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Super Mario Bros. 3
By Steve Kilpatrick

What do you get when you cross a pogo stick and a fat guy and some pvc pipe and a mushroom and a bunch of turtle thingies and a bunch of halloween costumes and..

Well, I guess there is so much to list that I'll just get to the point. When you cross just about everything that you can imagine and then some things you can't you wind up with one of the greatest games to grace the NES. That's right I'm talking about the 3rd and final Super Mario Bros. game for the NES. Super Mario Bros. 3. catchy title, eh?

Some stuff you've seen before.
Well all the running and jumping are back and so is Bowser. That's right, the evil Dragon Koopa King Bowser(BOWZA if you will) is back after a short hiatus and he's up to his old tricks. He's also got some new tricks up his sleeves, and apparently a trophy wife somewhere too. You also see the return of the ability to pick up your enemies to use them against one another that was introduced in Super Mario Bros. 2. Add that with the necessary Mushrooms and flowers and castles to explore and you can tell it's Mario. but now let's talk about innovation..

Something a bit different
The first major change you'll notice is the addition of a world map. You get to choose your path in some situations and you always know just how far you have to go to the end. Don't think you can just avoid key levels though. Some levels hide secrets that you won't want to avoid. Others open paths to key items that help you on your way or mini games that can provide lives or items. Another key innovation is the use of an Item storage bar. You can store items for use later in the game. You simply select your item on the world map and it will "equip" it. This can range from mushrooms to invincibility stars. There is also the addition of special suits that Mario and Luigi can put on that give them special powers.

Mario's House of Style
In SMB3 you don't have to settle for the same old, "eat a mushroom to get big then grab a flower and shoot fireballs" routine. The mushrooms and flowers are still around, but now they are complimented by a series of suits that enhance Mario or Luigi's strengths when they wear them. There is the Raccoon suit that allows you to fly, the frog suit that lets you swim, a suit that allows you to turn to stone and there is also a cameo costume that you can wear called a sleeping bag. This innovation is arguably one of the biggest in the game.

Bowser Was Busy in between sequels.
Well I don't know who the mommy is but Bowser now has several kids to help him with his evil schemes. Apparently he didn't relish the idea of falling in 8 different lava pits this time so he lets his children do most of the dirty work. they are also a bit more challenging then Bowser in the end as well. Each of his kids lives in their own little airship that you have to leap on to "Lethal Weapon" Style at the end of each world. If you don't beat the level on the first try the ship will fly away to another part of the map. If you didn't bother to beat everything on your way you might have to go through another level or two to catch up with the ship again. Once you beat each world you get a wand that changes the monarch back into a king rather than a weird animal (I forgot to mention that I know).

Are you sure that isn't a Super NES game?
I'm sure, but the graphics, size and sound of this game really pushed every last ounce of the NES circuitry. It looks beautiful and bright or gloomy and dark. The atmosphere is always right on the money. The bosses are no longer simply killed by hurling eggs at them or dumping them into pits of lava. Now you have to know the weakness of your enemy. Nothing is ever too tough, but it's a nice change to have to think a little. The music is better than ever and you'll never feel like you're just doing the same old same old. In fact just when things get predictable they throw in a level full of GIANT blocks and monsters to worry about.

Bottom line.
If you don't own this game then go get a copy. It's far from rare and it's only gonna run you about 5 bucks. It's arguably the best Mario adventure on the NES. it may even be the most technically sound game on the NES. Don't miss out on this title.

My Score: A-

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