It's not that the DS' New Super Mario Bros. was a crap game by any stretch of the imagination, of course. In fact it was bloody brilliant. But throughout, I just couldn't shake the feeling that I was playing a game that lacked the freshness and spark that core Mario games usually exude in abundance. Kind of like it was a very, very good tribute game rather than a real one.
The 3DS' Super Mario 3D Land however, now looks to have no such problems. I had my doubts about the game's lesser freedom compare to the likes of Galaxy, but now I've seen more of it, I love the idea of combining 3D Mario's versatility with the tight, linear challenge of 2D Mario. You might too. Have a look and find out. And then tell me, for I wish to hear.
September 13. 2011
