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Review: Super Mario 3D Land

Super Mario 3D Land
January 22, 2012 By In 3DS, Reviews

For a system that relies so heavily on one feature, it’s surprising to find how many 3DS games lack a true 3D experience. So when a game comes around that does take full advantage of the system’s key feature, it deserves special attention. In the case of Super Mario Land 3D, that special attention is well deserved. 3D Land is easily one of the 3DS’ top games. With its traditional platforming mixed with original concepts and breath-taking visual effects, 3D Land is a game no one should miss. Strap on your seatbelt, we’re going to the Mushroom kingdom.

The plot of Super Mario 3D Land is just like every Super Mario Game you’ve played before. The game begins with Mario reading a notice that Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bowser. He must then begin a long journey across many worlds to find the vulnerable princess and bring her back home. We know, you’ve heard “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it” so many times before when referring to this reiterating plot that we’re just gonna save you the misery of having it explained to you again. Summary: the story is what you expected and nothing else.

Thankfully, Super Mario 3D Land completely turns it around when it comes to gameplay. Granted, there isn’t much originality when it comes to 3D Land’s gameplay. But what it lacks in originality, it more than makes up for in pure bliss. As expected, 3D Land is a platformer through-and-through. Your goal is simple: just reach the end of the stage and slide down the flagpole. We’ve seen it since 1985. What separates 3D Land from its NES brethren is the amount of secrets, collectibles, and different paths that appear on your way to that precious flagpole. Unlike other Super Mario games of late, 3D Land encourages players to find these little secrets and special areas, to the point where certain worlds become impassible before the player has collected enough secrets.  Some may shudder at the thought of being forced to do anything in a Super Mario title, but I thought it was a fantastic way to slow down those who want to just rush through this beautiful game.

What makes 3D Land such a beatiful game is not just its outstanding visuals, but its use of its native system’s 3D effect. Taking Mario and throwing him into 2D, yet 3D scenarios is what 3D Land is all about. You can expect objects, enemies, and items to make their way from the foreground to the background, all with the camera rarely getting in the way. For those who are a bit perplexed by the thought of having objects appearing to be thrust towards you, there is the ability to change the game’s 3D effect. Those who are a little more daring can set the game to have the 3D effect “pop!”, while others can set the 3D effect to depth. While I found the “pop!” effect to be quite enjoyable, more often than not I found my game set to the depth effect.

I feel the audio in 3D Land really represents the game as a whole. A jukebox of the series’ most classic tunes, along with some new ones, the soundtrack to 3D Land is just like the game’s story, gameplay, and visuals in how it cherry-picks the best of the series and strings it together into one gigantic pack of awesome. While playing through 3D Land, I was constantly taken aback by a gem of the Mario series playing through the 3DS’ tiny speakers. Nintendo has shown us time and again — with each new Super Mario release — what a soundtrack is supposed to be. I just find it amazing that even a portable entry in the series can set the bar and blow away even its console predecessors.

While 3D Land is mostly a melting pot of the Super Mario series, there are times when the game blazes its own path. Case-in-point: 3D Land‘s replay value. I won’t spoil it for those who are reading this review before playing through the game, but just keep in mind that you’re not nearly done with 3D Land once you clear the eight worlds. It’s typical for a Super Mario title to offer more collectibles after completing the game to add replay value, but what 3D Land does is completely original. I only hope Nintendo continues to use this great tactic when they begin to develop Mario’s next adventure.

This review has been a total love-fest for 3D Land and the Super Mario series as a whole. But what can I say, Nintendo knows their stuff when it comes to making Super Mario games. In case the message wasn’t clear enough through this review, Super Mario 3D Land is a game all Nintendo fans must absolutely pick up. Sure, the story may be a little dull considering how many times we’ve heard it, but all the other aspects of the game will make you completely forget the severe repetition of the story. Anyone looking for another great platformer to take with them on the go owes themselves to pickup Super Mario 3D Land.

Pros:

  • Tried-and-true gameplay
  • Outstanding visuals that take advantage of the 3DS’ unique capabilities
  • Classic Mario soundtrack that is sure to surprise even long-time fans
  • Chock full of replay value

Cons:

  • We get it, Peach is susceptible to kidnappings

Score: 9/10

Review: The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D

The Legend of Zelda Orcarina of Time 3D -- 1
November 23, 2011 By In 3DS, Reviews

Remakes are something we as video game players are quite familiar with. Every year we see a huge amount of games remade — for better or worse — as companies attempt to play on our nostalgia. When a remake comes out that improves upon the original game in nearly every way, it is rightfully cherished. In the case of The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time, this is yet another classic remake that we can add to the list of cherished titles.

The key to The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D’s success is how true it remains to the source material. Except for the graphical update and 3DS-specific gameplay features such as motion-controlled aiming, The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D is identical to the game you played back in 1998. You still play as a fairy-less boy named Link, you still must save the world from the grasp of the evil Ganandorf, and it still takes King Zora forever to move his butt so you can go save Princess Ruto. While some may be disappointed by how similar The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D is to the original game, I believe that most gamers would agree, Orcarina of Time is not a game to be tampering with.

But to say that The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D is identical to the original would be an unfair observation. As I mentioned earlier, the big draw to The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D is the updated visuals. As expected, Orcarina of Time has never looked better. Nintendo and co-developer Grezzo clearly wanted The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D to capture the look of the original game’s concept art. That look may not push the 3DS to its limits, but it does give the game the look that Miyamoto and the team at Nintendo envisioned back in 1998. The visuals in Orcarina of Time 3D are not perfect though. Some textures have been left the same, such as flat stairs which really could have used an update. In some situations, the upgrade also works against the game as some clearer textures point out flat surfaces that should be jagged. These are just minor complaints for a game that looks fantastic.

As fantastic as the game looks, the extras are another key point of every remake. Once again though, The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D doesn’t disappointed. Added on the cartridge is an unlockable Master Quest mode. This mode is also identical to the infamous Japanese-only Orcarina of Time update, but with the same graphical improvements. Also added to the game is a new feature called “visions”. These visions are a collection of helpful videos that appear each time Link dies. They provide helpful insight into how how to solve dungeon puzzles. They can also tell you just where you are supposed to go. These are great for younger players or rusty veterans of the game. My only complaint is that the videos are very low quality to be able to fit on the cartridge. Aside from that, they are a great tool for willing adventurers.

Those willing adventurers of the Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D will also need to change their muscle memory when playing on the 3DS. While playing on the handheld is fairly comfortable, it is nothing like the N64 controller that was seemingly made for the game. Despite this, Nintendo and Grezzo did a great job of incorporating the 3DS’ slider-pad, buttons, and touchscreen to create a nice competitor to the N64 controller. Of course, nothing beats the original, but it is still a great layout. Also added to the game is the ability to aim items using the 3DS’ motion controls. This involves moving your body and the 3DS when you want to aim items like the slingshot. For the most part this works great and provides a surprising amount of precision. However, if you do this in 3D mode, be prepared to lose the effect as moving the console often removes your eyes from the 3D sweet-spot on the device. Of course, this aiming can be easily turned off. But if you do turn it off, you will be missing out on one of the great additions to the game, just be sure to play those aiming portions in 2D.

As with the controls, you can summarize The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D as “nothing beats the original”. While it was a worthy attempt in every area, and some may consider this 3D version the best, most who grew up repaying the original will still stick with that. However, if you need your Orcarina of Time fix on the go, want access to the Master Quest, or just need a break from the N64, The Legend of Zelda: Orcarina of Time 3D is the next best thing and a wonderful remake of a true gaming classic.

Score: 9/10