When it started to become clear that Nintendo was porting many of its Wii U games to the Switch, a lot of fans naturally hoped that Super Mario 3D World would be one of the games making the jump. It's hard to believe it’s taken nearly four years, but we're finally just a matter of weeks away before this much-requested Mario gem gets a second chance at the spotlight, and this time, in the guise of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, it's packing an extra mode to boot.
For those who missed it the first time around, Super Mario 3D World is the sequel to the brilliant 3DS game Super Mario 3D Land and attempts to build a sort of halfway house between the linear 2D gameplay of the New Super Mario Bros. games, and the more free-roaming 3D gameplay of the likes of Galaxy and Odyssey.
That said, it does lean heavier towards the 2D games. While each of the game’s 100+ stages are technically ‘open’ in that you can run around wherever you like, they each still have a linear path with a flagpole at the end, rather than various stars or moons with different tasks assigned to them. Your character’s movement is also locked to eight directions to help emphasise that, at its core, this is still a game about running straight, just like its 2D siblings.
If you’ve played the Wii U version already you may notice some improvements have been made in this Switch port. Many of them are subtle; the UI’s been tweaked a bit, the native resolution appears to have been increased and some of the default camera angles seem to have changed (though we’ll need to spend a bit more time comparing the game side-by-side with the Wii U version before we can figure out just how much time Nintendo’s spent on this). The cat power-up also lets you climb a little higher before it runs out, making it easier to reach higher ledges.
The most obvious difference, though, is the increased running speed. As brilliant as the Wii U version of 3D World was, its characters could have done with a little bit of a boost and that’s exactly what’s happened here. Granted, each character still has their own unique running speeds (Toad is still the fastest and Peach is still the slowest), but they’ve all been increased accordingly to make the game feel a little bit nipper. This is particularly welcome when you’re revisiting older stages to pick up any of the hidden green stars and stamps you missed along the way.
Speaking of stamps, they are indeed still present here, though they’re used for a different purpose. In the Wii U games, the stamps you found could be used in Miiverse (ah, remember Miiverse? The glory days) so you could add a bit of flair to your posts. Since Miiverse is tragically no longer with us, the stamps are now used in the shiny new Photo Mode. If you’re familiar with the Photo Mode in Super Mario Odyssey, it’s the same deal here: you can rotate the camera, zoom in and out, add filters and the like, but this time you can also place your collected stamps directly onto the game world (and they’re in colour this time, too).
One of the main selling points of 3D World is its co-op support for up to four players, and the Switch port has received a number of improvements on that front too (the Captain Toad stages, for example, can now be played with four players instead of just one). Whereas the Wii U version insisted on everyone playing on one system, here you also have the option to play local wireless multiplayer with multiple Switches, so everyone gets their own screen.
There’s also online multiplayer but at this stage we’ve only dabbled with it a little. We played a brief four-player session with a few other publications, and while it was a fun time it did also highlight the importance of a strong connection. One of the other players in our group was playing in a shed with a weak Wi-Fi signal, which led to numerous instances of the action freezing while their connection caught up. When things were running smoothly, though, performance was perfectly fine, so we aim to spend a bit more time online before giving our final thoughts.
So far so good with the main game, then, but there’s also the not-so-small matter of its brand new spin-off mode, Bowser’s Fury. From what we’ve played of it so far, here’s the best way we can describe it: you know how we said that 3D World was a mix between the 3D open-world Mario games and the linear 2D games, but leaned more towards the 2D ones? Bowser’s Fury is what you’d get if it leaned more towards the 3D ones instead.
The brief section we can talk about in this preview is a small area called Scamper Shores. It’s an island on a larger map that acts like its own self-contained stage. When you pass under a giant cat head arch the area ‘activates’ and you can start collecting Cat Shines, the main collectible for this mode. Essentially, there’s a giant bell called the Giga Bell which sits at the end of Scamper Shores. In order to activate the bell, you have to collect a set number of Cat Shines: once you get enough of these the bell springs to life and you can collect it, turning Mario into the massive Giga Cat Mario and letting you take on the massive Fury Bowser.
The Cat Shines are collected by taking on a series of missions, in a similar vein to the likes of Super Mario 64 or Sunshine. In Scamper Shores, for example, you can get a Shine by reaching the lighthouse on the stage, and earn another by finding and defeating an evil Shadow Luigi. There are also five smaller Cat Shine Shards hidden around the area, which make up another Shine if you find them all.
Although this makes the whole thing sound like a fully-fledged 3D Mario game, it’s worth bearing in mind that, like we say, it’s still more of a cross between 2D and 3D. Although you can freely roam around Scamper Shores, and although Mario now has full 360-degree directional movement instead of being locked to eight directions, there’s still a pretty obvious path through the island: if you could zoom all the way out and look at it from a distance it would still look like a 3D World stage. It’s just that instead of aiming for a flagpole, you’re heading back and forth collecting a series of Shines.
Accompanying you on this adventure is Bowser Jr., who can be controlled by either a second player or the AI. You can’t play without him by your side at all because he’s needed to uncover some secrets with his paintbrush, but you can at least set how much the AI version decides to get involved: a lot, a little or not at all. Opt for at least some assistance and Bowser Jr. will swoop around, collecting loose coins and bopping enemies to make things easier for you. He'll also keep hold of any power-ups you get and keep them in an inventory, meaning you can build up a hefty collection of back-up power-ups and request them on the fly. No more looking for a Boomerang Bro suit when you've already got a couple in the bank.
If you don't fancy having Bowser Jr. making things easier for you, you can turn assistance off entirely. This still lets you summon him by pressing the R button to bring up a cursor, which can be aimed with the gyro to point at areas you want him to investigate. Incidentally, this is also how you activate some of the objects in the main 3D World game that previously required the Wii U GamePad’s touch screen (and yes, you can use the Switch’s touch screen in handheld mode if you prefer).
At this early stage, it’s looking like Bowser’s Fury will at least provide something a little different for fans who may have already thoroughly rinsed 3D World when it was originally released seven(!) years ago. While it remains to be seen how long this mode actually is, it’s safe to say that this is shaping up to be an impressive package regardless, especially for those who missed out on the Wii U game the first time around. We’ll have our final impressions next month nearer launch, but so far things are looking promising.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury launches on 12th Feb 2021.
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Comments 121
How? Did you get an early copy? Or is there a secret demo?
@1ofUs probably a review copy. They’re a reputable gaming journalism website, those get review copies sometimes up to a month early.
Never got round to finishing this on the Wii U but I think the handheld side of the Switch will make sure I do.
However I've recently started DQ11, thanks to the New Year sale, and I don't see myself putting that down any time soon. I've still got Mario preordered though for that sweet steelbook.
Roll on the year of Zelda / Pokemon though because those are two series I enjoy more than Mario (well Pokemon is slipping somehwat but I'll give it the benefit of the doubt at least for now).
It was already day 1 for me but I’ll be getting multiple copies now that local wireless co-op is confirmed. Cannot wait to play through this with my kids!
@1ofUs Review sites get early review copies if they agree to certain conditions. Clearly the embargo on previews just lifted, as my Twitter timeline featured about a dozen tweets at 9:00 linking to them.
Stop trying to make me double dip on a game I was determined not too haha
@darkswabber ok. Thanks
@1ofUs You tap in a secret button combination on the eShop and it installs the full game free. It also unlocks Home Menu themes and eShop music. My uncle, who works at Nintendo, told me.
Sounds so great! So hyped!
YOU PLAYED IT? gesp
How's the resolution (especially in Handheld mode). Naturally, I would assume 1080p in docked, 720p undocked but since Pikmin 3 DX was only 720p docked and 576p undocked I'm caucious
Mines already preordered with my cat Mario plushie. 12th Feb can't come quick enough!
@ImagineerNik up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, start, select.
Can you say anything about framerate and resolution for Bowser's Fury? Some of those screeshots in your article look quite low res. Were those from docked or handheld?
whoa whoa whoa SHADOW LUIGI? WHAT
Bowser's Fury is going to be so good
Definitely getting this for Doug Bowser's Fury. Seems like the Nintendo Boss will get his glory known with this.
Pre-ordered with the steel book and amiibo. Beat the first game (aside from that final bonus level, to my shame) so looking forward to playing it. Bowser's Fury looks impressive too.
@Supadav03 And if everyone is in the same home it has same screen co-op with not additonal copies required
My kids and I have put over 100 hours on SM3DW on Wii U. Not buying it again. Would love to buy Bowser’s Fury if ever released as a standalone.
Might double dip down the line but not fully compelled to play this again - at least at full price. Bowser's Fury isn't enough of a bonus for me
Must ... resist....
oh bollocks
Just over a fortnight to go! I can't wait to play this with a better controller. Never liked the Wii U one for platformers
I've never played any of the 3D World games. Is this a good place to start? As reference, my favorite mario games are Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and Mario 64. I enjoyed Galaxy a bit more than Odyssey. This game looks interesting and Mario 35 has hooked me the last few nights...
@Supadav03 Same. Buying two digital copies so the whole family can play together with their own screen.
sooooo excited for this next month! Loved it on the WiiU and cant wait to play again with my friends/family online!
The more the marioer
Galaxy 2 would put all console 3d Marios on switch
Please Nintendo.
Please
@pixelpatch yes, I’m sure we’ll play that way too although its a bit chaotic. Are usually end up buying multiple copies of games anyways because all four switch owners in my house are all digital.
Soooo... Okay, still sounds like Bowser's Fury is what, maybe 30 minutes long? I feel like my earlier guess of 20 was too short after reading this.
@FredsBodyDouble The only other 3D Mario game in this type of linear style is 3D Land, and it’s definitely not necessary to play that before playing 3D World.
I hope the stuff about daisy coming as a playable character is true It would make my first time playing this game all the more better.
@link3710 From what I've played so far, that estimate is way off
So, I'm guessing you can use the D-Pad to control Mario in 3-D Word, but not in Bowser's Fury?
Bowser's Fury sounds interesting, but still not enough to justify $60 again at this point. Perhaps when we get Super Mario 3D All-Stars 2 in 5 - 10 years I will be more inclined to double-dip.
@scully1888 "Cat's entertainment" Is that a The Jam reference?
"you also have the option to play local wireless multiplayer with multiple Switches"
I'm assuming everyone also has to have their own copy of the game? Sounds like a blast for my house, but not worth $240 to pull it off.
Super Mario 3D World is the reason I bought a Wii U. It’s the best Mario game ever made. Stoked to play it again on the Switch.
@napabar You can't use the D-Pad in either, it's stick only.
@MERG Correct.
i just can’t wait anymore.... ahhhh 2 weeks!
Still hoping for more playable characters, it just seems silly to me not to do so. Looking forward to the game whatever the case!
@scully1888 Did the online play run better than Mario Maker 2? Sounds like Smash Bros level?
It's a shame more of their online games don't run as well as Splatoon 2 and Mario Kart.
Thanks for the coverage! I preordered so I'm already sold, but I'm still super curious.
Can you comment on something nitty-gritty? From watching coverage of the game it looks like some control inputs from Odyssey have been back-ported to 3D World, such as diving in mid-air, continuous rolling, and a super-jump following a ground-pound. Am I crazy? Does it feel like Odyssey? Are these things exclusive to Bowser's Fury?
Thanks for the coverage!
NL - do ya have a guess on how long you think Bowser's Fury MIGHT be?
I think I'll give this a miss unless there's a demo that changes my mind. I didn't like the 8-way direction thing originally so I was hoping they would take it out now that it isn't needed to ensure compatibility with Wii Remotes.
I was also hoping for better camera controls, it's been ages since I played SM3W but I seem to recall the camera was always too far out and couldn't be moved much which meant I often missed my jumps. It's somewhat ironic as 3D Land had no such problems thanks to the 3DS' screen.
I've massively played this on Wii U, looking forward especially for the Bowser's Fury part.
@scully1888
What about performance Chris? Seeing reports of Bowser's Fury halving the framerate in handheld mode and sometimes struggling to even keep at 30fps in handheld?
@mariomaster96
Who cares. Just play it.
@link3710
According to Gamesbeat, it took them 3 hours to beat Bowser's Fury, and an additional 3 hours to collect all the Cat Shines.
@FredsBodyDouble Coming from someone whose got the same favorites as you, I hated this New Mario. Waaaaay too gimmicky, very dumbed down. I really dislike the new direction they’ve been taking New Mario games.
Not trying to turn you away, you should definitely watch vids to form your own thoughts, but it’s not for me.
NINJA APPROVED
@link3710 minutes? Nah its probably a
3 - 5 hour campaign. There seems to be too much work put into it for it to be 30 minutes long
@chronicles that's way too expensive when the game already has amazing couch co op. Just get one copy and share the tv
Nice Jam reference there Scully.
Bowser's a Furry
Given this won't go down in price ever knowing Nintendo, I'll pick this up at some point but I'm in no rush. Still haven't gotten around to Sunshine and Galaxy yet.
Really wished bowser’s fury was a separate release I could purchase.
"Your character’s movement is also locked to eight directions"
I always assumed it was this way in the Wii U release for multiplayer support using the D-pads on the Wiimotes. It's fine for the most part, but deeply irritating when, say, standing on a revolving platform trying to hit a pirahna plant with a fireball.
Was hoping they would have gone for full 360 control on the Switch, but sadly not.
Nice - it's the length that concerns me tho (as always). If it's a good chunk. I'll buy it. Nintendo, please never introduce 8-way controls for fully 3D Mario games - and while we're at it, please consign the broodals to history. Also, your younger generation of coders are embracing other game types like western RPGs and incorporating them into Zelda, Mario etc. Great for this one generation & it worked well, but please don't continue this - remember that Nintendo is special because it's ideas are unique.
@GTHOLLAND I care otherwise I wouldn't ask
And I've already played that game, over 7 years ago. The only reason to get this game again (beside Bowser's Fury) is to play it in Handheld-Mode. But if the resolution in handheld-mode would be worse than on Wii U I'd stick with the Wii U version
@BloodNinja Why is it Ninja approved if you don't like it? Shouldn't it be Ninja disapproved?
@Moonlessky We'll see. I can't imagine Nintendo putting in more than an hour a worth of content for a platformer rerelease.
@andykara2003 I suppose it's to keep the platforming precise but it'll take some getting used to after playing through Mario 3D All-Stars!
Bowser's Fury has 100 cat shines and multiple stages within one big world according to this article: https://venturebeat.com/2021/01/27/bowsers-fury-is-a-meaty-3d-mario-adventure/
It took them 6 hours to 100% it.
LEAK IT...(aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa)
@Clyde_Radcliffe It's the board and directors approving my comment, common in corporate ninjutsu circles.
CURIOSITY APPROVED
@Clyde_Radcliffe Oo nice, thanks for the link! I was going to pass on this as I‘ve played the main game but I think it might be worth it now. Wouldn’t want to miss 6 hours of Nintendo magic.
@Clyde_Radcliffe nice. Thanks for sharing.
@JohnnyC There's a steel book version??
@FredsBodyDouble I love this game, so I recommend you buy it! I have the Wii U version, but I am still excited to play it again on Switch!
I have like 200 hours on the Wii U version. I would love to have this on the switch. Online multiplayer, portable play and bowsers furry? Oh boy this is gonna be great
@LinktotheFuture Same!
Wish Bowser's Fury was being sold as a separate 20 dollar experience for us poor forgotten Wii U owners.😢
@mariomaster96
The frame rate is not going to matter. Just enjoy it
@FredsBodyDouble I think you’ll love it. Especially if they made it better than the Wii U version. Which I adored. The game has a good feel to it. It feels like classic Mario somehow crossed with some of the 3D games. It works.
I was initially going to give this a pass since I played the snot out of the Wii U original, but I may grab it again depending on how extensive Bowser's Fury is.
I would love to play this game, but ill probably wait for a sale.
@mariomaster96 Bowser's Fury appears to be 720p docked at 60 frames per second.
However, in handheld mode, Bowser's Fury drops down to 30fps. I assume it's because of how much stuff is going on, and how dense and open it is compared to 3D World. If I were to guess it is also 720p in handheld but don't quote me on this.
@GTHOLLAND IT MATTERS FOR ME! good for you if it doesn't matter for you but why should I spent money on a technically worse version (in handheld mode) of a game i already own? that's stupid
@CheapCheepBeach That would be a shame if true considering Odyssey manages to run at 900p60fps docked and 720p60fps undocked
@mariomaster96 3D World is still 60fps in handheld mode. It's just Bowser's Fury isn't.
@CheapCheepBeach Yeah and that is good news but I was just comparing Bowser's Fury to Odyssey cause both feature open large areas. Therefore it's a shame that Bowser's Fury doesn't perform as good as Odyssey
For anyone curious, another review site said Bowser's Fury took them 3 hours to beat and 3 more hours to find all collectables. Sounds substantial to me, for an add-on.
https://venturebeat.com/2021/01/27/bowsers-fury-is-a-meaty-3d-mario-adventure/
@Bizzyb Yeah, from Amazon. I think a few other places are selling it too.
@mariomaster96
It doesn't matter. It's not like its pushing the hardware to its limits which ruins the playing experience.
Its Mario. Leave the geeky stuff for games that warrant it.
3D World is a great game, just a shame it was too easy. If they include a hard mode in the Switch version then I might be tempted to buy it, but I don't think they will.
I read all of that for “things are looking rather promising” lol
for those who missed out on the Wii U game.
No. It's for those who deserted Nintendo when they did not want a Wii U, and for coming back and buying a Switch.
For us that did buy the original game, we get a Bowser game tagged on the end of a full price port.
Luckily I picked up Immortal Fenyx Rising this month from Amazon for just £23.00. I'll give Mario and Bowser a miss.
go nintendo just reported that bowsers fury takes 3 hours to beat and 6 hours to complete 100%. so to all the people who thinks the game is 20 minutes you are wrong! and I still do not care to those of you who say. i am still not buying it. WHO CARES!!! THEN DO NOT BUY IT. and let the ones who want to buy it , enjoy it.
@link3710 no it is not 20 minutes long. Go Nintendo just reported it takes 3 hours to beat and 6 hours to complete 100% . considering the fact 3d world takes 10 hours to complete 100% . Bowsers fury will be a good sized game.
Online play for the whole game?
This could be massively important due to lockdown
@1UP_MARIO
3D Land feels forgotten
@mariomaster96
To be fair, Bowser's Fury has a much larger and denser open world than any Kingdom in Mario Odyssey.
But Bowser's Fury being 30 FPS in handheld mode is still quite disappointing. When was the last time a Mario platformer ran at 30 FPS? I think Mario Sunshine or Mario 64 DS, but I'm not sure.
@westman98 I think Super Mario 3D Land
Ummm ... who has WiFi in a shed?
@michellelynn0976 We'll see when it comes out.
@link3710 no see to it. It is six hours long.
@michellelynn0976 Or they overestimated it significantly. Trusting any prerelease information is a bad idea, people always have agendas.
@Kiz3000 who has the Mario steelbooks? I missed this
@link3710 including you. People who have played it said it is six hours. You haven't played it, they have. It is six hours, deal with it.
Too bad the game is bad for single player mode. You have to play it multiplayer, so that's why I gave up on the Wii U version.
@michellelynn0976 I'll wait til I get the information from an unbiased source thank you. One person said 6 hours. One.
@PushMyGran86 i think you forgot AB at the end 😉
@link3710 it was an unbiased source. Again, 6 hours, deal with it.
The online play report is about what I expected. Good connections are basically a must. Still, I plan on playing this with people living in my state, so I don't expect it to be too bad.
@arrmixer oh yeah. This old brain is losing its mind.
Why are people so salty about Wii U ports, there are a lot of reasons people didn’t own a Wii U, (economic, time...). It’s not about some faltering loyalty to Nintendo. If you were truly ‘loyal’ you should be happy that some of these top games are getting a wider audience and not being stuck on a (relative) flop system. There are plenty of other games to play and if publishers outputs are a bit reduced, it may be pandemic related, rather than some sort of Nintendo laziness.
But on that note, I’m so excited to play these games for the first time. Not getting on launch as backlog too big and want to get a second and third pro controller (or third party option) for local co-op.
Judging by the number of Cat Shines 6 hours to 100% doesn’t sound unreasonable.
i love this game. my favourite bit is when the mario jumps on the thing
@michellelynn0976 Why do you care if I wait and see? That 'unbiased' source also immediately deleted the post where they said that.
@link3710 stop lying. Ventura Beat also said it was six hours long, so did IMore and Gamexplain. Sorry, but you denying facts don't change them, and stop lying. They didn't delete the tweet.
@link3710 did Ventura Beat take down their post? https://www.google.com/amp/s/venturebeat.com/2021/01/27/bowsers-fury-is-a-meaty-3d-mario-adventure/amp/
Game Rant?
https://www.google.com/amp/s/gamerant.com/how-long-bowsers-fury-beat-finish-100-percent/amp/
@michellelynn0976 VentureBeat did remove it from the article, try reading what you posted. And Game Rant only posted saying that Venture Beat said it was 3 hours, not that they knew that.
@michellelynn0976 I'm not lying? I searched the entire article, it says it nowhere. And everyone else specifically says that's what VentureBeat said. Why are you obsessively trying to convince me of something that's not the case.
@link3710 Yes, you are. I did read, you are a liar.
@michellelynn0976 I'm not lying. I searched the entire thing by hand, then control+f searched for "3", "three", "6", "six" and "hour". None of those keywords showed up. I couldn't be more sure that they removed the timing. And you are being a royal jerk about this.
@quigtendo I like what you're saying but loyalty to a company is stupid. Don't think you're forced to like or buy things just because a company you like makes it. it should be "I like this thing so I will buy it"
@link3710 Hours isn't the best way to put it as with something like this it will vary. It might take me 10 hours because I play game at a slower pace while someone who goes faster might beat it in 3. Pretty sure the fact is 100 cat shines and leave it at that
@link3710 I will take a screenshot to show you. OK, if you don't see it, I believe you.
Thanks for explaining that a little. I'd never double dip for a cat-Mario in a hoover-box. Silly jokes aside, it will be a while before I do, it needs a price drop, and Nintendo doesn't seem to really do price drops. It probably won't come with that cute fluffy-belly-sleeve I have for the Wii U version, but in Switch game case format.
@OnlyItsMeReid agreed. I was put off by the Wii. I appreciated what Nintendo were doing but it felt gimmicky and put me off games until Switch lured be back in. If people don’t like what a company is selling that’s their business. If enough people don’t like it then the company might change. I’m sure Nintendo are crying into their pillows every night about their profit levels and record share prices 😂
@link3710 @michellelynn0976 Shouldn't you two be doing your schoolwork?
I CANT WAIT TO PLAY THIS WITH JASON
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