Topic: NSMB Wii vs. SMB. 3

Nope...it's mine too.

Virtual high five!

What? You mean it's like a copy of previous mario games? Sure, it's similar, but it's definitely not a copy.

Prime 3 was terrible, but that's not the point. I just expect a Nintendo-oriented magazine to be more receptive to a Mario game, especially one this great. Prime 3 didn't do anything special that previous Metroid games hadn't done already except add voice acting, so saying that NSMB did nothing new for the Mario series (despite the brand spanking new multi-player modes) and is thus worthy of a lower score than MP3 doesn't make much sense to me. Whether the game is a rehash or not, it's very good. I think it does a lot of clever things previous Mario games didn't do in terms of level design, and what it does that has already been done, it often does better.

Whether you personally think Prime 3 is better, I couldn't care less, and I am not trying to make you think otherwise, but it is surprising to see Nintendo Power think so, is all. Wasn't a joke at all.

Both are fantastic games, but I personally like NSMBW better.
Believe it or not, I find SMB3 harder.

I'm pretty sure everyone would agree with you on that.

The final boss alone of NSMBWii blows everything SMB3 has clean out of the water. I damn near ruined my trousers when it appeared, in a strange mixture of awe and terror. OH DEAR GOD WHAT NOOOOO.

_{It is rather hard to explain my feelings about the most awesome moment in the game when it all crosses spoiler territory, yes.}

Overall this game beats SMB3 simply because it feels like a "greatest hits" game in the series. Absolutely /everything/ cool that was ever in any of the old 2D Marios is almost certainly in here (asides perhaps Racoon and Frog Mario, but their function at least is carried over with the Propeller and Penguin suits. Penguins are cooler than frogs, anyway) and considerably enhanced, and it brings plenty of its own new elements too. I love the Koopa Kids' battles, with the mix of their original SMB3 attack patterns, NSMB's Bowser Jr. fights, and the Yoshi's Island-derived Magikoopa assistance. I also love Nintendo's a-new-feature-on-every-level approach, it means every stage has its own unique twists and features and it stays fresh right to the the very end. Oh yeah, it's also good that they made Star Coins worth collecting this time.

We will never top Mario 3's power-ups. They had real charm. The frog was perhaps my favorite, actually. I loved trying to beat airship levels with it just to get the funny dialog from the king. I like how it gives you an extra challenge in non-water levels.

The analogy isn't perfect, but I think most everyone gets what I mean. NSMBW isn't literally a compilation of past Mario games, but you could definitely say that it is, thematically and mechanically-speaking

There's a lot it does that goes beyond previous Mario games, though. Super Mario Brothers 3 and World built on previous ideas, too, and no one knocks them for being naturally what sequels are.

That was one of the hardest bosses I've ever played. Wasted a good 12 lives on it. But man was it satisfying when I finally beat it!

I didn't find it hard, though for a Mario game I suppose it is. Very cool regardless.

Wow I felt like an idiot when I died 2-4 times in most of these levels.
Apparently I should just be proud I never triggered the super guide
... until I went back (after beating the game) to get star coins and died a ton in 2-1.