2020 marks the year ofSuper Mario’s 35th anniversary, and to celebrate,NintendoreleasedSuper Mario 3D All-Stars. This contains 3 iconicMarioplatformers,Super Mario 64,Super Mario Sunshine, andSuper Mario Galaxy, all stuffed into one package.
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There couldn’t be a more apt celebration for Mario on his big 35, as almost all of his 3D outings are now playable on the NintendoSwitch. This doesn’t even include all of Mario’s side games, making for a hefty line-up for Nintendo’s latest console. Although there are many reasons to give this collection a go, there are many downfalls that hinder what could have been a near-flawless set of games.
10Best - Portability
With the Nintendo Switch being, well, the Nintendo Switch, it’s the first time ever that these games areplayable on a portable console, giving players the ability to play them whenever and wherever they desire. Whether that means exploring the tropical resort of Isle Delfino or blasting through outer space, these games are no longer confined to the living room, making the collection an attractive package.
9Worst - 64’s Lack of Improvements
WhileSuper Mario 64is an iconic title, putting it alongside bothSunshineandGalaxyshows just how dated and aged it looks. This was a golden opportunity for Nintendo to modernize its graphics, and give the game widescreen support and a 1080P resolution. Instead, they opted to keep it as basic-looking as possible, with a 4:3 aspect ratio retained as the only way to play the game. Combine this with a mere 720P resolution increase, and what remains is a game thatlooks and feels half-baked.
8Best - Sunshine and Galaxy’s Visuals
Super Mario 64may have suffered in the graphics department, but the other games have never looked better. BothSunshineandGalaxyhave received a big bump in resolution, now looking sharp in 1080P.Sunshinehas also been given widescreen support from its original 4:3 aspect ratio, helping modernize the game for the Switch.Super Mario Galaxyespecially looks similar to a modern Nintendo Switch game, making it the best-looking title of the three.
7Worst - Sunshine’s Performance Issues
Super Mario Sunshinelooks great in3D All-Stars, but its performance leaves something to be desired. The game will occasionally slow down, making the frame rate dip briefly. While this may not sound game-breaking, it happens just often enough to make it noticeable, giving the game an unpolished feel. Even opening the menu prompts some major game lag that never appeared in the original release, leaving the experience feeling more butchered than celebratory.
6Best - Galaxy’s Controls
Super Mario Galaxyis the most updated and enhanced game of the collection, and it feels great. Since the original game utilized the Wiimote’s pointer functionality, the Joy-Con’s gyro capabilities have been incorporated to emulate that experience, and it works surprisingly well.
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Mario’s new spin move, previously activated by shaking the controller, can now be performed by pressing the “Y” button, giving the player even more choices in how they want to play the game. Needless to say,Galaxyfeels like a natural fit for the Switch.
5Worst - The Music Player
A music player was added to the collection, offering soundtracks for all three games. While this is a great bonus, it doesn’t work so well in practice, mainly due to its minimalist design. There are no options to shuffle the songs, skip them, rewind them, or even unpause them. If a track is paused and then unpaused, it’ll simply restart the track, not resuming where it left off. This lack of musical interactivity makes the addition much less desirable than it should’ve been.
4Best - Video Capture
Thanks to the Switch’s built-in video recorder, it’s possible to save replays from the last thirty seconds of play with many of the console’s games.Super Mario 3D All-Starsalso supports this feature, meaning those special moments can be saved at the press of a button.
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This feature is compatible with all three games in the collection, so there’s no need to worry about any exceptions. It’s all here.
3Worst - No Galaxy 2
Despite the collection containing three great3D Mariogames,Super Mario Galaxy 2is not a part of this package.SMG 2is one of Mario’s most critically acclaimed platformers ever. Leaving it out of3D All-Starsis bizarre.Galaxy 2will also be one of the few 3D Mario platformers that can’t be played on the Switch, with the only other game beingSuper Mario 3D Land. Will this game be added further down the line, or will it forever be confined to theWii?
2Best - Still the Same, Great Games
There may be many issues with the collection, but these are still thesame, great games that many people grew up with. Even with some strange changes, including the camera controls, these are still mostly faithful enhancements of players' original experiences. Not only will those already familiar with these games be able to reminisce, but new players will also be able to experience them for the first time.
1Worst - Limited Release
Perhaps its biggest controversy,3D All-Starsis a limited-time release, with both the physical and digital versions of the game discontinued after March 2021. If players are interested in picking the game up, they only have a few months to do so before the collection is discarded forever. It’s possible this decision may change, but for now,3D All-Starswill be taken off the shelf in less than a year.
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