Super Mario Bros. 3 Review
// What is Super Mario Bros. 3?
Super Mario Bros. 3 was released on the NES in 1990 in North America.
It’s difficult to write a review about this game because its wins and impacts are so well documented. Not only is it the Mario game that most heavily inspired subsequent releases, but it’s considered by many to be the best game released on the NES at all. Hell, it’s considered one of the best games PERIOD by a lot of people.
Super Mario Bros. 3 gave us the structure we’d see in most 2D Marios going forward with the world map. It introduced many items that became staples in the Mario franchise. It’s also when they really nailed down the game-feel that the Mario series has.
// Is Super Mario Bros. 3 Really That Good?
Of course it is.
// What’s the Point of this Review Then?
Good question. I sat on this review for a long time because I wasn’t sure how to tackle it. I didn’t want to be review million-and-one saying, “the great game is great. I love when he jumps.”
It’s Mario, you know the drill. If you want to choose a single old Mario game to try out, this should be the one. It’s available on Nintendo’s Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Entertainment System emulator for your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2.
Instead of going on about all that I’m going to share some of the more specific things that stood out to me, or just made me have a little bit of silly fun.
// World War Bowser
This game went crazy with the world themes. You’re probably used to things like the ice world, the desert world, etc. But have you considered Dark Land where Bowser sends out his army of actual tanks?
For some reason they’re made almost entirely of logs placed horizontal on top of tank treads.
Also, I’m sorry, but this simply cannot be the most efficient design for a tank. Bowser needs new engineers.
His airships are also made of logs.
// Globe Trotter
This is the game that introduced the world map.
Aside from offering you some freedom in the level path you choose, you can do all kinds of fun little games.
My favourite was the card matching game. You get a few tries each time and your progress carries over each time you find this game on the map.
I loved stopping in whenever I came across a card matching game.
Mario 3 card matching game walked to Gwent and Balatro could run.
// Where did the Logs Come From?
I don’t understand where Bowser could have got so many logs to build his fleets.
The Forest of Illusion still has plenty of trees, so clearly he hadn’t taken them all from there.
I think we can only assume that Dark Land was not always so. Perhaps once it was a luscious, green haven for all. Until Bowser showed up and deforested the whole thing.
// Bullet Bills?
And another thing! Where do they keep the bullet bills? The cannons shoot unlimited Bullet Bills, and frankly I just don’t believe they have enough storage under the cannons to keep that many.
This leads me to conclude that the canons are actually alive and rapidly growing and birthing the Bullet Bills.
// Conclusion
His airships are also made of logs.
If you liked this, why not check out the reviews I did for Super Mario Bros. 1 and Super Mario Bros. 2.
