Super Mario 3D World -Switch- 9.5

August 27, 2023

I finally did it! It’s hard to believe I’ve been playing Super Mario 3D World off and on for 2 1/2 years now. Back when I first got the game, my wife and I played almost the entire game in 2 player mode together. But earlier this year I decided to start a fresh save file where I would beat the entire game as single player, and never once use the invincible raccoon outfit that is offered if you die several times. I wanted to beat this game legit! And I finally made it all the way to Champions Road earlier this month…and finally beat it just now. Boy, that was hard! But what a sense of accomplishment from pulling it off.

The rest of this game is one of the most challenging and polished platformers I’ve ever played. The boundless creativity and variety within the levels makes this a joy to play for hours on end. Some of the best suits from the older games return here, but this entry also introduces the cat outfit, which is very practical and fun for climbing segments.

The option to play up to four played co-op is an awesome feature for friends and family. Things can get tricky and competitive between the players, though, so good communication between teammates is key if you decide to play co-op. The five different characters you can pick from all play really differently, with different jumping ranges and speeds. (I stuck with Luigi during my whole playthrough.)

The soundtrack here was also beautiful, and included a lot of my favorite tunes from past Mario titles as well as catchy new tracks. This title ranks among the very best in the series, and is just what I want from a Mario game. Great music, fun levels, challenging parkour and platforming, and tons of fun and variety. I give Super Mario 3D World a 9.5 out of ten. It’s essential for any Switch collection.