I received a copy of this game to facilitate this review.
A couple of years ago at Christmas, Zac asked for Super Mario 3D World. That posed a small problem: it was 2019 and the game originally released for the Wii U in 2014, and we didn’t own a Wii U. Fortunately, Santa came through and the game quickly became one of Zac’s favorites. When Nintendo announced the Switch version with the brand-new Bowser’s Fury content, we were all excited to try it.
Zac was the only one of us who had played the original release, so the rest of the family experienced most of the game for the first time. Even for Zac, Bowser’s Fury was entirely new and added a lot of fresh, playable content. Below are our impressions of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury on Nintendo Switch.
About the game:
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury combines two distinct Mario experiences. The package includes the remastered Super Mario 3D World and the new Bowser’s Fury adventure. In Bowser’s Fury, you explore Lake Lapcat, a series of connected islands full of secrets and challenges. A volatile new threat—Fury Bowser—appears unpredictably, and Mario can transform into the massive Giga Cat Mario to take him on. Bowser Jr. also joins the fun, using his paintbrush to support Mario as events unfold.
We took turns playing and here’s what each of us thought:
Zac’s Thoughts (7 years old)
Zac’s summary: It’s the best game ever—not just the best Mario game, but the best game overall. I like that Fury Bowser appears at random times and that Bowser Jr. helps defeat enemies. I also enjoyed the secret ending. Playing Super Mario 3D World on the Switch was great because I already had it on the Wii U, but Bowser’s Fury was new and really fun.
Gameplay for a seven-year-old: Since Zac had prior experience with the Wii U version, he had a head start on the 3D World portion. Still, Bowser’s Fury captured most of his attention. He spent the first week mostly playing Bowser’s Fury and eventually collected all 100 Cat Shines. The new mechanics encouraged him to think differently about puzzles and platforming segments, but nothing felt impossibly hard. He completed most tasks independently and needed little adult assistance.
This package is an excellent introduction to Mario for younger children. The game doesn’t demand heavy reading, so younger kids can play with minimal help.
Shane’s Thoughts (11 years old)
Shane’s summary: The graphics are excellent and the game is a lot of fun. Collecting secret stamps, stars, and Cat Shines is addictive—I want to find them all. Bowser’s Fury looks amazing, and I like that you can hold many power-ups at once.
Gameplay for an eleven-year-old: Although the game was accessible for my seven-year-old, it still offered enough challenge and variety to keep an 11-year-old engaged. The levels are creative and varied, providing hours of entertainment without becoming repetitive. Shane tends to split his gaming time across titles, so he’ll likely enjoy this game over a longer period rather than finishing it quickly.
My Thoughts (Parent)
I’ve really enjoyed this release. It blends elements of open-world exploration—similar to Super Mario Odyssey—with the classic stage-based structure of older Mario titles. That mix makes the game feel familiar yet fresh.
I appreciate the clear structure of individual levels in 3D World, which each offer unique mechanics and surprises. At the same time, Bowser’s Fury provides a more open-ended experience where you collect Cat Shines in different locations, reminiscent of collecting Moons in Odyssey. Fury Bowser’s unpredictable appearances add tension and variety to exploration and puzzle-solving.
Bowser’s Fury is more substantial than we expected. Rather than a small add-on, it contains a sizable amount of content—there are 100 Cat Shines to find—so it feels like a full, rewarding experience on top of the remastered 3D World.
Buy it: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury is available at major retailers and as a digital download from the Nintendo eShop.
