Super Mario 3D Land

GAME OF THE WEEK:3 cert, Nintendo, Nintendo 3DS ****

I have to confess, I'm a bit of a Mario purist. Sure, the 3D worlds are fun. The Super Mario Galaxyseries, for example, is great. But at the heart of it, I prefer Mario – particularly on hand-helds – to be as he was in the Game Boy days: a side-scrolling 2D game that I can work my way through, collecting coins and mushrooms, and jumping on some Goombas.

However, Super Mario 3D Landmight be the game that changes my mind. It's got all the fun of the regular Mario games, but with a 3D element that works well when you team it with the hardware capabilities of the 3DS.

You still run around collecting coins and destroying blocks, but in a 3D world that feels natural. Try playing the game without the 3D-enabled and at times you’ll find it almost impossible. It also brings controls such as the built-in gyroscope into play.

The latest addition to the series also brings a few new weapons and enemies. My favourite? The new Boomerang power-up. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. You get an endless supply of boomerangs, which come in handy if you’re trying to take out a particularly tricky enemy. You’ll also get propeller blocks to help you reach high places, and Tanooki Mario also makes a return.

On the downside, you’ll have to deal with Goombas with tails and a particularly nasty strain of Piranha Plant that spit ink. If things get too difficult for you, you can skip sections, though that also takes away the sense of satisfaction when you finally beat them.

If you're a seasoned Mario player, Super Mario 3D Landmight seem a little simple at first. But play through all the worlds and you'll get the chance to play on a further eight and ramp up the difficulty. A great addition to a much-loved classic series.