Super Mario 3D Land Review

Super Mario 3D Land is one of those games which is brilliantly made, beautifully rendered and wonderfully nostalgic all in the same package. It's also one of those games which, in spite of this, falls a little short of expectations.

As a lifelong Mario fan it pains me to say that my standards are not as unreasonably high as they should be. I fully accept the drudgery that the franchise has found itself cemented in since Super Mario Galaxy- and 3D Land remedies the issues that the series has run into. The classic themes of Super Mario are there- as they always are- and they're just as well executed, but for once the game feels just as fresh as it ever has.

Well…The problem with the game is incredibly simple: It's too damn short.

A game should always leave you wanting more, the final boss beaten and your thumbs sore. The wish for continuation shows that the game was an experience which was worthwhile; it's indicative of good pacing and elegant design. Well, this is how it should be. Sadly, in the case of this latest Mario release you want more because you're simply not provided with very much content.

The game has the traditional eight worlds, each with varying themes and an easily identifiable difficulty curve that runs through the game- it's just that unlike previous titles these worlds take very little time to complete and don't have much depth at all.

Each stage is a linear path- there are no sub-missions or fun objectives to be found (with the exception of painfully obvious collectables which offer more tedium than variety) and while this is a fairly unique format for a three-dimensional Mario title it's fairly obvious why this has not been the case in previous games. There's no padding- it's all very concise, which feels fresh- but this means that the game is not a long one. It's a praiseworthy decision, to be sure, but the developers took no steps to remedy the content problems that this choice brings.

The game looks gorgeous, and sounds even better. It's a definitively 'Mario' experience which is instantly identifiable and the recognition of this style is something which sets the game apart from other platformers. It's also quite easily the best game on the 3DS in spite of the overall lack of content; if only because the current line-up leaves a lot to be desired. The 3D effect is also praiseworthy, being utilised in a remarkably fluid and convincing way- but this should not have any bearing on a 3DS game's review. Saying that a first-party game on the 3DS uses the 3D effect well is saying that a novel is written in a pleasing font.

It makes no difference.

The gameplay itself is very, very satisfying. It's the kind of tight, enthralling platform-action which we've come to expect from the Italian Stallion, and the game comes with a plethora of new moves and power-ups which really enhance and modify the experience. The inclusion of fan-favourite the Tanooki Suit is a brilliant modifier to the overall physics of the game- feeling a lot like the inclusion of the F.L.U.D.D. in Mario Sunshine- and makes for a welcome change in pace. The damage system is also more akin to the older games, which made the Mario fan in me smile- even when the little guy was scuttling away from terrifying danger.

It's just so… Mario-y. It feels right- which is why it's such a massive shame that there's not more levels to enjoy. After completing the final boss (a refreshing take on the ancient Bowser-battles from Super Mario Bros on the NES which plays like a gigantic fiery game of British Bulldog) you get access to 'special' worlds- but none of the content there is new.

The levels are the same, but any increase in difficulty (something the game sorely needs) is a facade. It's the same content- but now the enemies are placed differently and there are a few less platforms.

That's not new content. That's shameless padding, and it's the same problem I had with the 'Green Stars' in Super Mario Galaxy 2. The game's length may be doubled, and you may get the chance to play as Luigi, but you're not getting anything new- just a shallow replacement for new content. It's like being a heroin addict who's slowly weaned off onto morphine- the buzz just isn't the same, and there's no thrill of discovery. You know what you're getting, and while it's what you like it's very, very far from what you want and crave.

Super Mario 3D Land is a triumph in many, many ways: It's pretty, plays perfectly and revamps the Mario franchise in some very, very welcome ways- it's just that the inevitable Super Mario 3D Land 2 should have been content in this title, not a probable level pack masquerading as a sequel.

Toby Ellis