Quite possibly the best NES game ever made… Hands down.
One of the first things you notice is the presence of a world map. Now, Super Mario Bros is known for its different worlds, but nothing like this. Here you can move Mario around to the next stage and also possibly skip certain stages if the path allows it. No longer are you constricted to finish each level consecutively. Another great addition are the Mushroom Houses/Toad Houses (for power-ups) and the various mini-games, such as matching the scrolling picture to get 1-Ups or the memory card game to allow you to get more items and power-ups.
And boy there are a lot of new power-ups that Mario can wield. One of the first new power-ups you come upon is the Super Leaf, which gives Mario the likings of a raccoon with the ability to smack enemies with your tail or even fly. From the moment you get that Super Leaf and start flying, you know that you are in stored for something very special. Other power-ups include: the Frog Suit, the Hammer Bros Suit and everyone's favorite: the Tanooki Suit. Of course the traditional Mushroom, Fire Flower and Star are here as well (it just wouldn't be a Mario game without these). Another odd power-up is the Kuribo's Shoe, which allows you to walk on spikes. In addition to these there are also certain items you can use on the world map as well.
Super Mario Bros 3 has one of the greatest soundtracks on the NES. There are just so many catchy tunes and it gives each world its own vibe. Just like in Super Mario Bros, there are a total of 8 worlds to explore – each with their own theme. I was amazed when I first entered Giant World and saw that the whole environment was much larger than me – not only that, but the enemies as well. The worlds are each uniquely designed and just add to the grandeur of the game. The graphics have also been significantly upgraded from the original Super Mario Bros.
This game can be beaten in one sitting, by going through all the worlds, or by using these "Magic Whistles" that act like warp pipes to quickly move ahead in the game. The Magic Whistles are an ode to the Legend of Zelda and there are only 3 in the game and each are well hidden. So, the game can either be very short or very long depending on your skill level and how quickly you can get past the levels.
Overall, this game is really one of – if not – the best game on the NES. For many of us Mario is the reason we love video games today. If you have not yet played this game yet, you owe it to yourself to experience one of the greatest platformers of all time. A game worthy of the Video Game Hall of Fame – if there is one.