Topic: Best Mario 3DS game?

Hi everyone! I'm considering getting a Mario game for my 3DS. So far I'm interested in SM3DW and NSMB2. What's your opinion on the best Mario game that I can buy for 3DS, and why? I'd appreciate the help!

Super Mario 3D World is on the Wii U unless you meant 3D Land. If it's between Land & Bros then it depends if you prefer 2D or 3D games, there's also Mario & Luigi: Dream Team Bros which is a RPG which is arguebly better than the other 2 choices.

Personally I'd get 3D Land and get Super Marios Bros 3 on the Virtual Console for my 2D fix if you want to stick to platformers.

Oops, I did mean Land! & thanks for the opinion! I actually do enjoy SMB3

I would say, 3D land, but I love the Coin challenge feature on NSMB2. This is a section of the game where on select levels (including retro levels from previous games) you need to collect as many coins as possible, and complete the level. Your score and time is then saved and challenged against other players via street pass (but most of the additional leves are DLC which you have to pay for). I found the replay value very high with this.

I think the biggest deciding factor is whether you prefer 2D or 3D platformer

I would never recommend you getting New Super Mario Bros. 2, is a very disappointing game, specially if you like Super Mario Bros. 3. If you have a Nintendo 3DS, the best choice is Super Mario 3D Land.

Thank you, @Ootfan98 !

& @VanillaLake, what don't you like about NSMB2?

First of all, I bought it thinking I would love it, I liked that the SMB3 leaf was back and everything, but this game is way too uninspired, and that's its main problem. Almost everything is recycled from New Super Mario Bros. and New Super Mario Bros. Wii without any inspiration or new ideas. Not only that, but the mix is worse than the original ideas and I mean the levels, the bosses and the soundtrack. It's not that it recycles things, it's the way those recycled things are put up. Actually, there a few new things like the golden flower but they don't make the game any better. The developers said they wanted to create a Mario game with everything that Mario lovers like and put it all together, like collecting coins, but that's not really what makes a Mario game fun. Nintendo even teased this game as the new Super Mario Bros. 3 game on the eShop but they are wrong again. This game can not compare to Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World. And if we are into more modern games, it even can not be compared to New Super Mario Bros. Wii or New Super Mario Bros. U. As its best, it feels like a bland version of the original New Super Mario Bros. (NDS).

3d land all the way...... many say it was "to short"..... I disagree. This is one of the BEST Mario games. I'd even go as far as say that this is a "Keeper game". Ya know, the type of game you don't trade in when your finished with it because its replay value is immense! IMO.

Then again, ALL the entire Marioland series are fun, again, IMO.....
1) Super Mario Land (1989)
2) Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992)
3) Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (1994)
4) Wario Land 4 (2001)
5) Super Mario 3D Land (2011)

I think this is the complete handheld list.

I'd say 3D Land. I like NSMB 2, but admittingly it doesn't do anything new really. Just emphasizes coin collecting and speedrunning. And the bosses are really easy. But still a fun game.

I'm sorta leaning towards 3D Land now the feedback is awesome!

I like the general feel of 3D Land compared to NSMB2, just feels more fun, IMO.

No one likes Sticker Star?

NSMB2 is the only main series Mario platformer I would not recommend. Quite simply, everything in that game was done before and to a better extent, too. NSMB2 is what you get when you don't have the time or resources to actually commit to a properly done 2D mario game. Look at the time this was released, it was crunch time for the Wii U and all the big development teams had projects underway. If you read the Iwata Asks for this, he brings up how this was a project for the younger staff; with little involvement from series vets. Essentially, they handed it to the B-team and we got a B-team game; not good, not bad, just unremarkable and forgettable.

I like Sticker Star, but Mario 3D Land wins by a ton: challenging levels, long (sometimes even too long) boss battles, a new set of worlds after finishing the first batch, great Streetpass support, etc.

Dream Team. I haven't played it, which means it's the only one to not earn my ire.

I can only imagine the ire if you do eventually play it.

I'd slightly put 3D Land ahead. Although I did enjoy NSMB2 more than most others and I think it's probably the second best of the "new" series (after the Wii U version).
To be honest though, I'd go with neither and get the Mario 64 remake for the DS. That's better than both if you want a challenging and deeper game. If you just want casual fun, go with 3D Land.

Does the Analogue Pad work to give control as the original?

Good that we were able to help.

No. If you play Super Mario 64 DS you have to use the touch screen for analogue control, not as good as playing the Wii Virtual Console version with a classic or GameCube controller.

RPGs were not included in the question but if I had to recommend a Mario RPG for Nintendo 3DS, Mario & Luigi would be my choice. Paper Mario Sticker Star is the worst Paper Mario game ever.

Exactly those two that you mentioned (assuming you meant 3D Land). I have so much fun with NSMB 2, still playing it very often from time to time. It's just a perfect game; the polish, the overall design, experience... it's just so enjoyable. 3D Land is awesome. Not much more to say there. It's new, innovative, fun, and most of all, I find it extremely charming. It's "compact" and snappy, basically ideal for a handheld.