Super Mario 3D All-Stars Review: A Glorious Recreation and Regret of Classic Mario

Hello everyone, I'm Lao Wang, a seasoned Nintendo player with over 10 years of gaming experience. Today, I'll take you on a journey to review a controversial yet nostalgic collection game – Super Mario 3D All-Stars. It brings together three landmark 3D titles in the Mario series: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. Let's see if this game is a perfect, nostalgia-filled remake or just a slightly perfunctory rehash.

1. Super Mario 3D All-Stars: A Collection of Nostalgia and Controversy

Super Mario 3D All-Stars was released on the Nintendo Switch in 2020 as a gift to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Mario series. Its appearance allowed many old players to relive their childhood classics on a handheld console, and gave new players the opportunity to experience the charm of Mario 3D games. However, this collection has been surrounded by controversy since its announcement: limited release, lack of significant remakes, emulator ports, and so on. These issues have made players question the value of this game. But putting aside these controversies, the three games are still rare masterpieces in gaming history.

2. Super Mario 64: A Pioneer That Set the Standard for 3D Games

2.1 Game Introduction

Super Mario 64, released in 1996 on the Nintendo 64 console, was the first 3D title in the Mario series. It revolutionized the way the essence of 2D platforming was perfectly ported to a 3D world, and pioneered a series of 3D game operation and level design concepts that are still widely used today. In this game, Mario needs to go to Princess Peach's castle, collect stars, defeat Bowser, and save the princess.

2.2 Game Review

• Gameplay: 9/10 The gameplay of Super Mario 64 was groundbreaking at the time. The highly free 3D environments, rich action combinations, and stars hidden in every corner kept players hooked on exploring and challenging themselves. Although the camera control and movement feel a bit stiff by today's standards, it's still a fun and challenging game.
• Graphics: 6/10 As an early 3D game, the graphics do look a bit rough by today's standards. The jagged edges are obvious, and the textures are relatively simple. However, the clarity of the graphics has been improved thanks to optimizations for the Nintendo Switch platform.
• Sound: 8/10 The soundtrack of Super Mario 64 is a classic among classics, with cheerful and lively melodies. Mario's various shouts and action sound effects are also very interesting.
• Story: 7/10 The story is relatively simple, but as a platforming game, the story is not its focus.
• Controls: 7/10 The controls were top-notch at the time, but today they feel a bit stiff, and the camera control is not flexible enough.

2.3 Comparative Analysis

Compared to modern 3D Mario games like Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario 64 has significant differences in controls and graphics. However, the 3D exploration and collecting gameplay pioneered by Super Mario 64 has had a profound impact on later 3D games.

2.4 If Ported to Nintendo Switch 2

Imagine what it would be like if Super Mario 64 could be completely remade and released on the nintendo switch2 first look? Higher resolution, smoother frame rates, more detailed graphics, and more modern controls would all give this classic a new lease on life.

3. Super Mario Sunshine: Adventure and Challenge Under the Sun

3.1 Game Introduction

Super Mario Sunshine, released in 2002 on the GameCube console. This game is set on a tropical island, where Mario needs to use the F.L.U.D.D. water cannon to clean up polluted areas, collect Shine Sprites, and uncover the conspiracy behind it all.

3.2 Game Review

• Gameplay: 8/10 The gameplay of Super Mario Sunshine is very creative. The addition of the F.L.U.D.D. water cannon allows for more possibilities in game operation and level design. Players can use the water cannon to jump, dash, clean, and more. However, the high difficulty of some levels can also be frustrating for some players.
• Graphics: 7/10 The graphics are colorful and vibrant, and the scenery of the tropical island is very charming. However, due to the limitations of the GameCube's capabilities, the graphic detail and resolution are relatively low.
• Sound: 8/10 The soundtrack is full of tropical flair, cheerful and pleasant. The various water cannon sound effects are also very realistic.
• Story: 7/10 The story is relatively simple, but the background and character settings are quite interesting.
• Controls: 7/10 The water cannon controls are quite unique and require some getting used to. Some operations are also a bit cumbersome.

3.3 Comparative Analysis

Compared to Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine has significant improvements in graphics and gameplay. However, compared to Super Mario Galaxy, there are still some differences in level design and controls.

3.4 Possibilities on Nintendo Switch 2

If Super Mario Sunshine could be optimized on the Nintendo Switch 2, such as by increasing the resolution, improving the frame rate, and fine-tuning the controls, I believe it would provide players with a better gaming experience. In addition, adding new game modes and challenges would further enhance the game's replayability. And nintendo switch2 compatibility supporting old games is what players expect.

4. Super Mario Galaxy: An Adventure Journey of Cosmic Proportions

4.1 Game Introduction

Super Mario Galaxy, released in 2007 on the Wii console. This game is set in space, where Mario needs to travel between planets, collect stars, and save Princess Peach.

4.2 Game Review

• Gameplay: 10/10 Super Mario Galaxy is one of the greatest games in the Mario series and even in gaming history. It perfectly integrates the gravity mechanic into the gameplay, creating countless amazing level designs. The game's creativity and fun reach unprecedented heights.
• Graphics: 8/10 The graphics are exquisite, colorful, and the presentation of the cosmic scenes is spectacular.
• Sound: 10/10 The soundtrack is a masterful masterpiece, grand and beautiful.
• Story: 8/10 The story is relatively simple, but the background and character settings are quite interesting.
• Controls: 9/10 The controls are smooth and comfortable, and the Wii Remote's motion controls add to the fun of the game.

4.3 Comparative Analysis

Compared to the previous two games, Super Mario Galaxy has reached a higher level in all aspects. It is a truly perfect game.

4.4 Porting Challenges and Opportunities

The biggest challenge in porting Super Mario Galaxy to the Nintendo Switch platform is how to solve the motion control problem. In Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Nintendo chose to simulate motion control with buttons, but the effect was not ideal. If the Nintendo Switch 2 can provide more accurate motion control, or adopt other innovative control methods, it may be able to better restore the charm of Super Mario Galaxy.

5. Summary of the Pros and Cons of Super Mario 3D All-Stars

5.1 Pros

• Includes three classic Mario 3D games, full of nostalgia.
• The graphics have been optimized for improved clarity.
• The collection is relatively affordable.

5.2 Cons

• Lack of significant remakes, just simple ports.
• Limited release, sparking controversy.
• The controls and camera control of some games are a bit outdated.
• The motion control experience of Super Mario Galaxy is not good.

6. Rating and Conclusion

Overall, Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a work with both advantages and disadvantages. It gives players the opportunity to relive classics, but also exposes some problems.

Final Score: 7.5/10

• IGN: 8/10 (Reference link: https://www.ign.com/articles/super-mario-3d-all-stars-review)
• Metacritic: 80/100 (Reference link: https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/super-mario-3d-all-stars)

This game is suitable for the following groups:

• Old Mario series players who want to relive their childhood classics.
• New players interested in 3D platforming games.
• Players who want to experience the history of games.

The impact on the nintendo switch2 price cannot be determined at this time, but it is believed that if Nintendo can add more innovative elements to its new works and remake classic works, it will definitely attract more players' attention.

In conclusion, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, while not a perfect work, is still worth experiencing. Especially for those old players who love the Mario series, it is a game full of nostalgia and memories. Hopefully, on the future Nintendo Switch 2, we can see more remakes and innovations of classic games.

7. Looking Forward to Nintendo Switch 2

With the upcoming arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2, we are full of expectations for this new console. We hope that it will have more powerful performance, better graphics, and a richer game lineup. Especially for remakes of classic games, we hope that Nintendo can be more attentive and bring more surprising works. Let us look forward to the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 and the new gaming experience it will bring us. Hoping it can bring a better Super Mario 3D All-Stars remake, making up for the regrets of the existing version.