Super Mario Bros. 3

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.

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

There is no dictionary book to describe how hyped, how good, and how big an impact this game is on the industry. dating all the way back to 1989, a movie, called the wizard was made pretty much to hype the release of the game. the company McDonalds sold happy meal toys related to the game. now according to the Trivia section for the game, those toys are collectors items.

As for the game, it keeps Mario at it's roots, and gives it many extra features that are so awesome, some of it doesn't make sense, but it's fun. like the tanooki suit, based upon an old legendary god who could shape-shift into statues or something, which is what Mario can do if he wears the suit. there's 8 worlds with varying levels or action panels as they're known to this old Nintendo hint book i read.

unlike before, when you were fighting bowser after every world, you're now fighting his children (which ironically, we don't know where they came from) and defeating them on flying juggernauts, which changed spots in the world, sometimes hiding in spots, requiring you to either wait at the castle to pass a turn or beat a level in order to get to the boss.

This game is filled with little bits and pieces, and it would take me hours upon days to explain them all. i've beaten the game, but i haven't seen it all. but even if it didn't have all the things i didn't see, it would still be awesome.

Thank you, shigeru myamoto for making such an awesome game.

10/10

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.

Super Mario Bros. 3 is quite simply the best ever video game made by the human race. When I think about super mario, it takes me back to a simpler time, when life was all fun and games. What makes it so special darn special? Its simplicity, engrossing gameplay, super cool villains, wonderful music, eyecandy graphics and chaste storyline makes it stand up to the technological might of todays' powerful XBOXs and Playstations. IMHO, none of todays' games can hold a candle to the sheer panache of super mario bros. Our adorable little Mario did for the gaming world, what the wheel did for the human race, period! End of story! Long live the Legend of Super Mario!