Super Mario 3D All-Stars Explained

Developer:Nintendo EPD
1-Up Studio[1]
Nintendo European Research & Development
Publisher:Nintendo
Series:Super Mario
Producer:Kenta Motokura[2]
Platform:Nintendo Switch
Genre:Platform, action-adventure
Released:September 18, 2020
Modes:Single-player, multiplayer

Super Mario 3D All-Stars is a 2020 compilation of platform games for the Nintendo Switch. It commemorates the 35th anniversary of Nintendo's Super Mario franchise, with high-definition ports of Super Mario 64 (1996), Super Mario Sunshine (2002), and Super Mario Galaxy (2007).

The compilation was released on September 18, 2020 and was available until March 31, 2021, when it was discontinued and removed from the Nintendo eShop. It received positive reviews for its games, technical improvements, and controls, but it was criticized for its presentation, lack of additional content, time-limited release, and the absence of Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010). As of March 2021, Super Mario 3D All-Stars had sold more than 9 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video games of 2020.

Content

Super Mario 3D All-Stars compiles high-definition ports of the first three 3D platform games in the Super Mario series: Super Mario 64 (1996), Super Mario Sunshine (2002), and Super Mario Galaxy (2007). The version of Super Mario 64 is the Shindō Pak Taiō version released only in Japan in July 1997, which added bug fixes and gameplay alterations. Rumble support was also based from this version as well.

The games in the collection all utilize emulation, although Galaxy was partially recompiled to run natively on the Nintendo Switch. They support Joy-Con controls with rumble function, and are displayed at higher resolutions, such as Sunshine running in a .[3] Both Sunshine and Galaxy are displayed in 1080p in TV Mode and 720p in Handheld Mode, while 64 is displayed in 720p in both modes in a .[4] A patch released in November 2020 added camera options for all three games and control options for F.L.U.D.D. in Sunshine.[5]

Sunshine did not initially natively support the GameCube controller on the Nintendo Switch. When originally released on the GameCube, Sunshine used the GameCube controller's analog triggers (which Switch controllers do not have) to regulate F.L.U.D.D.'s water pressure.[6] For the collection, F.L.U.D.D. is controlled with the right bumper for precision aiming while standing still, while using the right trigger "is akin to pulling the GameCube's analog trigger to about the three-quarters mark". GameCube controller support for Sunshine was added in November 2020 for use in TV Mode.[7] A further patch released in November 2021 enabled Super Mario 64 to be played with the Nintendo 64 wireless controller available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.[8]

Galaxy features optional Joy-Con controls that imitate the motion-controlled setup of the Wii Remote and Nunchuk,[9] with Mario's spin ability remapped to the X and Y buttons.[10] When using the Pro Controller, the gyroscope is utilized for the pointer, and it can be recentered with the right bumper. When playing in Handheld Mode or on the Nintendo Switch Lite system, players must use the touchscreen in lieu of the pointer.[11] To play Galaxy cooperative mode in Handheld Mode or on the Nintendo Switch Lite, a secondary Joy-Con is needed.[12]

The compilation also features a music player mode, which compiles the entire original soundtracks of all three games, totaling 175 tracks. The music can be played when the screen is turned off.[13] Additionally, a random song from any of the three soundtracks will play whenever the player opens the collection's main menu.

Development and release

Super Mario 3D All-Stars was developed and published by Nintendo to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. (1985). According to Eurogamer, Nintendo referred to the compilation as Super Mario All-Stars 2 internally.[14] Nintendo's goal was to retain the included games' "original design and spirit" with updates to the resolutions and controls. According to Kenta Motokura, the project's producer, the developers interviewed the games' original staff to learn of each's importance.[15] The Super Mario Sunshine port in the collection uses GameCube emulation technology developed by Nintendo European Research & Development (NERD), who further collaborated with the 3D All-Stars development team on several new features for the game and upgraded its full motion videos to HD using their own deep learning engine. NERD also assisted with the Super Mario Galaxy port by providing graphics and audio emulation technologies.[16]

The collection was first reported by Video Games Chronicle in March 2020, and corroborated by other outlets.[17] [18] According to these reports, Nintendo planned to announce it during a Mario-themed presentation at E3 2020, but this was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[19] [20] [21] After its reveal during Nintendo Direct presentation on September 3, Nintendo released the collection on September 18, 2020. It was available to purchase for a limited time, both physically and digitally until March 31, 2021.[22] Doug Bowser, the president of Nintendo of America, said that the game's limited availability was due to it being part of the celebration of the 35th anniversary, an approach the company does not plan on using widely for other releases.[23]

Reception

Critical response

According to the review aggregating website Metacritic, Super Mario 3D All-Stars received "generally favorable reviews". Critics generally agreed that the games themselves remained enjoyable, but were divided over the presentation, which received criticism for its simplistic nature and lack of additional features, its limited time release, and the absence of Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010).[24] [25] [26]

Ian Walker from Kotaku said the port of 64 "hasn't introduced any obviously unfortunate consequences" and even fixed some "occasional performance dips" from the original, and that the controls for the game worked well on the Switch. For Sunshine, he felt the adjusted controls would affect anyone playing who had muscle memory from the original and that the visuals stuttered somewhat late in the game. For Galaxy, Walker was thankful that some of the motion-based controls were remapped to controller buttons but added some of the areas that still required the motion controls were still problematic as they were on the Wii.[27]

IGNs Zachary Ryan was "a little bit disappointed in the lack of effort Nintendo has put into" the collection, when compared to the "major overhauls" done for the games in Super Mario All-Stars, and noted the use of emulation to present the three games helped explain "a lot about the lack of upgrades" in each. For 64, Ryan felt the upscaling made the game look the nicest it ever had, and called the controls "still super tight" and "right at home on a Pro Controller or Joy-Con", despite the x-axis camera controls being inverted (a later patch would make this optional). He did wish Nintendo had added "some quality-of-life upgrades", feeling players experiencing the game for the first time "might find it somewhat inaccessible". For Sunshine, Ryan said that it was still a fantastic looking game and commended the controls still remaining fluid, though Ryan experienced some slowdown in certain moments. Finally, Ryan felt upscaling Galaxy made it "a fully realized version" of the game and praised the updated control options, adding the handheld mode configuration, while "not the most ideal way to play", still worked.[28]

Sales

By September 7, pre-orders for Super Mario 3D All-Stars had made it the second-best-selling game of 2020 on Amazon in the United States, behind .[29] [30] Scalpers resold pre-orders on websites such as eBay, going as high as .[31] [32] Base.com, an online retailer in the United Kingdom, was forced to cancel all of their customers' pre-orders because their allocation of physical games was not enough to fulfil pre-orders. They added that Nintendo and their UK distributors were "unable to give... any reassurance" that more copies would be made available to them through the on-sale period.[33]

In its first week of release, Super Mario 3D All-Stars was the best-selling game in the UK, and was the third-largest game launch of 2020 and the fifth-fastest-selling Switch game in the country.[34] In Japan, the game sold over 210,000 physical copies within the first three days of its release.[35] In the United States, Super Mario 3D All-Stars was the second-best-selling game of September behind Marvel's Avengers, and had become the tenth-best-selling game of 2020.[36] [37] The collection was also the best-selling game in September for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.[38] As of March 2021, Super Mario 3D All-Stars has sold over 9.01 million units worldwide.[39] In March 2021, ahead of its delisting, the game's physical sales in the United Kingdom spiked around 267%.[40] Up until December 31, 2021 its shipment increased to 9.07 million copies.[41]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 開発協力 1-UP Studio Inc. . 1-up-studio.jp . . 9 April 2021 . Japanese . 9 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210409121932/https://1-up-studio.jp/works/index.html . live.
  2. Web site: The surprising reason Nintendo made Super Mario a plumber 35 years ago. Liao. Shannon. CNN Business. September 14, 2020. September 17, 2020. September 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200916145929/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/14/tech/super-mario-bros-35th-anniversary-nintendo/index.html. live.
  3. Web site: Super Mario 3D All Stars Brings Platforming Goodness to Switch. Jordan Rudek. September 3, 2020. Nintendo World Report. September 4, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160238/https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/54797/super-mario-3d-all-stars-brings-platforming-goodness-to-switch. live.
  4. Web site: Here's The Resolution Of Each Game In Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Liam Doolan. September 4, 2020. Nintendo Life. September 4, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160237/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/heres_the_resolution_of_each_game_in_super_mario_3d_all-stars. live.
  5. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars patch will let you invert the games' camera controls. McWhertor. Michael. Polygon. October 27, 2020. October 28, 2020. October 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201030200754/https://www.polygon.com/2020/10/27/21536003/super-mario-3d-all-stars-invert-camera-setting-patch-update. live.
  6. Web site: Here's which Mario Galaxy motion control features are available in Switch's various forms. Wales. Matt. Eurogamer. September 5, 2020. September 7, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160239/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-04-heres-which-mario-galaxy-motion-control-features-are-available-in-switchs-various-forms. live.
  7. Web site: Super Mario Sunshine Gets GameCube Controller Support In Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Walker. Ian. Kotaku. November 16, 2020. November 16, 2020. December 30, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201230080354/https://kotaku.com/super-mario-sunshine-can-now-be-played-with-a-gamecube-1845693824. live.
  8. Web site: Nintendo Adds N64 Controller Support To 3D All-Stars Version Of Super Mario 64. Doolan. Liam. Nintendo Life. November 3, 2021. November 3, 2021. October 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221010212403/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/11/nintendo-adds-n64-controller-support-to-3d-all-stars-version-of-super-mario-64. live.
  9. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars Announced for Switch, Includes Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. Bankhurst. Adam. IGN. September 3, 2020. September 3, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160238/https://www.ign.com/articles/super-mario-3d-all-stars-announced-for-switch-includes-super-mario-64-super-mario-sunshine-and-super-mario-galaxy. live.
  10. Web site: Super Mario Galaxy's Spin Won't Be As Annoying In Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Walker. Ian. Kotaku. September 9, 2020. September 9, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160251/https://kotaku.com/super-mario-galaxys-spin-wont-be-as-annoying-in-super-m-1845003510. live.
  11. Web site: Here's which Mario Galaxy motion control features are available in Switch's various forms. Matt Wales. September 5, 2020. Eurogamer. September 5, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160239/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-04-heres-which-mario-galaxy-motion-control-features-are-available-in-switchs-various-forms. live.
  12. Web site: Nintendo confirms Mario 64, Sunshine, Galaxy remasters for Nintendo Switch. Tom Phillips. September 3, 2020. Eurogamer. September 3, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160311/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-03-nintendo-confirms-mario-64-sunshine-galaxy-remasters-for-nintendo-switch. live.
  13. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars has finally been revealed for Nintendo Switch. Andy Robinson. September 3, 2020. Video Games Chronicles. September 3, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160312/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/super-mario-3d-collection/. live.
  14. Web site: Phillips. Tom. March 31, 2020. More details emerge on Nintendo's Mario remasters. March 31, 2020. Eurogamer. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160314/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-03-31-more-details-emerge-on-nintendos-mario-remasters. live.
  15. News: Park . Gene . Mario makers reflect on 35 years and the evolution of gaming's most iconic jump . . September 17, 2020 . September 14, 2020 . September 16, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200916203739/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/09/14/mario-nintendo-creators-miyamoto-koizumi-tezuka-motokura/ . live.
  16. Web site: NERD Develops the Nintendo GameCube Emulation Technology Used in Super Mario 3D All-Stars. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227160302/https://www.nerd.nintendo.com/2021/02/11/SuperMario3DAllStars.html. February 11, 2021. February 27, 2021. March 14, 2021. Nintendo European Research & Development.
  17. Web site: Romano . Sal . Rumor: Super Mario back catalog and several other Mario titles coming to Switch in 2020 [Update 2] ]. Gematsu . March 31, 2020 . March 30, 2020 . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160313/https://www.gematsu.com/2020/03/rumor-super-mario-back-catalog-and-several-other-mario-titles-coming-to-switch-in-2020 . live.
  18. Web site: Phillips . Tom . Sources: Nintendo Switch 2020 line-up dominated by Mario games old and new . . March 31, 2020 . March 30, 2020 . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160316/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-03-30-sources-nintendo-switch-2020-line-up-dominated-by-mario-games-old-and-new . live.
  19. Web site: Grubb . Jeff . Nintendo is making 3D Mario remasters for his 35th anniversary . . March 31, 2020 . March 30, 2020 . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160332/https://venturebeat.com/2020/03/30/nintendo-is-making-3d-mario-remasters-for-his-35th-anniversary/ . live.
  20. Web site: Robinson. Andy. March 30, 2020. Nintendo has big plans for Super Mario Bros.' 35th anniversary. March 31, 2020. Video Games Chronicle. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160339/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/super-mario-bros-35th-anniversary/. live.
  21. Web site: Robinson. Andy. March 31, 2020. More details emerge on Mario Switch remasters. March 31, 2020. Video Games Chronicle. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160329/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/more-details-emerge-on-mario-switch-remasters/. live.
  22. Web site: Nintendo bringing Super Mario 64, Sunshine, and Galaxy to Switch . Michael . McWhertor . September 3, 2020 . September 3, 2020 . . September 15, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160352/https://www.polygon.com/2020/9/3/21213766/super-mario-3d-all-stars-64-galaxy-sunshine-remakes-nintendo-switch-release-date . live.
  23. Web site: Doug Bowser on Nintendo's obsession with March 31, plus Joy-Con drift and the Switch Pro rumors . Russ . Frustick . December 17, 2020 . December 17, 2020 . . April 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210403160932/https://www.polygon.com/interviews/22170222/nintendo-doug-bowser-interview-switch-pro-joycon-drift-animal-crossing . live.
  24. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars Review (Switch). Chris Scullion. September 16, 2020. Nintendo Life. September 16, 2020. September 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200917021850/https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/nintendo-switch/super_mario_3d_all-stars. live.
  25. Web site: Review: Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Chris Carter. September 16, 2020. Destructoid. September 16, 2020. September 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200917021847/https://www.destructoid.com/stories/review-super-mario-3d-all-stars-602591.phtml. live.
  26. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars Review: A Bare Bones Wrapper Around Three Stone-cold classics. Donaldson . Alex . September 16, 2020. VG247. July 31, 2024. September 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200917021848/https://www.vg247.com/2020/09/16/super-mario-3d-all-stars-review/. live.
  27. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars: The Kotaku Review. Walker. Ian. Kotaku. September 16, 2020. September 16, 2020. September 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200917021847/https://kotaku.com/super-mario-3d-all-stars-the-kotaku-review-1845070139. live.
  28. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars Port Analysis. Ryan. Zachary. IGN. September 16, 2020. September 17, 2020. September 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200916235509/https://www.ign.com/articles/super-mario-3d-all-stars-port-analysis. live.
  29. Web site: It's Not Out Yet, But Super Mario 3D All-Stars Is Already 2020's Second Best-Selling Game On Amazon. Ryan Craddock. September 7, 2020. Nintendo Life. September 8, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160352/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/its_not_out_yet_but_super_mario_3d_all-stars_is_already_2020s_second_best-selling_game_on_amazon. live.
  30. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars Already Outsold All 2020 Game Sales on Amazon Except Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Aernout van de Velde. September 7, 2020. Wccftech. September 8, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160346/https://wccftech.com/super-mario-3d-all-stars-all-2020-game-sales-on-amazon/. live.
  31. Web site: Scalpers are selling preorders of Super Mario 3D All-Stars for up to £200. Vikki Blake. September 6, 2020. Eurogamer. September 8, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160352/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-06-scalpers-are-selling-preorders-of-super-mario-3d-all-stars-for-up-to-gbp200. live.
  32. News: Ammerman . Jonathan . Super Mario 3D All-Stars is Already Being Scalped on EBay . March 30, 2021 . Game Rant . March 25, 2021 . March 25, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210325201705/https://gamerant.com/super-mario-3d-all-stars-ebay-scalping/ . live.
  33. Web site: UK retailer cancels all Super Mario 3D All-Stars pre-orders, blames Nintendo's "woefully short" allocation. Wesley Yin-Poole. September 12, 2020. Eurogamer. September 14, 2020. September 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200915160346/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-09-12-uk-retailer-cancels-all-super-mario-3d-all-stars-pre-orders-blames-nintendos-woefully-short-allocation. live.
  34. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars beats Avengers to No.1 UK Charts. Marie Dealessandri. September 22, 2020. GamesIndustry.biz. September 23, 2020. September 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200923002624/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-09-22-super-mario-3d-all-stars-beats-avengers-to-no-1-uk-charts. live.
  35. News: Craddock . Ryan . Japanese Charts: Super Mario 3D All-Stars Goes Top With 210,000 Boxed Sales In Three Days . September 24, 2020 . Nintendo Life . September 24, 2020 . September 26, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200926042531/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/japanese_charts_super_mario_3d_all-stars_goes_top_with_210000_boxed_sales_in_three_days . live.
  36. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars becomes a fast sales hit for Nintendo. Minotti. Mike. October 16, 2020. VentureBeat. October 17, 2020. October 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201021014352/https://venturebeat.com/2020/10/16/super-mario-3d-all-stars-becomes-a-fast-sales-hit-for-nintendo/. live.
  37. Web site: NPD: Marvel's Avengers and Mario 3D All-Stars Top September's Best Sellers List. Olson. Mathew. October 16, 2020. USGamer. October 17, 2020. October 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201018073023/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/npd-marvels-avengers-and-mario-3d-all-stars-top-septembers-best-sellers-list. live.
  38. Web site: Super Mario 3D All-Stars dominates September, even without digital. Dring. Christopher. October 9, 2020. GamesIndustry.biz. October 17, 2020. October 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201012072536/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-10-09-super-mario-all-stars-dominates-september-even-without-digital-gsd-monthly-chart. live.
  39. Web site: Consolidated Financial Statements . . 3 . May 7, 2021 . May 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210506204034/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2021/210506e.pdf. live.
  40. News: Shaw . Luke . 'Super Mario 3D All-Stars' sales spike in its final week of availability . March 30, 2021 . NME . March 30, 2021 . March 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210330151421/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/super-mario-3d-all-stars-sales-spike-final-week-availability-2910878 . live.
  41. Book: 2022CESAゲーム白書 (2022 CESA Games White Papers) . . 2022 . 978-4-902346-45-9.

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