Super Mario Bros. 3

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Smb3.jpg
Super Mario Bros. 3
Developer Nintendo EAD
Publisher Nintendo
System NES, Virtual Console (Wii, 3DS, Wii U)
Release Date NES
JP October 23, 1988
US February 1990
EU August 9, 1991
Wii Virtual Console
US November 5, 2007
EU November 9, 2007
AU November 9, 2007
JP December 11, 2007
3DS Virtual Console
JP January 1, 2013
PAL December 26, 2013
US April 17, 2014
SK April 6, 2016
Wii U Virtual Console
JP December 25, 2013
PAL December 26, 2013
US April 17, 2014
Gallery GH Gallery
Rating ESRB: E

The last major Mario game on the NES, Super Mario Bros. 3 is known for being a fan favorite. The game returned the series to a style of play similar to the original Super Mario Bros., but with the addition of various new power-ups and more variety to the gameplay features. This game was also notable for introducing the Koopalings.

Story[edit]

The seven kings of the seven kingdoms neighboring the Mushroom Kingdom have had their magic wands stolen by the Koopalings. The Koopalings have turned them all into animals and conquered each respective kingdom It's up to Mario and Luigi to save them. Princess Peach aids them from afar, but near the end of the game, she ends up being captured by Bowser again, so the Mario Brothers then must once more face him to save her.

Gameplay[edit]

The player controls Mario (Luigi is the second player) and they make their way through the levels, defeating enemies along the way. The player starts small, but can get bigger with the Super Mushroom. After that, they can gain new abilities such as throwing fireballs or flight by getting the appropriate item.

The game is divided into nine worlds, which vary in length. One new feature is that the game features an overworld map, and in some cases there are branching paths that the player can take. In addition to different levels, the map also has enemies roaming, and if they player makes contact with them, they will enter a separate screen where the enemies are battled. In most of the worlds, there is one fortress containing a mini boss and a palace which the Kooapling's airship is anchored to. The airship is navigated to reach the Koopaling in question, who must be defeated to proceed to the next world.

Legacy[edit]

Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced the gameplay mechanic of flying to the Mario series. This would be seen again in games such as Super Mario World and Super Mario 64 with different power-ups. This game also introduced the Koopalings, who would appear again in subsequent Mario games.

Sequels[edit]

For along time, the only sequel to Super Mario Bros. 3 was it's spiritual successor: Super Mario World. The Super Mario Bros. title would later be revived with New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS, which partially followed the style of Super Mario Bros. 3.

Ports and Remakes[edit]