SuperPhillip Central Best of 2021 Awards - Top Five Multiplayer Games

Multiplayer games can bring us together, even when we're doing some good-natured trash-talking or ribbing of our friends and family members. This next award on the SuperPhillip Central Best of 2021 Awards is all about this very subject: multiplayer games. Whether featuring competition or focusing on cooperation, these five games were some of the best multiplayer experiences in 2021.

5) Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (NSW)

We kick off this countdown of magnificent multiplayer experiences with some Mario, specifically the Super Mario 3D World portion of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. Like the Wii U game, when you get more than one person in the game to run and jump around the colorful and hazard-filled courses of the game, you're in for an absolute treat. Now, with the Nintendo Switch port of the game, players don't have to limit themselves to purely an offline multiplayer experience. No, now the multiplayer mayhem can happen online, too, with up to four players. When the connection works well, it's a wonderfully fun and chaotic game, and it created some of my most cherished multiplayer moments this year.

4) Monster Hunter Rise (NSW)

Imagine, if you will, staring down the face of a behemoth Royal Ludroth, or worse an electrifying and all too terrifying Zenogre. A scary prospect when you're all alone, but unite up with three other hunters and it's an absolute blast. That's what Monster Hunter Rise bestowed onto Nintendo Switch owners earlier this year, offering some of the most mechanically sound, enjoyable multiplayer hunts in Monster Hunter series history. Part of that is due to the wirebug attachment that allowed players to shoot through the air, zooming past monster defenses and unleashing heavy damage onto them. Battles could already get heated in Monster Hunter games, but never as hot as it was in Monster Hunter Rise. Whether playing with friends or teaming up with total strangers/randoms, Monster Hunter Rise was always a good time to get a feel for the thrill of the hunt.

3) It Takes Two (Multi)

The idea of a co-op only game sort of totally falls apart if the multiplayer isn't up to snuff. Thankfully for It Takes Two, the co-op multiplayer featured here, whether done locally or online, was incorporated wonderfully to create one of gaming's most unique and enjoyable multiplayer experiences of 2021--if not ever. Two players teamed up together, supporting one another, working mostly asymmetrically with different tools and equipment to help each other through the game's wondrous worlds. New ideas popped up constantly, and better yet, they were consistently polished well. Playing It Takes Two with my older brother locally made for some of the best times the two of us have had sharing a game together in a looong while, and for that, I will very much appreciate the game. That's on top of what I already appreciated It Takes Two for: simply being an exquisite co-op based adventure.

2) Halo Infinite (XBS, XB1, PC)

Halo multiplayer is seldom a bad time, and Halo Infinite brought the series' marvelous multiplayer, its deathmatches, and its team skirmishes to an entirely new level. Whether playing online in custom-made matches or ranked play, players could compete in the ridiculously enjoyable first-person firefights that have made Halo a cornerstone in the FPS genre and as a multiplayer shooter. The ability to zip around the battlefields with the new Grappleshot (as used by Master Chief in the also-excellent campaign) opened up a whole new layer of mobility and strategy to matches. Couple all this with the ability to play offline against bots (THANK YOU, 343 Industries!), and you have one stellar multiplayer showcase for the Xbox brand. But, perhaps that's to be expected from Halo as a series after 20 years.

1) Mario Party Superstars (NSW)

Nintendo finally did it. It developed and published a Mario Party game that not only returned the series to its roots but managed to surpass past efforts in many ways. First and foremost: online play that actually works and was fully featured! It made the past hassles of poor connections, disconnections, lag, and connection errors seem like a distant memory. The ability to quit a match mid-game and return to it later whilst online was a fantastic and most welcome addition, stickers--how ever spam-able--were cute inclusions, and being able to have the CPU join in when a human player disconnects was also wonderfully added. Throw in the five boards from Mario Party 1-3 and the 100 mini-games from Mario Party 1-10, and you have one positively stellar party package with Mario Party Superstars. The amount of fun I had this year playing with offline and especially online friends (some of whom I met just this year and have grown close with) will be something I will always cherish, putting Superstars at the top of this list of Top Five Multiplayer Games in 2021.

The Tuesday 10s - Co-Op Multiplayer Games

After coming off one of the most satisfying co-op gaming experiences in recent years with It Takes Two (you can read more about the fun times that were had with the game with the SPC review), it only makes sense to follow that up with a special edition of The Tuesday 10s that focuses on ten of the better co-op games around. We'll be diving and delving into a lot of modern games, for sure, but there will be a couple classics tossed into this list as well. So, sit back, get comfortable, perhaps even get a buddy to read this article with you (as that would be rather fitting), and get ready for this latest installment of The Tuesday 10s!

It Takes Two (Multi)

What better way to start this edition of The Tuesday 10s than with the game that inspired it? It Takes Two is a 3D platformer with a whole heck of a lot of variety. So many of the ideas--and there are an immense number of them--could be crafted into their own game, but instead, the folks at Hazelight Studios took each idea, used them sparingly, and moved onto the next to keep the experience really fresh. The kicker here is that each idea and mechanic is lovingly and fully realized, so there's nothing that feels off, despite the myriad mechanics introduced throughout this 10-15 hour co-operative adventure full of puzzles, platforming, and other peril.

Monster Hunter Rise (NSW)

Really, any Monster Hunter with online could be included in this list of fantastic co-operative games, but seeing as Monster Hunter Rise is not only the most recent release in the franchise, but also the most accessible, it seemed like a smart pick. Battling behemoth beasts and colossal creatures with friends and other players online is seldom a bad time, and considering the wide amount of added mobility and ways to take down these titular monsters within Rise, it's pretty much always an exciting and excellent time! Team up with a pack of hunters to tackle the most ferocious monsters seen in a Monster Hunter game, work together to take them down, and to the victor goes the spoils of carved monster pieces to craft even better equipment. It's a gameplay loop that has worked for a decade now, and it's made even better and more fun with friends.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (NSW)

If taking down hulking monstrosities isn't your cup of tea and you'd prefer a more laidback gameplay experience with your pals, then may I suggest Animal Crossing: New Horizons? It was pretty much THE game that helped many of us get through the jerk of a year that was 2020, and it continues to give players around the world pleasure and joy. Meet up with friends and explore your island homes-away-from-home together, interact with one another, chat with the locals, fish and catch bugs together, and perform all sorts of other enjoyable activities together. Animal Crossing: New Horizons brought with it hundreds of hours of entertainment all yearlong for this particular writer, and no doubt my total playtime is on the low end compared to the more... let's say... dedicated player base out there!

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (NSW)

Get ready for a whole mess of Mario with FOUR games featuring the mustachioed mascot of Nintendo! We begin with the most recent game to release starring the portly plumber: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. The original 3D World released on the Wii U, and this Nintendo Switch port introduces faster gameplay to 3D World, online play (a lovely addition that works more than it fails), and a brand-new adventure with Bowser's Fury. Playing 3D World online or even locally with friends and family alike has been some of my most cherished gaming memories. Sure, we might hinder more than we help one another at times, but that's all part of the platforming fun. Super Mario 3D World remains one of the better 3D outings featuring Mario and company, and it's an excellent game that is made even better on the Nintendo Switch.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (NSW)

We move from 3D to 2D with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe, a dual package of platforming adventures. There is the original New Super Mario Bros. U, which served as a launch title for the Wii U, and then there's the additional DLC adventure, New Super Luigi U, featuring bite-sized, much more difficult levels to play through. I talked about hindering more than helping other players with Super Mario 3D World, and yes, as you can imagine, that's the case as well with New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. And yet again, that's simply part of the fun as well. Laughing at one another when Mario and Luigi are over a pit, and Mario accidentally leaps off Luigi's noggin, thus resulting in the lean green plumber plummeting to his death, will never not be funny. Yes, I am a sadist at times in my gaming exploits. Regardless, two of the better 2D platformers within the Mario series in one package, and a great co-operative game to boot? That's just super!

Luigi's Mansion 3 (NSW)

We return to the 3D realm of gaming with the third game in the Luigi's Mansion franchise, and dare I say the best entry yet: Luigi's Mansion 3. What makes this optional co-operative mode with Luigi's haunted adventure so terrific is that while one player can control Luigi, the second can control Gooigi. This second player not only can help Luigi through puzzles which require two players, but Gooigi's great for beginner or lesser skilled players, as Gooigi has unlimited lives and can walk through most dangers unscathed. In the standard solo adventure, the player controls both Luigi and Gooigi, which can sometimes feel like trying to rub one's stomach while patting one's head (don't brag to me if you can do that easily, by the way). At any rate, Luigi's Mansion 3 offers lots of co-operative fun for both beginners and veterans of gaming alike to enjoy themselves and help one another out.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (GCN)

Let's take a trip back into the past by almost two decades with some Mario Kart: Double Dash. This Nintendo GameCube entry in the Mario Kart franchise is one of the most creative and innovative in both the series and the kart racing genre as well. Two players ride along the same kart: one player drives and the other fires off items. The two can--with the proper communication--switch positions mid-race to change racing duties. This is often necessary to succeed in a given race and cross that coveted finish line in first place. This is a co-operative kart racer that demands cooperation, communication, and patience with one another, or else you'll find yourselves careening off course, getting gob-smacked by the competition, and winding up in the back of the pack and low on the leaderboards. It was a terrific one-off installment of the Mario Kart series, but I know I can't be alone in wishing that this dual kart mechanic would return in a future installment, right?

Rayman Legends (Multi)

Moving on from Mario to a lesser beloved and appreciated platforming hero, we have Rayman's most recent platforming adventure: Rayman Legends. Play with up to three other players in some ingeniously crafted levels, some of which return from Rayman Origins with brand-new secrets and window dressing inside them. The stars of the level show happen to be the Murfy levels, where one player controls the flying little wonder as he manipulates level obstacles and platforms to help the other players through these hazard-filled gauntlets safely. Like any co-operative game worth its weight in Lums, teamwork, communication, and patience are required to survive. Outside of the Murfy levels is some of the most creative and enjoyable designs seen in a 2D platformer, from the lovely music levels to the entertaining bosses. Case in point: Rayman Legends is an excellent platformer whether you're playing with a full group, another partner, or simply by your lonesome.

Overcooked 2 (Multi)

Co-operative cooking action! No, this isn't a Hideo Kojima game, it's Overcooked 2! Players and prospective cooks alike team up together in kitchens of all shapes, sizes, and gimmicks to cook and serve multiple menus of delicious goodies. Simple enough in theory, but much, much more difficult in execution. When you have obstacles in your way, kitchens that shift and split up as you try to move around them, and of course having to delineate tasks between your co-operative partners, things get mighty tense mighty quickly. It's almost as intense as trying to run a restaurant's kitchen in real life! Almost, of course! With dozens upon dozens of levels to perfect for great scores, progressively more challenging menus to construct, and plenty of teamwork to be found, Overcooked 2 is one rowdy co-op cooking experience!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time (SNES, ARC)

The oldest game on this list, but by no means one of the only retro co-operative games available for players to enjoy (no, no, that's FAR from the case), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time stormed arcades before releasing on the Super Nintendo for players to enjoy at the comfort of their cozy couches and homes. Shredder was back and down to his typical dirty deeds, but this time around, he had a trump card in the form of sending the Turtles back in time. This particular TMNT beat-em-up featured the most variety of locales and level gimmicks than most other games of its genre. It's the type of game that is just fun to play, and not just for one time and then you put the cartridge away to forget about it for the rest of your days. No, the gameplay was so enjoyable, especially with a second player, that it made for a title that saw repeated plays at the SuperPhillip household and without question repeated plays in gaming households the world over. 

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (NSW) Review

This month of platforming goodness continues with even more run and jump action. Today we're ending the work week right with the master of the genre, Mario, and his latest release: Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury. Let's check it out with the SPC review!

 Feline fine with this fur-tastic duo of Mario adventures

Nintendo has shown no signs of stopping on its quest to place every possible Wii U game stuck on that failed system to the Nintendo Switch. Judging by the Wii U's abysmal hardware sales compared to the Nintendo Switch, this strategy of porting Wii U games is a smart one, as most Switch owners have never played many of these games, much less have heard of them. Continuing the tradition that started with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Nintendo has almost exhausted its supply of port-able Wii U games now that it has Super Mario 3D World on its hybrid system. But, like Pikmin 3 Deluxe and so many Wii U ports, and like the name of the game suggests, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is hardly a quick and dirty port effort. Containing excellent upgrades to the highly regarded Wii U original 3D World, and possessing an entirely new adventure with Bowser's Fury, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is a marvelous marriage of linear and open-world 3D Mario styles.

Let's begin with the wholly new experience as part of the Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury package, the Bowser's Fury addition. It sees Mario entering an entirely fresh world of platforming challenges known as Lake Lapcat. Immediately upon entering inside, Mario is "greeted" with the rage of Fury Bowser. After a quick tutorial that sees Mario scampering up a path to avoid Fury Bowser's attacks and advances, such as Bowser's fiery breath that can blast away blocks of all kinds (something that players will need to remember), Mario collects a shiny medal known as a Cat Shine. This Cat Shine is the main collectable in Bowser's Fury, and upon collecting one, it radiates a nearby lighthouse, causing Fury Bowser to retreat in the process. 

Lake Lapcat is Mario's playground, so play and platform on!

It's a pretty clever tutorial to start things off in Bowser's Fury, because not only do you get some quick playtime as Mario to get settled in a little bit, you get to see what Fury Bowser is capable of, how he can destroy Fury Blocks (something that is needed to collect certain Cat Shines), and the game shows players that collecting a Cat Shine will force Fury Bowser to retreat immediately. 

Defeating a threat like Fury Bowser doesn't seem like the easiest task Mario has ever set out to do, but he isn't alone on his adventure. Not only does Bowser Jr. begrudgingly plead for Mario's help and joins his cause, but Plessie from the 3D World part of the game joins in as a fast way to traverse the open waters. Bowser Jr. can be played by a second player in a Super Mario Odyssey-like co-op fashion, but otherwise, he is controlled by the AI. Prior to playing with Bowser Jr. and any time thereafter, you can select how active the AI is when controlling Bowser's son. Setting it to "A Lot" results in Bowser Jr. actively attacking and engaging with enemies, while setting it to "A Little" means that Bowser's offspring is much more passive. You can set it so Bowser Jr. is as big or as little of a help to you as you want. 

The battle of the boomerangs happens here on Pounce Bounce Isle.

Aside from attacking foes, Bowser Jr. can help the player by hoarding items. When Mario collects an item from an item box, from gathering 100 coins, or otherwise receives a new power-up, his currently equipped one gets stored. Mario can store up to five of each item power-up, and these all are the power-ups seen in 3D World's main adventure: from the simple Mushroom, to 3D World's new item, the Cat Bell, to the Tanooki Leaf, to the Fire and Boomerang Flowers. You can also either use the gyro controls for docked play or touch controls for handheld play to have Bowser Jr. attack specifically selected enemies, or reveal items with his graffiti at specially marked locations hidden throughout Lake Lapcat.

Lake Lapcat itself is essentially an open-world platforming playground for Mario to explore. However, not all of it is able to be explored right away. Just three islands filled with themed platforming challenges await Mario at the beginning of Bowser's Fury. That said, by the end of the game, the entirety of Lake Lapcat is open for adventure, and it's a refreshing take on the Mario formula. 

But, first, let's talk about the gameplay loop for Bowser's Fury. Each island of Lake Lapcat places five challenges for Mario to complete. The first always sees Mario needing to venture along the course and reach the lighthouse. Then, there are ones revolving around collecting five red cat-shaped coins scattered around a given island's boundaries, as well as using Fury Bowser to blow away the Fury Blocks standing in Mario's way in order to get the Cat Shine inside. Other tasks are more varied, including battling bosses, completing a timed obstacle course, or collecting all of the blue coins within a time limit. Of course, players don't have to complete all of a given island's Cat Shine challenges at once or even at all since out of the 100 Cat Shines in Bowser's Fury, only 50 need to be collected to beat the game. Of course, completionists and those simply wanting to further enjoy the adventure will want to aim for all 100 Shines. And why wouldn't you when Bowser's Fury is so enjoyable?

Coming to a theatre near you: a plumber and his aquatic companion in "Free Plessie".

Every so often, the calm, relaxing Lake Lapcat will get rocked by the arrival of Fury Bowser. This occurs every few minutes, and like in the tutorial (except in one late-game case) collecting a Cat Shine will result in Fury Bowser retreating. In the meantime, big, bad Fury Bowser unleashes all heck on Lake Lapcat and aims to destroy his archrival. From launching flames into the sky to letting loose his spectacular fire breath, Mario needs to be on his guard when Fury Bowser arrives to cause havoc. Either after collecting a Cat Shine or waiting him out, Fury Bowser will once again retreat. 

It can be occasionally tedious to wait for or wait out Fury Bowser in Bowser's Fury,
but this is only a minor inconvenience and issue I have with this part of the package.

That said, if you've collected enough Cat Shines (the amount required increases with each successful clash against Fury Bowser), one of Lake Lapcat's three Giga Bells will ring, allowing Mario to rush to its location and transform into a powerful gigantic version of himself to go claw-to-claw with Fury Bowser in an epic confrontation. These boss battles are really exciting encounters that don't really revolve around the same "three hit" philosophy the Mario series regularly uses. Instead, Fury Bowser has a health bar that can be whittled down through various means. The amount of ways that Mario can do damage to Fury Bowser makes for a really entertaining and satisfying series of battles. Mario can claw Fury Bowser, he can take the pylons that Fury Bowser summons and chuck them right into him, he can claw bombs right back at the furious behemoth, and of course, ground pound the exposed underside of his shell for massive damage. Upon depleting all of Fury Bowser's health bar, a new section of islands on Lake Lapcat reveals itself out of the black ooze that once rested on its surface. 

Game on, Fury Bowser. Game on.

Lake Lapcat presents an open platforming playground for Mario, and all of it can be seen and played on without a loading screen in sight. This is an expansive area for players to immerse themselves in, and while it's not positively perfect in execution (for example, after collecting a Cat Shine for one island's challenge, Mario needs to get enough distance away from the island in order to return to it for the next Cat Shine challenge to present itself), it does much more right than wrong. I'm excited to see if Bowser Fury's Lake Lapcat is a prelude to a grander adventure, a well executed working prototype that shares with us fans the future of what the 3D Mario series can be. If so, we're due for some really exciting times for the Mario franchise!

There was a lot of hubbub regarding folks saying that Bowser's Fury fits more as DLC for Super Mario Odyssey than Super Mario 3D World, but I definitely disagree with that. For one, and most obviously, Bowser's Fury's Lake Lapcat is utterly drenched with cat theming. Every enemy type has cat ears, but so too, are the environments. Archways are modeled after cats, heck, even the birds and flowers, and the sun in the sky have cat-like appearances to them. More interestingly, though, is that each island of Lake Lapcat not only has the five Cat Shines to collect, but they're also themed well, too. All islands take one specific obstacle or hazard from the main Super Mario 3D World game and runs with it in remarkable fashion. Fort Flaptrap features Cakewalk Flip's platforms that flip whenever Mario jumps into the air, while Mount Magmeow's main showcase is Switchboard Falls' titular switchboards that move in the direction that Mario stands on. All of this makes it so Bowser's Fury feels more than at home as packaged with Super Mario 3D World.

Speaking of, let's get to Super Mario 3D World. Originally released on the Wii U in 2013, Super Mario 3D World expanded greatly on the design style seen in the Nintendo 3DS's Super Mario 3D Land. The game added multiplayer for up to four players and much more interestingly designed worlds. By itself, Super Mario 3D World on the Nintendo Switch is basically the same game design-wise, but this dog--or should it be "cat" in this case--has picked up some new tricks.

Mario is the most balanced of the five playable characters in Super Mario 3D World.

For one, characters have all had their speeds upgraded and specific abilities boosted. Mario is your all-around, balanced character, while Luigi can jump higher than any other character. Meanwhile, Peach has the ability to float for a second or two on her jumps, but is the slowest of all the other characters. Finally, Toad is the fastest, and with the speed increase, almost dangerously so in the wrong hands! This speed boost makes some levels much easier than they were in the Wii U original. Gaps that previously needed to be avoided can now be leaped across with ease, and certain flagpoles that required precision jumps to make it to the top are now easy as pie to reach. It makes some of the level design expendable, but at the same time, makes some levels more challenging due to how fast everyone is now. The levels in Super Mario 3D World's Nintendo Switch version were not altered at all to make up for the new speed change, and it can be very noticeable at times. Overall, though, the admittedly somewhat sluggish pace that many players criticized the Wii U original game for has been replaced with something much more enjoyable and fun.

Toad is mighty fast, which can be mighty bad if you're a careless player like I am!

Another sizable addition to the Nintendo Switch version of Super Mario 3D World is that of online play (including Captain Toad levels, where all players can take control of a Toad for some fun this time around). Now, while it's limited to friends only and only the host's save file progresses, it ultimately works well. I played with a friend, and despite some mild lag and some delays occasionally, the experience was one that we both loved. Connection, whether competent or not, depends on each player's connection, and I found that even my wireless connection more often than not did not adversely affect that quality of my online play. Perhaps if I played with more people than just one other, the experience would have been a lesser one. Up to one other local player can join the fun and hop online, making a two-person party a three-fer, making for even more multiplayer possibilities. As an experience as a whole, Super Mario 3D World's online is a definite upgrade over what Super Mario Maker 2 had at launch, and that's certainly something players can exert a sigh of relief over.

The amount of variety in Super Mario 3D World's level design is something special to behold.
I remember enjoying the Wii U original so much that I would keep playing just to see what would show up next!

Apart from the large, obvious changes to someone who has played the Wii U version of Super Mario 3D World, the Nintendo Switch version also offers some less prominent changes. Mario and friends can dive and roll out of a jump. Green Stars and Stamps no longer need to be collected again in a level even if you die before reaching a checkpoint or the goal's flagpole. They're saved immediately, which may be a negative for some, as this removes some of the challenge from the overall game. Stamps themselves are now used in the all-new Photo Mode a la Super Mario Odyssey to "stamp" the scenery and walls when taking a picture (as Miiverse is sadly no more). 

One change in the Switch version of Super Mario 3D World is retaining Green Stars
even if you die shortly after collecting them. So, be as bold as you'd like!

Also, what of the Wii U GamePad-centric gameplay functions that required the use of Nintendo's admittedly cumbersome controller? Well, these have been replaced by pressing the R button on either the Switch Pro Controller or Joy-Con to summon a cursor that is controlled with gyro movement. This is used to activate rising platforms, interact with enemies and the environment, and so forth. Platforms that required blowing into the controller--something that made anyone, no matter how cool, look like a total dork--move automatically, no longer requiring player input.

Finally, the Nintendo Switch version of Super Mario 3D World provides a nice quality of life feature in that it no longer brings up a notification after every level saying that the game has been saved. It wasted a handful of seconds each time in the Wii U original, but it was a mild annoyance all the same and one that I'm glad has been streamlined for the Nintendo Switch release.

Other than those rather big additions and changes to Super Mario 3D World when compared to the Wii U game, the adventure is pretty much the same. You won't be too terribly challenged starting out, and even the first eight worlds of the game aren't too taxing for a seasoned player. As you aim for Green Stars and Stamps, you might see a little more difficulty. However, it's not until after the initial credits roll and the final three worlds unlock that you will eventually see your pulse pounding, your fingers twitch with nervousness, and your heart race as the game throws everything at you. That isn't to say that the first eight worlds--the main course of Super Mario 3D World--is boring. That couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, you'll see the incredible genius of Nintendo's level designers at work, doing what they do best--crafting unforgettable and engaging levels full of personality, great platforming, and marvelously hidden secrets. It's only that post-credits that 3D World totally ups the ante to truly astonishing and impressive levels. 

This Boomerang Bro thought he could win by bringing a boomerang to a fire fight. Mario showed him otherwise.

Even after all of these years, Super Mario 3D World still retains the amount of stunning sophistication in its design. Levels are well thought out and constantly deliver fresh ideas and new takes on familiar territory. The Cat Suit power-up is an absolute blast to play as, scurrying across levels, scaling walls, and clawing enemies into submission. Multiplayer continues to be a big sell at the SPC household, offering lots of laughs and the occasional "you just got me killed, you jerk. I hate you" moments. Super Mario 3D World is a highly replayable game, much like the all-new attached Bowser's Fury portion of the package. 

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is definitely a must-own if you've never experienced the original 3D World on the Wii U, which happens to be a whole heck of a lot of Nintendo Switch owners. It becomes tougher to recommend if you're only interested in the Bowser's Fury portion of the package. If that's the case, it really depends on how fiercely and furiously you want to play a new 3D Mario adventure, especially since it's basically a $60 price of admission to Lake Lapcat. For me, as a lover of Super Mario 3D World and all of its new features (particularly the ability to play online and the increased playing speed), Bowser's Fury was just gravy on top of an already super satisfying game. On the whole, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is an excellent package and really is the cat's meow.

[SPC Says: A]

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (NSW) "Two Adventures in One" Commercial

Ahead of its launch on Friday, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury has a new commercial that was just published to Nintendo's YouTube channel. Its big selling point is that--as the title of the game gives away--not only do you get the original Super Mario 3D World from the Wii U original but also the brand-new, open-world sandbox Bowser's Fury adventure. Will you be double dipping on this Wii U game turned Nintendo Switch title, or better yet, experiencing Super Mario 3D World for the very first time?

Toughest Tasks in Gaming History - Volume Nine

New year, new Toughest Tasks in Gaming History! Welcome to the first edition of TTIGH in 2021, and hopefully not the last either. These tasks are harder than (or just as hard as) Sony trying to supply enough PlayStation 5s to meet demand. That should give you an idea on just how difficult these next five gaming challenges truly are. We start off with a trio of 3D platformers, including Super Mario 3D World, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, and even go retro with a Nintendo 64 classic. Then, we change directions to some rhythm game goodness with Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, and then end this edition with our fists-a-flyin' with Streets of Rage 4. Regardless of the game, you're going to encounter some gaming challenges that are seriously taxing to overcome!

Before checking out the latest five entries to our ever-expanded list of tough tasks in gaming history, check out all past volumes with these convenient links:

Volume One
Volume Two
Volume Three
Volume Four
Volume Five
Volume Six

Volume Seven

Volume Eight

Clearing Champion's Road - Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

With the updated Nintendo Switch version of Super Mario 3D World releasing this week with a brand-new mode and updates to the old 3D World adventure, it seems like a prime opportunity to leap into this edition of the Toughest Tasks in Gaming History with 3D World's toughest trial. The final level awaiting players of Super Mario 3D World in the Crown World is only unlockable if they earn all of the game's stamps, Green Stars, and hit the top of every level's flagpole in the game. Then, and only then, can they challenge the extra difficult super level that tests every platforming skill learned over the course of the game, Champion's Road.

Champion's Road isn't just difficult because of the myriad platforming challenges presented in players' paths, but it's also quite the endurance run, requiring almost perfection to complete in one run. There are no checkpoints to speak of, no power-ups to collect, and every obstacle is more intense and difficult than the last. 

Screenshot source: IGN

Here's just a sampling of the platforming and traversal challenges on offer on Champion's Road. There are narrow platforms that require running across as to not fall between the gaps to your demise, all the while avoiding the bum-rushing attempts of Chargin' Chucks. There are beat blocks that vanish and re-appear, requiring utterly perfect timing to leap on. There is a showdown with three Magikoopa that must be defeated while battling them on incredibly unstable ground. Then, there's a test of your underwater swimming abilities as you rush through a spike-filled passageway. Finally, a dangerous ensemble of dash panels suspended over the abyss necessitates the need for precision running, jumping, and avoiding the shockwaves of nearby enemies as you collect five key coins to unlock the way to the end. 

Whether Nintendo's "Thank You" message spelled out in clear pipes is to show gratitude for playing 3D world or being enough of a masochist to make it to the end of Champion's Road unscathed is up to interpretation. Either way, you're a Super Mario 3D World master if you can complete this level, especially with all five characters!

Getting a Gold on the Ripsnorter - Sackboy: A Big Adventure (PS5, PS4)

Speaking of endurance runs and no doubt a level inspired by Super Mario 3D World's Champion's Road, we have Sackboy: A Big Adventure (which itself has close 3D World influences) and its final Knitted Knight Trial: The Ripsnorter. Leading up to The Ripsnorter, you tackle 15 unique platforming obstacle courses, attempting to clear each which have their own hazards and gimmicks to play through. Some deal with bounce pads, others with rotating platforms, others with rising and lowering spikes. The point is that just clearing these with the gold medal times is challenging enough.

Then, you have The Ripsnorter, which isn't just what you'd expect to be a hard trial itself, but this level actually takes all 15 of the previous Knitted Knight Trials and stitches them together to craft one insane challenge! Simply surviving all 15 sections of The Ripsnorter, with no checkpoints, AND the need to clear it in under ten minutes (which shows just how lengthy of a trial The Ripsnorter is) will make even the most confident and proficient platformer sweat and shake. Each run I attempted usually ended in quick failure, but eventually muscle memory kicks in, you make more progress with each run, until finally, you reach the goal--and with a Gold medal to boot! Sackboy: A Big Adventure's Ripsnorter may just be a tougher trial to overcome than its clear inspiration, and those who do will not only feel accomplished but also feel relieved that they won't have to do it again!

Achieving 101% Completion - Donkey Kong 64 (N64)

Let's continue our 3D platforming kick with a retro classic, which was arguably designed a bit too big for its britches. In fact, that's where the main challenge of this particular tough task in gaming history from Donkey Kong 64 comes from. Past Donkey Kong Country games required you to find every possible secret to achieve the highest completion percentage, something you could show off and be proud of. Donkey Kong 64 continued that trend, though with how ridiculous and convoluted earning everything in the game was, this was no easy task!

In order to clear Donkey Kong 64 with 101% completion, proficient and utterly patient platforming players needed to: collect all 201 Golden Bananas (equivalent to Super Mario 64's Power Stars or Banjo-Kazooie's Jiggies), earn all Banana Medals (for collecting every banana in the game's levels), earn all Battle Crowns (for completing arena battles), photograph all Banana Fairies, collect all Boss Keys, and finally, earn the Rareware and Nintendo coins (from completing the classic Jetpac and Donkey Kong arcade games respectively).

Now, this might seem like a tremendous amount of playtime and almost work to complete, and as any DK64 player will tell you, that's because it is. With five Kongs to play as, the most work comes from having to find barrels to switch between characters, as the Kongs could only collect their specifically colored bananas. The levels in DK64 were huge and expansive, offering plenty of nooks and crannies to hide bananas, Golden Bananas, blueprints to find and obtain, and much more that were exclusive to each Kong. That meant a lot of switching between Kongs, backtracking, and utter frustration. And don't even get me started on that dreaded Beaver Bother mini-game either! While enjoyable to play, much like a game featured in our previous edition of Toughest Tasks in Gaming History, clearing Donkey Kong 64 completely really isn't and is more trouble than it's reasonably worth!

Accomplishing All Feats - Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory (PS4, XB1, NSW)

Rhythm and music game lovers received an entirely new game to adore this past holiday season, and that adoration would only increase if they were Kingdom Hearts fans. Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory took the Theatrhythm formula from the Nintendo 3DS games and transplanted it from a 2D perspective into a 3D one. With Yoko Shimomura and company's music to join them on their journey through the game's multitude of songs, Melody of Memory ended up being a generally enjoyable music game, as evidenced by our SPC review.

There is no shortage of songs and content to sink one's teeth into in this Kingdom Hearts rhythm game, and that proof is no better seen than in the game's 80 feats. These are in-game challenges that require either consistent play through the game or a high level of musical skill to achieve. Some are easy enough to accomplish, such as beating a boss level, beating the game, or clearing a set number of songs--things that are natural to the completion of the game's World Tour mode. Others are meant solely for diehard fans of the game and experts alike. These range from grind-like feats like defeating 100,000 enemies and opening 100 treasure chests, to more skill-based challenges like clearing a myriad of the hardest difficulty's songs with a full chain (never missing a single note) or getting a score of over 9.800,000 on a Proud mode song. Suffice it to say, not only are a lot of these feats incredibly arduous to achieve, but many also require a dedication to the game that most probably won't have! 

All S Ranks on Mania Mode - Streets of Rage 4 (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)

The development group of DotEmu, Lizardcube and Guard Crush delivered a terrific revival of the Streets of Rage series with Streets of Rage 4. It played as great as it looked--and SoR4 was no stinker when it came to its visuals! The game also brought with it a stiff challenge as well, even on the easiest difficulty level, So, when you've got the toughest difficulty level, Mania Mode, it's certainly not for the weak-skilled. 

Simply beating a level in Mania Mode is a tough task to ask for all to itself, and beating the game in Mania Mode is even harder. But, what about clearing each level with an S Rank? Good luck, as that requires you to keep up your combo streak to impressive levels, where a quick potshot from an enemy will make you lose all those priceless points. As any Streets of Rage 4 player can tell you, that's all too easy to have happen in any difficulty, much less Mania Mode! Enemies are fast, enemies are highly skilled, and while the number of them is pretty much unaltered, they're far more dangerous. Surviving is a challenge all on its own, so if you can master Mania Mode, you are without a doubt one of the best beat-em-up players around.

Fortunately, there is no trophy or achievement for earning all S Ranks in Mania Mode. In fact, all you have to do is beat one level in said mode to unlock the difficulty's sole trophy/achievement, so most players won't find a desire or need to overly frustrate themselves. That said, if you're still wanting an intense and supremely difficult challenge, then just try to S Rank all of Mania Mode. Just try not to break that controller of yours in half out of a streets-induced rage!

Top Ten Bowser Battles

It's a tale as old as... well, 1985. Plumber meets princess. Koopa King kidnaps princess. Plumber beats Koopa King. Plumber saves princess. Rinse and repeat. However, there would be no tale without the King of the Koopas himself, Bowser. You've gotta give credit to this Koopa--he doesn't know the meaning of the word "quit". And thankfully for us, this is true, as without his constant desire to kidnap Princess Peach and upstage his rival Mario, we wouldn't continue to experience battle after battle with Bowser, nor enjoy some of the most memorable of these showdowns. With the release of Super Mario Maker 2 last Friday, it's a great opportunity for this top ten list which features the best of the best when it comes to Bowser battles in the standard 2D and 3D Mario games.

After you've checked out SuperPhillip Central's picks, which Bowser showdowns would you say are your favorites?

10) Super Mario Bros. (NES)

More of a formality than anything else, we kick off this list of the best Bowser boss battles with the original, the O.G., the very first Bowser battle in Super Mario Bros. history. The premise is simple: get passed Bowser as he spews fireballs and leaps in place. A well timed jump or run underneath Bowser's leap will allow Mario or Luigi to hit the switch to the bridge Bowser stands on, causing said bridge and Bowser plummeting into the lava below. Later worlds spice things up with Bowser chucking a flurry of hammers at players while granting less room for them to avoid his advances, but either way, this original battle against Bowser would start a 30+ year rivalry between Mario and the King of the Koopas that goes on to this day.

9) New Super Mario Bros. U (NSW, Wii U)

By this time in the New Super Mario Bros. series, it became no surprise when Bowser would take Kamek's magic and grow to epic-sized proportions. However, rather than simply run with your figurative tail between your legs as he gives chase, this time you bring the battle directly to Bowser courtesy of Bowser Jr.'s Clown Car. By jumping on Bowser Jr. as he makes an approach for the player, they can boot Bowser's son out of the Clown Car, commandeer it, and then use it to smash into big Bowser's massive (and ever thick) skull. A seasoned player can even complete the battle without Bowser Jr. ever being able to get back into his Clown Car. That'll teach you to try to put the odds in your favor, Koopa Kid!

8) Super Mario Odyssey (NSW)

Every princess is crazy about a sharp dressed Koopa. Hats off to you, Nintendo, for coming up a with new way to beat down Bowser. No, seriously! In order to take out Bowser in his Super Mario Odyssey battles the goal is to capture Bowser's punching glove-equipped hat and use it against Bowser, smashing the fists into the Koopa King for one serious knockout. This is all the while avoiding Bowser's own hat tricks, such as his flowing fire breath, spiked hats, and much more. The final battle even features multiple fake outs, so don't think you've won after you've punched the ever-loving dickens out of Bowser. You may just find out you've lost in the "tail" end! ...Okay, I've run through my quota of puns for this article through this list entry alone.

7) Super Mario Galaxy (Wii)

Super Mario Galaxy brought with it miniature planets, each with their own centers of gravity. Like many 3D Mario games, the main mechanic and gameplay premise of the game was used in Super Mario Galaxy for the battle against Bowser, where the fight itself took place on such a planet. When Bowser jumped into the air to smash down on top of Mario, the crafty plumber needed to lure Bowser to land on a breakable mound of glass, revealing a pool of lava. This would catch Bowser's tail on fire, resulting in the King of the Koopas to dash with pain and panic around the arena, a perfect time for Mario to hit Bowser in the back to deal damage.

6) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)

It only makes sense to partner up the Galaxy games one after the other, and between the two, I definitely prefer Super Mario Galaxy 2's battles with Bowser. Well, save for the actual FINAL battle with Bowser (phase two), as that seemingly ends before it even begins. Taking place on a less roomier planet than Super Mario Galaxy's fight, a huge Bowser hovers around the planet, breathing fire, calling upon meteors, and slamming his first against the planet's surface. Occasionally, meteors on the surface will rise up, allowing Mario to jump onto them and gain the opportunity to perform a ground pound. With the right timing, these meteors will then slam into Bowser's face for a well executed hit. After the usual trifecta of blows to the body, Bowser will surrender... but as always, VERY temporarily.

5) Super Mario 3D World (Wii U)

Perhaps this is a technicality, as you're not really facing Bowser in this particular entry on this list. Instead, you're taking on Meowser, Bowser turned into a cat via the Super Bell item! It's a perilous trek to the top of Bowser's towering skyscraper as you avoid multiple Meowsers who wish nothing more than to stop your upward progress and claw you into defeat. This is a vertical platforming challenge that is quite the set piece! What is this, the Uncharted of Mario games all of a sudden?! At the very top of the tower, all it takes is a series of three hits to the giant POW block that the real Meowser perches upon to knock him clear out of there and to save the Sprixie Kingdom!

4) New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)

New Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo DS was a nice and welcome return to a brand-new classic 2D Mario after an absence of over a decade. However, the final boss battle wasn't too much to write home about... or to write about at all. However, the 2009 followup New Super Mario Bros. Wii brought with it a truly terrific and memorable final boss sequence that I think many take for granted considering how many Mario games since have provided us with chase sequences. After a traditional defeat of destroying the bridge Bowser stands on to drop him in the lava, Kamek's magic powers up Bowser big time and makes him grow greatly. The chase is on, but this time Mario's the one being pursued. Goad Bowser's gigantic fireballs to break walls to progress, and rush to make your way to the final switch to not only defeat this behemoth-sized version of Bowser but also to rescue Princess Peach!

3) Super Mario 64 (N64)

The impact in gaming that Super Mario 64 had on the industry can never be understated. It was huge, to put it simply. Super Mario 64 made the analog stick a mainstay in controllers and was the first to make it work wonderfully. This was used heavily in all three battles with Bowser throughout Super Mario 64's adventure, requiring Mario to run to Bowser's backside, grab his tail, and twirl the Koopa King around with enough speed and with the proper timing to chuck him into one of the mines set around the arena. Different versions of the fight would have Bowser charge at Mario, breathe fire, and even rock the arena so much that it starts tipping it over. The Bowser in the Sky battle required Mario to chuck Bowser into mines three times to finally defeat him--all the while with each throw resulting in a part of the battlefield platform being destroyed until eventually revealing a star design.

2) Super Mario World (SNES)

While New Super Mario Bros. Wii possessed a greatly creative take on 2D Bowser encounters, the reigning champ and still king of the 2D games remains Super Mario World's Bowser battle. The introduction of the Koopa Clown Car, this fight required Mario to use Bowser's own Mechakoopas against him, jumping on them to stun them, and then tossing them up into the air to land on Bowser's not-so-crafty noggin. This three phase fight featured everything from bowling balls, Princess Toadstool's lovely mid-phase Mushroom help, and Bowser's last ditch effort to defeat Mario by attempting to crush his rival underneath the weight of his Koopa Clown Car. A memorable and truly fantastic boss battle that has definitely withstood the test of time.

1) Super Mario 3D Land (3DS)

Similar to Super Mario 3D World, Super Mario 3D Land's final boss fight is another sequence where platforming prowess prevails over mere offense. Mario must run through an engaging and challenging obstacle course while Bowser leaps from platform to platform, unleash fireballs, rolling barrels, and other means to impede Mario's progress as the portly plumber makes his way across crumbling blocks and the deteriorating area. The final rush towards the finish line features Mario running towards the screen as he leaps over obstructions in the form of blocks as Bowser closely chases and pursues behind him.

Not only an insanely tense last push to the finish, but it made fantastic use of the stereoscopic 3D effect of the Nintendo 3DS as well. Heck, the whole game did. Even without this, though, this remarkably epic showdown presented a platforming challenge that I prefer to see out of Mario boss battles. It perfectly encapsulates what makes Mario games great--the actual running and jumping, rather than the traditional three-hits-and-they're-defeated bosses the series often uses instead