Super Mario 3D Land is the perfect game for short, bite-sized platforming fun. It plays almost more like a traditional 2D Mario game, but the levels have a structure and obstacles that just couldn't work in 2D.
A lot of the game seems to be designed around the 3D effect of the console, considering the camera's perspective is almost always in just the right spot, enemies love to jump out at you and there's little areas with optical illusions that are difficult to navigate without the effect. It also makes platforming a bit more accurate because it's easier to tell where Mario is and where he's going to land.
While the levels may be short, there are 8 additional special worlds on top of the 8 main worlds where you'll find more challenging levels and remixes of levels you've already played. In the end I felt like I'd seen the same bosses and levels one too many times, but moments like the final Bowser fight more than made up for it.
Not the most memorable of Mario experiences, but one that definitely should be talked about more and will be fun for almost anyone.