Super Mario 3D All-Stars Review: Revisiting Nintendo's Iconic 3D Mario Adventures on Nintendo Switch

Super Mario 3D All-Stars Review: Revisiting Nintendo's Iconic 3D Mario Adventures on Nintendo Switch Nintendo has a storied history of innovation with its flagship franchise, and Super Mario 3D All-Stars exemplifies the company’s commitment to honoring its legacy.

Released on September 18, 2020, exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, this limited-time collection combines three genre-defining titles: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy.

Developed and published by Nintendo, the compilation provides both long-time fans and newcomers an opportunity to relive Mario’s most significant 3D adventures—now playable at home or on the go via the Nintendo Switch. Super Mario 64, originally a launch title for the Nintendo 64 back in 1996, revolutionized 3D platforming with its fluid controls and open environments.

The game’s analog stick delivered an unprecedented level of freedom, allowing players to run, jump, and soar through the Mushroom Kingdom in ways previously unseen.

Iconic moments—like leaping out of Warp Pipes or battling Bowser across Peach’s Castle—remain timeless.

The Nintendo Switch port retains much of this magic, ensuring new players can appreciate its enduring legacy, even if it still doesn’t feature native widescreen support. Moving forward in time, Super Mario Sunshine debuted on the Nintendo GameCube in 2002, introducing Mario’s F.L.U.D.D.

(Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device).

This inventive, water-powered backpack changed up gameplay, enabling Mario to spray enemies, hover between platforms, and clean up the island of Isle Delfino in his quest to restore his reputation.

Sunshine is celebrated for its playful environmental message, which feels even more timely today.

The game’s first portable incarnation on Nintendo Switch brings with it accessibility improvements, yet some players will still encounter the high difficulty spikes that originally fostered a divided reception. Super Mario Galaxy, released for the Nintendo Wii in 2007, is often considered one of Mario’s finest adventures.

The game’s narrative sees Bowser launching Peach’s castle into space, with Mario joining forces with Rosalina and the Lumas aboard the Comet Observatory.

Noted for its inventive gravity-defying gameplay and celestial level design, Super Mario Galaxy shines anew on Switch.

Enhanced resolution, widescreen support, and modernized controls (including support for Joy-Con or Pro Controller) deliver a more accessible gameplay experience.

In handheld mode, players interact via touchscreen, while motion controls remain for collecting Star Bits. Despite these triumphs, Super Mario 3D All-Stars stops short of being a definitive archival release.

Content is limited to the core games, accompanied by a functional but simplistic in-game music player featuring 175 tracks.

Absent are supplemental features such as developer commentary, concept artwork, or behind-the-scenes material that could have deepened the compilation’s celebration of Mario’s history.

The music player offers only basic sequential playback, with no options for shuffling or repeating favorite tracks, a letdown for superfans of the series’ celebrated soundtracks. Still, Super Mario 3D All-Stars stands as a formidable collection.

Nintendo’s decision to bring these three titles together on the Nintendo Switch, complete with improved visual fidelity and portable play, is a boon for Mario enthusiasts and the gaming community at large.

The collection not only serves to honor Mario’s 35th anniversary but also introduces these trailblazing platformers to a new generation, reinforcing why Mario continues to be an industry icon.

While additional features and archival material would have elevated the experience, the combined adventures of Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy make this a must-have for any Nintendo Switch owner invested in the legacy of Mario.

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