When I was a kid, Super Mario Bros. 3 was the only video game that mattered. I still remember going to the video store almost every day after school to rent it and always leaving empty-handed. On the day that my mother countered my suggestion that we try one more time by surprising me with my very own copy, I felt like Ralphie when he unwrapped the BB gun in A Christmas Story. Tips and tricks regarding warp whistles and the locations of power-ups dominated my lunchroom conversations. At first, I thought the game was a secret amongst my geeky friends, but eventually, nearly everyone in my class ended up contributing to our discussion.
Why is Super Mario Bros. 3 such a universally loved video game? The simplicity and elegance of its graphics and gameplay is certainly a main reason. Even someone who is new to video games would have little trouble getting past World 1-1 and possibly further. The graphics are simple, colorful and make each item's purpose and each enemy's attack pattern quickly apparent. They also add distinction and atmosphere to each level and world in a way that maximizes the NES' 8-bit potential. As for the controls, they are tight and turn-on-a-dime responsive, not to mention easy to master. It takes no time at all to learn fundamentals such as when to let go of the B button to stop running at just the right moment or how hard to press the A button to execute the right jump. While the first game in the series shares many of these merits, Super Mario Bros. 3 surpasses its predecessor not only by exceeding them, but by allowing players to better customize the gaming experience. The first game has warp zones, but Super Mario Bros. 3's warp whistles take the concept even further, and the game even lets players skip entire levels within worlds. The third game is also even richer when it comes to rewarding players for being ingenious and going off the beaten path. In addition to the secret locations of the warp whistles and prime power-ups like the tanooki and hammer suits, it is possible to gain dozens of extra lives and warp to the final world in less than an hour's time. All of these qualities add up to make a video game that is endlessly replayable as well as challenging enough for the gaming amateur to finish and for the gaming expert to unravel every secret. The 2D platformer is one of the most beloved video game genres, and thanks to the recent explosion of indie gaming, it is still going strong. Regardless, despite many worthy challengers, Super Mario Bros. 3 is still at top of this genre's heap.
Why is Super Mario Bros. 3 such a universally loved video game? The simplicity and elegance of its graphics and gameplay is certainly a main reason. Even someone who is new to video games would have little trouble getting past World 1-1 and possibly further. The graphics are simple, colorful and make each item's purpose and each enemy's attack pattern quickly apparent. They also add distinction and atmosphere to each level and world in a way that maximizes the NES' 8-bit potential. As for the controls, they are tight and turn-on-a-dime responsive, not to mention easy to master. It takes no time at all to learn fundamentals such as when to let go of the B button to stop running at just the right moment or how hard to press the A button to execute the right jump. While the first game in the series shares many of these merits, Super Mario Bros. 3 surpasses its predecessor not only by exceeding them, but by allowing players to better customize the gaming experience. The first game has warp zones, but Super Mario Bros. 3's warp whistles take the concept even further, and the game even lets players skip entire levels within worlds. The third game is also even richer when it comes to rewarding players for being ingenious and going off the beaten path. In addition to the secret locations of the warp whistles and prime power-ups like the tanooki and hammer suits, it is possible to gain dozens of extra lives and warp to the final world in less than an hour's time. All of these qualities add up to make a video game that is endlessly replayable as well as challenging enough for the gaming amateur to finish and for the gaming expert to unravel every secret. The 2D platformer is one of the most beloved video game genres, and thanks to the recent explosion of indie gaming, it is still going strong. Regardless, despite many worthy challengers, Super Mario Bros. 3 is still at top of this genre's heap.