"The third and still every bit as intriguing as the first."

With the first two Mario games a big success, Nintendo still finds a way to make a third Mario game just as great as the first two.

Game Play

A step up from the previous Mario once again, Super Mario Bros. 3 gets some new mini-games scattered across the worlds, more levels that get harder and harder, some new kinds of bosses, and a different twist on the story. In this version you start out on the world map. You pick the level you want to go to (which is the first because you have to play it to get to the second). Certain levels lead you to mini-games if you beat them. There are a few mini-games, one with three boxes and you pick one of them and get to keep the item inside. Another where the object is to make a fire flower, mushroom, etc. and if you do you get the item you make. If you are lucky, you can get a sliding card on a level you beat. It is a form of memory and every time you get a match you get to keep the item of the match. There are a bunch too! If you play two player, you can go back to levels you have beaten and play this little game where you fight to get coins that come from dead enemies. The player with the most coins wins. There are plenty of levels and lots of enemies in this third installment. A feature I like is the items you win in the mini-games you can save and use later if they can be used more effectively farther on into the game. At the end of every world there is a boss. In this Mario game however, they aren't in castles, they are in giant floating boats. The bosses are like little Bowsers with different abilities. Three hits usually does them in. With the coming of the new worlds comes many different backgrounds, enemies, and levels. Number three in the series just adds replay on top of replay.

Story

Practically the same as all the other Mario games accept a few things. This time Mario is up to save people, but oddly enough it's not the princess, it's the kings! The kings have been turned into animals by the baddies and when you return their wands to them they become kings again and thank you for saving them. The only appearance peach makes is on letters to Mario to give him thanks and p-wings (which are tails that let you fly forever through a level).

Audio/Video

Another thing that got better as the series progressed was the graphics. The detail gets better on the backgrounds, enemies, etc. As always, great sound effects for smashing enemies and going down tubes, etc. What more can I say?

Replay

It's a great Mario game and if you buy it now it's probably super cheap somewhere used (or you can download it somewhere and play it on your computer.) Another classic Mario game you shouldn't go without. It's fun people!

Overall

Well, you read the review, good in all the categories and also a classic. If you haven't played it for a while, play it. If you don't own it, find it or download it.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/09/01, Updated 03/09/01