At this point, there’s a very short list of Wii U titles that have yet to make the jump over to Nintendo Switch. While many expect this list to become even shorter during the Switch’s lifecycle, Super Mario 3D World was a name gamers had long been waiting to see checked off. As one of the best exclusives to arrive on Nintendo’s previous console, the House of Mario could have simply brought the game over to its handheld/home gaming hybrid, added a feature or two, charged full price, and been done with it. Instead, Nintendo did something completely unexpected and packaged 3D World with a brand-new game called Bowser’s Fury – making what would have been a fun port a must-have for Nintendo fans.
Super Mario 3D World doesn’t need a new adventure to be worth the price of admission on its own. The four-player co-op romp is still a wonderful game on Switch that features Mario, Luigi, Toad, Peach, and the unlockable Rosalina as playable characters. This version maintains a lot of what made the original great and improves upon it in tiny ways. The primary difference is Super Mario 3D World‘s increased character movement when compared to the Wii U version, which not only speeds up the runtime but makes platforming slightly easier thanks to the enhanced maneuverability. Outside of that, there’s now also support for online multiplayer which is a much-appreciated addition given the current state of the world.
The only drawback is that the lack of the Wii U GamePad makes playing on the TV a bit weird because of 3D World‘s leftover touchscreen obstacles that have made their way to the Switch version. Instead of finding a way to rework those environments, Nintendo has opted to utilize a Splatoon-like point and click feature which is activated through the controller’s right bumper, and it’s a little awkward at times. Despite this one particular and infrequent on-TV issue, the title remains a slightly enhanced version of an already great game. Where this re-release really shines though is in the new campaign, Bowser’s Fury.
Fans could be forgiven for thinking that this new mode is just a tacked-on expansion of sorts. The assets and several powerups look like they’ve been ported over from 3D World, ranging from some of the now cat-ified baddies to a range of powerups. In truth, the game plays more like a 3D collect-a-thon in the same vein as the Switch’s critically-acclaimed Super Mario Odyssey. Even then, Bowser’s Fury manages to incorporate enough new qualities that the final product stands on its own as an outrageously fun adventure.
The journey kicks off when Mario finds himself pulled into the kingdom of Lake Lapcat, a massive lake with various environments that surrounds a black oozy mass in the center. After a brief encounter with the massive Fury Bowser, it’s revealed that the King of the Koopas has become corrupted and his son, Bowser Jr., needs Mario’s help to save him. In order to do so, Mario must gather up the newest collectible known as Cat Shines. These are basically tiny suns with cat faces on them that will light up various lighthouses around the region. Collecting them will thwart Fury Bowser’s attempts to take out Mario if he has appeared on-screen (something that occurs at random) and restore the new Giga Bell powerup to working order.
In total, there are 100 Cat Shines to collect, with every handful of them unlocking access to the Giga Bell – which will transform Mario into his Giga Cat form – and queue up a fight with Fury Bowser. The mechanic is not unlike the various boss fights staged within Super Mario 64, with each new Bowser encounter becoming available as Stars are rounded up, albeit one explored within one massive, singular world. It’s a new twist on a proven concept, but what makes it work so well is the sprawling open-world environment that’s ripe for exploring and the powerups that help make traversing it even more interesting. Add in the ability for a second player to take control of Bowser Jr., which is a fun way to rope in a partner as more of an accessory to the experience, and it quickly becomes clear how unique this offering is.
It’s almost fitting to say that Super Mario 3D World is overshadowed by the hulking Fury Bowser. The couch co-op glamor of 3D World pairs well with the more single-player-driven setting of Bowser’s Fury, creating an experience that marries the best of both worlds for fans of the various Super Mario titles and platforming in general. Nintendo Switch owners would be remiss if they overlooked Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, which is another quality addition to the console’s impressive library.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is available exclusively for Nintendo Switch on February 12, 2021. A digital copy was provided to Screen Rant for the purposes of this review.
