A dedicated Mario fan on Etsy has created a manual for Super Mario 3D All-Stars, covering all three titles included in the compilation. The collection does not come with a manual, so this is the only way that fans can add a booklet to their copy.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars released in September to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the original Super Mario Bros. video game. This represents the first time that Nintendo Switch owners can access Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. Given that the release includes three of the most popular games of all time, it's no surprise that the Mario compilation saw huge commercial success in its first few weeks. Although the game had some pre-order bonuses from select retailers, the game box itself contained nothing but the game itself.
Etsy user Rowan Fox-Noble has created a number of custom manuals for games like Super Mario Odyssey, but the manual for Super Mario 3D All-Stars is an especially impressive feat. In addition to reformatting material from the original game manuals, the booklet has added new content, like a checklist of each game's main collectibles. The booklet is also perfectly sized to fit into the Nintendo Switch game box. As the Mario 3D All-Stars collection has several major alterations when compared to the original games, it definitely deserves its own manual.
The care put into creating the manual reflects how much gamers worldwide care about Mario. Even as social distancing poses obstacles for gamers worldwide, Mario fans have made some impressive fan works in 2020. These range from novelties like the game manual to clever crossovers, such as a fan-made tribute to both Mario and the hit game Among Us.
The fact that a fan needed to create a manual reflects a larger controversy around Super Mario 3D All-Stars. Some critics view the re-release as a low-effort alternative to releasing a new game. More specifically, the collection is a no-frills release, with the only bonus being the ability to listen to Mario music from the collection's main menu. Many fans were also sad to see the absence of Super Mario Galaxy 2 in the new release, with Nintendo providing no official explanation as to why.
Still, Nintendo is clearly putting care into celebrating Mario's big anniversary. In addition to battle royale game Super Mario Bros. 35, Nintendo is releasing a new augmented-reality version of Mario Kart, and will port Super Mario 3D World to the Switch early next year. It's clear that Mario has a busy future - and thanks to fans, he has the booklet needed to properly commemorate his past.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars is now available on Nintendo Switch.
