"One of the Best Games Ever Made....."

My name is Gyarados Scotty and I would am reviewing the classically acclaimed game, that set the standard for adventure games and all other games alike, Super Mario Brothers 3. Released in the late eighties, this game is the sequel to Super Mario Brothers 2, although they are not directly connected in plot. I am sure you will enjoy this game, like I have for many, many years.

-What the Game is Basically About-
The genre of this game is adventure. Side-scrolling, two dimensional adventure, to be precise. The objective of this genre is to scroll through many different levels, separated by ''Worlds''. These worlds all have a form of unison among the levels. They can be same types of baddies, the same terrain, the same backgrounds, et cetera.

In these many levels, the general goal is to scroll east and reach a certain point. However, this task is no simple walk in the park, as you shall find out. The levels contain long gaps in the ground that are only conquered by jumping over them, a large number of various baddies, all capable of doing some serious damage to you.

The story of Super Mario Brothers 3 is pretty bland. Nothing much has changed at all from the previous Mario games. Basically, Bowser and the Koopa Kids kidnapped the princess of the distinguished Mushroom Kingdom, Peach Toadstool. Mario, being the humble, Italian plumber that he is, feels that it is his job to save her, like he has so many times in the past.

This game features the unique ability to accumulate items, which will aid you in your difficult quest. You get them by earning various mini-games that will win you valuable items, such as leaves, fireflowers, stars, frog suits, Tanooki suits and a host of others. These items are used in the levels and ease your challenging task in different ways, as some will provide you with excellent powers.

-Visually Related Aspect-
The best way to describe the graphics is quite simple. They simply have breakthrough innovation and top many of the graphics from games released years after it. The two selectable characters, Mario and Luigi, look basically the same, in exception to a few colours, but they look really great. They have tons of frames for every move that they do, from the flapping of raccoon Mario's tail to the swimming of frog Luigi, and look really great.

Another aspect worth mentioning are the detailed graphics of the baddies, the many foes you will encounter throughout the various levels. Like the previous games, all of the baddies that are in the same family, bear a strong resemblance to each other, but keep their own individuality. All of them utilise cartoon-like colours, which is really the mood of the entire game.

My final topic is the general setting of the games. The backgrounds have greatly improved over previous Super Mario games. They feature things that relate to your area of the game, for instance, in world two, all of the backgrounds seem to revolve around deserts, which really, in overall adds to the gameplay. They all utilise an array of bright, vibrant colors that are easy on your eyes, so you can concentrate on the action.

-Audio Related Aspect-
Like everything else in this superior classic, the audio related aspect will simply add to this virtually perfect game. The music is toe-tapping catchy, but won't distract you from the game. Well, not too much. The music doesn't have the most complex composition, like most games of that time, but it sounds really great. It is quite varied throughout the game, but it is mainly happy and joyful.

The sound effects are up on the superior level of the music, and everything else. Although the same effects are repeated quite often, they will never get on your nerves, in my opinion. Though the moves only have one sound effect each, the sound effects are still quite plentiful. From the ''boing'' of Mario's impressive jump to the gloomy music of the mini-fortresses, you are sure to appreciate and enjoy the music in this excellent game.

-Control-
I consider the control aspect of a game to make or brake a game, and indeed, this certainly makes Super Mario Bros. 3. The control is easy to catch on to, and isn't hard to master, but you must learn to use it precisely and appropriately, or you will lose terribly.

The control is basically running left and right, ducking down, jumping up really high with A, flying in the clouds, and a host of others for the other various powers. The powers enable you to swim with ease with a frog suit, chuck a lot of hammers with the hammer brothers suit, turn into a statue with the Tanooki suit and a few others that haven't came to mind. Overall, the control is great, to sum it all up.

-Challenge-
Another perfect aspect of this virtually perfect game. This game has the right amount of difficulty. Some levels will be beatable on the first try, while others will kill you several times, but you will probably survive with a few lives remaining, because you will probably figure out the trick to beating it.

I found this game quite a challenge when I was five, but I was eventually able to beat it, as I gained experience. I am going to have to say that this games challenge level is situated between medium and hard, which will provide a perfect gaming experience. It isn't too hard, but for sure, it isn't easy. That is my idea of the perfect challenge for a game, which I feel will provide a lot of fun for any gamer, young or old.

-Replayability-
This aspect of the game and the length isn't quite at the celestial level of everything else, although it is certainly high up there. But when you pair the two, other platformers, look out! I still play it, like all of the other classics I adore so much. I have beaten it literally dozens of times, possibly even hundreds.

The replayability level is quite high, but could be slightly higher, but nonetheless, it is still quite high. It never seems to lack its fun, but it doesn't completely capture the original effect that the game provided when I first bought it. You will surely play this game over and over and over and.......</energizer rabbit thing>

-Length-
It took be approximately five to ten hours to beat it. You may be saying ''That's really short. This game must suck.'' Well I say, do shut up, you are ignorant. I do admit, it does seem to be short, but paired with that amazing replayability, you have a force to be reckoned with. That adds up to hundreds of hours of extremely, good, clean, fun gameplay.


The length is good for someone interested in beating this game for their first time, although it may seem slightly short, even for a game made in that era of video games.

-Good Points-
- Everything

-Bad Points-
- Nothing at all
- Kinda makes this section obsolete, huh? =P

-Would Gyarados Scotty Buy, Burn, Rent or Rom this Game?
This game is a buy. This game is worth getting the console for. This game is worth searching through your local secondhand stores and even trying online auctions (Which I hate with a passion) Since burning doesn't really apply, if you can, rent it. I'm sure that the rental store will probably let you buy it eventually anyway. If none of these options are available, the rom is a mediocre, but sufficient supply for the original.

In conclusion, I would once again recommend this game to anyone, even to anyone who hates this genre with a passion. It is just so fun! I have decided to settle on ten out of ten, although I want to give this game a much higher score. So buy it if you can get your hands on it, I urge you! The Nintendo Entertainment System has never seen better than this game and for sure, it never will. I'm serious you know, they don't make games for this console any more. =D

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/26/00, Updated 10/26/00