Super Mario 3D Land is the first 3D Mario installment for the Nintendo 3DS. It combines 2D and 3D Mario gameplay and makes extensive use of the 3D effect in its level design. While the game is meant to be played in 3D, you can still play it in 2D without missing out on too much. The 3D effect is mainly used for visual tricks which can be quite impressive in some sections such as seemingly stacking a wall of blocks but one of them is actually only a different "plane" and closer to the screen. Marior has his usual abilities of being able to jump (but only once, there's no double or triple jumping in this game), dashing and stomping. However, Mario is able to get various power ups giving him suits with extra powers such as the return of the Tanooki suit, which gives Mario the ability to float down after a jump. Other powers include being able to throw fireballs and a propeller box that allows him to shoot up really high.
Mario can hold up to two abilities and swap between the two at any time. Using the touchscreen will also allow you to move the camera a bit. The camera angle is usually fixed and placed in such a way that you know where to go but will also hide some paths. The story that gives Mario excuse to go on his platforming adventure is the same as always. Princess Peach has been kidnapped by Bower and Mario must travel through various landscapes, defeating Bowser's minions, and eventually Bowser himself, in order to save her. The game is designed in such a way that it can be played in small bursts. You initially start with eight worlds, each with a number of courses, extras and bosses. In each course, the aim is for Mario to reach the end while avoiding a number of obstacles, defeating enemies, collecting coins and finding secret areas. There is a time limit, which is usually quite generous, for Mario to reach the flagpole signaling the level's end.
Each level will occasionally swap between 2D sidescrolling gameplay and 3D gameplay allowing more freedom. While the levels are linear, the level designs make it very enjoyable as you'll swim through water, jump on moving platforms and dodge the various enemies. Eventually, you get short time limits in longer levels where you have to dash through the level, while collecting clocks along the way to extend the time. It's a rush in these levels, but also makes you more prone to mistakes. Each level also contains three optional larger coins which are required to unlock certain levels later on and are usually hidden away.
The main portions of the game is comprised of eight worlds which are easy. If you die more than five times in a level, the game will give you items to help you pass the segment. After you finish the eight worlds, there's more postgame content and these are a lot more challenging. Unfortunately, most of the postgame content is locked behind the Star Coins. Eventually, the game require you to get all the coins in previous levels before you can unlock all content if you do not want to wait for certain "Mystery Boxes" to respawn each day for bonus Star Coins. A level takes around 3-8 minutes to beat so the game averages around 3-5 hours on a first playthrough before the postgame content which effectively doubles the length. It will take many more hours to find all the secrets and use the optional character. The replay value is one of the biggest plusses of this game because it is just so fun to run through the levels again to improve yours core or find all the hidden areas or hit the top of the flagpole.
Each level usually has one checkpoint but as the levels get harder and you die, then you will have to repeat sections again and again. While you can breeze through some of them as you get better, it can still get tedious in the boss levels in which you have to beat it in one run. You will spend a minute or two getting to the point of where you died in order to try again, repeating this five or more times and you will start cursing why the developers were so stingy and not give you checkpoints during those boss fights. Yes, it makes it more exciting, and yes, it forces you to improve your skills, but when you've passed a section for the 5th or 10th time, it gets beyond ridiculous.
The later levels get to the point where if you get hit once and lose your power up, you are at a significant disadvantage. While most levels can be completed using just Mario without any power ups, it is much harder. You pretty much need the Tanooki Suit with its attack and float to make the harder levels easier especially when you are being chased by something or have a tight time limit. The graphics are excellent and the bright colorful world works really well. As mentioned, the 3D effect is done extremely well here. Overall, Super Mario 3D Land is an excellent and well done platformer. It's polished, looks amazing and the 3D effect is quite nice. While it can be described as 2D Mario in 3D, there's no denying that it is a lot of fun and exudes quality.
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