Get Started...
Android
iOS
Mac
Switch
Switch 2
PC
PS4
PS5
Xbox One
Xbox X|S
Please enter a valid email address
Please choose a platform
:
How does your child play this? Alone, with friends, with family? How did they discover it and what kept them coming back for more?
:
:
To verify your input please enter your email to create an account.
Email:
Play Overview
Super Mario 3D World (2013) (known as Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury on the Switch) is a platform game you can play with up to 4-players in the same place. While all Mario games are good for families, this cooperative and competitive play makes it great for families and friends to play together.
You work together to free the Sprixies from Bowser, who invaded Sprixie Kingdom. Or you can compete to earn the crown on each level. Either way, you are running, jumping, stomping and collecting your way around meticulously designed levels.
This interaction of the Mario formula adds new power-ups that include turning into a cat that can climb walls. Unlike other Mario games, you have a larger choice of either using Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach or Toad. They all have unique abilities for example Princess Peach glides over gaps, while Luigi has his trademark extra-high jump.
The player using the Wii U GamePad Controller can touch the screen to search for hidden blocks and freeze enemies, this adds another aspect to the multiplayer fun and is a good way for younger players (or perhaps novice parents and carers) to get involved. If any player is left too far behind they are rejoined to the action in a bubble.
On the Switch, the game comes with Bowser's Fury. Much more than simple bonus material, this is a game in its own right. You play a world in the style of Super Mario Odyssey. Here though, it's much more of an open world with environmental hazards that change over time.
Every so often, Bowser emerges like Godzilla from the ocean and starts attacking you with fireballs. This not only adds a novel hazard but grants access to special parts of the world only available during these night attacks.
It's an open-world challenge that offers a different way to enjoy the running, jumping and exploring of Mario. It's not four players like the Super Mario 3D World game, but you can get a second player to help you by knocking enemies out of the way.
Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Super Mario 3D World 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Andy Robertson and updated 2 weeks ago.
You work together to free the Sprixies from Bowser, who invaded Sprixie Kingdom. Or you can compete to earn the crown on each level. Either way, you are running, jumping, stomping and collecting your way around meticulously designed levels.
This interaction of the Mario formula adds new power-ups that include turning into a cat that can climb walls. Unlike other Mario games, you have a larger choice of either using Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach or Toad. They all have unique abilities for example Princess Peach glides over gaps, while Luigi has his trademark extra-high jump.
The player using the Wii U GamePad Controller can touch the screen to search for hidden blocks and freeze enemies, this adds another aspect to the multiplayer fun and is a good way for younger players (or perhaps novice parents and carers) to get involved. If any player is left too far behind they are rejoined to the action in a bubble.
On the Switch, the game comes with Bowser's Fury. Much more than simple bonus material, this is a game in its own right. You play a world in the style of Super Mario Odyssey. Here though, it's much more of an open world with environmental hazards that change over time.
Every so often, Bowser emerges like Godzilla from the ocean and starts attacking you with fireballs. This not only adds a novel hazard but grants access to special parts of the world only available during these night attacks.
It's an open-world challenge that offers a different way to enjoy the running, jumping and exploring of Mario. It's not four players like the Super Mario 3D World game, but you can get a second player to help you by knocking enemies out of the way.
Our examiner, Ben Kendall, first checked Super Mario 3D World 4 years ago. It was re-examined by Andy Robertson and updated 2 weeks ago.
There are lots of games similar to Super Mario 3D World. Here are some we picked for you:
Play Style
This is an Action and Platform game with Adventure, Collecting and Traversal elements. You can play with 1 to 4 players in the same room or as a 4-player online game. Players all play on the same screen with either Wii Remote Plus and Nunchuck Controller, Wii U Pro Controller or Wii U GamePad. The Wii U player is counted as one of the players, unlike in New Super Mario Bros. U where they could be a fifth player offering assistance.
On the Switch version of the game, you can play on the same system, in local cooperative mode and online cooperative mode with four players. To play local or online on different systems you each need your own copy of the game.
In the Bowsers Fury game, a second player can help as Bowser Jr. They drive a clown car and use a paintbrush to thwack enemies away. It works well with a novice play as the helper -- whether that's a child helping a parent or the other way around.
On the Switch version of the game, you can play on the same system, in local cooperative mode and online cooperative mode with four players. To play local or online on different systems you each need your own copy of the game.
In the Bowsers Fury game, a second player can help as Bowser Jr. They drive a clown car and use a paintbrush to thwack enemies away. It works well with a novice play as the helper -- whether that's a child helping a parent or the other way around.
You can play this game in the following styles:
Benefits
Age Ratings
Content Rating
Users Interact: The game enables players to interact and communicate with each other, so may expose players to language usually associated with older rated games.
Rated for younger players in the US. Rated ESRB EVERYONE for Mild Cartoon Violence. Players can hop on enemies' heads or use various power-ups (e.g., boomerang, fire flower, invincibility stars) to defeat them. Enemies generally crumble into pieces when jumped on, get momentarily stunned, or disappear amid puffs of smoke and scattered coins. A handful of sequences depict fireball attacks and players throwing giant spikes at boss characters.
Skill Level
7+ year-olds usually have the required skill to enjoy this game. Super young players can join in with the Wii U GamePad to touch the screen to find hidden blocks and freeze enemies. Those a little older can join in the action and get warped forward to the others if they die or get left behind. We heard from one family that their "5-year-old loves co-op mode on Super Mario 3D World and can hop into a bubble on any difficulty bits for me to solo".
Account Rating
- You need be 18-years-old to subscribe to Nintendo Online, but can then create accounts for children of any age to play online with Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2.
Costs
Super Mario 3D World usually costs £49.99.
You can only play this on older systems (Nintendo Wii U) but can usually find it second hand on eBay.
To unlock new characters ammibo figures can be placed on the Switch version of the game. They are sold separately.
On Switch 2, the Switch game gets free enhancements:
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
You can only play this on older systems (Nintendo Wii U) but can usually find it second hand on eBay.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
There are the following additional costs associated with this game:
-
You need a subscription to play online:
- You need to purchase a Nintendo Online subscription to play online with Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2.
To unlock new characters ammibo figures can be placed on the Switch version of the game. They are sold separately.
On Switch 2, the Switch game gets free enhancements:
- Visuals: optimised for the Nintendo Switch 2 display and high-resolution TVs for improved image quality.
- Frame rate: improved for smoother movement on Nintendo Switch 2 (including Bowser's Fury).
- GameShare: Up to four people can play Super Mario 3D World. In Bowser's Fury, two people can play together, with one player controlling Mario and the other controlling Bowser Jr. Share locally or share online via GameChat.
It's important to set up your accounts and devices appropriately. More information is on our Financial Resources page.
Game Details
Release Date: 21/11/2013, updated in 2021
Out Now: Switch, Switch 2 and Wii U
Skill Rating: 7+ year-olds
Players: 1-4 (4 online)
Genres: Action, Platform (Adventure, Collecting and Traversal)
Accessibility: 0 features documented (Tweet Developer )
Components: 3D Third-Person and Cartoon
 |
Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships. |
© 2025 Family Gaming Database