Honestly, the whole situation surrounding Super Mario 3D All-Stars was just bizarre from the jump. You remember the "limited release" drama, right? Nintendo basically told everyone that after March 31, 2021, the game would just… disappear from digital shelves. It felt like a fever dream. People were panic-buying physical copies like they were gold bars, and scalpers had an absolute field day on eBay. But if we look past the FOMO-driven marketing, we’re left with a collection that is, frankly, one of the most important pieces of software on the Nintendo Switch. It’s not just a cash grab. It’s a playable museum of how 3D platforming actually evolved.
What You’re Actually Getting (And What You’re Not)
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. Super Mario 3D All-Stars bundles three massive pillars of gaming history: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. It’s a weirdly specific selection. Why skip Galaxy 2? Nobody really knows. Nintendo hasn't ever given a straight answer on that one, and it remains one of the biggest "what-ifs" for fans of the series.
The ports themselves aren't full-blown remakes. Don't go in expecting Resident Evil 4 levels of reimagining. These are emulated versions of the originals with some vital quality-of-life bumps. You get higher resolutions, which makes Galaxy look breathtaking even today, and Sunshine finally got the 16:9 widescreen treatment it deserved back on the GameCube but never received. Mario 64, however, stays in its original 4:3 aspect ratio. It looks crisp, sure, but it’s still very much a game from 1996.
The Mario 64 Experience: Clunky or Classic?
Playing Super Mario 64 in the 2020s is a trip. If you grew up with it, the muscle memory kicks in instantly. If you’re a younger player coming from Odyssey, it might feel like fighting a losing battle with the camera. The "Lakitu" camera system was revolutionary for its time, but by modern standards, it’s a bit of a nightmare. It gets stuck behind walls. It twitches. It refuses to turn when you need it most.
Yet, the movement is still peerless. There’s a weight and momentum to Mario that few games have ever replicated. When you nail a triple jump into a wall kick to reach a high ledge in Cool, Cool Mountain, it feels incredible. The Super Mario 3D All-Stars version uses the "Shindou" edition of the game. This means some of the glitches speedrunners love are gone, and Mario actually says "Bye-bye!" instead of the legendary "So long, King Bowser!" when throwing the big turtle. It’s a small detail, but for some fans, it was a weirdly controversial change.
Sunshine is Still the Black Sheep
Super Mario Sunshine is the weird kid in the family. It’s sunny, it’s tropical, and it’s surprisingly difficult. Using FLUDD—the water backpack—adds a layer of complexity to the platforming that doesn't exist in any other Mario title. It’s also the game that benefited the most from the All-Stars treatment.
The original GameCube version suffered from some framerate chugging, but it’s much more stable here. The colors on Isle Delfino pop in a way they didn't on old CRT TVs. However, the game’s flaws are still there. The Blue Coin hunt is still tedious. The "pachinko" level is still a buggy mess of physics. But there’s a charm to it that’s undeniable. It’s ambitious and strange. It’s the only game where you’ll find yourself scrubbing graffiti off a giant mechanical Bowser in a roller coaster park. It’s also the first time we saw Bowser Jr., a character who has become a staple of the franchise ever since.
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Galaxy is the Star of the Show
If you bought Super Mario 3D All-Stars just for Super Mario Galaxy, you probably feel like you got your money’s worth. Even without the second game in the duology, the first Galaxy is a masterpiece. It’s one of the few games that feels like it has a soul. The orchestral soundtrack is sweeping and grand, and the gravity-shifting mechanics still feel like magic.
The biggest hurdle for Nintendo was the controls. The original game was built entirely around the Wii Remote’s pointer. On the Switch, they solved this in a few ways. In handheld mode, you can use the touchscreen to collect Star Bits. In docked mode, you use the gyro sensors in the Joy-Cons or the Pro Controller. It’s not perfect—sometimes you have to hit the "recenter" button more than you’d like—but it’s a surprisingly elegant solution for a game that was never meant to be played with a standard controller.
Why the Discontinued Status Matters Now
Nintendo’s decision to pull the game from the eShop in 2021 was a masterclass in artificial scarcity. It worked. Millions of copies sold in the final weeks. But what does that mean for you today?
Essentially, it turned Super Mario 3D All-Stars into a collector's item. If you didn't buy it digitally before the cutoff, your only options are finding a physical copy at a retailer that still has backstock (getting rarer by the day) or hitting the used market. Interestingly, Nintendo didn't "brick" the game. If you bought it digitally, you can still redownload it. The patches—like the one that added GameCube controller support for Sunshine—are still available.
This "vaulting" strategy is something Disney used for decades with their VHS and Blu-ray releases. By making it available for only a short window, Nintendo ensured that everyone who even vaguely wanted it bought it immediately. It’s a polarizing business move. On one hand, it drives sales. On the other, it’s a massive headache for preservationists and new Switch owners who just want to play some Mario.
Technical Nuances Most People Miss
There’s been a lot of talk about whether these are "just emulators." Technically, yes. But they are highly customized emulators. Nintendo built specific "Hinu" and "Nerve" engines to handle the Wii and GameCube code on the Switch's Tegra X1 chip.
This led to some interesting technical quirks:
- Super Mario 64 runs at 720p in both docked and handheld modes.
- Super Mario Sunshine runs at 1080p docked and 720p handheld, a huge jump from the original 480p.
- Super Mario Galaxy hits a crisp 1080p, and the textures look surprisingly modern.
The texture filtering is also vastly improved. In the original versions, textures would get blurry as they moved away from the camera. In the All-Stars version, everything stays much sharper. It’s subtle, but if you look at the grass in Galaxy or the brickwork in Mario 64, the difference is obvious.
The Cultural Legacy of the Collection
Super Mario 3D All-Stars arrived at a time when we all needed a bit of nostalgia. It was the 35th anniversary of the franchise, and the world was still grappling with the effects of the pandemic. Landing back in Peach’s Castle or hearing the music of Gusty Garden Galaxy felt like coming home.
Critics often point out that Nintendo could have done more. They could have added concept art galleries (though there is a music player with over 170 tracks). They could have updated the models. They could have included Super Mario Galaxy 2. These are all valid points. But as a package, it’s hard to argue with the quality of the games themselves. These aren't just good platformers; they are the blueprints for the entire genre.
Actionable Steps for Potential Players
If you’re looking to get your hands on a copy or make the most of the one you have, here is what you need to do.
First, check local listings. Because so many copies were produced, the "rarity" isn't as extreme as some people feared. You can often find used copies at local game shops or on platforms like Mercari for roughly the original MSRP ($60). Avoid paying the $100+ prices you see on some "collectors" sites; they are usually overcharging.
Second, if you’re playing Super Mario Sunshine, get a GameCube controller adapter. A post-launch update for Super Mario 3D All-Stars added support for the original controller. The game was designed for those analog triggers, and playing it with the Switch’s digital buttons feels slightly "off." The GameCube controller makes the pressure-sensitive water spraying feel natural again.
Third, use the music player. It’s one of the best "hidden" features of the collection. You can turn off the screen and just use your Switch as a giant MP3 player for some of the best compositions in gaming history. The Galaxy soundtrack alone is worth a dedicated listen through good headphones.
Finally, don't rush through them. These games were released years apart. Jumping straight from the stiff movements of 64 to the fluid, gravity-defying leaps of Galaxy can be jarring. Give each game room to breathe. Appreciate the evolution. See how Nintendo learned to handle a 3D camera over the course of fifteen years. It’s a masterclass in game design, even with the rough edges.