Parents' Guide to

Super Mario 3D Land

By Mark Raby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 7+

Newest Mario game continues the platforming magic.

Game Nintendo 3DS 2011
Super Mario 3D Land Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Super Mario 3D Land Game: Screenshot #1
  • Super Mario 3D Land Game: Screenshot #2
  • Super Mario 3D Land Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 6+

Based on 8 parent reviews

FnafPlayer335
FnafPlayer335 Adult
March 1, 2019
age 7+

Mario’s 1st 3DS game!

$19.99 of a 9.5/10 game may be cheep, but it is a really fun game!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Easy to play/use
Too much violence
CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
January 21, 2016
age 4+

Like mario bros.

This is JUST like super Mario bros U.

This title has:

Great role models
Easy to play/use
Too much violence
Too much consumerism
See all 8 parent reviews

What’s It About?

The story of Super Mario 3D Land revolves around Mario working tirelessly to save Princess Peach, who has once again been captured by Mario's archrival Bowser. Mario must traverse eight worlds, each filled with a variety of levels that test players' mettle and push their gaming skills to the limit. As always with this franchise, the game is challenging but there are concessions for novice players that make it more manageable. The game is filled with throwbacks to classic Mario titles, including music, power-ups, and environments that made some of the early games in the series iconic.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (8 ):
Kids say (30 ):

Super Mario 3D Land was designed with the intention of bringing back the "old-school" appeal that has drawn in millions of gamers over the last two decades. It delivers on that goal in droves. Ardent Mario fans will appreciate the many nods to vintage Mario titles, while everyone will become entranced by the way the 3D presentation adds a new layer of gameplay. Players can run between the background and foreground to clear obstacles and collect items in a way that truly takes advantage of the 3DS's visual capabilities.

What's more, many of the levels seem deceptively easy but in reality provide intense challenges that will have players trying over and over again, making the feeling of completing each level ultimately rewarding. In short, it is a Mario game that delivers on everything players would expect from such a legendary franchise.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why Mario has managed to become such an icon. What is it about his games that is so universally appealing?

  • What do you think Mario would be like if he were a real person?

  • When have you put someone else's needs ahead of your own?

Game Details

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