Mario is back! After a long awaited entry to the Mario series became a reality with Super Mario 3D Land for the Nintendo 3DS, my hands were shaking. Would it be like Mario 64? Would I have to go through paintings and get stars? I had no clue, but I knew it was a new Super Mario game, and I HAD to have it. While at first I was disappointed that it wasn't a Mario 64 sequel, my chagrin quickly changed to awe and amazement at the pure genius Shigeru Miyamoto has when it comes to creating the Mario universe. After beating the 3DS incarnation, I LONGED for a big screen HD version. Heck, if they'd have released a "HD remake" of 3D Land, I would've been all for it. (TAKE MY RUPEES!) However, my dream multiplied 10 fold when I found out that 3D World would be a stand-alone game, and feature a whole cast of characters. The set pieces are nothing short of breathtaking! Lava filled mountains, snowy peaks and valleys, grassy knolls, and the obligatory Bowser stages, make for an amazing romp through the ever-growing awesomeness that is the Mushroom Kingdom. However, it's not Peach that is in trouble this time. Instead, 8 different fairy princesses, in 8 different "kingdoms," are trapped in glass bottles by the big dragon baddie himself, Bowser! Playing as Mario, Luigi, Toad, or Peach, it is your job to break them out! 4 player simultaneous action on-screen, aided by amazing worlds, ever changing enemies, and challenging Green Star locations, come together for one PHENOMENAL ride! Just played a level that was breathtaking? Just found a green star that was INSANELY hard to find? Tell the world! Post to MiiVerse with a personal message or picture, and let future players know if it contains spoilers, and your Mii will meander around to different Wii U systems and pass the message along! All told, this is everything I wanted from a level-based 3D Mario game. The levels are amazing, the difficulty is just right, the puzzles are challenging, the green star aspect is a thrill, and the characters are perfect! Oh, did I mention that there's a CAT power-up?! Pick up a Bell, and you become Cat Mario! Jump, angle jump, dash, claw, and climb your way up walls! What an amazing idea! This game gets a 10/10 rating from your friendly neighborhood Shaadow. Think 8 levels is enough? Guess again...