Review: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (Switch)

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The Nintendo Switch has a lot of Wii U ports on it. Many people missed out on a fair number of Wii U games due to that system not being particularly popular. Today’s game review is of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, a game that bundles a Wii U game that I missed, despite my owning a Wii U, with a new game added as a bonus. How will a pair of fresh eyes rate these experiences? Read on to find out!

Let’s start with Super Mario 3D World. This game is another game that plays similarly to Super Mario 3D Land on the 3DS. While both games are 3D Mario games, much of the design borrows a lot from the 2D Mario games. There is a world map that opens up as you complete levels, you have to get the the flagpole at the end of a level, and there are a variety of powerups that determine Mario’s abilities and how many hits Mario has left, much like the 2D Mario games. Also similar to the 2D Mario games is the relative linearity to levels, a time limit, and score counter. The only thing that makes it a 3D Mario game is that the action takes place in 3D space.

What is interesting about 3D World is that the game adds a neat feature from the classic 2D Mario game, Super Mario Bros. 2, multiple playable characters. You can play as Mario, Luigi, Toad, or Princess Peach, each with different run speeds and jumping ability. In fact, the differences between each character is the same as it was in Super Mario Bros. 2, with Toad being the fastest, but having the shortest jump, while Peach is the slowest, but can briefly hover in the air. In addition,, Luigi is not as slow as Peach, but jumps the highest, and Mario is the second fastest, but jumps higher than Toad. It should also be noted that the game supports local and online multiplayer, with each player controlling a different character.

During my playthrough I played mostly as Mario. I found that most levels could be beaten by any character, but some stages were much easier with other characters. Most notably, the more hazardous stages were easier with Peach, while players that want to complete a level quickly would play as Toad. The levels are carefully crafted so that no character would have an impossible time on any level, so I appreciate that. That being said, each level did feel a bit short, making each world feel short too. Whether or not that is a good thing is a matter of personal taste, but it felt a little too quick for me.

The powerups are typical for a Mario game. The most noteworthy of the new powerups was the catsuit. It allows Mario and the gang to claw at enemies and climb walls, leading to some neat exploration options. The player can even climb the flagpole at the end of the level if using the catsuit too.

Perhaps my biggest gripe from this game’s predecessor, Super Mario 3D Land, was the requirement to get the collectable star coins in order to progress past certain points. Super Mario 3D World has a similar requirement, in that you need enough green stars to play certain required stages, but handles the process a little bit better. First off, there are a number of optional stages that you can gather more green stars in. In some cases, such as the Captain Toad levels, you can find more green stars than usual to help speed up what is most likely mandatory backtracking. The world map in this game isn’t a straight line either, so if you skip an optional level, you at least get to play something new when the game forces you to go back for green stars.

In general, I found myself having a child-like grin while playing Super Mario 3D World. The game is full of small, quick surprises, and could easily be enjoyed as a speed running game. The game might be a little short and even easy, but can help wet your appetite for more Mario action.

Speaking of more Mario action, let’s talk about the bonus content in the Bowser’s Fury addition to this game. You can thankfully play this mode right off the bat if you already played Super Mario 3D World. Much of this game features open world exploration while avoiding a super sized version of Mario’s nemesis, Bowser, who occasionally attacks Mario from afar as the player explores. The goal is to gather cat shines so that a new powerup, the gigabell can become available. Once Mario uses the gigabell, he becomes super sized as well, and can fight back against Bowser. After defeating Bowser, more of the world opens up, where the process repeats until the end of the game.

Mario is also accompanied by Bowser’s son, Bowser jr. who wants to see Bowser back to normal size. His help is minimal, based on a setting of the player’s choice, and he can even be controlled by another player if you wish. Bowser jr. can also activate a few secrets at the player’s command, so he isn’t completely unnecessary to the game.

Now, when Bowser attacks, he can make the game world much more dangerous, but sometimes he can break certain terrain. This feature can open up a new cat shine for the player to collect, so in some cases, you might find yourself waiting for Bowser to become active just to progress a little more.

Speaking of progressing, the game world of Bowser’s Fury consists of multiple islands, and the fastest way around is to ride Plessie, a lock ness monster-like dinosaur that can swim. She appeared briefly in Super Mario 3D World as well, but is the most convenient means of travel here.

Bowser’s Fury may be a bit of a shorter playthrough than Super Mario 3D World, especially if you just play to the credits. As such, if you are getting this game just to play Bowser’s Fury, you might not quite get your money’s worth. If you missed 3D World or want to replay it too, then the full package is worth the full price. Both games are good on their own, but Bower’s Fury is an addition that makes this game quite worthwhile.

Here are some recommendations:

• If you missed out on Super Mario 3D world, then play that first. If you already played it, then it is up to you if you want to play 3D World or Bowser’s Fury first.
• In Super Mario 3D World, try out each character first, then play your favorite. Switch this around if you have trouble on some stages.
• Bring a friend along if you can in multiplayer mode, it would be more fun.
• Gather as many green stars as you go, to limit the need for backtracking.
• Then play Bowser’s Fury.
• If you need more, then play the bonus levels in 3D World, there is a hidden character to find.
• Complete both games if you want to see everything. Some players might not be satisfied otherwise.

Pros:

• Vibrant graphics.
• Fun music.
• Multiple characters in 3D world.
• Clean level design.
• Bowser’s Fury is a good addition.
• Extra optional content for completion adds value to the game.

Cons:

• Both games are short on their own (possible con based on taste).
• Some waiting is needed in Bowser’s Fury.
• Game world is small in Bowser’s Fury (possible con, based on taste).
• Both games are somewhat easy (possible con, based on skill level and difficulty tolerance).

Verdict:

8.8/10 A GReat, but Quick Romp

Both games are a quick play, but are designed well enough to get your money’s worth as a bundle. There might be less here for those who played the Wii U version, but those players might not mind replaying this game can also enjoy this package as well. This game could fall in the range of 8.6-9.0.

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So, what did you make of Super Mario 3D World and Bowser’s Fury? Which game do you like more? Which character do you tend to play as in 3D World? Let me know this in the comments below! If you enjoyed this review, then click that like button and share on social media! To keep up with That’s All Games, you may subscribe via email or WordPress. Until next time, have fun gaming!