I hesitated at first to buy a new Nintendo 3DS. First because it was obvious Nintendo was rushing with the product and another version, 30 times better in every aspect would eventually come out in say, a year? I wasn't really in a hurry. Second because it never really felt like a new console, it seemed a slightly better DSi with useless glasses-less 3D. Now I see I was partially wrong, Nintendo did what they've been doing since ever with portables, releasing better versions in no time; but the handheld is indeed an improvement.
I dusted-off the original NSMB and had a shocking moment, I thought the graphics were much better than what I found. This looks pretty close to the Wii releases, a vast improvement over the original. I don't know why I thought the graphics weren't that much better at first, before re-playing NSMB, I guess I underestimated the power of the newer system. I haven't tested many 3DS titles to safely say how good the 3D experience is, but so far this is the best title for the 3D I've played, not that any of them looks exactly good.
The 3D, as I have anticipated, is not a big deal, Pokemon don't even have it enabled, Zelda: Ocarina of Time is pretty much a disaster with that. This system might have this gimmick as its biggest selling aspect, but it's pretty obvious the image is duplicated and spaced, most of the time it's simply tiring. The background looks cool though, if you somehow could have it enabled just for the background it would be kinda cool, but that's not the case.
The game itself is pretty awesome. Recycled idea after recycled idea, but they're those awesome ideas we'll be playing 30 years from now. The overworld design first introduced in NSMB comes back. There's the regular pathway and secret passages for two secret world via golden blast cannon. The sound heard throughout the game follows the depressing method of compositions that seem to plague recent games, the childish tunes are hardly pleasant, with some rare exceptions.
The stages are brief and offer little to no resistance for the player. Which brings us to a very important topic; Mario, as well as many other Nintendo titles, desperately need difficulty settings. We've been playing this formula of Mario since ever, they can add in new upgrades, new enemies -- which they haven't -- or anything, the basic formula is learned, and the stages have to become more challenging. Since Nintendo is always so thoughtful of the children and all, they could add a difficulty setting before you even start.
Actually the hand-holding is pretty desperate this time around. If you fail too many times in a level they will hand you a special flower that makes Mario invincible. That's right, you might fail if you fall off a pit or get squashed by something, but otherwise just go forward and you'll be fine. The new Yoshi's Island features a similar system which even gives you wings. If Nintendo is going this way they might as well give us the option to make the game harder.
There's a new power-up that transforms Mario into a golden flower man, it functions much like the flower upgrade, instead, anything the golden flame touches is instantly turned into coins. After all, coins seem to have a much more central role, Each stage tracks the max coins record. Of course you could get all the coins but still be beat by someone speed-running through a level with the golden flower, so it's not as game extending and one might think.
Something that needs a revamp are boss fights. Those koopa are mostly easy enough not to cause any problem, and the fact you just have to jump on them doesn't make anything better. The last boss fight is pretty depressing too. Especially if compared with the monumental final boss fight of the first New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
There's a bonus mode that is centered in getting the most coins in a set of 3 levels. There are several set and they get unlocked as you advance the main campaign. It's a cool little bonus with 5 difficulty setting (See? It's not so hard.), still, it's nothing so addictive to be worth the while. And it's riddled with randomness.
So, it's Mario, the same Mario we've been playing for quite a while. If you're looking for a ground-breaking game you'll be disappointed, this is pretty standard. If that's okay, for most people it is, then have fun with Mario.