Super Mario Bros. 3

Super Mario Bros. 3
Developer	Nintendo EAD
Publisher	Nintendo
System	NES, Virtual Console, 3DS Virtual Console, Wii U Virtual Console
Release Date	NES JP October 23, 1988 US February 1990 EU August 9, 1991 Virtual Console US November 5, 2007 EU November 9, 2007 AU November 9, 2007 JP December 11, 2007 3DS Virtual Console JP January 1, 2013 EU December 26, 2013 US April 17, 2014 Wii U Virtual Console JP December 25, 2013 EU December 26, 2013 US April 17, 2014
Gallery	GH Gallery
Rating	ESRB: E

The last major Mario game on the NES, Super Mario Bros. 3 is known for being a fan favorite. The game returned the series to a style of play similar to the original Super Mario Bros., but with the addition of various new power-ups and more variety to the gameplay features. This game was also notable for introducing the Koopalings.

Story

The seven kings of the seven kingdoms neighboring the Mushroom Kingdom have had their magic wands stolen by the Koopalings. The Koopalings have turned them all into animals and conquered each respective kingdom It's up to Mario and Luigi to save them. Princess Peach aids them from afar, but near the end of the game, she ends up being captured by Bowser again, so the Mario Brothers then must once more face him to save her.

Gameplay

The player controls Mario (Luigi is the second player) and they make their way through the levels, defeating enemies along the way. The player starts small, but can get bigger with the Super Mushroom. After that, they can gain new abilities such as throwing fireballs or flight by getting the appropriate item.

The game is divided into nine worlds, which vary in length. One new feature is that the game features an overworld map, and in some cases there are branching paths that the player can take. In addition to different levels, the map also has enemies roaming, and if they player makes contact with them, they will enter a separate screen where the enemies are battled. In most of the worlds, there is one fortress containing a mini boss and a palace which the Kooapling's airship is anchored to. The airship is navigated to reach the Koopaling in question, who must be defeated to proceed to the next world.

Legacy

Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced the gameplay mechanic of flying to the Mario series. This would be seen again in Super Mario World and Super Mario 64. This game also introduced the Koopalings, who would appear again in subsequent Mario games.

Sequels

For along time, the only sequel to Super Mario Bros. 3 was it's spiritual successor: Super Mario World. However, a more direct sequel, New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS, has since been created.

Ports and Remakes

• Super Mario Bros. 3 was released on the Super NES with updated graphics in the Super Mario All-Stars compilation.
• Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 was released for the Gameboy Advance.
• In 2007, it was released for download over the Wii's Virtual Console. In 2013 and 2014, it received releases for the 3DS and Wii U Virtual Consoles.