Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Release Date: November 5, 2007
Genre: Platformer
ESRB Rating: Everyone

Originally released on the NES in 1990, Mario Bros. 3 took the classic side-scrolling game-play of the previous two titles and expanded upon it, adding a unique world map function, the ability to fly with a raccoon tail and upgraded visuals. The result was one of the great platformers of all time, and a game that still brings joy even in an age of near photo-realistic 3-D games with booming soundtracks and diverse mechanics.

This is not the first time Mario Bros. 3 has seen re-release, and for good reason. A slightly enhanced version of the game was bundled in the Super Mario All-Stars set on the SNES, and the handheld GBA received Mario Bros.3 in the form of Super Mario Advance 4, which also made slight changes to the original and added a limited amount of cute voice acting.

What you get with this Virtual Console release is the original NES version, complete with some of the original graphical problems that plagued that release, and many NES games for that matter. Don’t let that dissuade you from picking up this release though, as this is all about classic game-play, and flickering issues aside, the graphics are still enjoyable to this day.

Mario 3 opens with Bowser’s children running amok throughout the Mushroom Kingdom, conquering all of the nearby castles and turning their rulers into harmless animals. Mario will of course have none of this and sets forth to put a stop to the designs of Bowser and his children once and for all. Well, maybe not once and for all, but at least for the time being.

As mentioned Mario can now choose locations to visit from a world map, which gives him the ability to not only venture through new levels, but also compete in unique mini-games and visit other interesting locales. You also obtain items that can be used to clear obstacles on the world map or perform other functions.

In addition to the new tail upgrade that allows Mario to fly, he can also turn into an amphibian and swim effortlessly through the water or don a Hammer Bros. suit and chuck hammers like it’s going out of style.
All of these additions and features would be nothing if the game-play weren’t as spectacular as ever, and it is. New enemies, brilliant map design, classic Mario tunes that will get stuck in your head and refuse to leave, and a good degree of challenge mesh with perfect controls to make Mario 3 a blast to play.

Whether you’ve played it in the past, gone through one of the more recent remakes, or especially if you’ve never previously had the pleasure of experiencing it, you really owe it to yourself to pick up Mario Bros. 3. It’s one of the great classics of gaming, and can be had for just 500 Wii Points.

News: Mario Bros. 3 currently stands as the best selling stand-alone game ever with over 18 million copies sold worldwide, though a little game by the name of Grand Theft auto 4 may give it a run for its money in the coming months. Mario Bros. 3 was introduced to the public in the videogame-themed movie The Wizard, staring Fred Savage, in which it was the game played during the final in-movie tournament.