Super Mario 3D Land

Again, compared to the depth of Galaxy that sounds lacking, but the quickness to the levels makes 3D Land more addictive, as you’ll feel like completing just one more stage before closing your 3DS and returning your attention to whatever is happening in real life. Unlike the running mechanic, this change in styles with the level design didn’t leave us wanting.

Super Mario 3D Land is an embodiment of what the Nintendo 3DS has been lacking since launch. Whilst many decry Nintendo for falling back upon their tried and tested franchises, it is the arrival of Mario – the consumer familiarity of his blue dungarees, red cap, and that magnificent moustache – that will, at last, provide the much-needed boost to turn the handheld’s fortunes around, and through one of the most enjoyable handheld releases I’ve ever encountered.

Overall, Super Mario 3D Land alone is one of the best reasons to buy a 3DS. The gameplay is fun, creative, friendly, but also challenging at times. At this point, it is THE 3DS game that everyone was hoping for and it did not fail expectations. In fact, it is so good that it really makes me look forward to what other first-party games Nintendo will offer in the future but I don’t see how they can top this one at this time.

I don't know that I'd go quite that far--the slow start burns up a lot of levels with areas that aren't particularly challenging or effective as tutorial sequences to prepare you for the rest of the game. But if you've already made the investment in a 3DS and you're looking for something--anything--that resembles a must-own game, Super Mario 3D Land is precisely that.

Despite a few odd quirks, Super Mario 3D Land is a great 3DS game that goes back to its roots in being a solid platformer that's a blast to play, even if there's the occasional bout of dying a dozen times due to a misjudgment of leaping distance. While it would've been nice to see Mario and company in a new story other than the standard "rescue Princess Peach" plot we've seen before, the extras and secret stages more than enough make up for it.