In the world of game franchises, few titles truly change things. Some entries stand out for their lasting impact on the series. In a storied franchise such as Mario, this feat is even more impressive.
Super Mario Bros. 3 is a classic retro game that has stood the test of time. It brought changes and mechanics to the series that we still feel the echoes of over 30 years later.
The Table of Contents
The Game That Change Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario Bros. 3 truly changed the Mario series' formula and influenced every 2D platform entry that followed.
18 Million Copies and Retro Game Nights
Released in 1990 for the NES, Super Mario Bros. 3 was an absolute smash hit. This is one of those games I tend to revisit every couple of years when my wife and I decide to have a retro game night. My wife and I will generally flip-flop levels: I beat one, and she'll beat the other.
My wife has always been really good at the original NES Super Mario Bros. I think that comes into play with Mario 3; for whatever reason, she has a nice touch for certain jumps.
Gamers loved the new overworld map. They enjoyed the variety of suits Mario could use. Item storage was a great addition as well. Plus, the Koopa Kids made their first appearance in this game. With more than 18 million units sold worldwide, Super Mario Bros. 3 is one of the best-selling video games of all time.
The Wizard Movie and the Hype Machine
The game's hype was huge. It even had a live-action movie called The Wizard, starring Fred Savage and Tobey Maguire. The film was really just a long ad for the game.
The Story: Bowser and the Koopa Kids
The story is fairly standard Mario fare. Bowser is up to no good again and wants to take over the Mushroom Kingdom with the Koopa Kids. Everyone's favorite plumber is hell-bent on preventing this. The Koopa
Kids have made things exciting.
They turned the Mushroom Kings into monsters by stealing their magic wands. To save the day, Mario must beat the Koopa Kids. He will restore the Mushroom Kings and then face Bowser to save the Mushroom Kingdom. Also, Princess Toadstool is waiting for him at the end.
New Enemies That Became Legends
The platforming action is great. It includes new gameplay features that are now series staples. You can fly and pick up Koopa shells to use as weapons. There are also a ton of new enemy types, such as Dry Bones, Flying Goombas, Chain Chomps, and Boos.
If you've played a few Mario games, you might have seen these meanies around. Super Mario Bros. 3 is where they made their debut. The controls are tight and responsive, making your adventures even more fun.
Power-Ups That Changed Everything
But the changes don't stop there. This game added new power-ups to the franchise. They go beyond the usual fire-spitting and size-boosting types. Mario can now use new powers like the Frog Suit, the Tanooki Suit, the P-Wing, and the Super Leaf. Depending on which level you're attempting to beat, you must pick and choose among these power-ups carefully.
On some levels, it's best to equip something that lets you fly. In other levels, you might need to change your attacks to make them stronger. The Frog Suit works well in underwater levels, helping you move easily.
However, it's not very helpful on land. You can also use the Whistle, which allows you to access the Warp World in case you're feeling the speedrun itch.
The World Map Revolution
Super Mario Bros. 3 lets players explore the game in a non-linear way using a world map. You can pick your route to the end castle. You can even skip some levels now and then.
The worlds are also filled with mini-games and Toad Houses, which allow you to gain goodies like extra lives. You can save the items you gain through these for use in future levels.
Level Design and Difficulty
The game will take you through flying levels, ground (and underground levels), and everyone's favorite underwater levels. The levels are all beautifully designed and have a nice connected feel. You'll come across airships, platforms that move along cables, and levels that scroll both ways.
The level design is much more intricate than in earlier games. The back-and-forth navigation gives a true sense of scale. The game starts off fairly easy, but there's a huge difficulty spike near the end. Fear not, however, since all of the extra lives you've accrued to this point will come in handy.
This is one of the few Mario games that really isn't too hard to beat. The game gives you ample opportunities to stock up on power-ups - suits and p-wings, among others. If you play just right and find all the warp whistles, you can make it to level 8 pretty loaded.
Even though I say this is one of the Mario games you can beat easily, it doesn't mean you still don't need to practice with the game and perfect what I like to call "my NES skill". Remember, old video games are much harder, and you really had to work at perfecting your craft on jumps and various movements, which come in handy in Super Mario Bros 3.
The Verdict
We rate Super Mario Bros 3 a near-perfect 9.5/10 — a solid ★★★★★ on our retro game scale.
Would I recommend it?
Yes, there's very little to dislike in Super Mario Bros. 3. The gameplay is fantastic, and the platforming is fun. The levels are varied and challenging, keeping the experience enjoyable throughout. The campaign will last you a decent amount of time if you play it through.
Would I replay it?
100% on my next retro game night. While the lack of a save game might get in the way occasionally, it's a minor annoyance that can be fixed by using the Warp Worlds. Great gameplay, fantastic sound, and retro goodness make this one of the best Mario games of all time!
What You Should Know About Collecting Super Mario Bros. 3
Super Mario Bros. 3 with the box and manual is worth over 4 times as much as the cartridge alone. A loose cart is pretty affordable. Complete copies sell for much more. That's a huge jump in value.
- Condition matters a lot. Clean labels, clean boxes, clean manuals - that's what collectors pay for. Stickers or label damage on the cart lowers the price. A crushed box or bent manual lowers it too. This is one of the most common NES games ever made, but complete copies in great shape are still hard to find.
- If you collect, look for complete copies in the best condition you can find. If you want to relive retro game nights with your wife, as I do, a loose cart works perfectly.
- Whether Super Mario Bros. 3 brings back memories for you, or you're discovering it for the first time, we buy Super Mario Bros. 3 and other NES games at The Old School Game Vault - loose or complete, any condition - for cas
