. Making these falls safely and precisely requires watching where Mario’s shadow is about to land. It took me a few attempts, some due to impatience others from poor timing, but the sense of vertigo induced added quite nicely to the tension.
 
 
Part of what has always made Mario games so memorable is discovering all the hidden secrets and traversing the varied terrains of the Mushroom Kingdom for oneself. Wrapping up World 1 (which there are 5 total levels) was another trip down memory lane. Progressing through the fiery paths en route to save toad from Bowser’s castle (sorry no Princess) will make lovers of the original Super Mario Bros. feel right at home with its conclusion. But as nostalgic as the moment is, it still surprises with some endearing humor that makes it a brand new experiece.

As excited as I am about sharing all the cool things I saw in levels 2-1, 2-4, 3-1, and 3-2 I don’t want to ruin the fun for gamers so close to release. Keeping it vague there are some new enemies to encounter, new hazards to find and even some classic settings. Not all the levels too are as confined as videos have made them seem. While they may not rival Mario 64 in magnitude, not every level presents itself as one single linear path to follow.
 

One feature of Super Mario 3D Land I do feel inclined to share is the yet unnamed “Help Mode”. The way this mode works all depends on the number of times you parish in a level that has not been completed. Die a couple times and an Assist Block will appear offering a special item (i.e. Tanooki leaf), die five times and an invincible leaf will appear. While you are still susceptible to falling deaths, the invincible leaf will turn Mario into a white Tanooki. It’s quite awesome looking and essentially is like having star power with the ability to float in the air. The last of the “Help Mode” assists is the P Wing block. Using the P Wing will instantly transport Mario to the end of the stage for a quick slide down the flag pole.

Currently I don’t own a 3DS , but with November 13 quickly approaching it’s beginning to look the like the time to finally take the plunge. Super Mario 3D Land takes what made the NES games so memorable and smashes it together with the 3D romps for the perfect balance of old and new. Fans of both style of Mario adventures have a lot to look forward this fall and frankly this is one title that shouldn’t be missed.
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Background Check: Wesley
I'm seriously one of the world's biggest Mario fans. Born in the same year as his first actual game, I've grown up alongside him my entire life. Needless to say, when a Mario game comes out, I'm there ready to play it.

Mario Galaxy 1 & 2: Loved
Super Mario Land 2: Loved
Super Mario Sunshine: Burn it with fire
Super Mario 64: Loved
New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Liked
New Super Mario Bros (DS): Meh