via nintendo.com
Title: Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Genre: Platformer, Action
Publisher: Nintendo
Released: September 2020
Overall Score: 35 Gold Stars
Explore the world of paintings, splash around on a tropical island, or travel the cosmos with cute star pals. All these adventures can be yours with the new Super Mario 3D All-Stars.
Get ready to be lost for hours in massive 3D open worlds waiting to be rediscovered. With so much content to explore, new and returning fans can jump and wahoo for joy! To start off the celebration of the 35th anniversary of Mario, Nintendo brought back a 3-in-1 collection of the top-rated Mario titles: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. A collector’s item from each decade, these titles bridge the gap between generations, depicting the story of Mario’s evolution.
From the moment Nintendo announced it would release remastered Super Mario titles for its 35th anniversary of Mario games, fans have eagerly anticipated the return of their favourite games. Nintendo did not disappoint. Not only did they bring back fan favourites, they confirmed there would be more remastered Mario titles to look forward to in the coming year!
A Pixelated Plumbers Glow Up
via nintendo.com
Our story begins in Seattle 1981 with a warehouse, an idea, and a dream of one man; Minoru Arakawa. Working on Nintendo’s debut game and behind on rent, Arakawa jokingly changed his character’s name from ‘Jumpman’ to the legendary Mario after his landlord Mario Segali. The rest is history! Mario’s rise to fame can be credited to his constant appearance in other Nintendo games. His stylish red outfit and stache would later become iconic, making him the poster plumber for Nintendo.
Building on his popularity, Nintendo’s experimentation with different play styles for the Mario games created something for everyone to enjoy and brought something unique to the constantly growing universe. Nintendo’s creativity with each title expanded the Mushroom Kingdom with the introduction of content through lore and characters.
Over 200 Games, 3 Stars Chosen
via nintendo.com
Side-scrollers, open worlds, RPGs, platformers, racing, and party games, oh my! With so many titles and types of genres to choose from, how did Nintendo decide on only three to feature for Mario’s anniversary? Each game chosen was a highly rated stand-out masterpiece for some of the top consoles: the N64, Gamecube, and Wii. It is no coincidence that all three of the games are open world. Super Mario 64 was the first open world of its kind. It laid the foundation for all other open and exploratory 3D platformer games. Super Mario Sunshine brought new mechanics with the F.L.U.D.D backpack, along with improved graphics and a beloved soundtrack. And finally, Super Mario Galaxy stunned with incredible graphics and a well-written storyline, accompanied by creative level design and a whimsical soundtrack.
Three decades, three games. It’s no wonder Nintendo chose these ground-breaking titles to celebrate Mario’s big occasion. Even as video games progress by improving graphics and mechanics, these three stars stand the test of time with their own unique features. With each game boasting raving reviews and huge success for Nintendo, the release of these super Mario games gives everyone a reason to celebrate!
Old Games, New Glossy Screen
via nintendo.com
A pixelated land turned 4K. It’s astounding to see how far the 8-bit plumber has come from his humble beginnings. No matter how quickly graphics advance, there is nothing like the nostalgia that an old game can bring. Nintendo brought back all their titles with the original graphics and only minor upgrades to ensure a smoother playthrough on the switch while still staying authentic to its roots.
With Super Mario 64 being the oldest of the games, it received a slightly improved resolution without taking away from the quirky cartoon style. Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy being newer releases, received only minor adjustments. Nintendo also iincludes a surprise bonus. The 3-in-1 game pack is loaded with 175 iconic Mario tunes, an easy to navigate screen that allows you to jump seamlessly between the 3 games, and an intuitive UI hub.
Because these games are top hits, many people probably wonder why they were not remastered with up to date graphics and controls. The cartoony graphics of Super Mario 64 and the bright island vibes of Super Mario Sunshine are memorable to players.
By not editing the graphics of the game, players can experience the games as they were intended when released. While playing through the stories, fans can appreciate how far Nintendo has come from the slip-n-slide controls of Super Mario 64 to the more refined graphics and fine-tuned mechanics of Super Mario Galaxy.
Overall Gameplay
via nintendo.com
In honour of Mario’s 35th anniversary, I give this collection a rating of 35 gold stars. These games are classics from the past, and should be appreciated for what they are—not by modern gaming standards. Throughout the years, Nintendo created hit after hit in the Mario franchise, bringing new and exciting ideas with each game release.
This 3-in-1 collection brings the best Nintendo has to offer, and evokes nostalgia with games from our favourite childhood consoles. Each game brings a different world for players to re-explore, and hundreds of creative levels to spend hours playing.
Each game brings a different world for players to re-explore, and hundreds of creative levels to spend hours playing. Whether you like the beach, an outer space adventure, or maybe hopping in the world of paintings these games have something for everyone.
Nintendo isn’t finished with the festivities either. The company promises the release of Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. Never one to disappoint when it comes to celebrating their gaming milestones, Nintendo is going all out to ensure that fans can truly celebrate the decades of fun that made Mario so loveable, and eagerly anticipate the next exciting chapter in their video game journey.
This 3-in-1 collection is an exclusive promotion by Nintendo and the games will only be available until March 31st, 2021, so make sure to grab them while they last. Whether you like the beach, an outer space adventure, or maybe, hopping in the world of paintings, these games have something for everyone.
Overall Score: 35 Gold Stars
Here’s the official launch trailer from Nintendo for Super Mario 3D All-Stars:
Written by Amanda Michkowski, Faze Senior Writer
Edited by Sabrina Berry, Faze Gaming Editor
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