Not many people playedSuper Mario 3D Worldback in the Wii U days, but now that new content has been added and it’s beenfreed from the Wii U prison, there’s more than enough of a reason to dive into it. Unlike traditional 3DMariotitles such asSuper Mario OdysseyandSuper Mario 3D Land, this title is fully playable cooperatively with up to four players locally and online.
At the beginning of the game, there are four playable characters to choose from inSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furyand each one has its own skills and abilities that make them unique. Mario, Toad, Luigi, and Princess Peach make up the bulk of the roster, but there’s also a special unlockable character that players can obtain by completing a challenging stage later on in the game.This character is Rosalinaand might be one of the best choices for players who want some extra help making their way through stages.
Updated on June 19, 2025, by Greysun Morales:Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury has been out on the Switch for over a year at this point, but there are always going to be new players jumping in for the first time. With there being a total of five playable characters in the game, some players might be wondering just whatSuper Mario 3D World’s character abilitiesare. There are pros and cons to picking one character over the over, so it’s worth knowing the differences between them. This guide has been updated to provide some more information on each character’s ability and also explains how to unlock Rosalina, the fifth playable character that’s not available from the start.
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As for what each character does, long-time Mario fans might be familiar since these “abilities” have been featured in many old-schoolMariogames,likeSuper Mario Bros. 2.
How to Unlock
Mario
Mario doesn’t really have any unique abilities inSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. He’s the most balanced of the group, offering a reliable control scheme for players who are new to platformers. He has a normal jump, and a normal run speed, and doesn’t offer any special techniques. That being said, it’s Mario, so players really can’t go wrong here.
Available from the start
Luigi
Luigi is Mario’s taller, younger brother that relies on his jumping skills. Luigi can reach higher areas more easily than Mario or Toad, but the drawback is that he can be rather slippery with his movements. If a player is okay with sacrificing movement for a high jump,Luigi is a worthy contender.
Toad
Toad’s ability allows him to runaround very quickly and is a perfect choice for theMarioplayers out there who want to get through levels as fast as possible. He may not be able to jump super high or double jump like other characters, but this little speedster is a great pick.
Peach
The princess is back as a playable character, and she can use her poofy dress to float across areas for a short amount of time if players hold the jump button. It doesn’t give her extra height or extra speed, but it can come in handy for crossing over dangerous sections in levels or grabbing out-of-reach collectibles.
Rosalina
And last but not least, Rosalina is not only able to double jump, but she is able to attack enemies without needing any sort of power-up, which no other character can do.
Complete the main game and then complete Star World 2 in the post-game.
Any Switch owners out there who are still on the fence about purchasingSuper Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furyshould certainly look intothis review roundup articleto find out what critics have said about it.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Furyis available as a Nintendo Switch exclusive.
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