Road To Nintendo Switch 2: 'Super Mario 3D World Bowser's Fury'

My gaming focus has been firmly on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC this generation (and the last), leaving my Switch consoles gathering dust. My infrequent Switch sessions are usually dedicated to exploring the retro titles on Nintendo Switch Online – I'm a sucker for N64 classics.

Truth be told, I was a late adopter of the Switch, picking up a yellow Switch Lite in 2019, followed by an OLED model sometime in 2023. The Switch launched in 2017, meaning the hardware is now over eight years old! Time flies, doesn't it?

To jump back in, I decided to revisit and finally complete Super Mario 3D World Bowser’s Fury. Technically, it's not a true Switch game; it's a remastered port of a 2013 Wii U title, itself a sequel to a 2011 3DS game. The Switch version is a two-part package: the enhanced Super Mario 3D World and the new open-world adventure, Bowser’s Fury.

If you missed it on the Wii U (and who can blame you?), Super Mario 3D World is a classic 3D Mario platformer. A world map connects individual levels. You choose from Mario, Luigi, Peach, or Toad, navigating retro-inspired courses to collect green stars and stamps.

The vibrant visuals are immediately captivating; the game has a delightful, candy-coated aesthetic. It embodies that classic Nintendo charm, inviting exploration and playful discovery. It feels like a childhood friend beckoning you to join an adventure. Each level is packed with puzzles, surprises, and hidden secrets, offering a handcrafted, challenging yet rewarding experience.

My main criticism is the isometric perspective. Judging jumps is tricky, a carryover from the 3DS version that doesn't translate well. Combined with the limited camera control, this leads to frustrating deaths. The characters' slippery movement exacerbates the problem.

Despite the camera and control quirks, Super Mario 3D World remains incredibly fun, a testament to Nintendo's design prowess. Thankfully, Bowser’s Fury largely addresses these issues, highlighting the industry's progress since 2013. The initial loading time from cartridge, however, is surprisingly long – a bit jarring.

Bowser’s Fury ditches the restrictive camera and awkward perspective of Super Mario 3D World, offering refined controls and clear visibility. It's a sprawling map cleanup, reminiscent of Super Mario Sunshine, involving battling a giant, enraged Bowser and collecting Cat Shines. While some motion controls feel slightly cumbersome, the overall experience is pure joy.

The colorful exploration and smooth controls of Bowser’s Fury have me eagerly anticipating the next mainline Mario title, hopefully on the Switch 2. Completing both games took around 15 hours, but I'll be returning to collect all the remaining collectibles – a potentially lengthy endeavor. The games are so enjoyable, I'm aiming for 100% completion in each. This playthrough has also rekindled my appreciation for the Pro Controller – a true hardware masterpiece!

While Super Mario 3D World Bowser’s Fury's remaster suffers from some outdated control and camera issues, its undeniable charm outweighs these flaws. The Bowser’s Fury addition, though short, adds significant value and rectifies many of the original game's frustrations.

This concludes the first installment of my "Road to Nintendo Switch 2" series. Stay tuned for the next article – it's going to be a good one! (The phrase "no cap" is a hint, not an attempt at Gen Z slang, I promise).

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