Plot: What’s it about?
After extensive battles in wild and unusual worlds, facing down unique enemies and constant peril, Mario and Luigi have finally trounced King Koopa. The heroic plumbers sent the green meanie to the Banishment Zone, which should have ensured a time of peace in his absence. But just as Mario and Luigi return to Brooklyn and prepare to hang up their overalls, Koopa manages to escape and this time, he brought some backup. Koopa’s arrival back in the Mushroom Kingdom is more worrisome than ever before, as he has his children, the Koopa Kids by his side. Now the danger is seven times more prominent, as each of Koopa’s seven kids has a special skill or power to help fend off Mario and his friends. Can Mario and Luigi manage to defeat Koopa one more time, or will the Koopa Kids ensure that King Koopa wins this round?
I’ve logged a ton of hours with a video game controller in my hands and without question, Super Mario Bros. 3 is one of the greatest games of all time. Mario was a superstar already, but Super Mario Bros. 3 cemented the franchise’s legacy and is still a blast to play, even now. Now thanks to Shout Factory, we can wax nostalgic with the cartoon series based on the game, but is this trip down memory lane worth taking again? I have a soft spot for Mario and his crew, so I had fun seeing these episodes again. I was even inspired to dust off my top loader Nintendo Entertainment System, so I could battle King Koopa once more. The animation is basic, but bright and colorful, while the voice talent is acceptable for this type of show. The stories are passable, based on gameplay for the most part, so a lot of familiar elements are on showcase. All thirteen episodes are included here, plus a third disc that is dedicated to the supplements. I think if you’re even a casual fan of Mario, Princess Peach, Toad, Luigi, and the rest of the gang, you’ll want to revisit The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in full frame, as intended. These episodes look decent, but not great. I think they’re on par with repeat cable broadcasts, which is more than acceptable. I noticed some flaws here and there, from debris to noise, but these issues were rather minor in scope. The colors are bright, which is good news, while black levels hold up quite well. The image is a touch soft, but the animation still looks solid. I know some will be disappointed, but in truth I think this is about as good as the show can look, unless a full scale restoration is undertaken.
Audio: How does it sound?
The audio is basic, but effective. As was the case with the video, there are some problems, such as a couple of dropouts, but overall, the soundtracks are up to snuff. The upbeat music sounds good here, while the video game style sound effects come across as well as can be expected. No trouble with dialogue, as vocals are loud and clear at all times. So not a remarkable audio experience, but the material is well served.
Supplements: What are the extras?
The Writers Bible is a collection of brief featurettes that explore different areas of development, from characters to the basic story background. The pieces run just over five minutes on average, so there isn’t a whole lot of depth, but for fans of the show, they make a fun watch. And for a show like this, we shouldn’t expect in depth technical insights, as the material leans itself more toward brisk, fun supplements. I also had fun browsing the concept artwork, as I love the characters and the show’s visuals, while the original music selections were also worth a quick perusal.
