Two Good Hours - #7 - Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 (GBA/Wii U)

Originally recorded on 02/18/2022

With the recent news Wii U and 3DS eShop closing in late March 2023, I felt like I needed to bring the spotlight to this often ridiculed system. I agree that the Wii U simply just didn't have the library, but what we got was some unique games in a neat little system. A pretty good, bordline great Virtual Console lineup (the Wii U had GBA and DS games when the 3DS didn't). The concept of "asymetrical gaming" should have been explored more. TVii was way ahead of its time. Miiverse!

I also feel like one of the gems of the system is hidden gem in plain sight. Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario 3. I know what you are saying. How can a GBA remake of one of the best, if not THE best, NES games be considered a hidden gem? What if I told you this version of the game had e-Reader support. Cards you would use to swipe to unlock games and content in GBA games. And new levels that were locked behind the e-Reader functionality were now available to play?

We take a look at those new levels in the second hour, but we also take a look at the original Mario Bros and the first three worlds before we take a look at the "new" content. (This version is almost 20 years old after all, but the Wii U version will go away if you don't pick it up on the Wii U eShop!)

What's "Two Good Hours"? I give you two hours with a game, along with a binary rating system of "PASS" or "FAIL" while you decide if a game is worth your time!

NintendoLife - When Does The 3DS And Wii U eShop Close? Nintendo eShop Closure Guide
https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/when-does-the-3ds-and-wii-u-eshop-close-nintendo-eshop-closure-guide

NintendoLife - Feature: 23 Best Wii U eShop Games You Should Get Before They're Gone Forever
https://www.nintendolife.com/features/23-best-wii-u-eshop-games-you-should-get-before-theyre-gone-forever

NintendoLife - Feature: 29 Best 3DS eShop Games You Should Get Before They're Gone Forever
https://www.nintendolife.com/features/29-best-3ds-eshop-games-you-should-get-before-theyre-gone-forever