Product ReviewsSuper Mario 3D Land (3DS, 2011)

Fun New Take on Traditional 2D Mario Platformers, But Notably Easier

4/5 stars on 2DS/3D turned off, 4.5/5 stars with 3D on for those who have it.

I really appreciated how fast the game arrived - I got it because I've been laid up in bed not feeling well so getting it a few days after ordering was a nice surprise and has kept me entertained. The price was very competitive and the box has minimal wear and tear for a second-hand game. I agree with other reviews that the gameplay for New Super Mario 3D Land is quite a bit easier than any of the older or original mario bros games, but there's some awesome new mechanics and powerups, as well as it just being so fun to have a 2D style mario platformer but in 3D at last, and portable. I love Mario64 etc but I love the 2D soundtracks and gameplay for their nostalgia and just prefer the mechanics over the older 3D Mario Platformers, so this was a wonderful game for me to explore. I haven't played New Super Mario 3D World or any other new 3D mario games (my most recent was sunshine) so a lot was fun and new to me. I love the changes to the tanooki (racoon) mario power up, it was a favorite of mine in the old games, and the new game mechanics and enemies fit well in the series. So as a long time/retro mario fan, I think this was a respectable continuation of the franchise. So far one of my favorite details in this game is the inclusion of modern/different takes on the classic mario soundtrack. With the exception of a handful of tracks, I love how the soundtrack is recognizable and evokes nostalgia but is distinct and has some fun and unexpected twists. Mario's audio was always a huge part of why it's so iconic - especially how Mario's actions in game affect the music, and this game is true to form in that sense.

As cons, It is definitively easier than earlier 2D games, and if you play 2D mario for extremely skill dependent platforming, this is not the game for you. I'm not a speed-runner by any means but I do play a lot of platformers, and I had 58 lives by world 3's end, which I believe is 15 levels. Yes, 58. For comparison, my last playthrough of the OG Super Mario Land, which has 12 levels, I ended with 13 lives. This game definitely is more enjoyable for younger kids and doesn't require the same level of mechanical skill, but for me that didn't remove any of the fun, it just made it a much shorter experience than a more difficult game with the same number of levels would be. I do think the ease of gameplay will decrease the replay value for me, however.

There's a part of me that wishes I had bought a 3DS instead of the 2DS, the 3D was a bit of a gimmick and I didn't think it was worth the price increase, but as someone who struggled in geometry and is not a visual learner, the puzzles without 3D can be confusing. It isn't a deal breaker by any means - most 3D dependent puzzles are short and there are mechanics to help for those of us using 2D, but it is noticable to me for sure.Would happily buy again! I'm in World 4 presently and will update if needed once I've completed the game.

Overall, a really fun experience and I'm glad I picked this up finally.Read full review...

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Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: jrdunk

It is an acceptable game.

I would not recommend rushing to play this game. I'm sure it will be very affordable in the future. If you get to play it nice if you get to play it for free better. I just wasn't really that into this game. Usually I love finding all the hidden gems in mario games from super mario brothers to paper mario but one of us has changed and I'm not sure if it is me or mario but this just didn't leave me feeling entertained. Still get a kick out of mario kart 7 though. 😃Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: chenbuynsell

Great game. Still trying to beat the final levels.

I have played every Mario platformer since the beginning and for the 3DS this is a very solid game. Many levels and then surprise,(spoiler alert) secret world and playable Luigi. I enjoyed this title immensely and it is one of the must have 3DS games. I would love to see more platforming games with challenge like this.Read full review...

One trick pony, but a GOOD one trick pony!

This is by FAR the best Super Mario game I've played in many many years. The only downside however, is that the game is too linear. Not that linear is bad, but I wish there were secret paths to take, like in the original Super Mario Land for the SNES. Also, there is nothing to do besides the main game, meaning no minigames or ANYTHING. If that doesn't bother you though, you're looking at a game that will last you at least 24 hours to complete (8 hours for the main levels, and another 16 hours to beat the special levels......which I still haven't done).

Overall great product, I just wish there was more to it.Read full review...

Super Fun Portable Mario Play

I never played this game back in the day, but I'm so glad I bought it now. The bite-sized levels are perfect for portable gaming, and the level design is fun and inspired. Great Mario game for portable play. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: fj-gr8cittw@Del...

My 8 year old loves this game

Great game for kids around 8 years old. Not quite as complex as many of the other games but still a lot of fun.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: apoc63oa

Great Game

This is one you definitely want to keep the 3d on for. Amazing! Starts easy by has tons of bonus content and becomes more challenging there. Has the charm and gameplay we've come to expect from the franchise.Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: crono764

I purchased it use

I just got it recently and I'm very happy with the game it works great and it was a good price for it thanks again

Mario's first major outing on the 3DS is familar and yet fresh.

Whenever a new Nintendo console comes out, it's expected that a new Mario game will come out shortly afterwords. Aside from the original Gameboy, for the handhelds the first Mario games out are generally remakes. The Gameboy Color had Super Mario Bros DX (the original NES title), the Gameboy Advance had Super Mario Bros Advance (basically the SNES version of Super Mario Bros 2), and the DS had Super Mario 64 DS (Super Mario 64 with more playable characters and more missions). I'm happy to say that Super Mario 3D Land is a game changer. Not only is it a completely original game but it is easily the best portable Mario game released so far.

If you've played a Mario game, you know the story. Bowser has captured Princess Peach and Mario runs off to try to rescue her. The story is old hat but, like any other Mario game, the focus is the gameplay and it's very enjoyable. The game plays like a mix between Super Mario Galaxy and New Super Mario Bros. Each world has about six stages and there are 16 worlds in all (8 in the regular story and 8 "secret" ones after beating the game once) and, truth be told, you can beat a world in about 20 minutes if you're familiar enough with Mario games. This isn't to say that the game is overly easy though. Like the last couple of major Mario titles, it's very easy to get 1ups into the triple digits but if you want to beat the game 100% by collecting all three star coins in each stage, you will probably end up losing close to 100, especially in the later "secret" worlds. The game can be frustrating at times but it's never enough to ruin the experience.

Like other Mario titles, this game has its fair share of power ups. The tanooki suit from Super Mario Bros 3 makes a comeback, allowing you to hover to reach hard to reach star coins and making some of the more difficult obstacles courses in the game more manageable. The classic fire suit also comes back. There are two new powerups in this game with one being the boomerang suit, allowing Mario to throw boomerangs, and the other being the box propeller, which works like the propeller suit in New Super Mario Bros Wii. They all fit nicely into the gameplay and they are all essential for getting some of the star coins in the game.

One of the most refreshing things about this game is how much content it has compared to past portable Mario platform games. Not only will this game take more than a couple of sittings to get through, but it will probably take you at least a week to get everything. Each stage in the 16 worlds has its own unique spin on it and many of the stages are worth replaying just because of how fun they are to get through. Many say that this was the first original game for the 3DS and I would agree because you can tell that this game was built from the bottom up to for this system. This is even one of the few games on the 3DS where the 3D feature isn't merely a gimmick and they actually incorporate it into the gameplay in some parts.

In the end, I would say that this is the most satisfying portable Mario title since Super Mario Land 2: the Six Golden Coins. It's simple but with enough complexity to keep you interested until you beat it 100%. It's classic Mario gameplay with enough new content to make it feel like a new experience. If you own a 3DS, this title should definitely be in your collection.Read full review...

Mario 3d land is worth owning.

Super Mario 3d land could be called the first killer app for the 3ds, it's the first game that is not a port from nintendo that fells like it was made ground up for the 3ds. The 3d works great and is defintley needed in some of the trciker platform jumps and a few puzzles

The story is the same has usual Bowser has kidnapp Princess Peach and Mario has to rescue her. Other then a letter with a 3d picture telling of the Princess plight you get at the end of every level there is no real story.

What is nice about Mario 3d land is it's the first 3d mario game to incoporate the elements of 2d mario. What does that mean unlike Mario Galaxy where you have a health meter and power ups our time limited, Mario 3d land the power ups our yours once you grab them, and won't be taken away until your hit. There is a flag pole at the end of each level.

The levels our fun and unique and they brought back the Tanooki suit for some extra power. Also your battles with Bowser will be similer to SMB 1 but super size getting cross all the obasacles on these bridges so you can dunk Bowser in lava won't be has easy has in the 1985 classic.

The game can be borken up into two sections there is the first primary game where you are out to rescue Princess Peach, these levels our easy to begin with. But if you find yourself dying a golden leaf will appear to give you an invicible tanooki suit. However after you rescue the Princess the speical world unlocks, in order to unlock stages in this extra hard special world you have to collect star coins found in every level. Unlocking these levels brings some extra replay, and a whole lot of challenge. While it may dispoint some gamers that the rescueing the Princess is super easy to me all the best Mario games our that way. Super Mario World can be beaten in 13 stages, Mario 64 60 stars is easy, and lets face it world 7 on SMB 3 was a whole lot harder then world 8. But getting 96 exits in Mario World was hard, Mario 64 120 could be diffcult, and stage 7 was the B word to complete. So this is on par with all the great Mario games.Read full review...

5 stars

I was able to get this game at a decent price, and it came in great condition. Theres no lag, just smooth playing. Two thumbs up

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: kailgros