Are you looking for a joke about how Nintendo skipped so many Super Mario games and arrived at the thirty fifth entry? Well, I haven't got one for you, sorry. That is a horse I'm gonna let rest in peace.
I wanted to talk about Super Mario Bros. 35 sooner. Like, right after I played it on October 1st. But, I thought it might be a good idea to get to let it stew for a bit. You know, get a few games under my belt. It has been exactly one week since Super Mario Bros. 35 landed as a Nintendo Switch Online exclusive title. I've got some pretty embarrassing defeats, six victories and a really cool Hammer as my icon. TLDR; Super Mario Bros. 35 rocks socks.
If you haven't heard, SMB35 is a battle royal game that pits you against 34 other players. The objective is not to speed run levels but instead to defeat enemies and send them to other players. Think of enemies as garbage blocks, a la Tetris. Anyone that has played Tetris 99 will have an idea how SMB35 operates. You can target players that have a lot of coins, players that are low on time, players that are targeting you, or just some random player. Collecting coins is important because it gives you access to your item box. For a cool 20 coins you can use the "?" roulette to tip the scales in your favor. Sometimes you won't have access to a "?" Block and you'll be up against a couple of Bowsers. Spend some coins in hopes of getting a Super Star or a Fire Flower to get rid of them.
So, grab coins and kill enemies. Simple, right? Well, yes and no. Killing enemies will win you back precious time, which is vital, but depending on which you have more of, it is usually a good idea to chase after what you have less of. If you have plenty of time to spare you should seek out coins. Being overwhelmed by enemies without power-ups is not a position you want to find yourself in. Coins can be saved up so you can use your item "?" roulette as many times as you need, so long as you have a hefty supply of coinage. Managing both time and coins is key but is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to doing well in SMB35.
Knowing the levels of SMB35 is another big part of achieving victory. Anyone that is familiar with SMB will have tremendous advantage over someone that doesn't. Knowledge of hidden 1-up blocks and the level layouts are some of the best weapons at your disposal. You can breeze through 1-1 and farm for time, sure. But going to 3-1 will give you the chance to send Hammer Bros. to your opponents and those suckers are the most aggressive they have ever been in any Mario game. The risk from going to later stages can pay off. Likewise, a trip to 4-1 will let you rain down Lakitus on other players. Depending on what stages other players are in, dealing with the likes of Hammer Bros. Bowser, Lakitu and even Cheep-Cheeps can be quite difficult. Can you imagine having to face a bunch of Bowsers in some of those narrow passages of 1-4? How about having an armada of Lakitus in 3-3 chase after you, raining down Spiny after Spiny? Yes, SMB35 can get so crazy with the amount of enemies that can be on screen at one time, so much that you will never complain about enemy spam in Super Mario Maker 2 ever again.
As chaotic as SMB35 can get the game is at it's best when you're on the edge of your seat, fighting it out with really adept players, sending enemies back and forth. I've had battles with players that seem to go on and on until either I or they make a mistake and the match gets decided. Much as I like Tetris 99, I can get down with SMB35 more. The skill requirement to take first isn't anywhere near as high.
My biggest issue with the game has more to do with Nintendo's wacky decision making. Why, oh why is this game only playable until April 1, 2021? Super Mario Bros. 35 is so much fun that it is criminal to only let us revel in it for six measly months. Nintendo stays making those dumb choices. Not only should this game be a permanent addition for Nintendo Switch Online members, I'd love to see other Super Mario Bros. games done in this style. Just think of Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, or New Super Mario Bros. U with 35 players. *Sigh* I plan to enjoy Super Mario Bros. 35 while it lasts. I recommend you do the same.
All screens by Nintendo
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