Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury Review: Feline-Fueled Platforming Returns on Nintendo Switch

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury ushers in a new era of platforming excitement on the Nintendo Switch, blending classic 3D Mario gameplay with a bold new open-world twist.

Developed by Nintendo, this remastered port of the 2013 Wii U title invites both series veterans and newcomers to experience its energetic platforming, enhanced visuals, and, for the first time, full online multiplayer support.

When Super Mario 3D World originally launched on Wii U, its charming cat-themed power-ups and cooperative play made it one of the platform’s best-sellers, moving 5.86 million units worldwide.

Now, the Nintendo Switch edition arrives with a host of improvements, making it accessible to a broader audience via the portable console’s flexible play modes and the eShop.

Players can dive into local co-op, local wireless, or online multiplayer, easily creating or joining rooms to team up with registered friends—a robust system that adds considerable replay value.

Speaking about the series’ enduring appeal, the development team noted in translated comments: "We’ve enhanced the core gameplay while ensuring the co-op fun remains accessible to all players, whether they’re revisiting the game or experiencing it for the first time." This focus on both nostalgia and innovation is evident in features like online multiplayer, which enables up to four players to join forces remotely.

The introduction of portability on the Nintendo Switch also means that Cat Mario antics can now be enjoyed from anywhere, extending the game’s reach far beyond its original Wii U audience. The base game, Super Mario 3D World, retains its accessible overworld map, recognizable power-ups such as the Super Bell, and multiple themed worlds packed with green stars and hidden stamps.

Rosalina, a late-game playable character, brings her own unique spin attack to assist players in tackling some of the most challenging courses.

The game’s tried-and-true platforming finesse blends seamlessly with fresh enhancements, offering hours of frantic cooperative play as players race against the clock to save the Sprixie Princesses from Bowser’s clutches. For those seeking something entirely new, Bowser’s Fury adds an expansive side campaign.

Unlike the structured levels of 3D World, Bowser’s Fury is a free-roaming adventure across Lake Lapcat, tasking Mario with collecting Cat Shines to unlock the mighty Giga Bell.

This mode introduces periodic, intense gameplay shifts as Bowser erupts in fury, transforming the landscape with fiery hazards and requiring quick thinking from players.

Even with some repetitive elements and occasional performance dips during the most action-packed sequences, Bowser’s Fury delivers a creative and chaotic twist on the Mario formula. Bowser Jr.

joins as a cooperative assistant in this campaign, controlled either by the AI or a second player—ideal for younger or less experienced gamers.

Though bound to Mario’s position, Bowser Jr.

lends a helpful hand in both combat and puzzle-solving.

The world design of Bowser’s Fury shines with Nintendo’s signature attention to detail, bursting with clever references to series classics like Super Mario Sunshine, Galaxy, and, naturally, 3D World itself. In summary, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is a standout Switch port that showcases the best of Mario’s cooperative platforming adventures, enhanced by modern features and an inventive new campaign.

With an engaging online multiplayer system, sharp visuals, and hours of replayable content, this double-feature is a must-play for Mario fans old and new.

The euphoria of cat-powered platforming is undeniable—proof that, for Nintendo and its players, everyone still wants to be a cat.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Mario Switch Bowser Super Mario Super Mario 3D World Bowser’s Fury Nintendo UK Rosalina Bowser Jr. Plessie eShop Super Mario Odyssey Super Mario Sunshine Super Mario Galaxy