Super Mario 3D-All Stars is basically Nintendo's love letter that shows off how amazing all three main 3D Super Mario games that were released on the Nintendo 64, GameCube, and Wii back then.
It's like how Nintendo originally released Super Mario All-Stars for the Super Nintendo in North America in 1993. The games that were included in Super Mario All-Stars are Super Mario Bros, 1, 2, 3, and The Lost Levels. The Lost Levels was originally only released in Japan for the NES since that game was originally too difficult for Americans to play back in the 1980s era. The Lost Levels is also called Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan. The North American version of Super Mario Bros. 2 is a reskin of Doki Doki Panic that was also released in Japan. So, I consider The Lost Levels to be Super Mario Bros. 1 1/2 in North America. Nintendo also re-released Super Mario All-Stars in North America in 1994 when Nintendo also included Super Mario World in the package/bundle.
Now, for the first time in a very long time, Nintendo finally releases a Nintendo Switch version of a Super Mario All-Stars style game. The three games that are included in Super Mario 3D All-Stars are Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. Super Mario 64 was released for the Nintendo 64 in North America in 1996. Super Mario Sunshine was released for the GameCube in North America in 2002. Super Mario Galaxy was released for the Wii in North America in 2007.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars was released for the Switch in 2020.
Presentation
Since you probably already know how Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy pretty well, I don't need to go in-depth of explaining about each of the three games. Instead, I'll just compare each game one by one.
The main objective throughout all three games is where Mario has to collect items in order to advance to the next levels. However, the items that Mario has to collect are somewhat different. Mario has to collect stars in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy, but has to collect Shine Sprites in Super Mario Sunshine.
The main plot/storyline is the same throughout all three games where Mario has to simply rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. In Super Mario 64, Peach (called Princess Toadstool) gives Mario a letter in the beginning of Super Mario 64. Peach also promises to give Mario some cake at the end of the game. In Super Mario Sunshine, Bowser Jr. is introduced as a brand new character where he helps Bowser kidnap Princess Peach. Toadsworth is also a brand new character. In the beginning of Super Mario Sunshine, Bowser Jr. disguises himself as Shadow/Blue Mario. However, Mario was blamed for the mess that happened in Delfino Plaza, and also has to use FLUDD in order to help him clean out the mess throughout the areas. Mario, Peach, and Toadsworth first traveled to Delfino Plaza on an airplane in the beginning of Sunshine. In Super Mario Galaxy, Rosalina is introduced as a brand new character. Just like in Super Mario 64, Peach also writes Mario a letter to invite him to a party/festival at the Mushroom Kingdom. However, Mario was pretty injured badly by Kamek right after Bowser kidnapped Peach at the top of the castle. Soon, after Mario was sent out somewhere by Kamek, he meets up with a Luma, and then Rosalina.
Now, let's talk about the main power-ups that Mario has in each of the three games. In Super Mario 64, Mario gains access to the Wing Cap and Metal Mario items. Mario can briefly fly around when he wears the Wing Cap. Mario can also briefly walk underwater when he becomes Metal Mario. Also, Mario can also gain another power-up later on the game that briefly makes him invisible where Mario can walk through walls. In Super Mario Sunshine, FLUDD is the only power-up that Mario has. However, Mario can gain access to different upgraded versions of FLUDD. One upgrade can make Mario fly in the air for a brief while which is basically like a rocket blast. Another upgrade can briefly make Mario move much faster in the ground. In Super Mario Galaxy, Mario has access to the Fire flower, Ice Flower, Bee Power-up, and Spring Cap. Later on in the game, Mario can also briefly fly around for a short period of time like he can in Super Mario 64.
Graphics/Sound
The graphics look about the same on the Switch versions of Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy as they do on their original versions. The same thing also goes for the music/soundtrack. However, Nintendo added a neat addition to Super Mario 3D-All Stars where you can listen to the entire soundtrack in Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy.
Gameplay
I won't be going much too much in-depth about the main gameplay of Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy. So, I'll mainly compare how easy/difficult one game is to another.
Super Mario Galaxy is, by far, the easiest game out of the three. However, there are various Comets that can make some levels in Galaxy pretty challenging at times. Dare Devil Comets are the most difficult levels in Galaxy since Mario has to beat a level without getting hit once. Mario has his health reduced from three to one. The most difficult Dare Devil Comet levels are when Mario has to defeat bosses. Even Sunshine, doesn't have levels where Mario has to beat a level without getting hit once. Super Mario Sunshine is, by far, the most difficult game out of the three. The most difficult levels in Sunshine are where Mario loses his FLUDD power-up. Plus, Mario has a more difficult time running and jumping without FLUDD in Sunshine than he does in 64 and Galaxy. Which makes the FLUDD less levels even more challenging. Overall, Super Mario 64 is more challenging than Super Mario Galaxy is, but isn't nearly as difficult as Super Mario Sunshine is. However, Mario doesn't have insanely challenging levels in 64 like he does in Sunshine and Galaxy.
You can tell that Galaxy is the easiest game of the three since his default health is three compared how much more default health that Mario has in 64 and Sunshine (which is about eight in both games). However, there are some levels in Galaxy where Mario can increase his health from three to six. Plus, Mario has gains more of an access of getting 1-Up Mushrooms in Galaxy than he does in 64 and Sunshine. Which makes it much less likely for Mario to get a Game Over in Galaxy than he does in 64 and Sunshine.
Lasting Appeal
It's definitely going to take you a long time to beat all three games back to back. Since, Mario has to collect a total of 120 Stars in 64 and Galaxy, and 120 Shinesprites in Sunshine. However, things are a little bit different in Galaxy, since Galaxy is actually broken down into two parts. Mario has to collect a total of 60 stars to beat the main game. Then, Luigi has to replay all of the same levels that Mario had to, in order to collect 60 additional stars.
Final Verdict
Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a must buy if you're a fan of the Super Mario series. Plus, it gives us an opportunity to play Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy on the go for the very first time. However, it's a shame that Super Mario Galaxy 2 wasn't included in the bundle. Also, supplies of Super Mario 3D All-Stars are pretty limited since Nintendo only released copies of Super Mario 3D All-Stars as a one time offer to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Super Mario series. If Super Mario Galaxy 2 was included and if supplies weren't limited, I definitely would have given Super Mario 3D All-Stars a 10 out of 10.
The Good
*Nintendo finally releases Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy as part of a package/bundle for the first time.
*You can also play Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy on the go officially for the very first time.
*Nintendo also added a neat addition where you can fully listen to the soundtrack in Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy.
The Bad
*Supplies of Super Mario 3D All-Stars are pretty limited.
*Super Mario Galaxy 2 wasn't included in the package/bundle.
Presentation - 9
Graphics - 10
Sound - 10
Gameplay - 10
Lasting appeal - 9
GameSpot score 9 out of 10