Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 offers a refreshingly robust platforming experience by putting you in control of Wario himself, rather than his more heroic counterpart. From the very first level, you’ll notice that Wario’s moveset diverges significantly from Mario’s. His trademark shoulder bash and body slam allow you to break through bricks and enemies with surprising ease, creating a much more aggressive and satisfying rhythm to the action. Even basic enemies become tools for treasure-hunting as you pick them up and hurl them at obstacles or foes.

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The game revolves around Wario’s insatiable hunger for riches. Each stage is dotted with coins, gems, and hidden treasures, encouraging exploration rather than the quickest route to the exit. You’ll need to find keys, head through skull doors, and pay tolls at the end of each level to proceed. This quirky mechanic turns standard platforming into a treasure hunt, as you weigh whether to spend precious coins to unlock shortcuts or save them for crucial level exits.

Power-ups in Wario Land introduce another layer of variety. The Bull Hat turns Wario into a rampaging bull, able to gore enemies and smash through walls. The Jet Hat grants high-speed flight and extended jumps, perfect for reaching hidden alcoves. Lastly, the Dragon Hat breathes fire, clearing pathways and revealing secret passages. Mastering each hat’s unique strengths—and knowing when to swap them out—adds strategy amidst the straightforward platforming.

To cap off each level, a gambling mini-game awaits, letting you risk your haul for a chance to double it—or lose half. You’ll find yourself agonizing over whether to cash in or push your luck further. This risk-versus-reward loop captures Wario’s greedy personality perfectly and keeps the tension high, especially when you’re low on coins and desperately need that one gold statue to fund your dream castle.

Graphics

On the original Game Boy hardware, Wario Land dazzles with crisp, bold sprites that stand out against the monochromatic screen. Master System and Game Boy Color ports enhance the palette, bathing Kitchen Island’s beaches, jungles, and pirate ships in vivid color. Even on the humble Game Boy, the designers crafted distinct backgrounds and foregrounds, ensuring each stage feels unique and full of life.

Character animations push the hardware to its limits. Wario’s lumbering run, lightning-quick dash, and comical facial expressions when he’s startled or elated are endlessly charming. Power-up transformations are accompanied by snappy visual effects: the Bull Hat’s dust clouds, the Jet Hat’s speed lines, and the Dragon Hat’s flickering flames all convey a satisfying sense of power and impact.

Enemy designs and environmental hazards are varied and memorable. From cannon-firing pirates to chomping piranha plants, each foe is clearly animated and telegraphed, giving you a fair chance to react. Secret areas are often hidden behind subtle visual cues—a slightly cracked wall or an out-of-place brick—which rewards careful observation and makes discovering treasure feel truly earned.

Transitional screens and menus maintain the game’s playful aesthetic. The coin-count interface, level maps, and mini-game screens all share a cohesive design that feels distinctly “Wario.” Even decades later, Wario Land’s visuals hold up as a testament to clever art direction and technical ingenuity on portable systems.

Story

Wario Land picks up right after the events of Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, with Wario ousted from Mario’s castle and desperate to claim one of his own. Learning of the legendary Golden Statue of Princess Toadstool hidden on Kitchen Island, he sets sail armed with greed, brawn, and a questionable moral compass. While the narrative is light, it provides just enough context to frame your adventure and give Wario a clear—and hilariously selfish—goal.

Storytelling unfolds mostly through slender text interludes and stylized title cards rather than lengthy cutscenes. This keeps the pace brisk and focused on action. That said, the game’s tongue-in-cheek tone shines through in every inspection of treasure chambers and every coin-collecting victory dance Wario performs. You’ll root for his success even as you chuckle at his greed-driven antics.

Each world introduces a new pirate boss guarding prized loot, from cannon-toting captains to rum-soaked buccaneers. Defeating them not only advances the plot but also rewards you with key items and statues that fill out Wario’s burgeoning fortune. Though the story doesn’t aspire to epic drama, its concise setup and playful dialogue fit perfectly with the pick-up-and-play nature of a portable platformer.

Ultimately, the tale of a villainous anti-hero clawing his way back to glory is satisfying in its simplicity. Wario’s overarching ambition—to build a castle grander than Mario’s—serves as a cheeky commentary on platformer conventions and gives players a quirky reason to collect every last coin and gem.

Overall Experience

Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 stands as a shining example of how to evolve a beloved franchise by swapping out its hero for an outright anti-hero. The gameplay is solid and varied, offering enough new mechanics—toll doors, treasure hunts, power-up hats—to set it apart from the Mario formula. Whether you’re blasting through bricks or gambling your haul in high-stakes mini-games, there’s never a dull moment on Kitchen Island.

Though its narrative is minimal, the story perfectly complements the game’s mechanics, giving Wario a believable (if greedy) motivation for his endless coin gathering. The visuals, whether in monochrome or color, remain charming and distinctive, proving that great art direction can transcend hardware limitations. Environments teem with secrets and hazards, ensuring high replayability as you hunt for every hidden chest.

For fans of classic platformers, Wario Land represents a masterclass in level design and character innovation. Newcomers will find an accessible yet engaging challenge, with difficulty that ramps up just enough to keep you invested without feeling unfair. The blend of platforming, puzzle-solving, and risk-based mini-games ensures each play session feels fresh and exciting.

All told, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 is a must-play for anyone craving a portable platformer with personality. It’s a perfect balance of greed-fueled fun, tight controls, and inventive stage layouts. Whether you’re revisiting Kitchen Island or setting foot there for the first time, Wario’s quest for a castle is one of the most entertaining adventures the Game Boy library has to offer.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10