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'Super Mario 3D Land' is a platform game starring everyone's favourite plumber, Mario. The evil Bowser has kidnapped his beloved Princess Peach, and it's up to him to save her, the only way he knows how - by jumping from platform to platform, trampling on a few heads through plenty of levels until he can face Bowser himself and rescue his princess.
No-one can deny the draw Mario possesses to both adults and children alike - and the immediate familiarity of 'Super Mario 3D Land' is sure to please, especially if you've enjoyed titles like 'Super Mario Galaxy' or 'New Super Mario Bros'. With it's simple three-button controls, and the helping hand it gives you if you die to often (you can get a special suit that makes you invulnerable to enemy attacks, or a pair of wings that fly you straight to the end of a level) means that everyone should be able to play. There aren't any kind of tutorials or explanations though, so you may find it takes a bit of getting used to or a quick flick through the manual if you start struggling.
Nintendo recommends that the 3D function of the 3DS should be restricted for children under six, so it seems a bit strange that they've made a game that may well appeal to that demographic that relies on the 3D effect to complete certain parts of the game. Every so often, you'll come across a room where perspective plays an important role - blocks look like they're in different positions in 2D than they are in 3D, and although they have added special spots on the floor that make your view change to try to highlight the suspect block, it's still not that obvious with the 3D switched off.
As with every Mario game in the history of the world ever, 'Super Mario 3D Land' is totally free of anything in the way of mature content. With no sex, swearing, violence or gore, it's a game that's suitable for anyone and everyone. While Mario does have enemies to attack, he does so by jumping on their heads, squashing them before they disappear in a puff of smoke.
'Super Mario 3D Land' is an entirely single-player game, so there's no multiplayer included at all - not even a few mini-games like the DS game of 'New Super Mario Bros' had.
Age Ratings
Format Reviewed: Nintendo 3DS
