Super Mario 3D All-Stars – Likes & Gripes


⚠️SPOILER WARNING⚠️ (Kinda, sorta, not really?)



Not the remasters hoped for, but a nice bundle that finally brings classic 3D Mario to the Switch.




Likes

  • The upscaled visuals are noticeable:
    • Galaxy looks impossibly better. 
    • Sunshine in 1080p is so nice... 
    • The ol' polygonal charm of 64 gets a boost (even if just to 720p).
  • The option to play Sunshine and Galaxy in handheld mode is just... YES. 😇
  • Jump button mapped to both A and B in all three games offers some flexibility depending on your preference.
  • Galaxy: Spin move mapped to X and Y (handheld mode is a go-for-launch).
  • 64: Action moves (punch, grab, dive, etc.) mapped to X and Y.
  • Sunshine: Makes use of the extra shoulder buttons (compared to the GameCube controller) for FLUDD's Squirt Nozzle controls.
  • Simple, user-friendly main menu.
  • The soundtracks. 🎶
  • And, most importantly, classic 3D Mario on Switch! 🥳


Gripes

  • Limited release for physical and digital? Really?* 🤨 
  • Wasted opportunity to really polish each game, especially 64 and Sunshine.
  • No Galaxy 2.**
  • Galaxy: Using the touch screen to collect Star Bits in handheld mode is a bit awkward. 
  • Sunshine: Sorta feel they should've swapped the "run-and-squirt" button (ZR) with the "stop-and-squirt" button (R). 
  • Sunshine: No option to invert FLUDD controls.
  • Galaxy: Motion control gimmick levels (Loopdeeloop, Rolling Green, etc.) still require the motion controls. Yes, even in handheld mode. 😑
  • 64: Smaller screen– Okay, can this just get a proper remake already? 

SCORE: 4/5



*More on this in a future thoughts post. 


**The uniqueness of each game and experiencing them on the Switch, particularly in handheld mode, softens the blow of Galaxy 2's snub.

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