Through the three games included in the release, players can get a real feel for the evolution of the Mario 3D series. It's an understandable complaint, but it doesn't feel like the game needed to be included, either. Speaking of exclusions, some have lamented the fact that Super Mario Galaxy 2 is not included in this release.
Hopefully, an update adds that option, because it feels like a real missed opportunity. Ultimate did, however, give players the ability to create playlists, and that option is unfortunately missing in this release. Considering the quality of all three soundtracks, it's a great inclusion.
This way, the system can essentially work as a portable music player. Ultimate where the player can put the Switch in Sleep Mode while listening to the soundtrack. The game also makes use of a feature that was included in Super Smash Bros. The collection does offer all three soundtracks on the menu, and players can select individual tracks, or listen all the way through. (Photo: Nintendo)Īs far as extras are concerned, there aren't many to speak of. It's a minor quibble, but it's a shame that the menu controls weren't changed to button presses. This is a little awkward, particularly after jumping from a play session of Super Mario 64 or Sunshine. The game's menus on Wii required motion-controlled pointing, and those controls have similarly been assigned to touchscreen presses. The change works perfectly, and using the touchscreen for actions like collecting Star Bits might even be preferable to the old method. When playing in handheld mode, the motion controls have been dumped in favor of the Switch's touchscreen, with Mario's spin attack now assigned to the Y button.
The Pro Controller can still be used, but trying to control the pointer with it can be a bit clumsy. When playing the game docked, using the Joy-Cons separated is the ideal control method, as it works almost exactly the way the Wii Remotes did. It might have the most unique storyline of any Mario game, and that sets it apart from the rest of the collection.Īs Super Mario Galaxy premiered on Wii, the game featured some motion controls. Wrongfully accused of the crime, Mario is tasked with cleaning up the mess, alongside a talking, water-squirting backpack named FLUDD. The game sees Mario and friends traveling to Isle Delfino, a tropical paradise where a Mario imposter is covering the town in graffiti. The graphics still look quite good, and the camera is a significant improvement over its predecessor.
Released six years after Super Mario 64, it stands as a testament to how much 3D platformers evolved in that time. While Super Mario 64 has been ported to a number of platforms over the years, Super Mario Sunshine has not been made available in any capacity since its original release in 2002. Of the three games included in 3D All-Stars, Super Mario Sunshine might be the best reason to pick up the collection. However, the level designs remain clever, and the graphics, which are a bit primitive by today's standards, still have a lot of charm. It takes a bit of coddling, and those that have never played the game before will find that it can detract from the overall experience. The gameplay remains as addictive today as it was 24 years ago, but the camera hasn't aged as well as the other two games in this collection. While the game was revolutionary at the time, it's the title in this collection that holds up the least. Released in 1996, Super Mario 64 is the game that brought Mario's adventures into the realm of 3D.