super-mario-bros-3
Latest
Recall past stages, enemies with these Mario prints
If we tried to roll our Mario memories into a neatly-compacted ball, the result would look much more crude then artist Christopher Lee's efforts. Each 16x20" piece in Lee's Mario Madness set of prints recalls the environments and enemies from one game from the Mario Bros.' NES trilogy, Super Mario World or Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins. The 190-piece sets were made using offset printing and come with an embossed, gold foil replica of Nintendo's Seal of Quality. Lee is also including his take on each game's box art with orders of the related pieces, but it's not just prints that are up for grabs here - Lee is including "a bunch of loose stickers and a single unopened pack" of Merlin brand stickers from 1989 in each order. He's also throwing vintage enamel pins into random orders, so make sure to practice whichever luck ritual you follow before clicking the order button. Both the stickers and pins are available while supplies last, so if you order late and don't recieve stickers, everyone else beat you to it. Grabbing your favorite piece from the Mario Madness series will cost $25, or you can cave and get one of each series for $100. Update: Lee has reached out to explain the relation of the Merlin brand to the stickers he's including in orders while supplies last. The post has been updated accordingly. [Image: Christopher Lee]
Europeans, whistle for Super Mario Bros. 3 on eShop next week
Super Mario Bros. 3 warps onto the eShop in Europe in a week's time, and you won't need a Power Glove (so bad) to pick it up - just a 3DS or Wii U. Both systems receive the classic NES platformer on Boxing Day, and there's a "week-long special offer" to look out for, according to Nintendo of Europe. There's no word on a price just yet. There's also no word from Nintendo of America on an arrival across the coast, so Super Mario Bros. 3 could join The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past in the transatlantic waiting room. That said, back in August, the big N announced it was due sometime this year. One thing we have confirmed with a Nintendo UK representative is the game features multiplayer on both Wii U and 3DS. The Wii U version supports local multiplayer, while the 3DS version uses download play, meaning only one player has to purchase the game for two people to play across two systems. Neither version supports online multiplayer. On the subject of classic Marios, NoE is running a Nintendo Network promo that can score you a free copy of Game Boy Color remake Super Mario Bros. Deluxe. If you link a Nintendo Network ID before January 31 - which you can now do thanks to the recent system update - you'll receive the free game code sometime in the second half of February.
3DS Virtual Console queues up Donkey Kong, Wario Land 3, Super Mario Bros. 3, Tecmo Bowl
Nintendo has announced a batch of new old games are coming to the 3DS Virtual Console. First is the NES port of Donkey Kong, due on August 15, followed by the NES port of Tecmo Bowl sometime next month. Super Mario Bros. 3 is also on its way later this year, to both the 3DS and Wii U eShops. Finally, Nintendo assures lauded Game Boy Color platformer Wario Land 3 is "coming soon" to the 3DS. Both the Wii U and 3DS Virtual Consoles have been busy lately: Capcom just recently completed the Mega Man hexalogy on the 3DS, with more of the blue bomber arriving in the coming months. And, late last month on the Wii U Virtual Console, Nintendo finally re-released Earthbound.
Old Nintendo picture book highlights young Miyamoto, other Mario vets
When Chris Covell went to a "local library" recently -- local for him being "in Japan" -- he didn't grab just any book. Instead, he grabbed a picture book made for children named "The Stars of Famicom Games: How Video Games Are Made," wherein legendary Japanese developers like Shigeru Miyamoto, Koji Kondo, and Takashi Tezuka are caught in revealing images, behind the scenes of Super Mario Bros. 3's development. Beyond all the devs looking many, many years younger (the images were taken in summer 1989), the photos depict an all-star development team crafting one of the most beloved gaming experiences of all time. If your morning has been sadly devoid of EPROMs and late '80s Japanese haircuts, this conveniently translated feature is perfect for you. [Image credit: Chris Covell]
Yes, of course Shigeru Miyamoto is involved in Super Mario 3D Land
Like with previous Mario titles, the little plumber's creator is once again involved in Nintendo's next project, Super Mario 3D Land. In a recent Famitsu interview (translated by 1UP), Shigeru Miyamoto explains his role as "general producer" on the title, saying that he was uninvolved until about halfway through the project. "I kept my distance from the project at first, but became more deeply involved midway -- I don't think it'd be satisfying as a Mario game to everyone unless I made myself known on the little details," he says. Miyamoto further details his work on the project, specifically citing his work as helping to "fine-tune the numbers" behind things like Mario's iconic jump or run speed. He also points out that Mario's upcoming 3DS game draws from the world of Super Mario Bros. 3, while the "New" Super Mario Bros. titles drew from Super Mario World's foundation. Neat! "The New Mario series was an effort to get back to the core of it," he adds. "And this game is kind of an in-between -- it's 3D, but it's a Mario that lots of people can play." To that end, Super Mario 3D Land will feature a hint system akin to other recent Nintendo first-party titles, which Miyamoto teases briefly. But you wouldn't need such a thing, right?
Super Mario Bros. tricks explained with animated GIFs
With the launch of the 25th Anniversary edition of Super Mario All-Stars for Wii drawing near (this Sunday!), you may be seriously tempted to buy all those classic Mario games again for, like -- what? The fourth time? Think again! Not only is the "Limited Edition" Wii game a veritable ROM dump of the SNES All-Stars (which features graphically and musically enhanced versions of the NES games, by 16-bit standards), it's also missing a lot of the great "glitches" from the original games. TASVideos has assembled a comprehensive guide to the elite tricks and tactics from the original Super Mario Bros. games -- with pictures! Animated pictures. It serves as a stark reminder to us purists why there's really no substitute for the originals, even when said substitute comes in a nifty box.
Super Mario Bros. 3 fan remake is finished, mental
If you're anything like us, you've got a serious affinity for the third Super Mario Bros. NES game. However, there's no way you have the same amount of love that GBATemp.net forum user SKJmin does for the decades old game. SKJmin tirelessly remade Super Mario Bros. 3 in the New Super Mario Bros. (DS) engine. Just yesterday, the final, totally bonkers trailer for the patch went up, which we've dropped after the break. As both properties are wholly owned by Nintendo, the mod is offered for free and the creator doesn't pack the NSMB ROM with the download. Additionally, repeated warnings are given to would-be thieves, such as "Please remember, don't download this if you don't have the original game from Nintendo! You have been warned!!" As of right now, the patch isn't available, but is said to be coming at some point tomorrow, just in time to make your weekend way, way more awesome.
Scan this footage of Super Mario Advance 4's e-Reader content
Why would anyone put their money into a GBA e-Reader and a remake of Super Mario Bros. 3, a game that everyone on Earth already has? The video after the break makes a pretty good case for why people did so, and for why you'll be headed to eBay momentarily.
Nintendo selling downloadable games on online store
Nintendo's online store is a great place to get a Game Boy Micro battery door or a copy of Wii Sports, and now you can get a Virtual Console game and a WiiWare game there too. That's right -- one each. For some reason, Nintendo put Pokemon Rumble and Super Mario Bros. 3 up for download through its browser-based online store, for $15 and $5, respectively. Purchasing either will give you a download ticket that you can enter in the Wii Shop to download the game. But why? And why just two games? (Although that's one more game than is available from Amazon's Wii download section.) We're checking with Nintendo about the offering now, and will report back if we hear anything. [Via GoNintendo]
NES harmonicas hit eBay, three lucky gamers cheer
Remember the HarmoNESica? A brief refresher, then: it's what happens when you've got a copy of Super Tecmo Bowl, a Pocket Pal harmonica, and the desire to create a unique musical instrument. But if you don't have any of the aforementioned ingredients and just want the end result, eBay's got you covered as usual -- three HarmoNESicas have been gathering bids at the online auction house this week. Whether your pleasure be Dick Tracy, Super Mario Bros. 3 or The Legend of Zelda, there's a harmonica to match; and if (for some reason) you want to actually play one of the games, you'll find the ROM guts tastefully included. But before you make your bid, remember: there's more than one way to skin an NES cartridge.
Stop-motion Super Mario Bros. 3 is almost as fun as the real thing
It's awfully hard to find a way to cram more charm into the Super Mario Bros. experience -- believe us, we've tried. Well, we're happy to report that GameVideos user smartkid82504 may have done just that, re-imagining the classic platforming action of Super Mario Bros. 3 through some scraps of paper, crayons, a stop-motion camera, and a bit of good, old-fashioned moxie. Head past the break to check it out.
Drumming to Super Mario Bros. 3
He's back at it again. Following up his incredible display centered around Super Mario Bros. 2, drummer extraordinaire Andrea Vadrucci has put together another video of himself. This time, he's banging out some key tunes in Super Mario Bros. 3. As one would expect, his execution is near flawless and, well, it's just a great video to watch. Check it out already.[Via Kotaku]
Top 5: Games for your Day Off
Gaming is a hobby, but sometimes it can feel like a job. As developers try to boost replayability, your gaming commitments can become anxiety-inducing. Just ask anyone who dared to attempt achieving 100% of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. At first, it's a fun and wonderful romp through a vivid world that's just oozing with life and character. By the end, you wish you'd never left Vice City. Did anyone here complete all of Super Smash Bros Brawl? I'm talking Classic Mode with every character, all of the Event matches, the target smashes, and every trophy and sticker available. At a certain point, some games can become an obligation rather than a means to entertainment. Today being Labor Day in the US, let's take a break from completing every mission, collecting every star, and unlocking all bonus content. Sometime between your 11 AM rise from bed and your evening consumption of copious amounts of hot dogs at your family barbeque, take some time to truly enjoy gaming. Here's our Top 5 recommendations. NEXT >> #ninbutton { border-style: solid; border-color: #000; border-width: 2px; background-color: #BBB; color: #000; text-decoration: none; width: 100px; text-align: center; padding: 2px 2px 2px 2px; margin: 2px 2px 2px 2px; } .buttontext { color: #000; text-decoration: none; font: bold 14pt Helvetica; } #ninbutton:hover { text-decoration: none; color: #BBB; background-color: #000; } The Top 5 is a weekly feature that provides us with a forum to share our opinions on various aspects of the video game culture, and provides you with a forum to tell us how wrong we are. To further voice your opinions, submit a vote in the Wii Fanboy Poll, and take part in the daily discussions of Wii Warm Up.
Virtually Free: Classics
We know a lot of you are a little bummed after E3. You didn't get what you want. We know how that can feel. In the tiniest of efforts to make you feel better, we're giving away a couple of classics this week as part of Virtually Free. If you don't have them, you should -- and we're going to give them to one lucky reader: Punch-Out!! (NES, 500 Wii points/$5) Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 500 Wii points/$5) To enter, just leave a comment here (with a valid e-mail address!) and tell us one thing you liked about this year's E3. You must be a legal resident of the United States with an American Wii (sorry, Canadians, we have to leave you out of this one; blame the gifting system and not us!) and 18 years of age or older. You may enter once per calendar day between now and Monday, July 28; the contest comes to a close that night at 11:59 PM Eastern time, and we'll select a winner in a random drawing the next day. Questions? Check out the official rules.
Wii Warm Up: Through rose-tinted glasses
The appeal of the Virtual Console is obvious: nostalgia. The VC is jam-packed with memories from yesteryear, spilling over with wonderful software that defined our childhoods. But it isn't all lollipops and puppy dogs. Nostalgia can also be very misleading, and some of those packets of data you download from Nintendo's service can end up souring childhood memories. Personally speaking -- and this will probably sound like heresy in some quarters, so brace yourselves -- I was left disappointed by Mega Man 2, a game I adored as an eleven-year-old, but one that now seems slightly dated, with its repeated leaps of faith and enemies that like to spawn directly beneath you. On the other hand, a game such as Super Mario Bros. 3 still feels like a breath of fresh air, almost two decades after it was released. Thinking about this some more, we have three questions for you. One: which Virtual Console games don't hold the same magic for you as they once did? Two: have any titles aged better than you suspected they would? And three: have you ever held off from downloading a certain game, concerned that it may ruin one of those precious childhood memories?
For awesome NES mods, just add legends
Thanks to its largely flat surface, the NES doubles up as an ideal canvas for those wishing to spruce up their consoles with a custom paint job. Of course, you also need artistic ability, which is where we fail hideously, and eBay user hellokitty11111111111 (yes) excels.Well, "excels" most of the time, anyway. The quality of these mods does vary a little -- we're not big fans of the Kid Icarus design -- but we do absolutely love the Earthbound, Super Mario Bros. 3, and (highly topical) River City Ransom examples. Are they worth (up to) $149.99, though? At a stretch, we'd be tempted. There's more past the break, complete with auction links.
China Warrior is a bad game
It's hard to make any mention of the Turbografx-16 side-scrolling brawler China Warrior without its generally-accepted terribleness coming up. Yes, it's not a very good game. It's Kung Fu with big sprites and flying branches. We're sure nobody has downloaded it who wasn't reviewing it. But we forget in our laughter over its current availability that it used to be a retail game. People paid a lot of money for this game. People writing things on Wii Fanboy paid a lot of money for this game.Vintage Computing's Benj Edwards didn't pay a lot of money for China Warrior, but his price was even higher: hype for the game drove him to trade in his beloved copy of Super Mario Bros. 3. The horror! Edwards' story paints China Warrior as a destructive influence on a happy childhood, one that he is incapable of divesting himself of. If you've bought China Warrior, you'll probably be familiar with his pain.I still like China Warrior.[Via GameSetWatch]
Wii Warm Up: 'Fess up to your gaming non-achievements
We've all got them: those classic games that we just never got around to completing, or, in some cases, playing.For his part, this blogger has only ever completed two -- TWO!! -- Zelda games (Link to the Past and Twilight Princess), and only made it through one-third of Super Mario Bros. 3. I have played other Zelda and Mario titles of course, sometimes for scores of hours each, but just never quite found the time to finish them. As for Super Mario Galaxy, that was left to collect dust a month ago, with only 21 stars obtained, and 99 still missing.I am not proud of these facts. But I am coming clean now, and it feels good! So put any concerns about your precious gamer cred to one side, and tell us: which gaming classics have you either failed to complete, or not even tried? It'll be our secret. By which we mean, the entire internet's secret.
Friday Video: Kootie Pie, you know it's true
This clip from The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 features two Mario characters who have been in even fewer games than Mouser: Milli Vanilli. In "Kootie Pie Rocks," Rob and Fab are kidnapped by Koopa to perform for his annoying daughter Kootie Pie (Wendy O. Koopa in the game). We don't want to spoil the story for you, so we'll just give you that setup.Attentive viewers may notice that the music played doesn't match the onscreen movement at all, and moreover, is not "Girl, You Know It's True." In fact, the music in the video doesn't even have any vocals, meaning that Milli Vanilli wouldn't have anything to do even if they really did sing. We suspect, however, that the original broadcast did use "Girl, You Know It's True," and that the rights to the song expired before this later broadcast. It's sad, and can ruin shows that rely on popular music. Luckily, it's kind of impossible to ruin The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3. We have to wonder, though; couldn't Rob and Fab have at least performed their own speaking voices?[Via Game|Life]