Topic: Viewing SM3DW through a "previous Mario game" lens

Mario games tend to be pretty revolutionary, or at the very least, extremely high quality products that stand the test of time and carry a "never gets old classic" mystique to them. This applies to both 2d and 3d entries, particularly the older 2d ones and all 3d entries.

With that being said, something seems missing from Super Mario 3d World that I cant quite put my finger on. It just doeant capture that "timeless classic" feel like all the others. Think of it like this, if you were taking a week to take someone through the history of a series fron start to present, which titles would you deem "skippable"? To me, its far and away sm3dw.

Some might point to Sunshine as another example, but the truth is its a "hate it or love it" entry, and it has just as many fans that consider it a classic, even the beat entry in the series, so it does have that classic aura to many. Truth be told, it falls perfectly in linr with Nintendo's "quirky second entry" pattern. Nintendo had a habit of making the second game in a seties quirky and experimental.

2d mario- mario 2
2D zelda- adventure of link
3D mario- mario sunshine
3D zelda- majoras mask

So, how do you view sm3dw now? I think we mostly all took the same route of disappointment when announced, hype and excitement building as more trailers released, enjoyment upon playing, and now.... where does it stand in your rear view mirror?

Do you disagree with the premise of this topic and think it continues the mario series trend of classic games, or do you also feel that while fun and very well made, it ultimately falls flatand feela forgettable amongst the titans in the series, such as Smb3, SMW, 64 & the Galaxies?

I noticed, at least for me, i'm fighting bowser for no real good reason in sm3dw. It only tells you he kidnapped these fairy like creatures and you then start the game. I want to know why he's kidnapping them, its not enough for him to randomly do it

I really enjoy SM3DW and find myself coming back to it often, I haven't finished NSMBU yet

It certainly felt like a "safe" Mario game to me and I suspect it was like that in an effort to boost sales of the ailing Wii U. Don't get me wrong, it was 60$ well spent; the platforming in that game was refined perfectly. There were a few catchy tunes, plenty of colorful environments, and ultra tight controls. The thing is, I was expecting that from this game because every Mario game has that stuff. What I was looking for, and ultimately never found, was that elusive "X factor". Ask yourself this: What major concept, mechanic, or otherwise innovative feature did this game bring to the table that nothing else in the series has done before? A catsuit? Sprixies that have zero backstory? If you ask me, there's nothing in this game that moved the series forward in any meaningful direction. It was essentially a much bigger version of 3D Land in HD. It was a fun game, but this is a strong example of how the series has really been idling lately. When will Nintendo try something new? When are we getting the next "Galaxy"?

Honestly I would have to say the Captain Toad levels lol

It was fun the first go around, but on second playthrough everything just felt... Unimaginative. The Galaxy games, every single level felt like a whole new experience. But with this game it was just a semi rush to the finish. The world's were the same boring themes from the 2D games, although a bit more fun.

It was fun, but no where near the amazing design AND music of the Galaxy games. Speaking of which, the music was so unremarkable for me in 3D world. Really, it was a gorgeous game, but not in any of my top Mario games. 3d land was better in my book.

Please tell me what 3D Land did better than 3D World? 3D World expanded on everything 3D Land did.

@Evisceratorx

Completely agree with everything in this post.

Well one thing I absolutely hate is big open, empty spaces in 3D world. It's because they're big enough for four people, but I like playing solo. 3D Land was designed for one player so all the levels felt nice, compact, and like proper obstacle courses. In 3D world, playing alone is pretty much just wandering through the levels. So I guess my problem is 3D world literally expanded the levels. Which made them feel empty. My opinion of course.

As someone who hasn't played it yet, 3D World seems like the culmination of the retro meets new Mario style that started with NSMB in 2006.

Unfortunately, most of you (not so much me, I only played NSMBWii and 3D Land) has to play games that just repeated that nostalgia with a couple of ideas thrown in rather than as genuine new titles, so that when you got to 3D World, it felt like "been there, done that" despite being a brilliantly made game with a lot of creativity.

Or at least I assume so.

To be honest, the most skippable Mario platformers are your 2nd through 5th NSMB experience. Easily.

I can't compare it to Zelda because Zelda has never been borderline run into the ground.

Shame on Nintendo for introducing weird power ups, random characters and nonsensical plots in a Mario game, of all games.

You expect things like that in joke series like Zelda. But Mario? Mario is serious business.

Anyway, I recently got the game and I have been enjoying it a lot. The stars and stamps transform otherwise easy levels into deadly mined fields or huge puzzles. It's amazing.

I find SM3DW highly replayable, especially with local multiplayer. I honestly have more fun sitting around playing it with some friends than I do Mario Kart 8.

I think it's a critical entry in the series. I would go as far as to call it the new benchmark. If the next Mario game doesn't feature the same huge variety of level designs or higher quality local multiplayer, I'll call it a step backwards and a disappointment.

I love 3D world, although its not the 3D Mario game that I wanted its still a joy to play. Its like the purest most fun I've had with a Mario game for ages, whilst galaxy is better 3D world is a really 'gamey' game, no guff just amazing gameplay backed with one of the best Nintendo soundtracks ever IMO.
Having said that I do agree with most criticisms the game recieves

I still like playing it. It is much more fun without using the cat suit all the time. (Using backflips / the spin jump and long jump.)

I like Galaxy 2 better than Galaxy because I don't care at all about story in a platformer. (Think the levels might be slightly better as well).

Never been bored playing 3D World either. The variety keeps it interesting. I wish it didn't have collectables though. (Just three times through with increasing difficulty each time).

Recently sold it online.

Played through it to I think the second last special world, got tired of it, and never really played it again. Some interesting gameplay elements and nice graphics, but it never really hooked me or left me impressed. Mario Galaxy and to a lesser extent, MG2, are the last Mario games that left me with a 'woah, that was great' feeling after beating them.

It's a fun multiplayer romp, like NSMBU but with fancier graphics, better music, and new, more varied environments.

I just don't like how it's not the big dang 3D Mario adventure for the Wii U like Galaxy was for the Wii and Sunshine was for the GameCube. Instead it fulfills the same basic purpose as its 2D counterpart.

I think 3D World is missing something as well. It left me feeling a little bored. It lacked the magical feeling most other mario games give me. The levels are just expanded 2d levels. For 3d mario games I really like the idea of having different tasks to complete in each level, rather than just getting through the level. At the moment I am more fond of 2d mario games.

I think 3D World's only big problem is there wasn't enough Captain Toad levels but we're getting a whole Captain Toad game so it's not really a problem.

Personally it's my favourite 3D Mario game, to me it's like a band's greatest hits CD which has all the songs you want (apart from maybe having Yoshi in it) but lacks the expeience/correlation when you listen to the band's proper album.