Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is an odd package. It came out after Super Mario Odyssey. Yet, Nintendo decided to create a byte sized game based on the assets and engine of Super Mario 3D World, and package it with the Wii U title. Maybe it is not so odd; Nintendo has been getting some flack from their community regarding releasing Wii U games on the Switch for full price. To counter the backlash, maybe they decided to create a great, albeit smaller, game with the Wii U re-release. Oh, and still charge full price, because Nintendo games are special. Even with that reasoning (which is totally a complete guess) I still think it’s an odd package. They share assets and the engine, but the two games are very distinct from each other.
In 1996, Super Mario 64 brought Mario into the 3D landscape. Players could freely run and jump around in three dimensions. It is a different game from Super Mario World and the Super Mario Bros. games. In Mario 64 the player is no longer tied to a stage timer. The goal post at the end of the level is gone. Instead, an emphasis on exploration and collection became the goal. Super Mario Sunshine and the two Galaxy games copied the formula. For a while it seemed like “get the goal post before time runs out” was dead to the Mario series.
In 2006, Nintendo released New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS. It brought Mario back to his 2D roots, while modernizing it. Goal posts became the goal once again. Nintendo would release other Mario games using the “New” moniker for the Wii, Wii U, and 3DS. For some time there was room for two types of Mario games: the 3D exploration and collect-a-thons, and the 2D New Super Mario Bros. goal post games. I was always excited to play both of these types.
In 2011, Super Mario 3D Land came to the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo set out to make a 3D Mario game with the goals of its 2D brethren. In 2013, they doubled down on it for Super Mario 3D World. My thoughts here are primarily for 3D World, but they also apply to 3D Land (read more in Games of 2018). Super Mario 3D World brings back the goal post and the timer. Much like the New Super Mario Bros. games, players can collect green stars and stickers in each level for an extra challenge. They do mix up the levels with Captain Toad levels and Melee gauntlets, but the game primarily plays like its 2D counterparts.
Unfortunately I do not think they ended up making a great Mario game. Mario (or any of the other characters) does not feel good to move around in 3D World. I felt like I was constantly fighting the camera and the controls. For the most part, the game did a good job managing the camera for me. The camera can only be adjusted at fixed intervals. It is clear Nintendo tried to make the camera work most of the time in the 3D space, but I did run into instances where a little bit of adjustment would have saved me from death. I ended up missing quite a few jumps due to the camera angle.
Through both Odyssey and now 3D World, I have learned the Switch does not have a good official controller. The Joy-Cons are too small for my hands (and I have small hands for an adult male). The pro controller is a pretty basic controller by today’s standards. However, Nintendo did an odd thing where the analog sticks do not have a deadzone. In 3D World, I would be moving in one direction, and have to stop suddenly. When I let go of the analog stick, my character would perform a 180 degree turn, and be facing the wrong direction. This was especially problematic when I was stopping to shoot a projectile at an enemy. I would unexpectedly miss and get hit by the enemy. This is not good for a game focused on precision and movement.
In another oddity, Nintendo sped up the player’s movement for the Switch version. This seems like a bad idea for a platformer without redoing some of the levels. However, I did not experience a big hindrance in my Switch playthrough. I do think Mario is not as precise as he should be, but I felt that way on the Wii U version, albeit for different reasons.
While playing 3D World, I had a hard time trying to explain why I thought Mario controlled poorly. After playing Bowser’s Fury, I think I know why. In 3D World and Bowser’s Fury I am able to move in 8 directions using the analog stick. Unfortunately, some of the platforming in 3D World requires a little more precision. It turns out the camera is the problem. In Bowser’s Fury, I am able to move Mario in a direction by moving the camera, which has full player control. If I needed Mario to skew a little bit to the left, I could nudge the camera and get the result I wanted. With 3D World’s weird incremental camera, this is not possible.
I do not think adding Bowser’s Fury’s camera to 3D World would fix the game; in fact I think it would break other parts. However, my argument is that “get to the goalpost before time runs out” should stick to the 2D Mario games. I do not have to fight the camera in those games, and I have a lot more fun.
There are things I love about 3D World. Like all Mario games, the music is outstanding. 3D World was the first time we got to see Mario in high definition, and the game looks great on the Switch. For the most part, the levels are expertly designed. There is a steady difficulty progression up to the “end” fight with Bowser that does not ever feel steep. On harder levels, I felt a sense of taking two steps forward, one step back when I failed. I would miss the mark and die, but I would learn something. I could take what I learned and get past my initial mistake. It is a testament to the level design chops at Nintendo. The Captain Toad and Melee levels are refreshing and nicely break up the game. I have not tried the multiplayer, but it is cool you can pick different characters and they have different abilities; it reminds me of Super Mario Bros. 2. There is a lot to love.
Despite by gripes, I unlocked almost everything. I did not complete two of the three secret levels; they are too difficult, and I do not feel like frustrating myself further to power through. I wish I could say I was having so much fun that I wanted more, but I think I kept pushing through my frustration as a point of pride. There were so many times I was not having fun, and told myself to give up. I did not, and looking back, I should have. I love most of the Mario games, but 3D World (and 3D Land) will always be near the bottom of my list.
I have completely opposite feelings about Bowser’s Fury. It is the first 3D Mario game without a hub world, and it is cleverly designed. Bowser is pissed, and has spread black goo all over the world. I unlocked shines so the lighthouses could burn away the goo, and unlock more islands in the open world. I completed a set of challenges on each island. The challenges range from standard 3D Mario goals to some new ideas thrown into the mix.
Every couple of minutes, Bowser would stop pouting, and start hurling fire at me. This might have gotten old in a longer game, but it works really well in Bowser’s Fury. Bowser’s fire can destroy special blocks, and unlock Shines or other goodies. It never stressed me out knowing that Bowser was about to wake up, because I always had something I needed him for. After a few minutes of being angry, Bowser goes back to pouting, or I could collect a Shine to put an end to his rampage. There are a few exceptions, but it is for a very brief window of time that he strays from his schedule.
Another cool feature is Bowser Jr. He teams up with Mario, because he thinks Bowser is too angry. He floats around the screen with his paint brush. A second player can control him, or you can set options for how much help you want from an AI controlled Jr. He stored my items, collected coins, and bashed enemies with his paint brush. Even on “Help me a little,” I found him to be very helpful.
Bowser’s Fury is not a drastic change from Odyssey, but it does nudge the Mario series forward with a few new ideas. The duality of the world makes the game stand out from other titles. I am curious how Bowser’s Fury influences future 3D Mario games. I also hope for a new New Super Mario Bros. title in the future. Unless Nintendo can surprise me, they can leave their ideas for a 3D World sequel behind.
Pingback: Games of 2023 – The Rest – Royfuss