Super Mario 3D All-Stars

3 games? They should add Mario galaxy 2!

This bundle is probably the greatest thing Nintendo has ever done. Not to mention SM Galaxy is likely the greatest Mario game of all time.

Objectively incredible but conceptually awful

It's a port of 3 of the best mario games there are, it can't get much better than that. Emulation on all 3 are good, galaxy being handled really well thankfully. Only wish was the addition of galaxy 2 as 64 and sunshine could be ported on any console Nintendo releases but the switch seems like the last console that's able to move galaxy 2 away from the Wii. But that shouldn't push you away from playing there 3 all time classics

It is the best official way to play these games now, but the limited release of this collection paired with the inconsistent effort in remastering each game is a bit disappointing

*Super Mario Sunshine
As glad as I am to finally check this one off the list, it’s disappointing to see that some of the games biggest flaws weigh down the overall experience a few notches. Unfortunately, although when the game feels good, it truly shines as bright as other 3D Mario platformers, at its worst it truly makes this a frustrating experience. The F.L.U.D.D., while imaginative, leaves the game feeling too different to a core Super Mario platforming experience, and takes away the pure pick-up-and-play joy of other games in the series. The level design is the lowest in the series by a large margin, as well as mostly uninspired and forgettable visual and audio design. Overall, still an enjoyable experience, just outshone in every aspect substantially by its younger and older siblings.
7/10

*Super Mario 64
A true spectacle of mastered game design. To pull of a game of this quality as a launch title is truly and simply amazing. For a game of its age to uphold almost if not the best mechanics, stage design and controls seen in a platformer to this date is astonishing. A genuine masterpiece that can be enjoyed whether played to completion or casually. With wonderful audio, impressive visuals and tight controls, Super Mario 64 raises the standard and is only contended with its future series instalments for the crown of 3D platforming and video games in general.
10/10

*Super Mario Galaxy
The age old question when it comes to the minds of fans of the Super Mario series: which 3D Mario is the best? Well, I can now upon completing all of the mainline games in the series, provide my opinion much more confidently. In my past experience, Super Mario Galaxy found itself contending for the title, but I think as amazing as this game is, it doesn’t usurp the throne. In fairness, I completed this run while playing as Luigi, something I have always wanted to do, and I admittedly think it may have hindered the experience somewhat. The controls are less tight, and more fiddly, and though I went in with this knowledge and didn’t expect it to be something to bother me all too much, in which I can’t say 100% confidently that it has done so, I fear what could have been if I stuck to the traditional experience. I’ve also just played through the lot of them - 64, Sunshine, 64 DS, Galaxy, 3D World and Odyssey, all from November to now, and there’s well and truly a chance that I’ve hit my quota. Though. with all of that being the case, I can’t take away from the fact that this game is still an absolute beauty. The graphics have aged spectacularly for a game of its time, the music is some of, if not the best orchestrated performance in any videogame to date, the galaxies are well designed, the gameplay loop is fun and engrossing, so why doesn’t it stand above Odyssey and 64 to me? I think I’ve finally come to appreciate the non linear structure of those games more. Yes, the streamlined level design here is done spectacularly, it’s well thought out and feels rewarding for the mostpart. I just think my personal preference has shifted now experiencing the rest of what the series has to offer, and I think that’s okay. That doesn’t take away from my feelings towards Galaxy - my previous run roughly 4 years ago had me leaving a 120 star completion thinking this game might just be the best, and I think it will take me another traditional run playing as Mario to well and truly figure that out - but that being the case, I’m just left with a slightly weaker impression upon completing this one compared to its brothers. In my eyes, it stands well above Sunshine, a touch above 3D World, and just slightly below the greatness of 64 and Odyssey. But does all of this really matter when overall, we are truly spoiled to be able to have this masterclass of game design at our fingertips. I leave Galaxy proud and accomplished to have finished my 3D Mario series catalogue, and have a much finer appreciation for how phenomenal these games truly are. Personal lists and preferences don’t matter when we are blessed with these brilliant videogames. I think my opinion will change as time goes on regardless of what I say now - and i’m happy for it to do so. This game, this series, is truly up there with the best, and I get to walk into the next addition with a whole new level of excitement, appreciation and love for it all, so best and worst truly means nothing with this series, because they’re all winners in my books.
9.5/10