Super Mario 3D World is getting a long-awaited port on Switch early next year. Nintendo announced the port during a surprise September Nintendo Direct centering around Mario’s 35th anniversary.
However, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury isn’t just a port. Alongside some form of new playable content, the port also increases the overall movement speed of each of the four playable characters among other things.
Super Mario’s 3D World+ Bowser’s Fury looked like a pretty straightforward port with some extra content added to the main game upon first viewing. However, there were various changes that weren’t actually acknowledged during the Nintendo Direct. For one, a recent GameXplain video revealed that the overall movement speed of each of the four main characters is faster in the Switch version than in the WiiU version. A side by side comparison of the same character choice and movement path shows that the WiiU version quickly falls out of sync with the new Switch footage.
While Blue Toad was known for being the fastest character in the WiiU version, it seems that Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Blue Toad’s movement speed has been increased. Super Mario 3D World on the WiiU was an excellent platformer, but it did suffer from certain segments feeling a bit sluggish and drawn out. Thankfully, this increased movement speed should alleviate those problems significantly. Additionally, a new online multiplayer feature is being added to 3D World despite it not being mentioned during the Direct.
GameXplain’s video also notes that the camera appears to function a bit differently in the Switch port of 3D World. The camera looks to be much more dynamic and is pulled in closer to the action in certain shots. Finally, it seems that the character’s movement options have been tweaked a bit as well, with certain shots showcasing a mid-air dive reminiscent of Mario Odyssey and a change in the game’s ground pound-roll move. It seems that Nintendo took into account the WiiU version’s slower pace and is rectifying that in Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury on Switch.
All in all, the little we’ve seen of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury looks very promising. The combination of brand new content, online multiplayer, and increased movement speed is sure to bring a fresh new experience for fans who played the original on WiiU. For those who missed the WiiU version this is an excellent co-op or single player platformer. Nintendo’s surprise Direct seems to be a big success, with plenty of Nintendo fans freaking out across the internet.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury launches February 12, 2021, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.