In 2013, Super Mario 3D World was released for the Wii U. The follow-up to 2011's Super Mario 3D Land, this platforming adventure saw Mario team up with Luigi, Peach, and Toad to take on Bowser once again. This time, to drive him out of the Sprixie Kingdom after Bowser captures all of the Sprixie Princesses. The game incorporated traditional Mario platforming with 3D environments and featured several new gameplay mechanics and power-ups, most notably the Super Bell that puts Mario in a cat suit to help him climb up walls. The game received critical acclaim upon release, helped launch the Captain Toad spin-off and became the second best-selling game on the Wii U.
Eight years later, 3D World is being re-released for the Nintendo Switch this Friday. This enhanced port features minor gameplay changes and a new online multiplayer component. But the most substantial new addition is Bowser's Fury, a standalone single-player campaign that sees Mario teaming up with Bowser Jr. to stop an even more powerful Bowser from destroying an archipelago called Lake Lapcat. Though it contains the same power-ups and enemies as 3D World, Bowser's Fury is an open-world game with gameplay more similar to Super Mario Odyssey.
Critics say that Super Mario 3D World is just as much fun to play today as it was back at launch and that Bowser's Fury is a fun experimental take on the Mario formula, even if it's not as good as the main game it's bundled with.
Chris Plante, Polygon: "I initially thought the two games — Super Mario 3D World and Bowser’s Fury — made for a mismatch. But I found from bouncing between the two that their formulas complement one another. Super Mario 3D World’s history-lesson-like approach to the series acts as a control group, making Bowser’s Fury’s experimental twists all the more striking. Is Bowser’s Fury the future of Mario? I doubt it. The formula has worked too well for too long to go too far down this antagonistic open-world path. But I hope we see similar diversions from Nintendo in the future, new ways for the familiar to surprise us."
Cam Shea, IGN: "Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury packs a ton of engaging gameplay, but neither component comes together as elegantly as it might have done. This is a solid option if you’re craving more Super Mario for your Switch, but it’s not the mustachioed must-play I was hoping for."
Sam Loveridge, GamesRadar+: "Bowser's Fury is a constantly evolving and updating world that encourages exploration and experimentation, very much feeling like some excellent Super Mario Odyssey DLC. It's not always 100% successful, with Bowser's consistent resurgence sometimes causing complications as he attacks you while you're trying to grab the next Cat Shrine. But the way the world evolves means there's always something to do or discover, so don't fret that the game can feel short."
Ian Walker, Kotaku: "That said, Bowser’s Fury is very much worth a double dip on Super Mario 3D World, if only for a preview of what might be the future of the Mario franchise. There’s something magical about its (albeit limited) free-roaming format, unshackled by constraints like demarcated levels and worlds, and I look forward to the day Nintendo decides to make a full game in the same vein."
Martin Robinson, Eurogamer: "Maybe there's a small hint of what's to come further down the line in Bowser's Fury, the fully open-world expansion that's also on offer here and takes the series to uncharted territory. The co-op here has been whittled down to two players while the framerate when playing Bowser's Fury in handheld mode is also halved to 30fps, with the 60fps docked gameplay also sometimes taking a hit when things get chaotic - as they often do. It underlines the more experimental nature of this expansion - this doesn't have the polish or precision of mainline Mario games - but also suggests the game being pushed that little bit further beyond its comfort zone for what's a hugely enjoyable ride."
Chris Scullion, Nintendo Life: "Super Mario 3D World remains one of the better linear Mario games, and anyone playing it for the first time is in for an absolute treat. Add to that the curious bonus adventure that is Bowser's Fury and you've got a package that provides great value for money. It isn't without its flaws, but most of these (online multiplayer, repetitive missions in Bowser's Fury) relate to the new additions; the main game itself remains as pure and perfect as it was seven years ago. Had it just been Super Mario 3D World on its own, we'd be thoroughly recommending it anyway; Bowser's Fury is just the cherry on top."
Andrew Webster, The Verge: "Bowser’s Fury is essentially a remix of 3D World, one that takes the same basic themes and mechanics but turns them into something that feels both new and familiar at the same time. Really, this package is indicative of 3D Super Mario games as a whole: it’s a series where you never quite know what to expect with each new release. Sometimes that means a whole new structure or gameplay twist. Other times it means towering monsters and lots of cute cats."
Brian Shea, Game Informer: "Having another chance to revisit Super Mario 3D World (or experience it for the first time) is reason enough to be excited. However, with an excellent, all-new game joining the Wii U port, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is a compelling option for anyone who wants more Mario in their life."
Developed and published by Nintendo, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury will be released on Feb. 12 for the Nintendo Switch.