Super Mario 3D World is the first time that up to four players can play together in a 3D plat former. In 2011, Super Mario 3D Land was released for the Nintendo 3DS. It was a great game overall, but the lack of any multiplayer modes greatly limits the lasting appeal and to continue playing even though you can beat your friend's times by StreetPassing. Luckily, Super Mario 3D World is a major improvement from Super Mario 3D Land, but the lack of extra modes and online multiplayer drag the score down a bit.
Presentation - For once, Bowser decides not to capture Princess Peach. Instead, he captures some fairies (who resemble Toad's appearances a little). The heroes must rescue all of the fairies and collect three green stars in each level (from Super Mario Galaxy 1 and 2). This time the playable characters are Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad. Just like in Super Mario Bros. 2 (aka Doki Doki Panic/American version), each character has a unique ability. Luigi can jump the highest, Toad runs the fastest, Mario is the easiest to control, and Peach can temporary float in the air. However, Rosalina is an unlockable character, and I'm not sure what her unique ability is.
As far as power-ups are concerned, Super Mario 3D World has a variety of different power-ups. The latest power-ups are the cat suit, double cherry, and cannon box. Each character has the ability to climb up the walls when they wear a cat suit. The double cherry multiplies the same character, so you'll see two or more Luigi's together. The cannon box has you shoot out balls automatically for you. Be careful because you can shoot the balls at your friends and make them die/lose power ups. The returning power-ups are the Tanooki suit (originally from Super Mario Bros. 3), star man, mushroom, fire flower, and a giant mushroom.
Graphics - The visuals are amazing and very colorful to look at in HD. The graphics in Mario games generally look simplistic, but also work well for these type of games. There are no signs on glitches and slow downs as well.
Sound - The music is somewhat lacking compared to other 3D plat formers such as Super Mario 3D Land. The music is mostly a mix of jazzy tunes that don't really fit well in a Mario game. Luckily, you can still hear some past theme songs from Super Mario 64 when you slide down in a water level and Super Mario Galaxy when you play the single player Toad campaign (you have to collect all five green stars). Also, when you try to line up all power-ups in a slot machine, you can even hear the music from Super Mario Bros. 2). Overall, the music sounds weak without all of the past Mario tunes.
Game play - The controls are accurate and responsive. However, when you play as Mario, he sometimes may fail to jump to another platform on time because he doesn't jump high enough. My advice is to play as Luigi or Peach when you have to jump around a lot. Luckily, you can switch characters anytime before you begin a level. There are also check points in most of the levels as well.
Lasting appeal - Overall, Super Mario 3D World is a fantastic 3D plat former with a four local multiplayer that lengthens the lasting value. However, there are no other extra modes to play except for the Luigi Bros. arcade game (from the original Mario Bros. to celebrate The Year of Luigi). There are also no online multiplayer modes either, so you have to either play alone or with friends. There are three save files for you and your friends to store data. As you complete a level, you sometimes can collect different stamps and post some information on MiiVerse.
The Good - can play with up to four friends locally in a Mario 3D plat former for the first time, brand new power-ups including a cat suit and returning power-ups, each character has a unique ability, can switch characters at any time before you and your friends begin a level, responsive and accurate controls
The Bad - no online multiplayer, almost no extra modes, music is somewhat lacking
Presentation - 10
Graphics - 10
Sound - 7
Game play - 9
Lasting appeal - 8
Overall 8.8 out of 10 GameSpot Score 9 out of 10