Super Mario 3D World came out on the Wii U on November 21, 2013, and, as expected, it received great reviews. It's considered a perfect Mario game with fantastic levels and just the right level of difficulty. Back then, we didn't realize that it was going to be a game-changer.
The introduction of Cat Mario is a big deal, and it's the most memorable part of Super Mario 3D World. You might even recognize Cat Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. The cute "cat mode" you get with the Super Bell power-up isn't only for Mario; it was first introduced on the Wii U, giving fans a taste of feline fierceness. Adding a new power-up to a well-loved franchise like Mario wasn't easy, but Nintendo nailed it. The suit's claw attack adds offense and a way to break through obstacles horizontally, making the level design more interesting. The diving attack adds mobility, and it made climbing a game-changer long before Breath of the Wild.
In the decade since its launch, Cat Mario has become one of the most popular power-ups, appearing in just a few games. Cat Mario merchandise is everywhere, from plushies to toys to Christmas ornaments. Even in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario could've defeated Donkey Kong with other power-ups, but the mass appeal of Cat Mario is undeniable.
In a time when many games are either single-player or at best multiplayer online, Nintendo keeps couch co-op in mind. While previous Mario games had four-player co-op, Super Mario 3D World is widely recognized as the true co-op mode for 3D Mario games. Why? Peach is added to the mix, and each character plays differently for the first time since 1988's Super Mario Bros. 2. Mario is the all-around character, Toad is the fastest sprinter, Luigi is the floatiest jumper, and Peach is the floatiest floater.
This co-op style made its way to the Nintendo Switch in both New Super Mario Wii U Deluxe and the remastered Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. Four-player co-op is also featured in Super Mario Wonder after being absent in the previous mainline release, Super Mario Odyssey. Nintendo understands it's not just about selling games; it's about selling joy.
Now, let's talk about Captain Toad. The Captain Toad minigames in Super Mario 3D World, where players guide the explorer through 3D mazes inside a rotating cube, were so popular that they led to Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker for the Wii U, selling over 1 million copies. The Switch remake did even better. The concept from Super Mario 3D World's minigame was so good that it sold 3 million units. That's a lot of Cat Mario plushies.
Super Mario 3D World is aging well and seems to have more influence on the franchise than its more recent cousin, Super Mario Odyssey. As for the next movie, it's doubtful we'll see Cappy. If Bowser’s Fury is an indication of what's next, it looks like Nintendo is leaning toward a mix of 2D platforming and 3D open worlds—something Super Mario 3D World defined so well. We'll have to wait and see until the next game is out. And if the trend continues, we might have to wait another decade to see if Nintendo was right all along.
