Best: Giant Land
Super Mario Bros. 3 is a true masterpiece, much like its predecessor. Its brilliance isn’t pinned down to just one feature, but if I had to spotlight an aspect that truly captures the magic, it has to be Giant Land. This is the fourth world in the game where everything falls into the giant category – from massive goombas and koopas to oversized blocks and piranha plants. It throws your usual sense of scale into complete disarray. Yet, it’s not just about Giant Land in isolation that makes Super Mario Bros. 3 extraordinary. It’s a testament to the creativity of the developers, who managed to make every world feel unique and integral to your quest into Bowser’s territory.
Worst: The Autoscrollers
Bowser’s airships bring a palpable sense of drama, hinting at Bowser’s strategic prowess and military power. These levels suggest that he’s more than just a hapless villain – he’s a force to be reckoned with. However, the autoscrolling mechanism, where the screen dictates your pace, tends to slow you down unnecessarily. This can be frustrating, especially in a game that thrives on the freedom of movement. As you near the grand finale, you’re met with even more autoscrollers in Bowser’s world. You battle through his tank fleet, navy, a swarm of smaller airships, and another batch of tanks before reaching the formidable final castle. While I can see the goal was to make Bowser seem like a daunting adversary, these stages end up hindering your progress, making them a slow-moving challenge that speedrunners dread.
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