Hands-On Preview: Super Meat Boy 3D Demands Precision In A New Dimension

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If you enjoy platformer games, you’re probably familiar with Super Meat Boy, which is known for being surprisingly challenging. Despite its charming, slightly unsettling style, the game really tests your skills and can be incredibly frustrating – but in a good way!

Despite sharing the same “SMB” initials, Super Meat Boy and Super Mario Bros. are very different games that demand vastly different skills. Super Meat Boy is designed around frequent deaths – you’ll likely fail hundreds or even thousands of times. However, that’s intentional! The levels are short, and the challenge lies in learning the fastest and safest way to get from the start to the finish, though it’s incredibly difficult to master.

I enjoy all kinds of platformer games, and I’ve always admired Super Meat Boy for its difficulty. I like how it encourages you to keep trying a level until you finally beat it – a design choice that also works well in other challenging games like Celeste and Bionic Bay. While I appreciate it, Meat Boy hasn’t ever been one of my absolute favorite platforming series.

When I heard Super Meat Boy was moving into 3D, I was immediately intrigued. I wondered what that would actually *do* for the game – would it create a similar groundbreaking experience to Mario 64, or would they take a completely different path?

I played through eight levels of Super Meat Boy 3D, and I’m already eager to play the full game! Expect more challenging stages, plenty of failed attempts, and lots of dying – it’s that kind of game. If you haven’t enjoyed previous Super Meat Boy titles, this likely won’t change your mind, but it still feels like a fantastic addition to the series’ notoriously difficult platforming.

Adding A New Dimension

When Super Meat Boy was announced to be moving into 3D, it felt like a big shift, and I immediately wondered how it would work. I pictured a fully controllable camera in a 3D environment, with levels filled with collectibles and areas that felt somewhat open for exploration.

Actually, SMB 3D doesn’t play like many people expect. You don’t directly control the camera, and instead move Meat Boy around in all directions from a slightly angled overhead view. This might disappoint those who were hoping for a more open, traditional 3D platformer with full camera control.

…brings a freshness to the series that we haven’t had in a minute.

If you’ve enjoyed previous games in the series, this new approach actually works really well. Seeing Meat Boy from a different angle and having more ways to move feels right for the game. However, it’s not a complete overhaul like what was done with Mario Odyssey – it’s a more subtle change.

I’ve been playing around with the 3D exploration in this demo, and honestly, trying to go off the beaten path usually ends badly. I tried to reach this cool floating island, but it just led to a bunch of bear traps snapping shut on me and having to restart the whole level. It’s frustrating because there *are* options to explore, but they’re pretty punishing!

Moving to 3D allows for fresh and creative platforming challenges. It’s a smart decision, because while I enjoy a difficult platformer, there’s only so much you can do with a 2D side-scrolling setup in a game like Meat Boy. We’ve already explored a lot of the possibilities with wall climbing and avoiding obstacles like sawblades in the 2D version.

The added ability to move in more directions really makes the gameplay more engaging and brings a welcome new feel to the series. While some parts still use traditional side-scrolling, you’re no longer limited to moving strictly left to right. Even within those sections, Meat Boy can still move vertically to avoid obstacles, jump on walls, and find new paths.

It’ll be fun to see how players react to this new perspective, and whether it matches their expectations for what a game featuring this popular character would be like in a new setting. I’ve played through eight levels and it works really well, but it’s good to know what to expect going in.

Meat With A Sheen

Moving Meat Boy into 3D significantly changes the game’s feel. Previous games were limited to a classic 2D side-scrolling view. While the art style was always good, it wasn’t necessarily known for being beautiful.

Seeing the game in 3D really highlights the design improvements. Meat Boy now looks like a polished character from a Dreamworks movie, and he navigates much more interesting and varied levels. These levels are filled with forests, junkyards, dangerous waste, and even squirrels wielding guns – plus, there’s a huge assortment of new and deadly traps and obstacles.

The game isn’t visually stunning right now, and it has some performance issues, like textures and objects appearing suddenly. However, the pre-rendered cutscenes look fantastic, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them as development continues.

Even though there are a few small visual issues right now, I really like the overall design. It works well, and it’s enjoyable to see Meat Boy in a colorful, 3D environment. The background is lively with fun little animations, like robots chopping wood and squirrels playing.

The game wouldn’t be the same without its fantastic music. From the moment I started the game, the combination of heavy guitar and upbeat synth sounds instantly got me focused and ready to play. It’s a really effective soundtrack.

The Precision Platforming You Crave

Let’s talk about how the game actually plays. I’ve played through eight levels so far, and I’m really enjoying it! Like the original Meat Boy, this game focuses on short, difficult levels, and that continues in this 3D version.

This isn’t anything revolutionary, based on what I’ve seen, but it’s still incredibly enjoyable.

The game really encourages you to replay levels, either to beat your best time or reduce the number of times you die. I immediately started replaying levels after finishing them, driven by a desire to improve and prove to myself that I could do better.

I played through the demo three times straight, and honestly, that says a lot. I just didn’t want to put it down! It’s not exactly reinventing the wheel based on what I’ve seen, but it’s seriously a blast to play.

The controls are familiar and straightforward: you can move, sprint, jump, and dash. The game also lets you climb and run on walls to keep moving forward. I’m still getting used to the 3D space, and sometimes struggle to get Meat Boy to do exactly what I want – like wall running instead of just climbing – but I think that’s just a matter of practice and getting more comfortable with the controls.

Super Meat Boy 3D feels perfectly precise.

The core gameplay remains the same: you start a level, race to the finish to save Bandage Girl, only for Dr. Fetus to snatch her away in funny ways. Then you move on to a harder level and try again. You can also collect bandages in certain levels, but ultimately, it’s the classic “reach the end” formula that fans of Meat Boy will recognize.

The game includes an optional red circle that shows where Meat Boy will land, which is really helpful as you get used to its fast-paced, physics-based platforming.

Overall, *Super Meat Boy 3D* feels incredibly precise, and that’s essential for a platformer like this. The levels are challenging, but the smooth, responsive controls mean that when you fail, it’s always your own mistake – and that’s exactly what makes this game so satisfying.

I don’t usually enjoy frustrating games, but I’m definitely interested in Super Meat Boy 3D. Knowing that any mistakes will be my own fault, not due to the game itself, makes me want to keep playing and overcome its challenges. I’m really looking forward to seeing more of the game, especially the boss fights, and putting my platforming skills to the test in new and exciting ways.

Wrapping It All Up

We don’t have a firm release date for Super Meat Boy 3D yet, but the current plan is for it to come out in early 2026. After playing it, I’m optimistic they’ll be able to stick to that timeline, as the game already feels polished and plays well.

You can add the game to your Steam wishlist now to stay informed about future updates as we continue development.

Super Meat Boy 3D is coming to PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox. If you enjoy challenging platformers, this new installment promises the same intense difficulty as previous games, but with added three-dimensional gameplay.

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2025-10-17 18:15