Mario is a true icon of gaming, beloved by players of all ages. While nostalgia certainly plays a role in his lasting popularity, the real reason people love Mario is the incredible quality and artistry of his games. This dedication to craftsmanship has been a hallmark of Mario games since his debut as Jumpman in Donkey Kong and was central to the success of the original Super Mario Bros.
Over the years, the series has consistently improved, with each new game having its supporters and detractors. However, few games in the franchise—or in video games as a whole—have reached the level of Super Mario Bros. 3. It took everything that made the first game enjoyable and made it even better, quickly becoming a commercial and critical success. Even now, 36 years later, it’s still considered one of the greatest platforming games of all time.
How Super Mario Bros. 3 Improved On The Original Games
Released in North America on February 12, 1990, Super Mario Bros. 3 remains a standout title in the Super Mario series and is considered one of the greatest platforming games of all time. After the huge popularity of the original Super Mario Bros. and the two different versions of Super Mario Bros. 2, the series became a major force in the revitalized home console market. But Super Mario Bros. 3 really raised the bar. Director Shigeru Miyamoto and his team focused on innovation and challenging gameplay, introducing tons of new power-ups, enemies, and ways to play.
The world between levels felt more open, letting players choose how they wanted to progress – an idea that influenced later games. The game also featured a carefully designed difficulty curve that kept players guessing. New characters, like the Koopalings who acted as bosses, added more variety to the series. Visually, it was a big step forward, bringing the Mushroom Kingdom to life with more detail. Even with all these changes, the game kept the simple but challenging gameplay that makes Super Mario so beloved.
Super Mario Bros. 3 really perfected the balance between difficulty and fun. Unexpected fights with enemies like the Hammer Bros., and the constant attacks from Bowser’s airships, were challenging without being overly frustrating. The game was beautifully presented with bright colors, simple designs, and a fantastic soundtrack, leading many critics at the time to call it the best NES game ever made. Reviews then, and now, consistently praise it as a significant improvement over previous titles. Today, Super Mario Bros. 3 is widely considered a landmark platformer and a shining example of the genre at its finest.
Why Super Mario Bros. 3 Is Still A Genuine GOAT Contender
As a huge Mario fan, I’ve played so many amazing games since Super Mario Bros. 3 came out, and it’s incredible how each new entry has used the latest technology to really push the boundaries. Super Mario World on the Super Nintendo was massive, and then seeing Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy successfully jump into 3D was just brilliant. But honestly, even with all those fantastic games, Super Mario Bros. 3 still stands out to me. It just felt so polished and really perfected the whole platforming experience.
Even after all these years, Super Mario Bros. 3 remains incredibly fun to play thanks to its simple, responsive controls. The game keeps things fresh with a variety of power-ups, mini-games, and cleverly designed levels, so it never gets boring. Its charming pixel art contributes to the game’s lasting appeal, which is probably why it continues to receive some of the highest ratings of any Super Mario game.
This game is incredibly polished, with clever level design and a delightful, playful style that makes it consistently enjoyable. While the original Super Mario Bros. launched the series, Super Mario Bros. 3 truly established it as a gaming giant. It’s just as fun to play now as it was when it first came out, and many modern platforming games still borrow ideas from it. Even after 36 years, Super Mario Bros. 3 stands as one of the best games ever made – not just for Nintendo or the platforming genre, but for video games in general.
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2026-02-12 21:12