Game

[cool breeze]

It's really fun.  It's an expanded Mario 3D Land.

Only complaint at this point is that you must play using the tablet in the gimmick stages.  Can't tell if Nintendo's out of touch or going for DS circa 2005 nostalgia by asking the player to blow into the mic.

[Himu]

This is most Mario-ish Mario game since...SMW?

What does that even mean?

[Bebpo]

Played through the first world...it's nice seeing what Nintendo games would have looked like 6 years ago if Nintendo actually tried.  Very nice visuals.  Makes me look forward to Nintendo's A-game franchises on Wii U.  Especially if they go for a stylized look like this since it comes across so well.

Otherwise...eh, it's ok -_-  Basically feels like Mario Galaxy 2 version of SM 3D Land.  More of the same.  Still good, but nothing really interesting from the start besides nicer graphics.  Doesn't feel like a mainline Mario game like 64/Sunshine/Galaxy.  I hope we still get one of those this gen on the Wii U.  I thought the game had 4p online co-op for some reason?  Looks like just local co-op?  I can imagine multiplayer is more fun in this than it is in the NSMB games since you're not limited to a 2d plane and bumping into each other all the time.  Looking forward to trying it 2p local.  The water seal dino level was kind of crappy.  Cat suit is neat and much preferred as the main item upgrade over 3d land's tanooki suit which made the entire game all too easy since you could slowly float down all jumps.  At least with Cat Suit you gotta platform.

Also tried NSMB U which was...ok as well.  Both games are good but just sequels to same old games.  Graphics are pretty weak.  Barely looks better than the Wii game running on Dolphin.


But then I tried Luigi U and this was pretty awesome.  Actually challenging Mario design right from the start.  Even the timer is against you so you can't dawdle.  Very cool.  Had more fun with this than either of the other two.  Looking forward to spending some real time with this.


Like the Wii U controller; it's very comfortable, but is it just me or does it feel made to be d-pad controlled?  I ended up using the d-pad for Mario 3d Land even though it's a 3d game because it just felt more comfortable and was easier to run in straight lines for collecting coins and stuff.  Not sure if I'll like the controller for analog-stick based games.  UI is slow and wish you could turn off the controller screen if you're not using it.  Kind of distracting to have 2 screens on all the time. 

[TakingBackSunday]

This is most Mario-ish Mario game since...SMW?

What does that even mean?

It means that it has the most Mario-game practices, themes, tendencies, etc. since Super Mario World.  Some Mario games since have felt muted versions of such a thing (NSMB series) and some are just completely different from the classic Mario feel, in a good way (Galaxy series).  This is a perfect melding of SMB2, SMW, and 3D Land.

[AdmiralViscen]

I beat World 1 in 2 player, got all the green stars and I can't say it is blowing me away so far.

[cool breeze]

I agree in that I'm not over the moon about it or anything, but I prefer the rhythm of older 3D Marios to 3D Land/World.  It's very good for what it is and I'm really enjoying it.

One thing I've noticed by selecting a random character on every level is that Toad might be hard mode, Princess is easy mode, Mario is normal, and Luigi is more and less difficult, depending on the situation.

Like the Wii U controller; it's very comfortable, but is it just me or does it feel made to be d-pad controlled?  I ended up using the d-pad for Mario 3d Land even though it's a 3d game because it just felt more comfortable and was easier to run in straight lines for collecting coins and stuff.  Not sure if I'll like the controller for analog-stick based games.  UI is slow and wish you could turn off the controller screen if you're not using it.  Kind of distracting to have 2 screens on all the time.

Might be one of a few reasons.  3D World doesn't have analog controls; it's 8-way with a run button.  The analog stick sits higher than any other controller and you need to choke up on the gamepad.  And the face buttons sit lower than on any other controller.  Try using X/A instead of Y/B; the upper two buttons feel like X/A or Square/X on other controllers if you're holding it naturally.

[Sho Nuff]

So I got to play this today at a friend's house and holy tits this game is amazing, GOTY for sure

[El Babua]

Yeah, it's really good. Made it up to world 3 with a friend. A lot of awesome small touches. Almost makes me want to buy the system now.

[cool breeze]

Sometimes this looks like HD Mario Galaxy and other times it looks seriously incredible, like the subtle ways it plays with lighting and materials (the most metal-ish metal since...)

two other things that are not-so-great are the world and level theming and a dull world map.  some people prefer to get straight to the levels and since Galaxy 2 these games stopped doing anything interesting with the hub/world.  everything else has been great so far.  no clue how long this game is but if stamps are anything to go by, it's at least longer than 3D Land.

[tiesto]

I think I sold 4 WiiUs last nite just by showing this game to my friends... up to world 5 so far, my only complaint that aside from level 3-2 (with the chain link fences) this game has been pretty easy.

Best part in it, that I totally lost my shit at:

spoiler (click to show/hide)

Kuribo's Ice Skate!!!!!

[close]

[TakingBackSunday]

As per all Mario games, the game doesn't get legit difficult until world 6-ish.

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

The post game content in this game is great.

Being the nerd that I am, I'd consider it better than 3D Land but worse than both Galaxy games.  Not that that is a bad thing.

[Mr. Gundam]

So I got to play this today at a friend's house and holy tits this game is amazing, GOTY for sure

I saw some kids playing it at the store the other day. It looks like an absolutely incredible game, but I still couldn't justify buying a system for it.

[TakingBackSunday]

The post game content in this game is great.

Being the nerd that I am, I'd consider it better than 3D Land but worse than both Galaxy games.  Not that that is a bad thing.

I'm okay with this.  I'd put it on par with the first Galaxy though, personally.

edit: 3D MARIO RANKINGS

Galaxy 2 > Galaxy = 3DWorld > 64 > Sunshine > 3DLand

[Phoenix Dark]

So I got to play this today at a friend's house and holy tits this game is amazing, GOTY for sure

I saw some kids playing it at the store the other day. It looks like an absolutely incredible game, but I still couldn't justify buying a system for it.

Man Card preserved.

[Mr. Gundam]

So I got to play this today at a friend's house and holy tits this game is amazing, GOTY for sure

I saw some kids playing it at the store the other day. It looks like an absolutely incredible game, but I still couldn't justify buying a system for it.

Man Card preserved.

I'm sure it's a great game and lots of fun, but I have no personal interest in it. It's just one of those things that does nothing for me.

[Van Cruncheon]

i'm not terribly interested in it, either. mario fatigue has settled in, plus i hated mario 3d land

[Mr. Gundam]

The last Mario I played was NSMB on the DS.

[Himu]

Borrow a friends wii, flash it with a hack, and download super mario galaxy.

[Tasty]

The last Mario I played was NSMB on the DS.

I can see why that would turn you off the franchise, but seriously... Galaxy man.

[DCharlieJP]

watched son play first few levels - sooooo goooooooooooood

[cool breeze]

I'm burnt out on NSMB games entirely, and for as much as I'm enjoying 3D World, I don't know if I would want to play another 3D ____ game.  But if anything, 3D World is getting better the further in I get.  I don't know if I'm contradicting myself.  The people who make these games are insanely talented.  Two of the same game is enough.  Let them move on and do more. 

anyway, post-game stuff is proper challenging.  the rest of the game nicely ramps up from piss easy (3D Land first go around) to easy (3D Land second go around).  although there's a really cheap thing that makes everything easy that's probably considered a spoiler and worth discovering on your own.

[Himu]

Link that is my rationale about a new Galaxy. I wonder what they're going to do next.

[CajoleJuice]

The last Mario I played was NSMB on the DS.

Same.

Maybe this helps explain our being able to resist new Mario games.

[Himu]

You haven't played Galaxy?

[CajoleJuice]

Nope, sadly. I want to! I fucking love Mario. I just have never felt that buying a Wii was essential. And none of my good friends ever owned one.

[Himu]

Your parents don't have one?

[CajoleJuice]

haha I actually had a couple of ~40yo female co-workers that owned Wiis a few years back

[TakingBackSunday]

you bang them? 

[Himu]

No he doesn't. Last time I checked.

[Tasty]

Bought this on Tuesday night so I could play it with the fam when I came to CT for Thanksgiving. Played the first world last night with the sis and it was OK. I know it's going to get crazy later so I'm not judging, obviously. The multiplayer was decent, but the single-player GamePad only levels seem like a bad move.

Cat suit is amazing but it still looks dumb as hell. To indulge some pettiness for a second, it's possibly the worst-looking Mario suit ever.

Also, using the mic to blow. Does that mean I can't single-play this game with the amazeballs Pro Controller? Might just go back and beat Super Luigi U.

[TakingBackSunday]

You can play it with the pro controller, you just will have to find the secret ? boxes like how you always found them in the past -- pure intuition.

[AdmiralViscen]

I played one unlockable level in world 2 where you had to blow just to make platforms move and shit.

[demi]

PURE INTUITION(tm)

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

There are also platforms that you need to tap on the tablet for them to move.

They could reassign these to the L button or something.

[TakingBackSunday]

damn I thought those levels could be played using like the R stick or something

I was wrong it seems

[AdmiralViscen]

Maybe they can, I dunno


Rayman Legends did a horrible job grafting gimmick levels onto the PS3 and 360 versions.

[Joe Molotov]

damn I thought those levels could be played using like the R stick or something

I was wrong it seems

It was my understanding that P1 always had to use the Gamepad.

[TakingBackSunday]

damn I thought those levels could be played using like the R stick or something

I was wrong it seems

It was my understanding that P1 always had to use the Gamepad.

 

goddamit nintendo

[Tasty]

Can't wait for sensible controls to be patched in a year from now with the release of Super Luigi 3D World DLC. (Or maybe it'll be Year of Peach and Peach 3D World, whatever.)

[Tasty]

Also, multiplayer in this game is a clusterfuck. It was so in NSMB Wii/U, but to a lesser extent as the restricted 2D plane made things somewhat manageable, and it felt like the screen could actually zoom out pretty far in comparison to the level.

But here, the max zoom-out level is barely zoomed out, and the game is way too eager to let one person run way ahead of everyone else and cause them to bubble or die. The added dimension also makes it very difficult to judge when you are or aren't picking other players up, bumping into them, stealing their items, etc. The worst aspects of NSMB Wii/U multiplayer are compounded here.

Can't wait to play this game in single-player, as that's what it was probably always made for (3D Land never felt like a multiplayer game, or that it needed to be one.) Unfortunately it seems they shoehorned NSMB multiplayer into this game without really balancing it as well as they did in those games.

[AdmiralViscen]

How am I supposed to know which player the camera is following? It seems to switch randomly, and it isn't the crown.

[cool breeze]

The camera is problematic in single player as well.  The game is drop in drop out multiplayer and the camera is always in a position to support three other players.  At times the camera is focusing on a larger area when you need it to focus on the screen quarter where you're platforming.

and there are only a handful of those gimmicky stages, aside from the toad puzzle stages.  It's odd that Nintendo didn't include an alternative option when even Nintendo Land lets you hold Y instead of blowing.  Also odd that there isn't a dedicated helper mode like in NSMBU or Galaxy.

[Tasty]

How am I supposed to know which player the camera is following? It seems to switch randomly, and it isn't the crown.

Yeah, that was another big problem. If it stuck with one player we could at least coordinate things.

[Tasty]

YES it is possible to single-play this with the Pro Controller. Nintendo fucking redeemed.

Still can't access the Toad levels tho. And the camera controls are pretty assy. Can we get one 3D Mario game with a good camera AND a completely controllable camera?

Mario 64, Galaxy 1 and 2 = good camera but not perfect, and no camera stick
Sunshine, 3D World = There's a camera stick but the camera is pretty meh to bad

Never the twain shall meet?

[radioheadrule83]

It took me a while to realise theres a free camera button on the gamepad touchscreen that lets you control the camera smoothly with tilt or right stick.... I figured the camera just moved in that 45 degree Mario 64 style. It still has limited range in most areas but you can move the camera smoothly with that.

There've been moments in this and ALBW where I've really wanted to go in to first person and look around. I'd always thought that was almost pointless but it'd be enjoyable in these games.

[Olivia Wilde Homo]

Done, finished all of the post game content.  14 hours and 26 minutes in.  Not sure how that stacks up with what others have.

+ A nice evolution of the 3D Land model.  3D Land felt like a diorama game that was difficult to control sometimes when getting the harder stars.
+ Some of the green stars were a challenge to get.  However if you focused on getting them enough, they weren't that hard to get.
+ Ditto for the stamps.
+ Decent graphics.  Nothing really mindblowing but considering the circumstances this game was made in (ie, gotta get it out quick!), this game is pretty decent.  I like some of the effects, like water effect on the screen if the level features rainy environments.
+ New soundtrack, they didn't pull an NSMB and rip/re-use as many assets as possible.  For 2013 era Nintendo, this was surprising and was worthy of a positive mention.
+ Post game content gets crazy at times.

- Not as good as Galaxy 1 and 2.  The more I played, the more clear that was to me.  I hope Nintendo is still planning to make a Galaxy 3 or a Galaxy quality Mario game for the Wii U.  3D World is not enough to be the only 3D Mario for the Wii U.
- Stamps didn't add anything to the game and resembled a Rare collect-a-thon type of item than anything.
- Post game content was leaner than in the 3DS game.  I plowed through the first part of the game pretty quickly and for 3D Land, the second half had about as much content as the first half.  Not the case here.  Again, I blame that on a rushed schedule.
- Camera kind of sucks in some places.  Nothing that won't cripple you from getting a hard to get green star or stamp but it was a nuisance in some levels.
-  Not worth re-U'ing over.

[Mr. Gundam]

You haven't played Galaxy?

I haven't. None of my friends/relatives have a Wii. Hell, most don't even have any console. A couple have PS3s that we're purchased for Rockband and haven't been used for gaming in years.

[Himu]

Ask prole to borrow a wii/galaxy.

[Mr. Gundam]

Ask prole to borrow a wii/galaxy.

I'm sure he'd lend me one. However, I don't even have the time to play all the games I own!

#firstworldadultmarrieddadproblems

[Tasty]

Once you start playing SMG the rest of the world kind of just fades from view. You realize that playing SMG is more important than lesser things, such as eating or providing for your family. It will consume you.

[Himu]

Play it next summer when you're off.