Review Information
Game Reviewed Normal Super Mario Bros. 3, by gamester
Review Author Thunder Dragon
Created Mar 22 2010, 1:49 AM

General Commentary and Game Overview
Ah, “Normal Super Mario Brothers” – as of late, you could consider this my most favorite fangame series. For those of you not in the know, this is a series of mini-games that, as advertised, are “pixel-perfect replications” of the first levels from each NES installment of the Super Mario Bros. series that are… erm… “perfectly normal” and “nothing out of the ordinary.” And thankfully, this blatantly false advertising couldn’t be more wrong! It all starts when you… “touch fuzzy,” so to speak, and all spirals into a whirlwind of pure imagination and… let’s just say, fuzz. Lots and lots of fuzz. Let us not spoil anything else, shall we?
 
Pros +Very well crafted, and, above all, imaginative.
+Levels flow together seamlessly, adding to the pure, fuzzy immersion.
+Seriously, try playing this without cracking a smile.
 
Cons -Alas, your fuzzy high will be at an end after a mere five levels. That said, with the game being the way it is, can we truly fault it for its length?
-As far as I know, the collectibles do nothing.
-I can’t say I care too much for the Doomship level.
 
Impressions
Gameplay
9 / 10
I suppose one could say the most “normal” aspect of the game is the actual gameplay. It’s Mario. What else can you expect? Control is smooth and flawless, and generally well done – I don’t know about you, but I don’t play games for these so-called “smooth engines.” But thankfully, some variety is thrown into the mix to tone down the sheer normal-ness and up with the fuzz. You play as Luigi, and four out of the five levels see him donning a new powerup – each one inspired by a completely unrelated game – and thus, the powerup becomes the focus of the level. Normal Super Mario Bros. 3 could have easily been just another clone under a fuzzy coat of paint, but what we have here is a truly well made mini-game.
 
Graphics
10 / 10
Aaah, the real charm of this utterly “normal” series is the experience of seeing your favorite Mario characters on a “fuzz trip” as they frolic about through once-familiar areas of old. I won’t waste words describing it, and no screenshot could possibly do it any justice – experience the fuzziness for yourself!
 
Sound
7 / 10
It’s Super Mario Bros. 3… on fuzzy. The music, taken straight from the source material, has received some minor alterations to mesh well with the experience. Nothing too outrageous or different, in fact it’s actually pretty “normal”… for the most part. However, some sounds can become pretty grating during the Doomship stage, so beware.
 
Replay
7 / 10
You’ve got five levels that mesh together as one – they’re all pretty well designed (Doomship is sketchy in my eyes), however, short. While they’re over about as soon as you enter them, it would seem, I feel it ultimately works out this way. There is also a random collectible hidden in each one, which potentially adds replay value – it’s just too bad there’s no reward for the effort. Nonetheless, the game succeeds in what it set out to do – provide a quick, entertaining diversion for the ever-so-bored user.
 
Final Words
8 / 10
Pure, fuzzy bliss – If only more fangames were to exude this level of sheer imagination and innovation. And fuzz.

Comments
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Ryan Silberman
Mar 25 2010, 11:49 PM
If you like it for its imagination so much why not rate it higher than 8/10?
 
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Lord Hyper
May 31 2010, 11:45 PM
Don't question him. He's the "leader". >_>
 
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