Super Mario Run 3D

"Super Mario Run 3D" is not an official Nintendo game.

This name is likely a combination of two distinct concepts from the Super Mario franchise:

Super Mario Run: This is Nintendo's official auto-runner mobile game for iOS and Android, released in 2016/2017. In this game, Mario automatically runs forward, and the player taps the screen to make him jump. While the graphics are 3D models, the gameplay is fundamentally 2D side-scrolling, presented in a "2.5D" style (similar to New Super Mario Bros.).
3D Super Mario Games: This refers to the main series of 3D platformers like Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy (1 and 2), Super Mario 3D World, and Super Mario Odyssey. These games offer full 3D movement and exploration in expansive environments, a stark contrast to the auto-running nature of Super Mario Run.

Why the "Super Mario Run 3D" Confusion?

The confusion probably stems from:

Super Mario Run's Visuals: Even though it's an auto-runner, Super Mario Run uses 3D models and environments, which can lead people to associate "3D" with it.
Desire for a 3D Mobile Mario: Many fans might wish for a full 3D Mario experience on mobile that isn't an auto-runner, and "Super Mario Run 3D" might be a shorthand for that desire.
Fan-Made Games: There might be unofficial fan-made games or mods that try to combine elements of 3D Mario games with auto-running, leading to such a title. These would not be official Nintendo products.

In summary: If you hear "Super Mario Run 3D," it's either:

A misinterpretation of Super Mario Run (which uses 3D graphics but has 2D auto-running gameplay).
A fan's wish for a full 3D Mario auto-runner on mobile.
An unofficial fan-made game.

The official Super Mario Run is a 2.5D auto-runner. The official 3D Mario games (like Super Mario Odyssey or Super Mario 3D World) are not auto-runners and offer full player control in 3D environments.

FAQs about "Super Mario Run 3D" (and related official games)

Q1: Is "Super Mario Run 3D" an official Nintendo game? A1: No, there is no official Nintendo game titled "Super Mario Run 3D."

Q2: Is the original Super Mario Run a 3D game? A2: Super Mario Run uses 3D graphics and models, but its gameplay is a 2.5D side-scrolling auto-runner. You move in a 2D plane (left to right), while the world and characters are rendered in 3D.

Q3: Are there any official 3D Mario games on mobile? A3: The only official Super Mario platformer on mobile is Super Mario Run, which is a 2.5D auto-runner. Full 3D Super Mario games (like Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Odyssey, or Super Mario 3D World) are primarily available on Nintendo's dedicated consoles.

Q4: What's the difference between "Super Mario Run" and "Super Mario 3D World"? A4: Super Mario Run is a mobile-exclusive 2.5D auto-runner. Super Mario 3D World (Wii U, Switch) is a full 3D platformer with complete player control over movement, exploration, and camera, often featuring simultaneous multiplayer. They are fundamentally different types of games, despite both using 3D graphics.

Q5: Why isn't there a full 3D Mario game like Super Mario Odyssey on mobile? A5: Nintendo tends to reserve its flagship 3D Super Mario game experiences for its dedicated console hardware (like the Nintendo Switch). This strategy encourages players to buy their consoles for the full, premium experience, and allows for designs optimized for controllers rather than touchscreens.

Pros and Cons of a Hypothetical "Super Mario Run 3D" (a full 3D auto-runner)

Let's imagine for a moment what a truly 3D auto-runner Mario game (where Mario runs automatically in a full 3D environment and you control jumps/dodges) might entail, and why Nintendo hasn't pursued it:

Pros (if it existed):

Visual Spectacle: Running through visually rich 3D Super Mario environments (like those in Super Mario Odyssey) on a mobile device could be stunning.
Dynamic Camera: A well-implemented dynamic camera could create exciting cinematic moments as Mario traverses the landscape.
One-Handed 3D: It could offer a unique way to experience 3D platforming with simplified controls, appealing to a broad mobile audience.
New Design Challenges: For developers, it would present interesting design challenges in how to guide the player through 3D space automatically while still offering meaningful interaction.

Cons (and reasons it's unlikely officially):

Control Complexity: While auto-running simplifies movement, navigating and precisely jumping in a full 3D environment with only taps (without a joystick/D-pad and camera control) would be extremely difficult to design well and could lead to frustration.
Camera Control Issues: An automatic camera in 3D can be disorienting or fail to show critical paths/obstacles, especially in an auto-runner where the player has limited input.
Loss of Core Mario Freedom: A major appeal of 3D Super Mario games (like Super Mario 64 or Super Mario Odyssey) is the freedom of exploration, backtracking, and choosing your own path. An auto-runner inherently removes this.
Monetization Challenges: If it were a premium game, it would face the same hurdles as the original Super Mario Run. If free-to-play, it might conflict with Nintendo's philosophy for flagship titles.
Hardware Prioritization: Nintendo's primary focus is on selling its console hardware. Offering a full 3D Super Mario experience on mobile that rivals their console games might detract from their console sales.
Resource Demands: Creating a full 3D Super Mario game, even an auto-runner, for mobile would require significant development resources and optimization for various mobile devices.