Super Mario Bros. 3

I grew up with Nintendo so though it's no longer something I play I will always have a soft spot for it. Super Mario Bros (1985) was a classic platformer and very enjoyable, Super Mario Bros 2 (1988) almost put me off the franchise altogether and I simply didn't enjoy it, Super Mario Bros 3 was a masterpiece I'll never forget.

For a start the game is considerably larger than most that were around at this time, it's a title you need to put plenty of hours into and even then you'll likely not see everything.

With a lot of new mechanics not seen before in a Mario game it added to the dynamic instead of overly convoluting a classic formula like its predecessor did. Mario has multiple suits that assist him in his adventure, the game adds a wealth of fantastic enemies and memorable boss encounters.

Arguably SMB3 is one of the greatest platform games ever made and is a near perfect title that was only followed successfully by them once in this guys opinion. Then it went 3D and it all went downhill from there.

Super Mario Bros.3 is one of those few games that lives with me and I'll never forget yet will happily pick it up any chance I get. Near flawless.

The Good:

Huge advancements from the previous titles

Lots of content

Everything is so very likeable

The Bad:

Whistles are an unnecessary cheatmode

Super Mario Bros. 3 isn't just a sequel-it's a total reinvention of what a Mario game could be. Bigger, bolder, and packed with ideas, it expanded the series in almost every direction. New power-ups, themed worlds, hidden secrets-it was ambitious for 1990, and in many ways, still holds up incredibly well today.

Chapter 1: A World of Imagination

From the moment the curtain rises on the opening screen, SMB3 plays like a stage show of Mario's greatest adventures. Each world has its own theme-deserts, giant lands, icy peaks-and each level within them offers new mechanics or enemies. The variety here is honestly staggering. You can tell Nintendo was bursting with ideas.

The introduction of the overworld map was a game-changer. For the first time, you had choice in how to move through levels, find secrets, or skip ahead using warp whistles. It gave a real sense of progression and strategy without bogging things down.

Chapter 2: Power-Ups and Personality

The new suits-Raccoon, Frog, Tanooki, and Hammer Bros.-add real variety to the gameplay. Flying across levels, swimming with precision, or even turning into a statue to avoid enemies? It was imaginative and opened the door to experimentation. It made every item block feel like a potential game-changer.

And yet, the game doesn't rely on power-ups alone. The level design itself is sharp and often surprising. There's a real rhythm to how the game teaches you, tests you, and then twists what you thought you knew.

Chapter 3: Not Quite Perfect

While it's undeniably one of the best NES games ever made, it's not flawless. The difficulty spikes hard in the later worlds, and some stages can feel unfair, especially when you're low on power-ups. The save system (or lack thereof, originally) could make longer sessions a bit frustrating. And with so many one-hit-death moments, the game occasionally feels more punishing than rewarding.

Final Thoughts

Still, those nitpicks are small compared to how innovative, colorful, and replayable Super Mario Bros. 3 is. It set the standard for 2D platformers and remains a nostalgic masterpiece for a reason.

8/10 - A brilliant, endlessly creative game that pushed the NES to its limits. A true classic, even if it occasionally bites back.

SUPER MARIO BROTHERS 3, in my opinion, is one of the best Nintendo games I have ever played. Even though I haven't owned a Nintendo Wii system for very long, I've played this game many times before. To be honest, I enjoy it very much. In addition, even though I've never beaten the game, I still enjoy the game very much. When and if you can get a Nintendo Wii, this game should definitely be on your list of downloads. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that the people at Nintendo know how to keep video game fanatics entertained. Now, in conclusion, if you're a video game fanatic, this is definitely one you'll want to play and own.

When I was a young teenager my best friend had an NES, and we used to play this game all the time. It's almost certainly the best Mario game, if not of all platforms than definitely NES. It makes up for the US release of "Mario 2" (which was a stinker) and the gameplay is fantastic -- one player is addictive, fun and well designed with worthy baddies. The two-player is just as enjoyable and chances are you'll lose yourself playing the game.

Nowadays it's kinda hard to find this game although it might be available on Gameboy. If you do happen to come across it I definitely recommend it -- it's a very entertaining, involving game and one of the all-time best for the NES and has created a lasting legacy. When people think of the familiar traits of what Mario is today -- the mushrooms, the caps, the levels, the enemies, Bowser -- it all really started with this.

Very highly recommended.

Out of the 3 "Super Mario Bros." games made for the NES, this one is hands down the best one. What can I say? This game is AWESOME!! All new enemies, cool new power-ups (like the Tanooki Suit, Hammer Bros suit, Raccoon,and Frog power-ups), warp whistles, and 8 different worlds. What more could you want? Overall, a superb game.

This gets a perfect 10!