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 is certainly an impressive game for 1988 standards and holds up as an innovative platformer even today. The graphics, level design and gameplay make for a truly great playing experience.

I never did finish the first Super Mario Bros. (as of yet) and I've never even played Super Mario Bros. 2 but now, after liking this so much, I will seriously have to consider it.

In terms of originality you won't find anything particularly amazing about the jumping of one platform to the next and collecting power-ups but it's how it all comes together and works so well that makes SMB3 stand out from the rest of the competition.

Some levels are tough, but stick at them and you'll memorise and master the tricky bits pretty quickly. However, that didn't stop me from crying out loud in sheer, hopeless frustration every now and again.

The GBA version adds a save function (a godsend for those who hate having to spend 86 hours finishing a game in one go), slightly tweaked levels and compatibility with the Nintendo E-Reader that offers bonus levels.

Considering how good this game is it's no wonder Sonic had such tough competition from a short, fat Italian plumber. Definitely one to hunt down.

Graphics A Sound B (only because the famous Super Mario music is not featured) Gameplay A Lasting Appeal A

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!

Super Mario 3 is not only one of the greatest Mario Video Games, it is one of the greatest Video Games ever.

The plot is pretty simple. Basically you are traveling through eight different worlds in an attempt to rescue Princess Toadstool, nothing new.

Each world is interesting in its own right. There is the desert world, ice world, sky world, and big world.(big world is cool in that all the enemies are much bigger than Mario) The levels are colorful and exciting and there are plenty of times where you must try to solve puzzling situations. Great fun levels.

A great thing about this game is the power ups. You have the mushroom that makes you bigger, and the fire flower that makes you able to shoot out fire balls. There are a lot of new power ups as well, and I stress A LOT. Here is a list of them.

Leaf Gives you a racoon tail and ears and allows you to hover and fly short distances. Frog Suit Allows you to swim great in the water. Tanoki Suit It is an entire full body Racoon Suit that has the same abilities as the leaf plus you can turn into a statue. Hammer Brother Suit Wearing a hammer brother suit you are able to throw hammers at enemies. P Wing Allows you to fly through an entire level.

Another great feature is that you are able to obtain a lot of different items and store them. You can then use them when you are on the menu of whatever world you are in prior to starting a level. Being able to store items and use them when you wish is a great feature.

There are lots of fun games in each world. You get to battle hammer brothers for items and also you get to play a matching N Card game for items and another slot machine game for items.

Gameplay is pretty good but it takes practice. Once you get the hang though it is great fun.

A great CLASSIC video game that is a must play. AWESOME!!!!!

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.