One of the first big Nintendo Switch exclusive games of 2021 is Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. A re-release of the Wii U game Super Mario 3D World, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is being released as part of the Super Mario 35th anniversary celebration, though fans don't have to worry about it being a limited-time release like the Super Mario 3D All-Stars collection.
With the Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury release date just a month away, Nintendo has ramped up its focus on the game, releasing new trailers that have revealed a ton of information about what fans can expect from it. We've compiled all of the information in one place, so fans know what they're getting themselves into when Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury launches next month.
Here's everything that's been revealed for Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury so far.
Super Mario 3D World
The bulk of the Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury package is the Wii U game Super Mario 3D World, ported to the Nintendo Switch. Super Mario 3D World earned widespread critical acclaim when it launched on the Wii U, and since the Wii U install base was rather slim compared to the Switch, it's safe to say it will be a brand new experience for many owners of Nintendo's latest console.
Nintendo likely could have simply ported Super Mario 3D World to the Switch and called it a day, but the Switch port has some enhancements that may make double-dipping worthwhile for those that already played the game on the Wii U. One of the biggest upgrades is that the characters in Super Mario 3D World on the Switch move faster than they did in the Wii U version, which should prove to be a huge quality of life gameplay upgrade.
Super Mario 3D World on the Nintendo Switch will also feature online co-op, a feature that was absent in the original game. Super Mario 3D World on the Wii U only allows for 4-player local co-op, so those on the Switch have more options available to them when it comes to co-op play.
Other new features in Super Mario 3D World on the Switch include a photo mode similar to the one in Super Mario Odyssey, which can be customized with the Stamps, previously used in Miiverse. Super Mario 3D World on Switch also has expanded amiibo functionality, with players able to use Cat Mario amiibo and Cat Peach amiibos to get power-ups in the game.
Bowser's Fury
Those that have already played Super Mario 3D World extensively on the Wii U may be more interested in the Bowser's Fury part of the game. Until just recently, Nintendo had been keeping details about Bowser's Fury secret, but now the cat's out of the bag.
Bowser's Fury will be accessible to Super Mario 3D World Switch players right off the bat, with no need to unlock the new content. The experience takes place in a new area called Lake Lapcat, which is populated by cats and is just generally feline-themed. In contrast to the linear levels of the base Super Mario 3D World game, Bowser's Fury is an open world free-roaming experience, similar to titles like Super Mario Sunshine.
The Super Mario Sunshine similarities don't end there, however. The main goal is to collect Cat Shines to restore the darkened areas of Lake Lapcat, which is not unlike the main goal of Super Mario Sunshine. Plus, Bowser's Fury will feature Bowser Jr. as a central character, but this time around, he will actually be teaming up with Mario to fight a superpowered version of his dad known as Fury Bowser. Bowser Jr. will be playable in Bowser's Fury local co-op mode, and will be controlled by an AI for those playing the game solo.
Fury Bowser will be a rather formidable foe, with significantly more power than the standard version of Bowser fans have fought over the years. Fury Bowser will cause severe weather changes in the game and can destroy some of the structures at Lake Lapcat. Players will have to survive until Fury Bowser leaves and in some instances, fight him head-on. However, Mario is not strong enough to fight Fury Bowser without some help.
Not only will Mario have Bowser Jr. fighting at his side, but he will also be able to take advantage of a brand new power-up called the Giga Bell. The Giga Bell transforms Mario into a giant-sized version of Cat Mario with energy radiating off him as though he was a Super Saiyan. Players will unlock the Giga Bell after they've managed to collect enough of the Cat Shines dotted around Lake Lapcat, so getting that power and facing Fury Bowser will be the ultimate goal of the game.
It's also worth pointing out that Bowser's Fury will utilize amiibo. Whereas the Super Mario 3D World portion of the game will use the Cat Mario and Cat Peach amiibo, Bowser's Fury uses Bowser and Bowser Jr. amiibo. Their exact functionality in the game has yet to be revealed at the time of this writing.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury launches February 12, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.