Super Mario 3D World

2021

platform
action
single player
multiplayer
co-operative

The story

Rescue the Sprixie Princess and her followers by yourself or with three other players in this enhanced version of Super Mario 3D World, released as part of the Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury bundle. As an enhanced version of Super Mario 3D World, some brand new gameplay improvements have been made to spice up this adventure. All characters have received a boost to their running speed and climb even higher after picking up a Super Bell, making platforming that little bit snappier. You can now also use gyro controls for certain sections of the game that previously required touch controls. As well as same system and local wireless co-op play with up to four people, you can now play Super Mario 3D World together online for the very first time! Choose your character before each course and use all four characters’ different abilities to see everything that the Sprixie Kingdom has to offer.

What it’s like

Bright, saturated toy-box worlds with clean cel-style shading: sunlit meadows, candy-coloured lava and icy peaks rendered in crisp, cheerful detail, all filtered through a soft, glossy Nintendo polish. The soundtrack is bouncy and orchestral-leaning, with springy brass, chiming bells and playful percussion that tick along to every jump, while the Sprixie Kingdom's little sound effects (pops, plinks, power-up chimes) give the whole thing a light, tactile snap. Movement feels snappy and buoyant, with a quick run speed and a Super Bell that lets characters climb higher, so the rhythm is energetic but never frantic. It's a bright, easygoing vibe that suits a weekend afternoon on the couch, a sociable evening with friends, or a bit of playful unwinding after a long day. Violence is cartoonish and minimal: enemies are bopped, stomped or swept away with no blood, gore or lasting fear. The emotional register is warm, goofy and generous, with a shared-adventure feel that makes it especially good for families, kids, and anyone wanting cheerful co-operative fun with a low-stakes, gentle edge.

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