The Highlights and Drawbacks of the Super Mario Games

Starting off strong, Super Mario Bros. 3 builds upon the timeless charm of its predecessor with a delightful surprise at every corner. One of the brightest highlights for me is Giant Land. Nestled within the fourth world, it takes everything familiar and turns it on its head with an oversized twist. Giant goombas, colossal koopas, and towering blocks transform the way you perceive scale, bringing an imaginative break to the norm. However, it’s crucial to note that it’s the entirety of these imaginative elements, not just Giant Land, that showcases the extraordinary creativity of the developers. Each world unfurls like a unique chapter in your thrilling adventure through Bowser’s realm.

On the flip side, no journey through Bowser’s world is without its hiccups. While his airships do succeed in adding a layer of grandeur and menace, suggesting a villain with real power, they’re not without their drawbacks. The autoscroll feature, forcing you through these levels at a fixed, often frustratingly slow pace, begins to stifle the sense of agility and freedom that the game is known for. This restriction becomes even more pronounced as you near the game’s climax. You’re tasked with navigating multiple autoscrolling stages, from Bowser’s tank fleet and navy to his flotilla of airships and yet more tanks, before you can even enter the daunting final castle. While the intent is to heighten Bowser’s intimidation factor, it inadvertently becomes a hurdle, slowing down progress and adding a somewhat unwanted challenge for both casual players and speedrunners striving for efficiency.

For further insights into the world of Super Mario, check out the intriguing tale of Chris Pratt’s original voice acting in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, which was deemed a bit too ‘New Jersey’.