The embargo for the Super Mario 3D World hands-on preview has lifted, and Nintendo fans are getting a look at the first five minutes of gameplay of the new Bowser’s Fury storyline. Bowser’s Fury was announced alongside the Super Mario 3D World re-release, and while there have been clips of the game included in trailers, the overall gameplay has remained somewhat of a mystery.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury was announced for the Switch in September of 2020 with Bowser’s Fury being a completely new and separate adventure. Super Mario 3D World was originally released on the Wii U in 2013 and is one of the few first-party Wii U games that has yet to make its way to the Switch. In January of this year, Nintendo provided a greater look at the story and world of Bowser’s Fury stating that it would not be DLC for 3D World, but would instead be a full experience that takes Mario on an adventure accompanied by Bowser Jr.
Trailers for Bowser’s Fury have consisted of cinematic clips and short glimpses of gameplay leaving Nintendo fans questioning how the adventure plays. Now, players can get a better feel for the game thanks to MonkeyKingHero on YouTube who posted a video of the first five minutes of Bowser’s Fury gameplay. During the video, Mario collects three Cat Shines (Bowser’s Fury’s version of Shine Sprite) and shows off some of the game’s mechanics and power-ups. While the video cuts all cutscenes and story details due to embargo, it gives great insight into what players can expect from the feline-ridden shores of Lake Lapcat.
Super Mario 3D World isn’t a true 3D Mario experience as it falls somewhere between open-world 3D Mario titles and the 2D segmented playstyle of New Super Mario Bros. While Bowser’s Fury most certainly leans towards the former, it also mixes in plenty of elements from Super Mario 3D World. Players can explore a larger open area containing various objectives like in Mario Odyssey, but the cast of enemies and power-ups are the same that can be found in 3D World. Players can also store excess power-ups; Mario’s health is dependent on his power-up instead of a traditional health bar, and obtaining 100 coins results in an additional power-up instead of an extra life.
It seems as if this bundle of games will have something to offer every Mario fan. If players aren’t into exploring open worlds and want a more linear experience, they can play through Super Mario 3D World’s robust campaign. For those who wish they could play a new authentic 3D Mario game, Bowser’s Fury has that covered. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is just a few weeks away, but after seeing the first five minutes of gameplay, it can’t get here soon enough.
