Nintendo’s popular remaster of renowned Mario titles, Super Mario 3D All-stars, is brimming with fun gameplay and nostalgic charm. Even at a price tag of $60, this celestial trip back in time offers plenty of fun content, with a trio of top-tier Mario platformers.
Still, the game has received criticism for being a rather “bare-bones” package. Outside the boost in visuals and performance as well as the included soundtrack, there’s really nothing new to speak of.
This is a shame, as a compilation with such robust, enjoyable games is surely rife with add-on potential. And with the rumors of Super Mario Galaxy 2’s re-release by way of DLC, our imaginations have been running wild with other potential DLC ideas. Credit where it’s due - Nintendo is at least opting to offer new camera options in all 3 games. Hopefully, this is only the beginning of bigger and better additions.
With that said, let’s jump right in as we explore 10 potential DLC options for 3D All-stars that would be great additions.
10 Stage-Making Tool
The Super Mario Maker games demonstrated that both crafting and playing one’s own content can be quite fun. Such a tool fits well in an imaginative universe like Mario, where seemingly nothing’s off-limits.
Considering the templates have already been provided for most of Mario’s 2D outings, why not offer them for the 3D titles as well?
Imagine being able to construct your own series of planets in Super Mario Galaxy, or cobbling together your own, trickier variant on Mario 64’s “Tick Tock Clock.” Stages could be downloaded and shared with friends or strangers - similar to Super Mario Maker.
9 Super Mario 3D Land
Given that this Mario romp on 3DS is technically a 3D platformer, it would make sense to offer it on Nintendo’s 3D Mario compilation. Just like the rumored Super Mario Galaxy 2 release, the entire game could be available via download for a relatively cheap price.
And while projected 3D visuals obviously couldn’t happen - various tweaks and visual enhancements could adorn the game to add more incentive.
8 Cheats And Mods
One of Goldeneye’s more appealing features was its slew of in-game cheats and mod options. Players could opt to play with large heads, paintballs, or unlock more content.
3D All-stars could feature a similar system, which could allow for various tweaks, add-ons, and handicaps in the games.
Say, for instance, that Mario was granted infinite water with his F.L.U.D.D. pack, or could become a giant Metal Mario in 64. Perhaps new themed skins could be uploaded similar to Minecraft, too. The possibilities are endless.
7 Unified Achievement System
While Sony and Microsoft have long-since made achievement systems a console standard, Nintendo has continued to shy away from such a feature. One would at least think that this compilation of 3 Mario classics could have had some sort of achievement checklist.
A unified list of unique challenges could incentivize players to further explore and shoot for other things besides Stars or Shines. With the depth and variance in the gameplay, these Mario titles seem tailor-made for a system like this. Perhaps these could even yield in-game unlockables.
6 Behind-The-Scenes Docs And Concept Art
Given the depth, creativity, and general influence of the 3D Mario games, some sort of “making of” documentary would almost surely be interesting for Nintendo fans.
Much like Rare Replay - a video clip could be available to watch, which delves into the conceptualization and making of the games. Things like concept art or unused assets could also be available for Mario history buffs to examine and admire.
5 New Playable Characters
One of the biggest critiques of these otherwise-great romps is their lack of other playable characters. Outside of the mustached hero himself - and some bouts with Luigi in Galaxy - you’re stuck with Mario.
How fun would it be to play as, say, a speedier Toad, a hovering Princess Peach, or long-jumping Luigi? This could work similar to Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario 3D World, and add a new dynamic to the experience.
Stars and Shines could also be added that are only obtainable by these specialized characters.
4 New Stars And Shines To Obtain
One clever area where the gameplay can be expanded on pretty simply could be the addition of new Stars and Shines to collect. In this case, Nintendo wouldn’t even necessarily need to create new stages or add much content to the game.
It could simply be a matter of plopping some new collectibles in new, hard-to-reach locations.
For instance - Mario 64’s “Lethal Lava Land” could have a new Star in the middle of the lava, which was only accessible through movable platforms accessible by an added switch.
3 Super Mario Land 1 And 2 Remakes
As is the case with polished remasters, ground-up remakes are also a practice gaining popularity in the industry. And given that the Big N is sitting on a couple of great Mario platformers for Game Boy, it would surely make sense to revive them and give them a facelift.
Super Mario Land - and especially its underappreciated sequel, 6 Golden Coins - could perhaps be released as full-fledge remakes. Similar to how the remake Link’s Awakening was a complete 3D overhaul, these titles could also get a partial-3D redo.
2 Bonus Stages And Extra Content
Modern revamps of games often have some sort of extra content or bonus stages - sometimes even in the case of a simple remaster. Just look at Vicarious Visions’ robust Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, for instance.
Though it’s a joy to relive these classic Mario games in 3D, the delight is tempered somewhat by an utter lack of new content or features. Imagine delving into an entirely new stage in Super Mario 64 or Sunshine? Or launching to an uncharted new planet or two in Super Mario Galaxy?
1 Challenge Modes
Sure, crafting new stages in old titles may seem like a pipe dream - if you’ll excuse the pun. But at the very least, some sort of newly-implemented Challenge Mode could go a long way in adding content with minimal effort.
The rotating online Spirit Board in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate come to mind as a template to draw from. Tasks like short time limits could be added, forcing you to scramble to a Star, for instance. Or perhaps hazards like falling meteors could be thrown in to make for a more chaotic and tough trial.
NEXT: Super Mario 3D All-Stars: 10 Changes You Might Have Missed
