Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury Review

Two Mario games, one polished throwback and one experimental detour.

Nintendo pairs a refined multiplayer platformer with an open-ended side experiment, but the result feels more like two separate ideas sharing a cartridge than a unified package. Super Mario 3D World carries the weight here, while.

Bowser’s Fury feels like a prototype that sometimes gets in its own way.
Super Mario 3D World remains a standout platformer more than a decade after its original release on Wii U in 2013. The Switch version preserves the core experience with no major changes to the base game, only minor technical adjustments. Its strength lies in its tight controls, vibrant presentation and consistently inventive level design. Each playable character, including Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad and eventually Rosalina, offers subtle differences that encourage experimentation and replay value.

The Cat Suit defines much of the game’s identity, though it is not always the most satisfying power-up in practice. Its auto-climb ability can feel unintentionally restrictive when precision movement is needed. Still, the variety of stages holds up, from Captain Toad sections to thematic challenge courses that break up the pacing in a good way. The soundtrack fits the tone well, even if it can become repetitive over long sessions.

The game is also on the easier side for most of its runtime, which makes its late-game difficulty spikes, especially in Champion’s Road, feel more abrupt. Camera angles can also create friction in certain sections, particularly for newer players. Even so, the co-op experience remains one of its strongest draws, making it equally enjoyable solo or with others.

Bowser’s Fury takes a different approach with a connected beach-themed world where exploration replaces traditional level structure. Plessie serves as a smooth and enjoyable form of traversal, and collecting Cat Shines provides a simple but satisfying progression loop. Bowser Jr. acts as a companion, though his presence feels unnecessary in solo play.

The entire world leaning into a cat theme adds a playful charm, and the transformation into giant Cat Mario creates a strong visual identity. However, the experience is held back by inconsistent controls and a frustrating camera that struggles in tight moments. The biggest issue is Bowser’s repeated Fury interruptions, which break exploration flow and quickly become repetitive. The kaiju-style encounters also fail to land, feeling more disruptive than engaging. Overall, it is a more experimental take that does not fully come together.

Taken as a whole, the package is anchored by Super Mario 3D World’s lasting quality, while Bowser’s Fury feels like an ambitious but uneven side project.

8.5/10

Pokémon Lens:

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury mirrors the Pokémon series in how it balances familiarity with experimentation. 3D World reflects the structured, level-based design seen in traditional Pokémon titles, where mastery comes from replaying defined challenges and optimizing routes. Bowser’s Fury, on the other hand, feels closer to an open-zone Pokémon experiment like Legends-style gameplay, emphasizing exploration over structure but sometimes losing clarity in pacing and direction.