Super Mario is one of the great icons in the world of video games. It is not only one of the most recognized brands of Nintendo, but of the sector in general. Recently, the best-known plumber in interactive entertainment blew no less than 35 candles , being one of the longest-lived characters in the industry at hand. With this and given that it is a very special birthday, Nintendo has not wanted to miss the opportunity to celebrate it with several movements dedicated to meeting the needs of the fans.
The first of them is Super Mario 3D All-Stars , which brings together three of the most successful titles in the entire history of the series: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine and Super Mario Galaxy . Later, other projects will arrive that will complete the formula such as Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury, the Game & Watch or Mario Kart Live Home Circuit . However, we already have the starting gun here and it should be noted that all the sensations caused by its announcement are confirmed with the final result of the proposal.
The stars that never go out
There is no doubt that the selection of titles included in Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a declaration of intent for the most nostalgic . If we stop to think of three 3D Mario titles, surely Mario 64, Sunshine and Galaxy would be the ones chosen by the vast majority of users. In this way, bringing great gems like these back to the Nintendo Switch is an excellent decision to allow us to remember three of the games that marked the childhood of an entire generation. However, it was not necessary to literally bring them back to know that they are stars that never fade and this is where Mario’s 35th anniversary celebration falters.
An excellent memory, but nothing more
There is no doubt that playing titles of this caliber again generates a superb memory and reliving their great adventures is an experience that leaves a huge taste in the mouth. The big problem that Super Mario 3D All-Stars faces are the precedents. Taking into account that five years ago Nintendo pulled out of its sleeve a proposal as groundbreaking and original as Super Mario Maker, a port without practically any retouching seems insufficient at this point. It is true that on the 25th anniversary the Japanese company did not take too much care either, but with some new content in this compilation and a little more pampering would have been enough.
The controls to the Nintendo Switch of Super Mario 64 work really well, although the camera causes hellish movements in more than one moment that are not entirely polished. That, added to the 4: 3 screen format, show that the transfer of the title from Nintendo 64 to the hybrid console is somewhat poor, although it is enjoyable by the legend that it is today. Super Mario Sunshine, meanwhile, suffers from some input lag in some of his actions . Or what is the same, the reaction time from when the button is pressed until the action is executed is inconsistent and that causes a disastrous experience in the gameplay when it is played, which is not infrequent. Finally, Super Mario Galaxy is the one that is saved the most from burning, without having any notable problems and looking much better than that of its two compilation companions, logically due to its greater proximity to current graphics.
All this offers signs of the little effort that has been put into Nintendo to celebrate the 35th anniversary of one of its most illustrious icons, at least in the first step towards it. Everything that is lived in Super Mario 3D All-Stars remains a memory towards memory and little else . There are no notable news that invite you to replay it for a reason greater than nostalgia and that is good to remember how great these three proposals have been in history, but it does not justify your purchase because of the high price at which it will be available.
The secret is in the music: the included soundtracks are magnificent
Music lovers do have a compelling reason to jump into Super Mario 3D All-Stars, because the great tracks of the saga come together in a compilation dreamed of by all fans . In the case of Super Mario 64, the 36 tracks of the original soundtrack adapted and re-recorded for the occasion are brought together. Same case as Super Mario Sunshine, although this time the number of songs rises to 58 . The most particular case in this sense is starred in Super Mario Galaxy, since among the 81 songs that make up its soundtrack, there are also songs from the sequeldespite the decision to leave it out of the compilation. Curious to say the least, although that helps to complete a superb selection of songs that will fulfill the fantasies of all music lovers and, especially, of the soundtrack of the saga.
A sweet with a bitter taste
There were high hopes for what Nintendo had in store for the 35th anniversary of Super Mario, especially in the wake of leaks that pointed to a deeper review of the compilation titles, but the result is what it is. I’m not going to deny that I had fun like a child by going back to three video games that marked my career as a player, but it is a dessert that turns sour when you think about what could have been and never will be . Knowing that Nintendo Switch has had titles of the stature of Link’s Awakening or even, without leaving this own house, New Super Mario U Deluxe with great additives, this celebration seems insufficient for Mario to blow the candles as he deserves.
SUPER MARIO 3D ALL-STARS
