I must say that I'm a big fan of Mario games, they're brilliant fun that can be had with anyone in the family that other franchises just don't spark. Mario 3d Land on the 3ds is no different, it's easy to learn but challenging at the same time. Plus it's the first 3D main series Mario game to follow the route of the 2d ones. In past 3d games, they were open world as you explored a vast landscape to collect stars, then go back to a main HUB area and go back to the same place, however 3d Land has each level set out as an obstacle course. You must run and jump through each level with a timer over-head and get to the flag to end the course.
Each level feels like a level, not a huge grassy field such as in Mario Galaxy. It's more fun, sadly at the cost of levels being rather short. But there are 16 Worlds to go through, containing 8-10 levels that each have three hidden star-coins that you must go back and collect a certain amount to proeed. This means the game will last a long time, plus a final, final level that can only be unlocked after collecting all star coins and landing at the very top of the flagpole in each stage.
Story-wise, the game is not very different. Princess Peach is kidnapped, go save her. But it's the gameplay that's most important, and the music/ sound effects in this game are extremely memorable.You'll be humming along as you walk down the street and each tune has a distinct vibe and feel about it so that each level has the player visualize the theme in their minds.
Overall Mario 3d Land is a glorious title that anybody can enjoy, if you're a 3ds owner, I highly recommend it.
So I'd say it gets 9 stars out of 10!
