Super Mario 3D Land

There is no question about Mario. He has not only been the most influential video game character of all time, but has had honestly the most definitive impact on how we play great platform games that have never lost their luster. Over 25 years after Super Mario Brothers debuted, people still love to go for the flag, and try to knock Bowser off his perch all to save Princess Toadstool from the claws of the king. The game franchise has never honestly gotten old, and has stayed just as strong today for every Nintendo era. The last Mario platformer for the go handheld was New Super Mario Brothers for the Nintendo DS. It really was fun and entertaining for the DS, and Mario's Wii games like Super Mario Galaxy have changed the way we play with Mario in zero gravity. But now with the Nintendo 3DS which came out just last Spring, they haven't yet had a definitive Mario platformer. Well, they are about to have one now, and a little treat for the fans young and old of the past 25 years too.Super Mario 3D Land, is a new and exciting Mario game that still shows how amazing the Mario games have never gotten old. The game brings in a new twist on the classic 2D platformers by bringing back some of the amazement from the classic Super Mario Brothers 3. Just like what New Super Mario Bros. Wii did by bringing back the forgotten Koopa kids and giving them a hard-hitting challenge against Mario. This time it is the beloved tanooki racoon suit returning to the mix from Mario 3 returns, as shown in the story of the game, as well as the classic foe Boom-Boom. As Bowser not only captures Peach, but steals a bunch of tanooki leaves giving Bowser, and his cohorts tanooki powers to try and stop Mario from his wrath on the Mushroom Kingdom. It is challenging as characters like the classic goomba and Boo now can go against Mario with tanooki racoon tails to try and swat you. But that isn't just it alone, Mario also has new elements of power at his side too: including the tanooki leaf, the classic mushroom, as well as the new Boomerang power-up, which Mario can throw boomerangs at his foes and they will come back to him at his side, just like the classic Boomerang Brothers from Super Mario 3.The gameplay takes all the elements from the classic Mario games in both 2D and 3D like Super Mario 64, and giving them a 3D twist by having you race against the clock trying to make it to the goal before time runs out. There are also classic items to be found including the bonus coins, and warp pipes, as well as a few new treats as well. The gameplay is very addictive from start to finish, and has shown that they haven't gotten old. The controls are also very simple and easy to master on each level, as you leap from block to block, and hopping in pipe to pipe, all trying to make your way to the goal. The sound is also classic Mario as well, by not getting old, and remaining distinctive as before. It takes timing and a lot of guts to master this new adventure, but honestly die hard Mario fans will definitive love this new challenge, as well as new ones too.All in all, Super Mario 3D Land is a definite must buy game for the Nintendo 3DS. It truly has shown that no matter what the gaming universe has to come around, Mario has still been a great constant in the gaming universe that continues to evolve and be just as fun today as it did back then. I definitely love the challenge this game has, and I know this will be a great game for you to play on the Nintendo 3DS (and only available on the Nintendo 3DS.) There haven't been a lot of definitive games for the Nintendo 3DS since last Spring, but this is definitely one of them that I absolutely recommend.Graphics: A-Sound: A-Control: AFun & Enjoyment: AOverall: A-

Price can always be better on video games. They’re just outlandish and price honestly but the video game was a hit and loved by our family.

I'll begin this review with just one statement: Buy this game. Super Mario 3D Land is one of the main reasons to own a 3DS even a year after its release, and is definately one of the most fun and beautiful 3DS titles to date. Another installment in a heralded franchise, 3D Land is nothing new, yet fresh and incredible. 3D Land has several strong things going for it, and with only a few weaknesses, deserves its praise as one of the best games for the 3DS.Graphics- 10/10Graphically, this game is the one of the best on the 3DS right now. Mario and all of the other crazy characters stand out in stark 3D relief, but remain comically animated and very pleasing to look at. The level graphics are superb, and the colors are bright and cheerful. If picking this game up for the graphics, you will not be dissatisfied.Level Design- 9.5/10The level design in this installment of the Super Mario Land franchise is what makes this game shine. Former installments took a side-scrolling approach to design, and it is what made Mario so iconic. But this 3D level design still retains a side-scrolling feel, but now in a "Free-World" aspect. Mario can run anywhere he pleases (as long as he stays in his parameters), yet he still must find a flag post and evade enemies. The creators of this game may have taken a risk, but it definately pays off.Content- 9.5/10Honestly, the first eight worlds are a piece of cake. I finished all of them in about two days, and was scared I had just completed a game in record time. Was it really this short? My fears were not realized, luckily, as this game features another eight worlds after, called "special" worlds and introduce Luigi. Although these Special levels often use the first eight worlds' level design they pose a much greater challenge, and the collecting of Star Coins offers a fun side-quest of sorts.Story- 10/10What can I say? Every Mario fan knows how this works. Bowser kidnappes Princess Peach, this time while using Tanooki Suits, and Mario must rescue her. Then Bowser kidnappes Luigi and Mario must rescue him. But this story always stays fresh. And besides, who even picks up a Mario game for a serious story?Gameplay- 10/10The gameplay in Super Mario 3D Land is very intuitive. Running and jumping make a return (of course) along with Wall Jumps, Rolls, and other more recent yet familiar Mario moves. The three third-tier power-ups (Fire, Tanooki, and the more recent Bommerang) are beautifully thought-out and useful.While Mario 3D Land does not deviate far from the Super Mario norm, it makes a few key additions to the franchise while still retaining a classic feel. Much like the Galaxy games, this title is colorful, fun, and well worth the money it costs. It is one of the chief reasons to own a 3DS and gives us a glimpse at what this gaming system can do.