Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES) retro-review

Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Date Released: NES: February 12, 1990 (USA), VC: November 5, 2007 (USA)
MSRP: VC: $5 (500 Wii Points)
Players: 1-2
Genre: Platformer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Super Mario Bros. 3 has been commonly praised, by critics and Nintendo-fans alike, as the greatest Mario game of all time. I bought it a couple days before Super Mario Galaxy (I know, it's a while ago). And boy, it is fun. But is it as fun as people say?

To put it simple, Super Mario Bros. 3 took everything that made the first game great and improved on it. Graphics, gameplay, power-ups, and music. All of it's there and even better than before. To start on it, the graphics have been improved and actually aren't really that bad to look at today. Now as for the game itself, man it's fun. It's a fairly difficult adventure. With 8 worlds filled to the brim with levels, mini-game rooms, secret passageways, and warp-pipes, the game will suck you in. One of the highest points of the game for me are the power-ups. Besides the basic Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Invincibility Star from the first, you have wacky and useful items such as Frog suit, Super Leaf, and Hammer suit. Plus there's now items to use on the map, creating shortcuts. The game does not lack in the difficulty area either. As it will frustrate many a player, yet keep them hooked to the end.


Now, for the low points of the game. To tell the truth, I have almost none. The main one I can think of is that you can't go back a replay levels. That feature was added in future games like Super Mario World. The only other gripe I have with the game is the length. It will last you some time, but it's not a super-long game.

To me, this is the best of the best for Mario. This game clearly defines why Nintendo is the greatest company in the video game industry.

Gameplay: 10/10 One of the greatest platformers of all time. The power-ups add to the fun to be had with this one.

Story: 7/10 The basic, save the princess from Bowser one. But hey, what the heck? It's a Mario platformer, does it really need a story?

Graphics: 9.5/10 The best of the 8-bit era and a fine style overall.

Sound: 9/10 Classic Mario tunes, need I say more?

Lasting Value: 8/10 Lasts for a while, but not much to do besides speed run or beat it again once it's over.

Overall: 10/10
The game is my favorite classic Mario game and one of my favorite games of all time.