Super Mario Bros. 3
About the Game
3 is a single-player and multiplayer side-scrolling platform game. The story centers on Mario and Luigi as they travel through the Mushroom World after Bowser and his seven children, the Koopalings, steal magical wands from the kings of each realm. The Koopalings use the wands to transform the kings into animals, while Princess Peach is once again kidnapped and held hostage. The brothers must restore the kings to their true forms, reclaim the wands, and ultimately confront Bowser to rescue the princess.
Gameplay & Core Systems
The gameplay expands on the foundations of the earlier Super Mario Bros. titles but expands them significantly with larger levels, greater variety, and new mechanics. Players progress across themed worlds, each composed of multiple stages connected by a world map. Levels feature the classic platforming formula of running, jumping, and stomping on enemies, combined with obstacles such as pipes, moving platforms, and environmental hazards. Power-ups are a major part of the design, combining returning items such as the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower with new additions that introduce more diverse abilities. The Super Leaf transforms Mario into Raccoon Mario, allowing him to attack with his tail and briefly fly after gaining running speed.
Standout Features
- Other suits include the Frog Suit for enhanced swimming, the Tanooki Suit for flying and temporary stone transformations, and the Hammer Suit, which allows throwing hammers similar to those of the Hammer Bros.
- With two players, players alternate control between Mario and Luigi on the world map, with the opportunity to compete in bonus games inspired by the original Mario Bros. arcade title.
- These settings not only alter the appearance of stages but also introduce unique hazards and level designs, ensuring variety across the eight main worlds.
- The game also contains numerous secrets and hidden paths, encouraging exploration and experimentation.
- Warp Whistle: The Starman returns, granting invincibility for a short period, while the rare Warp Whistle lets players skip ahead to later worlds.
- Boom Boom: Progression revolves around clearing standard platform stages, fortress mini-castles guarded by Boom Boom, airship stages where the Koopalings are fought, and Bowser’s stronghold.
- Mushroom World: Every world in the Mushroom World has its own theme, such as grasslands, deserts, water stages, giant-sized enemies, icy landscapes, and even sky and pipe-based environments.
Modes & Ways to Play
Player support includes 1-2 Players.
More game data: releases, identifiers & technical details
Regional release records and identifiers for Super Mario Bros. 3 | NES | Nintendo Entertainment System.
Release and technical facts
| Fact | Value | Release / platform | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published by | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Japan | MobyGames |
| Developed by | Nintendo R&D2 | Japan | MobyGames |
| Published by | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | United States, Canada | MobyGames |
| Developed by | Nintendo R&D2 | United States, Canada | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Nintendo of America Inc. | United States, Canada | MobyGames |
| Package Design by | Tim Girvin Design, Inc. | United States, Canada | MobyGames |
| Published by | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Canada | MobyGames |
| Developed by | Nintendo R&D2 | Canada | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Nintendo of America Inc. | Canada | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Mattel Canada Inc. | Canada | MobyGames |
| Published by | Nintendo Co., Ltd. | Italy | MobyGames |
| Developed by | Nintendo R&D2 | Italy | MobyGames |
| Distributed by | Linea GIG S.p.A. | Italy | MobyGames |
| Media Type | Cartridge | NES | MobyGames |
| Number of Players Supported | 1-2 Players | NES | MobyGames |
| Original game disc count | 1 | North America | MobyGames |
| Genre | Platformer | North America | PriceCharting |
| Developer | Nintendo R&D2 | North America | PriceCharting |
| ESRB rating | Everyone | North America | PriceCharting |
| Model number | #NES-UM-USA,NES-UM-USA-1 | North America | PriceCharting |
| Player count | 1-2 players | North America | PriceCharting |
| Publisher | Nintendo | North America | PriceCharting |
| Developer | Nintendo | PAL | PriceCharting |
| Genre | Platformer | PAL | PriceCharting |
| Player count | 1 player | PAL | PriceCharting |
| Publisher | Nintendo | PAL | PriceCharting |
Regional releases
| Release date | Region / edition | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1988-10-23 | Japan | MobyGames |
| 1990-02 | United States, Canada | MobyGames |
| 1990-02-12 | Canada | MobyGames |
| 1991 | Italy | MobyGames |
| 1990-02-12 | North America | PriceCharting |
| 1991-08-29 | PAL | PriceCharting |
| February 12, 1990 | North America | PriceCharting |
| August 29, 1991 | PAL | PriceCharting |
Catalog identifiers by release
| Identifier | Code | Region / edition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| EAN-13 | 4902370500806 | Japan | MobyGames |
| Nintendo Media PN | HVC-UM-JPN | Japan | MobyGames |
| Company Code | HVC-UM | Japan | MobyGames |
| eBay Product ID | 229096830 | Japan | MobyGames |
| UPC-A | 045496630584 | United States, Canada | MobyGames |
| Nintendo Media PN | NES-UM-USA-1 | United States, Canada | MobyGames |
| eBay Product ID | 5803 | United States, Canada | MobyGames |
| ASIN | B00004SVV9 | United States, Canada | MobyGames |
| Nintendo Media PN | NES-UM-CAN | Canada | MobyGames |
| UPC-A | 074299063510 | Canada | MobyGames |
| UPC-A | 074299087189 | Italy | MobyGames |
| Nintendo Media PN | NES-UM-ITA-1 | Italy | MobyGames |
| eBay Product ID | 22046170852 | Italy | MobyGames |
| upc | 074299063510 | North America | PriceCharting |
| asin | B00004SVV9 | North America | PriceCharting |
| epid | 5803 | North America | PriceCharting |
| model | #NES-UM-USA | North America | PriceCharting |
| model | NES-UM-USA-1 | North America | PriceCharting |
| epid | 219511914 | PAL | PriceCharting |
| epid | 219511914 | PAL | PriceCharting |
Data by MobyGames.com · Catalog data: PriceCharting
