While revisiting the Super Mario games in a three-for-one package is a lovely trip down nostalgia lane, some elements of Super Mario 3D All-Stars can make the games feel as dated as they are. But according to reviewers, it's still a worthwhile package featuring some of Nintendo's most influential adventures.
Awhile back, a rumor began circulating that come Super Mario's 35th anniversary, Nintendo would port several Super Mario games to the Nintendo Switch. For some time, no news was offered to fans, until a surprise Nintendo Direct earlier this month. In just a couple of days, Super Mario 3D All-Stars will make its way to the Switch, granting both long-time fans and newcomers their wish and combining Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy into one collection. Though some might be upset with the news that it will only be playable through the end of March next year or the fact that Galaxy 2 isn't one of the three games, many are still happy for the chance at revisiting classics on current-gen consoles.
As the collection is a port and not a remaster or remake, there are some pitfalls fans can expect to see. Though graphics and controls were modestly updated to suit newer hardware, Nintendo released the game more or less as-is, perhaps even running 3D All-Stars on emulators. Does it make the games feel old? According to reviewers, yes, although it doesn't seem to majorly influence or ruin the overall takeaway of the bundle. But the opinion on revisiting a nearly unaltered version of childhood favorites will vary from person to person; some players may enjoy seeing them in their original 90s and early 2000s glory while others would have enjoyed improved controls to hold up to the modern era of gaming.
For many, Super Mario Sunshine is the most intriguing of the trio featured in Super Mario 3D All-Stars. It's the only one that hasn't seen a re-release, so many haven't visited Delfino Isle since it's original GameCube days. But it would seem that Sunshine is the biggest downfall of the collection. Some reviewers have said that F.L.U.D.D.'s frustrating controls result in clumsily spewing water everywhere, and it doesn't help that 3D All-Stars doesn't support the original GameCube controls. Still, while it may take quite a bit of patience to get through, again, it doesn't completely ruin the positive reaction critics took away from the collection.
GameSpot (Kevin Knezevic):
"Another highlight are the "secret" stages--straightforward obstacle courses more akin to traditional Mario levels. Here, Mario is stripped of FLUDD and must rely on old-fashioned platforming acumen to navigate his way to the goal. These stages feel like direct precursors to the linear, planet-hopping challenges of Galaxy, and they're among the game's best ideas. Without the safety net FLUDD provides, even a single jump between moving platforms becomes a hair-raising leap of faith. Like Sunshine overall, some of these stages can frustrate, but their charms ultimately outweigh their flaws."
Score: 8/10
VentureBeat (Mike Minotti):
"Even as a collection of well-done ports, 3D All-Stars feels lacking. For one thing, there’s the bizarre absence of Super Mario Galaxy 2. This direct sequel may somehow be even better than the first Super Mario Galaxy. It’s disappointing to not have it in this compilation. If you’re looking for extras, you won’t find much. It comes with each game’s soundtrack, which is nice. But that’s it. It has no built-in achievements system, any kind of developer commentary, or any other fun, supplemental content. That’s what makes scoring this package so hard. On their own, each of these three games could earn 5 stars (maybe four for Sunshine). But this isn’t just about them. This is a review of a collection. And as a package, 3D All-Stars feels a little sparse."
Score: 4/5
Nintendo Life (Chris Scullion):
"That’s the thing, of course: they’re still incredible, even if they aren’t supported with similarly stellar bonus content. If you’ve never played any of these games before, especially Galaxy, you can go ahead and add an extra point to the score below; these are three iconic titles, each special in their own way, and with a total of 482 Stars and Shines to collect across all three games, there’s maybe nearly 100 hours of gameplay in here before everything’s fully completed (especially if you haven’t played them and don’t know how to find each one)."
Score: 9/10
GamesRadar+ (Sam Loveridge):
"However, what you do have here regardless is a pure slice of gaming nostalgia. These aren't remasters or remakes, but re-releases in one glorious, celebratory bundle, all modernised slightly for the Switch. Many of us are looking at this as a way to revisit the 3D Mario games of our youth. As someone who never owned an N64 or GameCube back in the day, and would have to beg to play Super Mario 64 and Sunshine on friends' consoles in snatched hours here and there, this feels like a delight. But, it's also a great way for players who missed out on the original releases to understand why everyone always talks about this trilogy of games as so pivotal in Mario's history."
Score: 4/5
Polygon (Russ Frushtick)
"Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a perfect re-creation of an imperfect batch of games. In the case of Super Mario Sunshine, those imperfections are far too consistent and devastating to recommend the game. Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy, though, are both fantastic. The quality of both titles is so high that some unfortunate drawbacks (dated visuals in the former, motion controls in the latter) aren’t enough to stymie the pure excellence on hand. If anything, Super Mario 3D All-Stars shows the breadth of what a 3D Mario game can be, and much of that is truly excellent."
Score: Unscored
Beyond some blemishes found within Mario's dated controls, Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a collection that is delightful to revisit. Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy ultimately still hold up as enjoyable games that make up for the collection's shortcomings.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars releases for the Nintendo Switch of September 18, 2020.