Super Mario 3D World – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Super Mario 3D World

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

game2013

90%

WISE Score

84%

IGDB

Four-player Mario mayhem with cat suits—pure, joyful chaos that actually works for families with young kids.

Super Mario 3D World

game

2013

90%

WISE Score

84%

IGDB

Four-player Mario mayhem with cat suits—pure, joyful chaos that actually works for families with young kids.

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Where to Play

Nintendo

Screenwise Verdict

This is Mario at his cooperative best. The four-player simultaneous gameplay actually works—no small feat—and parents confirm that preschoolers through elementary kids can all play together without constant meltdowns.

The level design is clever, the cat power-up is charming, and there's zero predatory monetization. It's just a well-crafted platformer that respects your time and your wallet.

The catch: this is the 2013 Wii U version, which means you need outdated hardware to play it. The game itself holds up beautifully, but the platform doesn't. If you already own a Wii U, this is a must-have. If not, skip to the Switch version (Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury) instead—same great game, modern hardware, plus bonus content.

For what it is, it's excellent. But in 2025, recommending the Wii U version feels like suggesting someone buy a VCR to watch a great movie.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-12, though the Wii U hardware dates it. Kids as young as 3 can participate with help, and adults genuinely enjoy it too. The Switch remaster (2021) is the version most families should actually get.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Cheerful, cooperative multiplayer that genuinely brings families together. Parent reviews confirm 3-8 year-olds playing together successfully. Characters work toward shared goals without aggression or mean-spirited competition. The cat theme is adorable without being cloying. Pacing is brisk but not frantic—levels have time limits but they're generous. When you run out of lives, characters look sad, which might bother very sensitive kids, but it's mild.

Imaginative

Each level feels distinct with creative mechanics—climbing walls as a cat, blowing into the mic to reveal secrets, tapping blocks on the GamePad. The 3D level design inspired by 2D conventions is clever, and the variety of power-ups encourages experimentation. Not a creative sandbox like Minecraft, but it invites exploration and rewards curiosity with hidden items and alternate paths. The cat power-up alone is wonderfully inventive.

Safe

ESRB rated E for Everyone with Mild Cartoon Violence. No in-game purchases, no loot boxes, no online chat. Users can interact in local multiplayer only. The 'violence' is classic Mario—jumping on enemies, cartoon fire, ghosts—nothing remotely disturbing. No surprises, no toxicity, no privacy concerns. This is as safe as games get. The only dock: running out of lives shows sad characters, which IMDb notes might upset younger players, but that's reaching.

Enriching

Solid platforming skills: timing, spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, hand-eye coordination. Character selection teaches trade-offs (each has unique abilities). Multiplayer requires cooperation and turn-taking. Problem-solving to find hidden items and navigate levels. But it's primarily entertainment—there's no narrative depth, no ethical dilemmas, no real-world application. It's fun and builds gaming literacy, but it won't spark conversations about the human condition.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuine family fun: parents report 3-year-olds playing alongside 8-year-olds successfully
Each character plays differently, so kids can pick their style (Luigi jumps higher, Peach floats, Toad runs faster)
Creative level design means every world feels fresh—not just palette swaps
Zero monetization nonsense: no ads, no in-app purchases, no 'wait 24 hours or pay' mechanics
The cat power-up is legitimately delightful and adds climbing/exploration dimensions

⚠

What to Watch For

Requires a Wii U, which is increasingly obsolete (the Switch version from 2021 is the better bet now)
Multiplayer can get chaotic with four players—younger kids might accidentally bump each other off platforms
Some later levels get genuinely challenging; younger kids may need help or feel frustrated

Conversation Starters

"Which character did you pick and why? What makes them special?"
"What was the trickiest part of that level? How did you figure it out?"
"When we're playing together, how can we help each other instead of getting in each other's way?"
"If you could design a Mario level, what would it look like? What power-ups would you include?"

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