The Highlights and Drawbacks of the Super Mario Games

When it comes to unforgettable gaming moments, Giant Land in Super Mario Bros. 3 stands a cut above the rest. Think of it like the entire creative team working at their very best, crafting an experience where everything feels massive and out of this world. In World 4, everything from goombas to piranha plants is blown up to epic proportions, altering the way you perceive your surroundings. But what truly makes Super Mario Bros. 3 a masterpiece isn’t just this one element. It’s more about the sheer creativity on display across every level, each one a unique chapter in your grand adventure through Bowser’s realm.

However, not everything is sunshine and giant goombas. The game’s autoscrolling sections, especially on Bowser’s airships, introduce a nuisance that’s hard to ignore. They do add a certain drama, hinting at Bowser’s military prowess and empire-building capabilities, but the forced pacing disrupts the game’s natural flow. You lose that exhilarating sense of freedom to blaze through levels, which is a hallmark of the original game. Just as you’re nearing the finale, you face a slew of these autoscroller stages—whether it’s tackling Bowser’s tank brigade, his navy, or a swarm of airships, they slow you down when you’re itching to rush ahead. While they’re designed to make Bowser appear formidable, these levels mostly serve to frustrate and slow down players, becoming a notorious hurdle for speedrunners in particular.

For further reading, consider how Chris Pratt’s initial portrayal of Mario in the Super Mario Bros. movie felt a bit too much like it was from New Jersey—an unexpected twist that sparked plenty of conversation.