Mario's first adventure on the 3DS is all it is cracked up to be.
So Peach has gotten kidnapped again by Bowser, just like always. Yep, they're still doing it. But as always, we don't play Mario games for the story! Heck no!
So basically, this is like a 2D Mario, but it's in 3D! The goal of each level is to get to the flagpole. This isn't like other 3D Mario games, as in this one, the levels are much more linear, almost like the 2D games. Levels also have a time limit as well(although sometimes there are clocks that give you more time, and really, the time limit isn't an issue for most levels, that is something I will get into later.)
The levels themselves are very well created. Each level has something different about it which makes them unique. Another thing that each level has is Star Medals, which are the replacement for Star Coins but have the same function. However in this game, you don't spend them, you just need them to advance farther. I do not believe there is a set number of them, because there are more Star Medals to gain that aren't in the levels. This will also be mentioned later in the review.
The controls are simple. You use the 3DS's joystick to move around, and the A or B button to jump. There are a lot of other moves to do, which I'm not going into complete detail with unfortunately.
The graphics look really nice, and they really show off what the 3DS is capable of. They capture the Mario look really well.
After you beat all 8 worlds and Bowser, the game doesn't end. You get the opportunity to play as Luigi and you unlock another 8 worlds! These new levels in the new worlds sometimes have special conditions. For example, some levels only have a low amount of time, lower than usual, and the only way to complete it is to collect clocks to gain more time. The Cosmic Clones also return from Super Mario Galaxy 2, and there are levels that revolve around you avoiding them and completing the level with them on your tail. Funny I should mention that.......
There are lots of items that you can use in the game, new and old. You got your classic Mushrooms and Fire Flowers and Starmen, but there are some new items to the mix. There are Boomerang Flowers, which let you throw Boomerangs, but probably the most notable of the items is the Super Leaf, which most of this game revolves around(in fact, because of it, this game received some heat from PETA, but that's not important). Yep, the Tanooki form has returned from Super Mario Bros. 3. Lots of enemies also have the abilities of the Super Leaf, as many common enemies from Boos to Goombas to even Bullet Bills have the abilities of the Super Leaf. Yeah, Nintendo really went all out bringing the Super Leaf back.
The music is just what you'd expect it to be in a Mario game. It's cheery and some of the tracks are remixes of songs from older games. It has stuff for everyone.
This game also takes advantage of the 3DS's Streetpass functionality. When you StreetPass with someone else that has this game, you get a Toad House, which can you items, coins, and Star Coins.
If I had to complain about anything, I would have to say the game was kind of easy. There were only a few levels I had trouble with. Also, the game is really generous with lives, and I mean REALLY generous. I have NEVER gotten a single game over, and I have over 200 lives stacked up.
So overall, Super Mario 3D Land was a great first start for Mario on the 3DS. The levels are really nice and the game looks and plays well, but the only problem was that the difficulty could've been higher. But this is still a must own for all 3DS owners.
I give this game a 9/10 with the title of Superb.