New Super Mario Bros. 3 is the 5th entry in the New Super Mario Bros series. Mario, Luigi, Yellow Toad, Blue Toad, and Toadette all return as playable characters from previous titles. Additionally, this game sees the introduction of various unlockable characters, a first for the series. All characters (besides Mario) feature some characteristic that makes them control uniquely, similarly to Super Mario Bros. 2 USA and Super Mario 3D World. The player is given the option to turn these traits off and revert each character to Mario's original physics.
Apart from characters, this game differentiates itself from past New Super Mario Bros. titles thanks to its prolific variety of power-ups, enemies, locales, and general new content. In addition to an online multiplayer component akin to the one introduced by Super Mario Maker 2 just a few years prior, this game also features online minigame and battle modes.
The game features a large variety of new power-ups that players can utilize on their quest to rescue the princess from Bowser's clutches. These include returning abilities, such as the Frog and Penguin Suits, as well as abilities never before seen in a side-scrolling setting, such as the Boomerang and Cloud Flowers. Finally, brand new power-ups like the Bomb Flower and Crystal Mushroom appear, adding brand new mechanics for players to use.
One of the most significant changes that this game brings to the series is the departure from the traditional eight world structure that previous entries had followed. Not only do the Koopalings not occupy the end castles of each world (as they are instead delegated to Airships and other locations), but new settings such as autumnal forests, cities, and pipe mazes make up large parts of the experience.
Playable Characters[]
Worlds[]
Though the adventure still takes players through familiar territories in and around the Mushroom Kingdom, this game also features multiple new locales to explore. The worlds present in this game include:
Image | Name | Fortress Boss(es) | Castle Boss | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Mushroom Meadows | Boom Boom | Goomboss | |
2 | Dustbowl Dunes | |||
3 | Autumnal Acres | |||
4 | Sunshine Shores | |||
5 | Twinkling Tundra | |||
6 | Pipework Palace | |||
7 | Jazzy Jungle | |||
8 | Pagoda Peaks | |||
9 | Sunlit Skies | |||
10 | Bowser's Castle | *See Note 1* | Bowser | |
11 | Gemstone Temple | |||
12 | Capital Casino | |||
13 | Evershade Valley | |||
14 | Galactic Gateway | |||
15 | New Donk City | Donkey Kong | ||
16 | Star Road |
Note 1: Each level in World 10 is classified as a "Fortress" because the world itself is entirely contained within the walls of Bowser's Castle. Given this, each level ends with a different boss fight.
Levels[]
Name | Description |
---|---|
1: Mushroom Meadows | |
Goomba Grove | Start your adventure in a classic Mushroom Kingdom environment filled with Goombas and Koopas. Navigate through the grassy fields and power up for the first time. |
Piranha Plant Plains | Continue through a plain littered with Piranha Plants. There are opportunities to go underground to solve puzzles. Watch out for the Fire Piranha Plants! The Crystal Mushroom can be found here to help navigate the higher areas with Crystal Lifts. |
Cheep-Cheep Lagoon | Your first water level, filled with various underwater creatures like Cheep-Cheeps and Bloopers. Use the Ice Flower to keep them at bay and look for the 10-Coins hidden in the level. |
Mushroom Heights | Take to the skies! Navigate through precarious mushroom platforms and swooping Paratroopas, or go in the caves with the Bomb Flower. |
Thwomp Fortress | The first fortress is filled with Thwomps and Dry Bones. Test your timing skills to avoid the Thwomps and make your way to the mid-boss, Boom Boom. |
Koopa Canyon | A canyon level filled with shell-riding Koopas. The level features many opportunities for shell surfing and shell combos for extra lives. Don't forget to explore the hidden areas! |
Goomba Castle | The final level of World 1 is a castle ruled by Goomboss Overcome the challenges of lava pits, rotating fire bars, and huge Goomba Stacks to reach the boss room. Defeat Goomboss to advance to the next world. |