Super Mario 3D World
- Not to be confused with Super Mario World or Super Mario 3D Land.
- This article is about the original Wii U version of the Super Mario 3D World game. For the Nintendo Switch port of this game, see Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury.
| Super Mario 3D World | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 North American box art For alternate box art, see the game's gallery. | |||||||||||||
| Developer | Nintendo EAD Tokyo 1-UP Studio[1] | ||||||||||||
| Publisher | Nintendo | ||||||||||||
| Platform(s) | Wii U | ||||||||||||
| Release date | Original release: Template:Release Nintendo Selects: Template:Release | ||||||||||||
| Genre | Platformer | ||||||||||||
| Rating(s) |
| ||||||||||||
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer | ||||||||||||
| Input | Wii U:  Wii Remote (horizontal) | ||||||||||||
- Everyone
- Three years and older
- All ages
- General
- Six years and older
- All ages
Super Mario 3D World is a 3D platformer action game for the Wii U, released in November 2013. It is the fifteenth title in the Super Mario series, the seventh 3D Mario title overall, and the fifth 3D Mario title on a home console after Super Mario Galaxy 2. The title is a sequel to the 2011 Nintendo 3DS installment Super Mario 3D Land. The game builds upon the previous installment, following a similar 3D level-design convention inspired from the 2D platformer titles where players must navigate through a linear-designed level within a time limit to reach a level's Goal Pole. The game's plot centers around Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad having to rescue the rulers of the Sprixie Kingdom, the Sprixie Princesses from Bowser.
One key aspect introduced in this title is the simultaneous multiplayer: while not the first game in the series to do so, it is the first 3D title in the Mario series to incorporate up to four players cooperating with each other to reach the goal. Players can select their character from a pool of playable characters prior to starting the game; each of these characters have their own unique playstyle that gives them advantages and disadvantages over other characters. The game makes use of several Wii U exclusive features, such as tapping blocks with the touch screen on the GamePad and blowing into the mic to reveal hidden items and blow away enemies. Various new power-ups are introduced in this title, with the trademark suit being the Cat power-up, which enables characters to perform a melee attack, climb up walls, and leap while midair, as well as the game generally having a cat-based theme.
It included Miiverse integration through collectible stamps that could be used in Miiverse posts, and the Ghost Mii functionality that emulates players replaying levels for other players to view; however, the service was terminated on November 7, 2017, meaning that stamps can be collected, but not used. Additionally, the Miiverse posts that appeared on the course select screen and when selecting courses are no longer present.
The game introduces a smaller set of levels called Captain Toad's Adventures, which were later reused and expanded into its own standalone title and prequel, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker.
An enhanced port called Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury for the Nintendo Switch was released on February 12, 2021.
Story
On an evening in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad come to view and enjoy the fireworks outside of Peach's Castle, when they discover a slanted Clear Pipe along the path. Mario and Luigi fix the Clear Pipe with hammers and wrenches, causing the pipe to eject a large number of items as well as a Sprixie Princess, a fairy-like creature of the Sprixie species. The Green Sprixie Princess begins to explain that Bowser has kidnapped six of her fellow Sprixie Princesses and that she needs their help; thereafter, however, Bowser emerges from the pipe and traps the princess inside a bottle before disappearing back down the pipe with her. Peach, in trying to stop Bowser, falls down the pipe herself, and the others soon follow in order to assist her. The heroes soon end up in the Sprixie Kingdom, where the journey mainly takes place.
After going through six worlds, the group encounter Bowser in World Castle, where he is keeping the Red Sprixie Princess; the only Sprixie Princess whom has not been saved yet. After the group successfully defeats Bowser, the Sprixie Princess is saved. The celebration is cut short, however, when Bowser ambushes and grabs all seven Sprixie Princesses in a large bottle. With their combined power, he creates World Bowser: a theme park modeled after himself, and escapes to the tower.
The heroes make their way through this world and encounter Bowser again in The Great Tower of Bowser Land. Here, Bowser uses a Super Bell to transform to Meowser and makes duplicates of himself, initiating the final battle. The group manages to defeat Meowser after climbing the tower and rescue all of the Sprixie Princesses. Now safe from Bowser, they thank the heroes as they go through a Clear Pipe back to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Gameplay
Super Mario 3D World is a linear 3D platform game with gameplay similar to the 2D games. The player must navigate through levels, defeating enemies and collecting power-ups on the way. The player clears a level by reaching the Goal Pole at the end before losing a life or running out of time. The player can store collected power-ups in the item storage, allowing them to be collected by pressing 
. The player can also collect Green Stars and Stamps, which allow the player to unlock certain levels or can be used in Miiverse posts, respectively. Points are earned by collecting items and defeating enemies, and are used to determine the player's high score in a level. The player completes the main game when they clear World Bowser and completes the entire game when all bonus worlds are complete and all Green Stars and Stamps are collected.
Multiplayer
For the first time in a 3D Super Mario title, the game supports up to four-player simultaneous multiplayer, allowing players to control Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, and Rosalina; additional players can drop in at any time by pressing 
/
, and can drop out by pausing and pressing 
on the pause menu, similar to New Super Mario Bros. Wii and New Super Mario Bros. U; in this game, however, players can also switch characters before entering a stage. Each character has different abilities, much like they had in Super Mario Bros. 2. The multiplayer works similarly to New Super Mario Bros. Wii and New Super Mario Bros. U, in that players can enter a bubble at any time, pick each other up and throw each other, bounce on each others' heads, and so on. Players also share lives when playing in multiplayer, rather than each player having a separate life counter. The game uses a cooperative and competitive multiplayer system; each player works together to get to the end of the stage, but is ranked based on points earned out of the total score at the end. The player that scores the most points for one stage receives a crown, which can be stolen by the other players and gives the player wearing it at the end of the stage a score bonus.
In addition to being the default player one controller, the 
can be used at any point during gameplay (multiplayer or not) to interact with the environment, allowing players to stun enemies, momentarily reveal hidden objects (both in levels and on the map), hit blocks, stop moving platforms, and various other functions, similar to the Co-Star Luma from Super Mario Galaxy 2 and Boost Mode from New Super Mario Bros. U. If the player rubs an enemy with the touch screen, a coin is spawned. The can also be used to control the camera during gameplay by pressing the button on the bottom corner of the GamePad screen and tilting the controller, in what is known as Free Camera Mode. It works in a similar fashion to the camera from Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine. The GamePad can also be used for Off-TV Play at any point.
Nintendo Network
Super Mario 3D World features Nintendo Network support in the form of Miiverse integration and Ghost Miis. These features are first enabled on a given save file after progressing a bit into the game. With Miiverse, players could make a post at any point on the World Map or after completing a stage by tapping the "Post" icon; other players' posts could also be viewed on the World Map by walking up to their Miis and pressing /, or on the top of the stage results screen. Ghost Miis are created after the player clears a course without losing a life, and they perfectly recreate the player's movements throughout the course, automatically distributing them to other players. Players who receive the data can play through an already cleared course with three Ghost Mii characters. While traveling through a course, the Ghost Mii characters occasionally carry gifts behind them that when caught can contain various items. The Nintendo Network settings for this title can be changed at any point by pausing the game and selecting the Nintendo Network icon button.
Returning elements
Super Mario 3D World plays very similarly to Super Mario 3D Land, being a 3D platformer with gameplay similar to the 2D games. This game retains its predecessor's similarity to Super Mario Bros. 3 (with colorful blocks, the Super Leaf, Spikes, and the Lose a Life theme returning from that game); many elements from Super Mario World return as well, such as Chargin' Chucks, Beach Koopas, and Galoombas (the Goombas of that game renamed). Stages are once again open yet linear, have a time limit, and end by grabbing the classic Goal Pole at the end. Green Stars return from the Super Mario Galaxy games, taking the role of the Star Medals from Super Mario 3D Land. There are also various stamps that the player can find. There is one in each level and they can be used in Miiverse posts. The game also seems to be slightly more puzzle-focused than its predecessors. The path from the start of the level to the goal is no longer a straight shot, and the players would often have to use certain power-ups and items in order to find the way ahead. Additionally, the game also features a score system, the first time one has appeared in a 3D Mario game.
Almost every power-up and item from Super Mario 3D Land returns (except the Statue Leaf and P-Wing). The Mega Mushroom from New Super Mario Bros. also makes an appearance. There are also several new power-ups and suits; The most prominent of the new power-ups is the Super Bell, a power-up that grants the player a Cat Suit, allowing them to lunge at and claw enemies and climb up walls.
Luigi Bros.
- Main article: Mario Bros. (game) § Luigi Bros.|Mario Bros. (game) § Luigi Bros.|Mario Bros. (game) § Luigi Bros.
As part of the Year of Luigi celebration, also included is another game that can be accessed from the title screen after beating the main game once (or immediately if New Super Luigi U save data is present). The game, titled Luigi Bros., is a modified ROM of Mario Bros., but with Luigi as the only playable character. The game can be accessed by touching the Luigi button found in the bottom-left corner of the screen. As it is a modification of the original NES game, it makes use of the Virtual Console interface and allows the use of save/restore points. Also, similar to New Super Luigi U, multiple 8-bit Luigi sprites can be found throughout the game.
Controls
| Action(s) | Input(s) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wii U GamePad | Wii U Pro Controller Wii Classic Controller Pro Wii Classic Controller |
Wii Remote (sideways) | Wii Remote + Nunchuk | |
| Stage controls | ||||
| Move |  / 
|
|
| |
| Dash (while moving), hold items (release to throw), attack (power-ups) |  / 
|
|
| |
| Jump, swim, wall jump (against wall) | / 
|
|
| |
| Crouch, ground-pound (while in mid-air), go down pipe, slide (on a slope) |  / 
|
/ Shake
|
| |
| Crouch jump (while idle) | / + /
|
/ Shake +
|
+
| |
| Roll | / + /
|
/ Shake +
|
+
| |
| Long jump (while moving) | / + /
|
/ Shake +
|
+
| |
| Rolling long jump (during a roll) | Crouch + Roll + Jump | |||
| Side Somersault | / (in reverse direction) + /
|
(reverse direction) +
|
(reverse direction) +
| |
| Enter horizontal pipe | / (in the direction of the entrance)
|
(in the direction of the entrance)
|
(in the direction of the entrance)
| |
| Bubble (multiplayer only) |  / 
|
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| |
| Pause | 
| |||
| Use inventory item |
| |||
| Camera |  (Tilt in Free Camera Mode)
|
|
N/A |
|
| Move Propeller Platforms | 
|
N/A | ||
| Bring out Touchstones | 
|
N/A | ||
| World Screen controls | ||||
| Move | /
|
|
| |
| Dash (while moving) | /
|
|
| |
| Jump | /
|
|
| |
| Menu |
| |||
| View map, drop out (pause menu) |
| |||
| Enter stage |
|
|
| |
| Menu controls | ||||
| Select option | /
|
|
| |
| Confirm |
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| |
| Cancel |
|
|
| |
Worlds
The game features a large world map, consisting of eight worlds with four unlockable bonus worlds. Each world is connected by Clear Pipes. Unlike previous games, where players follow a simple path through the maps, the map here can be freely roamed with full control of the characters, except with a limited jump. Each world features a set of levels along with Enemy Battles, Toad Houses, Sprixie Houses, Lucky Houses, and either Mystery Houses or a puzzle-focused series of levels called Captain Toad's Adventures with Captain Toad playable. The maps also contain items such as coins and 1-Up Mushrooms and other secrets.
When the player finishes a course with all Green Stars, the ball ornament on the Goal Pole is replaced with a Green Star, which can even become gold when the stage is cleared with all five characters, the stamp from that stage is collected (if any), and at least one character touches the top of the flag at the end of the stage. Upon reaching World Crown, the player can also see which stage has been cleared with which characters on the Map Progression screen or when approaching a stage. When all the stages in a world have been cleared with every character, a paw print mark is shown on the upper-right corner of the Map Progression screen.
Level names with a 
Green Star icon appended to them are locked upon discovery, and require the player to have the listed number of Green Stars to unlock and play the level.
Characters
Playable and abilities
| Character | Advantages | Disadvantages | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
_-_Super_Mario_3D_World.png) Mario |
Balanced | From the start | |
_-_Super_Mario_3D_World.png) Luigi |
Jumps the highest Can Scuttle, allowing his jumps to cover more ground |
Sprints later Low traction, making him slippery | |
_-_Super_Mario_3D_World.png) Peach |
Can float briefly after jumping Sprints the soonest |
Runs the slowest | |
 Toad |
Runs the fastest | Falls the fastest Sprints the latest Jumps the lowest | |
 Rosalina |
Can use Spin attacks, allowing her to attack without a power-up, perform a double jump, or jump higher Sprints the soonest, tied with Peach |
Runs the slowest, tied with Peach Loses her Spin attack when using power-ups (excluding the Super Mushroom, Double Cherry, and Super Star) |
After completing World  Star-2
|
 Captain Toad |
Sprints the soonest | Cannot jump | Only in Captain Toad's Adventures levels |
Supporting cast
| Image | Description |
|---|---|
 Sprixie Princess |
Sprixie Princesses rule the Sprixie Kingdom and are captured by Bowser at the beginning of the game. At the end of every world, the player rescues a Sprixie Princess and it builds a Clear Pipe to the next world. After World Castle, Bowser captures all the Sprixie Princesses again, but they are rescued permanently when the player defeats Meowser in World Bowser. |
 Sprixie |
Sprixies are fairy-like creatures that are ruled by Sprixie Princesses. They appear in many levels and hold binoculars, allowing the player to see the end of the level. They are also found in Sprixie Houses. |
 Luma |
Lumas make a minor appearance as non-playable characters. They can be found floating around the map in the bonus worlds. The player cannot interact with them. |
 Plessie |
Plessie is a character that the player can ride across water. The player must tilt to move or accelerate. The player can press to jump. It functions similarly to Dorrie from Super Mario 64 and Manta Ray from Super Mario Galaxy.
|
 Rabbit |
Rabbits can be found in several levels, where they run from the player. When caught by the player, they release power-ups, Coins, or Green Stars. |
 Mega Rabbit |
Similar to normal rabbits, they try to run from the player and must be caught. These rabbits release Mega Mushrooms or Green Stars. |
 Toads |
Toads appear in and host Toad Houses, where the player can win power-ups. |
 Ghost Miis |
Mii characters that represent the ghost data of another player, recreating the exact movements of said player. They appear once Nintendo Network features have been enabled. However, as of November 7, 2017, Miiverse is discontinued and Ghost Miis no longer appear in the game. |
Enemies and obstacles
New
| Image | Description | First appearance | Last appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ant Trooper |
Ant Troopers are purple ant-like enemies that attack by marching in groups. They cannot be defeated with a jump, but they can be ground-pounded, pounced/tail-whipped, or hit with a Boomerang. | Ant Trooper Hill | Sprawling Savanna |
 Big Ant Trooper |
Big Ant Troopers are larger versions of Ant Troopers. They cannot be defeated, but the player can jump on them to reach otherwise inaccessible areas. | Ant Trooper Hill | Sprawling Savanna |
 Big Galoomba |
Big Galoombas are larger versions of Galoombas. They attack by attempting to ram into the player and can be defeated if jumped on twice. A Ground Pound defeats them in one hit. | Big Galoomba Blockade | Gargantuan Grotto |
 Blockstepper |
Blocksteppers are blocks with hats and feet that attack by marching in groups to the beat of the music in the current stage. They can be defeated by most attack methods, but if one member of a group is defeated, the rest hurriedly scatter and subsequently chase the player after a while. | Double Cherry Pass | Faster Fort Fire Bros. |
 Blurker |
Blurkers are pink block-like enemies that are found in groups blocking areas. They temporarily disappear like a Boo if interacted with on the GamePad or attacked by normal means. They can be permanently defeated through use of a Mega Mushroom, a Piranha Plant, White Tanooki Mario, Lucky Cat Mario, or Invincible Mario. | Shadow Play Alley | Back to Hands-On Hall |
 Brolder |
Brolders are boulder enemies found in lava levels. When the player approaches, they pop up from the ground and attempt to roll over the player. When attacked, they can be carried and thrown to press switches or obtain collectibles within the arc of throw. They can also be defeated permanently by throwing them into lava or attacking them with Lucky Cat Mario or White Tanooki Mario. | Brolder Blockade | Mystery House Marathon |
 Cat Banzai Bill |
Cat Banzai Bills are Banzai Bills with a cat appearance. They attack by following the player and can be defeated with most attacks. | The Bullet Bill Express | The Bullet Bill Express |
 Cat Bullet Bill |
Cat Bullet Bills are Bullet Bills with a cat appearance. They attack by following the player, similarly to the Bull's-Eye Bill, and can be defeated with most attacks. | The Bullet Bill Express | Mystery House Marathon |
 Cat Goomba |
Cat Goombas are Goombas with a cat appearance. They attack by jumping and pouncing like Cat Mario to its original location. They can be defeated with most attacks. Some leave behind a Super Bell when defeated. | Super Bell Hill | The Great Tower of Bowser Land |
 Charvaargh |
A dragon-like enemy that attacks the player by leaping out of the lava. They instantly defeat the player when touched, regardless of the player's current form. They cannot be defeated. | Simmering Lava Lake | Simmering Lava Lake |
 Conkdor |
Conkdors are bird enemies that stay in place and slam down their beaks to attack once they spot the player. They can be defeated with most attacks, although the player cannot jump on their spiky shell. | Conkdor Canyon | Sprawling Savanna Rabbit Run |
 Flopter |
Flopters are bug-like enemies that attack by attempting to fly into the player. They can be defeated with most attacks. | The Bullet Bill Express | Mystery House Brawl |
 Fuzzler |
Fuzzlers are Fuzzy-like enemies that roll around on tracks used by a Switchboard. They can be defeated with Lucky Cat Mario or if they come into contact with water. | Switchboard Falls | Switchboard Falls |
 Grumblump |
A block obstacle that the player must use as a platform to progress. It moves faster for a short time if the player uses a Ground Pound on it. | Grumblump Inferno | Grumblump Inferno |
 Hop-Chop |
Hop-Chops are spring-like enemies that attack the player by bouncing towards them. They can be defeated by most attacks, and some may temporarily turn into springboards upon being defeated. | Big Bounce Byway | Mystery House Marathon |
 Horned Ant Trooper |
Horned Ant Troopers are Ant Troopers with spiked helmets. They can be defeated with most attacks, though jumping on them damages the player. | Ant Trooper Hill | Champion's Road |
 Ka-thunk |
Ka-thunks are rectangular frames covered in spikes that move around in certain patterns, similarly to a Tox Box. They can be defeated with Lucky Cat Mario or White Tanooki Mario. | King Ka-thunk's Castle | Bowser's Lava Lake Keep |
 Innertube Goomba |
Goombas in inflatable rings are first found asleep floating on water until a player is close to them, which causes them to wake up and chase the player. | Pipeline Lagoon | Sprawling Savanna Rabbit Run |
 Madpole |
Madpoles are tadpole-like enemies that chase the player in the water. They can be defeated with most attacks. | Rammerhead Reef | Pipeline Boom Lagoon |
 Parabones |
Parabones are winged Dry Bones that attack the player by flying into them. Unlike Koopa Paratroopa, their wings do not disappear when jumped on. They can be defeated permanently by Invincible Mario, Lucky Cat Mario, and White Tanooki Mario. | Fuzzy Time Mine | Blast Block Skyway |
 Piranha Creeper |
Piranha Creepers are Piranha Plant variants with long stems. They move around in a certain pattern and shorten their stems when attacked. | Piranha Creeper Creek | Champion's Road |
  Rammerhead |
Rammerheads are hammerhead shark-like enemies that try to ram into the player with their heads. They can only be defeated with Lucky Cat Mario, Invincible Mario, or White Tanooki Mario. | Captain Toad Makes a Splash | Pipeline Boom Lagoon |
 Ring Burner |
Ring Burners are robotic enemies that fire waves of plasma periodically. The player can stop the enemy from firing by standing on the switch. They cannot be defeated. | Cakewalk Flip | Champion's Road |
 Skating Goomba |
Goombas that ride Ice Skates are found on ice and attempt to attack the player characters by skating into them. When defeated, they may drop the Ice Skate for the player to use. | Snowball Park | Ty-Foo Flurries |
 Skipsqueak |
Skipsqueaks are mouse enemies that run in place and jump on rotating platforms. They can be defeated by any attack. | Really Rolling Hills | Rainbow Run |
 Snow Pokey |
Snow Pokeys are Pokeys made of snow that chase the player. They can be defeated with most attacks, allowing their body segments to be picked up and thrown. | Snowball Park | Mystery House Brawl |
 Spiny Skipsqueak |
Spiny Skipsqueaks are enemies that act identically to the Skipsqueak, but jumping on them damages the player. They can be defeated by any other attack. | Really Rolling Hills | Night Falls on Really Rolling Hills |
 Splorch |
Splorches are fireballs that chase the player. They can only be defeated by Invincible Mario, Lucky Cat Mario, or White Tanooki Mario; though they can be pushed into the lava with projectile attacks from Boomerang Mario and Fire Mario. | Brolder Blockade Is Back | Broken Blue Bully Belt |
 Splounder |
Splounders are enemies only found in levels featuring Plessie. If Plessie collides with one, Plessie loses some of its speed. They can be jumped on to defeat them or reach objects high in the air. | Plessie's Plunging Falls | Rainbow Run |
 Ty-foo |
Ty-foos are cloud enemies that blow wind at the player in an attempt to push them off of the stage. The player can stun them temporarily through the touch screen on the GamePad or defeat them with Mega Mario, Lucky Cat Mario, and White Tanooki Mario. | Ty-Foo Flurries | Gigantic Seasick Wreck |
 Walleye |
Walleyes are Wallop-like enemies that try to block the player. They can be stunned through the touch screen of the GamePad or defeated permanently by Lucky Cat Mario or White Tanooki Mario. | Ty-Foo Flurries | Mystery House Marathon |
Returning
| Image | Description | First appearance | Last appearence |
|---|---|---|---|
 Baddie Box |
Baddie Boxes are blocks that release Bob-ombs when approached. They can be destroyed by Invincible Mario, Lucky Cat Mario, and White Tanooki Mario. | Bob-ombs Below | Super Block Land |
 Banzai Bill |
Banzai Bills are a larger variety of Bullet Bills. They share the same weaknesses as the Cat Banzai Bill. | Mystery House Mad Dash | Bullet Bill Base |
 Beach Koopa |
Beach Koopas are Koopa Troopas that do not have shells. They act the same as normal Koopa Troopas and can be defeated with any attack. | Koopa Troopa Cave | Mystery House Marathon |
 Biddybud |
Biddybuds are ladybug enemies that walk in a specific pattern. They can be defeated with any attack. | Switch Scramble Circus | Sunshine Seaside |
 Big Boo |
Big Boos are a larger variant of Boo. They can only be defeated by Light Boxes, Invincible Mario, Lucky Cat Mario, and White Tanooki Mario. | Shifty Boo Mansion | Shiftier Boo Mansion |
 Bill Blaster |
Bill Blasters are cannons that shoot Bullet Bills or Cat Bullet Bills. They cannot be destroyed. | Bowser's Bullet Bill Brigade | Footlight Lane |
 Blooper |
Bloopers are squid-like enemies that appear in underwater areas. They attack by charging at the player. They can be defeated by most attacks. | Rammerhead Reef | Pipeline Boom Lagoon |
 Bob-omb |
Bob-ombs are bomb enemies. They attack by following the player and attempting to explode near them. When attacked, they can be picked up, but they must be thrown because they explode after a few seconds. | Bob-ombs Below | Super Block Land |
 Boo |
Boos are ghost enemies. They attack by floating toward the player. When looked at, they stop moving. They can only be defeated by Invincible Mario, a Light Box, Lucky Cat Mario and White Tanooki Mario. | Shifty Boo Mansion | Deep-Black Jungle Drift |
 Boomerang Bro |
Boomerang Bros. are Koopa enemies that throw boomerangs. They can be defeated with most attacks. | Beep Block Skyway | Mystery House Brawl |
 Bullet Bill |
Bullet Bills are bullets that shoot out of Bill Blasters in a straight line. They can be defeated with most attack methods. | Bowser's Bullet Bill Brigade | Footlight Lane |
 Bully |
Bullies are enemies that charge at the player in attempt to push them off the platform. They can be defeated with Mega Mario, Lucky Cat Mario, Invincible Mario and White Tanooki Mario, but they can be pushed off platforms by performing any attack repeatedly. | Spooky Seasick Wreck | Mystery House Marathon |
_-_Super_Mario_3D_World.png) Cannon |
Cannons are boxes that can shoot either Cannonballs or Kick Bombs at the player. They can be destroyed if hit by a cannonball from a Cannon Box or if a Brick Block under it is hit. | Bowser's Highway Showdown | Trouble in Shadow-Play Alley |
 Chargin' Chuck |
Chargin' Chucks are large Koopas with football gear. they attack by charging at the player and ramming into them. Most attacks can defeat them, but they usually must be hit twice. A Ground Pound defeats it in one hit. | Chargin' Chuck Blockade | Champion's Road |
 Cheep Cheep |
Cheep Cheeps are fish enemies that attack by swimming at the player. They can be defeated with most attacks. | Pipeline Lagoon | Pipeline Lagoon |
 Coin Coffer |
Coin Coffers are enemies that try to run away from the player. They can be defeated by most attacks. When defeated, they release many coins. | Pipeline Lagoon | Sprawling Savanna Rabbit Run |
 Fire Bar |
Fire Bars are rotating sticks with fireballs on them. | Fort Fire Bros. | Champion's Road |
 Fire Bro |
Fire Bros. are Koopa enemies that attack by throwing fireballs. They can be defeated with most attacks. | Double Cherry Pass | Champion's Road |
 Fire Piranha Plant |
Fire Piranha Plants are a variant of Piranha Plant that can shoot fireballs. They can be defeated with most attacks. The player can also send its own fireballs back at it by using the touch screen of the GamePad. | Shadow-Play Alley | Honeycomb Skyway |
 Fizzlit |
Fizzlits are purple blob enemies that melt into an electrically-charged puddle. They can be defeated with any attack while in their purple form, or by Fire Mario's fireballs, Invincible Mario, Lucky Cat Mario, and White Tanooki Mario when electrified. | Switchboard Falls | Switch Shock Circus |
 Floating Mine |
Floating Mines are balls with spikes that are often found in Clear Pipes as obstacles. They can be defeated by Invincible Mario, White Tanooki Mario or a fireball from Fire Mario. | Clear Pipe Cruise | Back to Hands-On Hall |
 Fuzzy |
Fuzzies are black, furry creatures. They function as obstacles and they can only be defeated by a Super Star, Lucky Cat Mario, White Tanooki Mario, or a Piranha Plant. | Shadow-Play Alley | Champion's Road |
 Fuzzy Horde |
Fuzzy Hordes are very large groups of Fuzzies. They slowly move toward the player and cannot be defeated. They instantly defeat the player when touched, regardless of the player's current form. | Fuzzy Time Mine | Floating Fuzzy Time Mine |
 Galoomba |
Galoombas are Goomba-like enemies that are rounder and must be attacked twice or ground-pounded to be defeated. | Puffprod Peaks | Super Galaxy |
 Goomba |
Goombas are basic enemies that resemble brown mushrooms and attack by attempting to run into the player. They can be defeated with any attack. | Super Bell Hill | Mystery House Marathon |
 Goomba Tower |
Goomba Towers are stacks of Goombas. They act like normal Goombas do, but must be attacked multiple times or ground-pounded to be fully defeated. | Koopa Troopa Cave | Towering Sunshine Seaside |
 Hammer Bro |
Hammer Bros. are Koopa enemies that attack by throwing hammers at the player. They can be defeated by most attacks. | Fire Bros. Hideout #3 | Switch Shock Circus |
 Koopa Troopa |
Koopa Troopas are turtle-like creatures with shells. They attack by trying to walk into the player. When attacked, they lose their shell, which can be carried. | Koopa Troopa Cave | Mystery House Marathon |
  Lava Bubble |
Lava Bubbles are living fireballs that emerge from lava and attempt to collide with the player. They can only be defeated when the player is invincible. | Lava Rock Lair | Faster Fort Fire Bros. |
 Magikoopa |
Magikoopas are enemies that fire spells to damage the player. They can be defeated by most attacks. | Magikoopa Blockade | Champion's Road |
 Mega Piranha Plant |
Mega Piranha Plants are a larger variant of Piranha Plant. They attack by attempting to bite the player. They can be defeated by most attacks, though they require two hits, but a Ground Pound defeats it instantly. | Mount Beanpole | Honeycomb Skyway |
 Mini Goomba |
Mini Goombas are very small variants of Goombas that attack by chasing the player. They can be defeated with any attack, but they can be pushed away if interacted with using the GamePad. | Koopa Troopa Cave | Mystery House Marathon |
 Octoomba |
Octoombas are a variant of Goombas that throw projectiles at the player. They are only stunned for one second with a jump, but they can only be defeated with a ground pound. | Super Galaxy | Champion's Road |
 Para-Biddybud |
Para-Biddybuds are a variant of Biddybuds that hover above the ground and fly in circles. They can be defeated with most attacks. | Switch Scramble Circus | Mystery House Marathon |
 Peepa |
Peepas are Boo-like enemies that move in a set pattern, blocking a path. They can be defeated with a Light Box, Invincible Mario, Lucky Cat Mario, and White Tanooki Mario. | Shifty Boo Mansion | Mystery House Marathon |
 Piranha Plant |
Piranha Plants are carnivorous plants that attack by attempting to bite the player. They can be defeated by most attacks. | Mount Beanpole | Mystery House Marathon |
 Porcupuffer |
Porcupuffers are giant Cheep Cheeps that have spikes on their backs. They attempt to swim at the player and can be defeated by most attack methods (except jumps). | Pipeline Lagoon | Pipeline Lagoon |
 Spike |
Spikes are Koopa enemies that throw spiked rollers. They can be defeated with most attacks. | Spike's Lost City | Mystery House Marathon |
 Spike Bar |
Spike Bars are obstacles that are usually found spinning around a block. They can be destroyed with Lucky Cat Mario and White Tanooki Mario. | Boiling Blue Bully Belt | Champion's Road |
 Spiny |
Spinies are red Koopa enemies with spikes on them. They damage the player if jumped on, but can otherwise be defeated with most attacks. | Big Bounce Byway | Floating Fuzzy Time Mine |
 Stingby |
Stingbies are bee-like enemies that attack by chasing the player and ramming into them. They can be defeated with most attacks. | Switch Scramble Circus | Honeycomb Starway |
 Thwomp |
Thwomps are large stone enemies that attack by falling on the player. They can be defeated by Lucky Cat Mario and White Tanooki Mario. | Bowser's Highway Showdown | Mystery House Marathon |
 Volcanic debris |
Volcanic debris appear as molten lava falling from the sky. They cannot be destroyed, but Invincible Mario and White Tanooki Mario cannot be hurt by them. | Hisstocrat Returns | Boss Blitz |
Bosses
 Bosses
| ||
|---|---|---|
| white | white | white |
|
|
|
| The Koopa King who attacks from his Koopa Chase hot rod. | A big brutish Koopa that spins his fists around his arenas. | A female Boom Boom that throws shuriken. |
| Levels | Levels | Levels |
World 1- Castle: Bowser's Highway ShowdownWorld  Castle-Castle: Bowser's Lava Lake Keep
|
World 2- Tank: Bowser's Bullet Bill BrigadeWorld 6- Tank: Bowser's Bob-omb BrigadeWorld  Flower-12: Boss BlitzWorld  Crown- Mystery Box: Mystery House Marathon
|
World 3- Train: The Bullet Bill ExpressWorld  Bowser-Train: The Bowser ExpressWorld Flower-12: Boss Blitz
|
| white | white | white |
|
|
|
| Obese regal snakes that surround themselves with dish-carrying minions. | The leader of the Brolders with a magmatic spinning attack. | An armored creature gripping a Ka-thunk frame, with only his back vulnerable. |
| Levels | Levels | Levels |
| World 3-B: A Banquet with Hisstocrat World Bowser-B: Hisstocrat ReturnsWorld Flower-12: Boss Blitz
|
World 4-Castle: Lava Rock Lair World Castle-A: Brolder Blockade Is BackWorld Flower-12: Boss Blitz
|
World 5-Castle: King Ka-thunk's Castle World Flower-12: Boss Blitz
|
| white | white | white |
|
|
|
| The Bully leader, that can only be damaged after compressing him by jamming him into a Clear Pipe. | A Koopa-like jester that combines with several liquid metal blobs into a monstrous clown. | Bowser after using a Super Bell, granting him enhanced speed and a wall-climbing ability. |
| Levels | Levels | Levels |
| World 6-A: Prince Bully Blockade World Castle-B: Prince Bully Blockade Is Back
|
World 6-C: Motley Bossblob's Big Battle World Bowser-A: Motley Bossblob's EncoreWorld Flower-12: Boss Blitz
|
World Bowser-Castle: The Great Tower of Bowser Land
|
Items and objects
Power-ups
| Image | Transformation | Description |
|---|---|---|
| New power-ups | ||
 Super Bell |
 Cat Mario |
The Super Bell is a golden bell that transforms Mario into Cat Mario. This allows him to climb walls and the Goal Pole and pounce at enemies. He can also swipe at enemies near him. |
 Double Cherry |
 Double Mario |
The Double Cherry is a set of cherries that transform Mario into Double Mario. An identical clone of Mario appears. This allows the player to activate certain switches or defeat more enemies. |
 Lucky Bell |
 Lucky Cat Mario |
The Lucky Bell is a bronze bell that also transforms Mario into Cat Mario, with the same abilities the Super Bell grants. However, he can also turn into an invincible golden statue called Lucky Cat Mario when ground-pounding. This allows him to collect coins while falling and defeat most enemies that cannot otherwise be defeated. It begins appearing in World Mushroom. |
| Returning power-ups | ||
 Super Mushroom |
 Super Mario |
Collecting the Super Mushroom transforms Small Mario into Super Mario, making him bigger and allowing him to take a hit from an enemy without immediately losing a life and find higher-tiered power-ups in blocks. This is the default form of Mario. |
 Fire Flower |
 Fire Mario |
Collecting the Fire Flower transforms Mario into Fire Mario. This allows him to throw fireballs to defeat enemies. |
 Boomerang Flower |
 Boomerang Mario |
When Mario collects the Boomerang Flower, he turns into Boomerang Mario, which lets him throw boomerangs to collect items or defeat enemies. |
 Super Leaf |
 Tanooki Mario |
When Mario collects a Super Leaf, he becomes Tanooki Mario, allowing him to float through the air for a short time and whip enemies with his tail. |
 Invincibility Leaf |
 White Tanooki Mario |
When the player dies more than five times in a level, an Assist Block appears, containing an Invincibility Leaf. When it is collected, Mario turns into White Tanooki Mario, which functions exactly like Tanooki Mario, but with the added feature of being permanently invincible for one level only. If this leaf is collected, the stars on the player's save file do not sparkle. |
 Mega Mushroom |
 Mega Mario |
Collecting a Mega Mushroom makes Mario very large for a brief time. He can defeat most enemies and destroy most objects by touching them. He can also ground-pound to create a shockwave that can defeat nearby enemies and hit nearby blocks. |
 Super Star |
 Invincible Mario |
When Mario collects a Super Star, he becomes invincible and can run faster for a short time and can defeat almost any enemy he touches. In multiplayer mode, players can also share the power with any teammates they touch. |
| Support items | ||
 Coin Box |
|
Coin Boxes are shiny ? Blocks that can be worn by the player. As the player moves, they can collect up to 100 coins. |
Cannon Box |
|
Cannon Boxes are created when certain ? Blocks are hit. When worn, they continually shoot cannonballs that can defeat enemies or destroy objects. If the player holds ///, the cannon can be charged, allowing the ball to travel farther. Any cannonballs fired still harm other players. The box changes color to match the user.
|
 Green Shell |
|
Green Shells are shells originally from Koopa Troopas. If the player crouches while holding one, they enter the shell and can slide around for a few seconds, defeating enemies and bouncing off walls. The shell changes color to match the user. |
 Goomba Mask |
|
When the player wears a Goomba Mask, Goombas and Goomba variants do not attack the player, though other types of enemies still can. When the player crawls or jumps, a Goomba sound effect can be heard. |
 Light Box |
|
Light Boxes are wearable blocks with lamps that light up dark areas in front of the player. They are found mainly in Ghost Houses and can be used to defeat Boos and Boo variants. Light Boxes change color to match the user. |
 Piranha Plant |
|
These are a potted variation of Piranha Plant that the player can hold. They eat enemies they come in contact with and collect items. They also attack other players in multiplayer mode. |
 Propeller Box |
|
Propeller Boxes can be worn by the player and allow the player to fly for a short time. The box changes color to match the user. |
 Ice Skate |
|
Ice Skates are items based on Goomba's Shoes. They are found with Goombas in them and can be worn by the player to skate across ice; the skates change color to fit the user. The player defeats most enemies they run into, but cannot stop moving. |
Items
| Image | Description |
|---|---|
| Collectible | |
 1-Up Mushroom |
When collected, 1-Up Mushrooms grant the player an extra life. |
 + Clock |
+ Clocks add either 10 seconds or 100 seconds to the timer. |
 Blue Coin |
Blue Coins are coins that appear from a P Switch. They function the same as regular coins. |
 Coin |
Collecting 100 Coins grants the player an extra life. |
 Coin pile |
Coin piles are stacks of several coins that can be collected. They give the player many coins at once. |
 Gold Ring |
Gold Rings are mostly found in Plessie levels and grant the player three coins when passed through. |
 Green Star |
Green Stars are used to unlock some levels. There are three per level, and all must be collected for 100% game completion. |
 Stamp |
Stamps can be collected and used in Miiverse posts. There is one per level, and all must be collected for 100% game completion. However, as of November 7, 2017, the termination of the Miiverse service renders all stamps unusable, meaning that stamps can be collected, but not used. |
| Trigger objects | |
 Binoculars |
Binoculars held by Sprixies can be used to scope out certain parts of a level. |
 Cat Wheel |
Cat Wheels are wheels that spin when attacked by Cat Mario. They usually raise platforms or reveal secret areas. |
 Character Switch |
Character Switches are switches that can only be activated by the character depicted on them. They reveal Stamps, Green Stars, and Coins. |
 Color Panel |
Color Panels are found in bonus areas and light up when stepped on. When the player steps on all panels in an area, a Green Star appears. |
 Green Coin |
Green Coins appear after a Green Star Ring is activated. When all eight are collected before the time runs out, a Green Star appears. |
 Green Star Ring |
When a Green Star Ring is passed through, Green Coins appear. |
 Key Coin |
When five Key Coins are collected, a Warp Box (With Key) turns into a regular Warp Box. |
 P Panel |
P Panels are orange panels that, when a group of them are all pressed simultaneously, release a Green Star or coins. |
 P Switch |
P Switches are switches that release balls in bonus areas or reveal blue coins. |
 Red Coin |
Red Coins appear when the player passes through a Red Ring. When all eight are collected, the player receives a power-up. |
 Red Ring |
Red Rings reveal Red Coins when they are passed through. |
 Switch Panel |
Switch Panels change colors when stepped on. When all panels in an area are changed to yellow, a path opens or a Green Star appears. |
| Blocks and Platforms | |
 ? Block |
? Blocks contain power-ups or coins, which are released when the block is hit or ground-pounded. |
 Assist Block |
Assist Blocks contain the Invincibility Leaf. They appear after the player loses several lives in a course. |
 Beep Block |
Beep Blocks are platforms that appear and disappear at a time interval. The player must jump at the correct time to avoid falling. |
 Big Block |
Big Blocks are larger variations of Brick Blocks. They must be hit five times to be destroyed. |
 Brick Block |
Brick Blocks are blocks that the player can destroy. They are usually empty, but may contain items. |
 Chain-Link |
Chain-Links are moving fence-like walls that the player can climb in Cat form. |
 Cloud Lift |
Cloud Lifts are moving platforms that can be jumped through. |
 Crate |
Crates are wooden boxes that act as obstacles. |
 Dash Panel |
Dash Panels are pads that, when walked on, make the player travel at fast speeds for a short time. |
 Donut Block |
Donut Blocks are platforms that slowly fall when stepped on. |
 Gift Box |
Gift Boxes are blocks found exclusively in Toad Houses that, when hit, provide power-ups to players. |
 Jump Panel |
Jump Panels are pads that, when the player jumps after standing on them, launch them higher than normal. |
 Lift |
Lifts are platforms that rise and fall. They are used to reach locations at a higher elevation. |
 Multi-Vator |
Multi-Vators are Lifts that are activated when stood on by a certain number of characters. |
 Mushroom Trampoline |
Mushroom Trampolines are bouncy platforms with a mushroom appearance. |
 POW Block |
POW Blocks are blocks that cause a shockwave that defeats all enemies and breaks all blocks on screen. |
 Propeller Platform |
Propeller Platforms are Lifts that, when the player blows into the mic, follow a predetermined path before returning to their starting point. These objects are replaced by Lifts in the Nintendo Switch port of the game due to the system's lack of a mic. |
 Red-Blue Panel |
Red-Blue Panels are tiles that flip when the player jumps. |
 Rock Block |
Rock Blocks are gray Big Blocks that are more difficult to destroy. |
 Rotating Panel |
Rotating Panels are tiles that continuously flip over, alternating between red and blue. |
 Roulette Block |
Roulette Blocks scroll items in a roulette and release the item that was onscreen when the block was hit. |
 Spike Block |
Blocks that damage the player when touched. Blue Spike Blocks are stationary while red Spike Blocks move. |
 Switch Block |
Switch Blocks change the direction of or reveal new Switchboard paths. |
 Springboard |
Springboards appear when Hop-Chops are defeated. They are used to reach heights. |
 Switchboard |
Switchboards are platforms that move in the direction of the arrow the player stands on. |
 Touchstone |
Touchstones are platforms that change position when touched on the Wii U GamePad. |
| Throwable and kickable objects | |
 Baseball |
Baseballs can be thrown to defeat enemies. |
 Bomb |
Bombs are inactive Bob-ombs that light their fuses when picked up. They can be used to destroy objects. |
 Gold Shell |
Gold Shells are Koopa Troopa shells that give coins when they move, similar to ? Boxes. |
 Kick Bomb |
Kick Bombs are bombs that, when kicked, bounce in a parabolic fashion before exploding on impact with a solid object. |
 Snowball |
Snowballs can be thrown to defeat enemies. |
| Transportation Objects | |
 Clear Pipe |
Clear Pipes are a type of Warp Pipe. The player can enter one to travel from one place to another. |
 Clear Pipe Cannon |
Clear Pipe Cannons are cannons that automatically send the player through a Clear Pipe. In some circumstances, they may shoot the player to another area instead. |
 Cloud Cannon |
Cloud Cannons are cannons that automatically launch the player to a Coin Heaven. |
 Mystery Box |
Mystery Boxes are Warp Boxes that warp the player to a bonus area. |
 Trapeze |
Trapezes can be used to swing characters to distant areas. They first appear in Tricky Trapeze Theater. |
 Warp Box |
When entered, Warp Boxes teleport the player to another area of a level. |
 Warp Box (With Key) |
Warp Boxes (With Keys) are locked Warp Boxes that the player cannot enter. Once all five Key Coins of an area are collected, the corresponding Warp Box (With Key) turns into a regular Warp Box. |
 Warp Pipe |
When entered, Warp Pipes teleport the player to another area of a level. |
| Other objects | |
 Board |
The board is a wooden cutout of Bowser that can be knocked down when interacted with. |
 Checkpoint Flag |
Checkpoint Flags appear midway through a level and save the player's progress, allowing them to restart from the flag if they lose a life. |
 Goal Pole |
Goal Poles are flagpoles found at the end of every level. Touching one completes the level. |
Luigi sightings
- Main article: List of Luigi sightings in Super Mario 3D World
Like with New Super Luigi U, Super Mario 3D World commemorates the Year of Luigi by featuring 8-bit Luigi sprites hidden in various parts of the game. However, they are not just restricted to levels, with some appearing in the worlds and elsewhere.
Staff
- Main article: List of Super Mario 3D World staff
The game producer is Yoshiaki Koizumi, and the game was directed by Koichi Hayashida and Kenta Motokura. This game marks Laura Faye Smith's debut as the current voice actress of Rosalina. General game production is done by Satoru Iwata and Shigeru Miyamoto.
Development
Super Mario 3D World was first mentioned during the January 2013 Nintendo Direct alongside Mario Kart 8, in which it was announced that a new 3D Mario platformer was being developed by the same team behind Super Mario Galaxy.[2][3] It was later properly announced in the June 11, 2013 Nintendo Direct during E3 2013, when its release window was also revealed.
Plans for Super Mario 3D World picked up following the release of Super Mario Galaxy 2. Like with Super Mario 3D Land, the developers intended to bridge the gap between 2D and 3D to appease fans of the New Super Mario Bros. games that did not care for the 3D installments.[4]
According to Koichi Hayashida, early in development Peach was planned to reprise her role as damsel-in-distress. However, Yoshiaki Koizumi suggested to the development team that she should instead be a playable character, akin to Super Mario Bros. 2.[5] Super Mario 3D World ended up being the first, and so far, the only 3D Mario platformer in which Princess Peach is playable and not kidnapped. Similarly, Rosalina was added into the game in response to her rise in popularity among fans.[6]
According to game director Kenta Motokura, the game went through numerous concepts suggested by over one hundred staff members via sticky notes that were extensively playtested, such as the Mystery Houses and The Adventures of Captain Toad levels. The Cat form was one of the earliest ideas that passed development, with the intention of creating a method of directly attacking enemies and assisting novice players in clearing obstacles. The Double Cherry, on the other hand, was conceived entirely by accident when a staff member inadvertently loaded two identical character models into a test level, which was well-received by the developers and thus hurriedly added into the final game.[4]
Reception
Critical reception
Super Mario 3D World received acclaim and has been praised for its gameplay, visuals, music, level design, the Cat form's usefulness, and its improved 4-player co-op compared to New Super Mario Bros. Wii. However, it has been criticized for camera issues and co-op control issues.[7] The game currently has a score of 93 on Metacritic based on 83 reviews[8] and a score of 92.56% on GameRankings based on 54 reviews.[9]
Mark Walton, reviewing for GameSpot, called the game an "exceptional craft" with "painstaking focus on the minute details that are integral to making it feel special."[10] He also added that "[every one of the game's levels] is a golden nugget of heavenly platforming joy, where ideas are rarely repeated--and if they are, they're given such a twist as to make them feel new again." Jose Otero of IGN gave the game a 9.6 out of 10, commenting that, "After 28 years of making marvelous Mario platform games, you'd think Nintendo would run out of ideas. But Super Mario 3D World defies such logic and creativity sets itself apart-in good ways-from its outstanding recent predecessors."[11] Chris Carter, reviewing for Destructoid, called it one of the greatest Mario games ever made and gave it a 10 out of 10, stating, "Why is 3D World so good? Because it's essentially a complete refinement of everything that was great about 3D Land, a game that I happen to think is criminally underrated. 3D World is pretty much a joy ride from start to finish--and that "start" is as quick as ever."[12] Adam Cook from God is a Geek scored the game as a 100, saying, "Unimpeded creativity drips from every moment, forcing an awed expression from the most cynical of mouths. Decades old ideas are renewed with such ease and simplicity that it's almost unnerving. I've fought Bowser more times than I can even remember, yet the first encounter somehow feels fresh. There's always a princess, there's always another castle, Bowser is still involved (this time he’s stolen Sprixies and locked them in jars) – it’s the design and execution of it all that makes it so special."[13]
| Reviews | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Reviewer, Publication | Score | Comment | |
| Jose Otero, IGN | 9.6/10 | "Super Mario Galaxy 2 successfully iterated on one of the most inventive platformers of the last console generation. Super Mario 3D World takes slightly smaller steps in the grand scheme of the platformer genre, but it fulfills the promise of a multiplayer Mario much better than anything that the Japanese game maker has done before. Super Mario 3D World is marvelous, and its constant variety and fantastic light-hearted co-op play proves that Nintendo still knows exactly how to tweak the Mario formula in fun ways." | |
| Mark Walton, GameSpot | 9/10 | "Super Mario 3D World is a game of exceptional craft, of painstaking focus on the minute details that are integral to making it feel special. The pace at which you're thrown from one ingenious concept to the next as perspectives, tempos, and mechanics change would choke a lesser game, but here it's done with a seamlessness that makes such rapid inventiveness look easy. This is a game where every level is a golden nugget of heavenly platforming joy, where ideas are rarely repeated--and if they are, they're given such a twist as to make them feel new again." | |
| Thomas Whitehead, Nintendo Life | 10/10 | "Super Mario 3D World can be easily summarised — it's a terrifically enjoyable, tight and impeccably structured experience. It recalls the mascot's 3D heritage while providing the perfect starting point for those that prefer 2D platforming, catering to an audience of beginners and skilled veterans alike. Nintendo's also mastered Mario multiplayer for, arguably, the first time; it’s still manic and can be either co-operative or competitive, but there's also a sense of space that allows determined groups to progress coherently.
This is a definitive 3D Mario experience, successfully finding a middle-ground between the iconic Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Galaxy. You may not swing Bowser by his tail or run upside down, but it's bursting with creativity nonetheless, while delivering on the craft and skill that defines the Tokyo EAD studio. It's unmissable." | |
| Danielle Riendeau, Polygon | 90/100 | "Super Mario 3D World doesn't reinvent the Mario formula. But it is in every way its own game, with a bright, joyful aesthetic that's supported by inspired level design and a cast that matters. It gets the balance right between nostalgic touches and clever new twists, and never once let me down with a boring boss or too-familiar retread. In all my years of playing with the Mario gang, I've never been quite so happy to hurl myself into the unknown, and 3D World delivers challenge, surprise and joy in almost every moment." | |
| Christian Donlan, Eurogamer | 10/10 (Essential) | "Compact by the standards of the Galaxy adventures but still loaded with bountiful secrets, beneath the warm familiarity of 3D World lies one of the strangest Mario games in years - or at least one of the most random in its influences and its moment-to-moment indulgences. And that's a very, very good thing." | |
| Chris Carter, Destructoid | 10/10 | "It was then that I realized that Super Mario 3D World had achieved a level of platforming design that's close to perfection, and there was almost never a moment where I didn't have a smile on my face. This is the unequivocally the best Mario game since Galaxy 2, and it shows up anything the "New" series has ever done, and then some." | |
| Aggregators | |||
| Compiler | Template:Nowrap | ||
| Metacritic | 93 | ||
| GameRankings | 92.56% | ||
Sales
As of March 1, 2020, Super Mario 3D World is the second-best selling game for the Wii U,[14] selling 5.83 million units worldwide. As of September 30, 2021, it had sold 5.88 million units worldwide.[15]
Promotion
A week prior to the game's launch in North America, employees at GameStop were given cat ears to wear. The cat ears came in yellow, green, blue, and pink, matching the default playable characters' cat form colors.[16] Those who pre-ordered the game at a GAME location received a keychain of Mario in his cat form and a cat sleeve as a bonus.[17] On the NintendoWiiUUK YouTube channel, a shadow puppet short based on the game was uploaded.[18] It featured the talent of hand shadow expert Drew Colby and was specifically inspired by Shadow Play Alley. The Play Nintendo website features a trivia game based on power-ups from Super Mario 3D World.
Original soundtrack
- Main article: Super Mario 3D World Original Soundtrack
The game's official original soundtrack, "Super Mario 3D World Original Sound Track" has been released to Club Nintendo members in Japan, Europe, and Australia, and has been performed by the Mario 3D World Big Band.
Glitches
- Main article: List of Super Mario 3D World glitches
Long Jump glitch
If Small Toad Long Jumps into a Snowball, he sits down and slides right while holding the Snowball. He is unable to jump and continues gaining momentum while moving. This glitch can be canceled by letting go of the Snowball.[19]
World Map Out of Bounds
If done correctly, one can get on top of the World Bowser entrance pipe by jumping onto the nearby pole first, and then fall to the worlds down below. Additionally, if the player quits the game while they are falling out of bounds, the progress does not saved, and when restarting the game, the music of the world the player was in when the glitch was activated plays for a short time.[19]
Pre-release and unused content
Early concept artwork reveals that Cat characters were going to have five fingers, and that Princess Peach's Cat Suit was going to incorporate her brooch. The levels shown off in the E3 demo also have different world and number placements than the final game. Additionally, several sound clips were changed to brand new ones when they were reused ones from previous games in the demo, and several pieces of music were changed to being orchestrated in the final product.
Quotes
- Main article: List of Super Mario 3D World quotes
- Oh yeah! Mario time! Woo-hoo! (Mario being selected)
- Let's go! (Peach, Toad, and Rosalina before a level starts)
- He he he, gotcha! (Luigi while collected a stamp/green star)
- Gotcha! (Toad getting a stamp)
- Ready for adventure! (Captain Toad before a level starts)
Gallery
- For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Super Mario 3D World.
Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad
The playable cast in their Cat forms
The seven Sprixie Princesses
Bowser and his car, the Koopa Chase
The Super Bell
Key visual showcasing the entire Sprixie Kingdom
Media
- For a complete list of media for this subject, see List of Super Mario 3D World media.
 Super Mario 3D World - The game's main theme; first heard in the E3 2013 trailer. | File info 0:30 |
| Super Mario 3D World - Underground Theme | File info 0:30 |
| Super Mario 3D World - Captain Toad's Theme | File info 0:30 |
| Super Mario 3D World - Slot Machine | File info 0:30 |
References to other games
- Mario Bros.: There is a bonus game starring Luigi available on the title screen, called Luigi Bros. It is played similarly to this game, except both playable characters are Luigi. Also, the big POW Block on the very top of The Great Tower of Bowser Land must be hit multiple times, getting flatter every time it's hit, just like it does in Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros.: Some levels have tiles that resemble the ground tiles from this game. The main theme from Super Mario Bros. is covered for bonus areas and Coin Heavens (whose theme comes from Super Mario 3D Land). An 8-bit Luigi sprite from this game can be seen swimming in the background in Bowser's Highway Showdown.[20] Additionally, Beep Block Skyway has an 8-bit Luigi, Coin, and Super Mushroom sprites moving along the walls of the stage. Likewise, all of the Luigi sightings are based on his sprite from this game. In addition, the bonus area in Bob-ombs Below is based on Mario's 8-bit sprite from the game. After Bowser gets defeated in his regular boss battles, the bridge beneath him collapses, much like the castle bosses from this game.
- The Legend of Zelda: Link's 8-bit sprite from the game can be found in the secret area of Rainbow Run. Also, when all of the tiles in said area are lit up, the main theme of this game plays.
- Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic: The player is required to beat all levels with all of the characters (Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, and Rosalina, the last one being a secret character) in order to unlock all the stamps and all five profile stars, mirroring how it was required that all characters in the game beat all the levels to unlock the true ending.
- Super Mario Bros. 2: Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad are playable characters. The Mario Bros. and the Princess's abilities are based off of theirs from this game, as well as Toad's speed advantage. In addition, Toad having blue spots is possibly a reference to Toad in the original NES version of this game, in which his sprite appears blue. Doors have the same design and color. A cover of the character select music from this game plays in the casino slot minigame, as well as in the Coin Bonus areas of the game. Rocket Ships make an appearance. The two game's stories are also similar, with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad going to another land and saving it from an evil villain in both games.
- Super Mario Bros. 3: Like its predecessor, Super Mario 3D World shares some similarities to this game. The death jingle is a cover of that from this game. Tank levels return from this game. In American and some European versions of the game, when first visiting a Toad House, the Toad instructs the player, "Pick a box. Its contents will help you on your way," which is a direct quoting from this game's Toad Houses.
- Super Mario World: Chargin' Chucks and Galoombas return, and in the case of the former enemy, use the same sound effects for running and being defeated as in this game. Trampolines are green and also use the same sound effect as in this game. The artwork used for the stamp of a Koopa being knocked out of its shell is based on the artwork for the Beach Koopa from this game. Hitting the Koopa Chase Lv2 at the beginning of The Great Tower of Bowser Land occasionally causes Super Mario World sound effects to play.
- Super Mario Kart: The level Mount Must Dash contains Dash Panels, asphalt, and blocks that reference the Mario Circuit courses from this game. Also, the music is a cover of that heard in the Mario Circuit courses from that game as well.
- Mario Paint: The Cat Goombas make a similar meow to the cat notes from this game.[21]
- Super Mario 64/Super Mario 64 DS: In levels when players are riding Plessie, the music that plays is a cover of the one that plays in Tick Tock Clock, Rainbow Ride, and The Princess's Secret Slide from this game. In Shifty Boo Mansion, the first Green Star is found by jumping into a painting, similar to how Mario enters paintings in this game and its remake. When the player catches a rabbit, the rabbit gives an item to the player, similar to how the rabbit gives Mario an item right after getting grabbed.
- Super Smash Bros. Melee/Super Smash Bros. Brawl: There are two Mystery Houses named Mystery House Melee in World 2 and the one in the later World Mushroom named Mystery House Brawl. Their objectives are to defeat all enemies to advance and go forth, referencing the primary objective of both games.
- Super Mario Sunshine: Characters can do a spin jump similar to the one in this game.
- New Super Mario Bros.: The player can jump on Koopa Troopas to steal their shells and ride in them, similar to the Blue Shell power-up. The artwork used for the stamp of Fire Mario throwing a fireball is based on the artwork for Fire Mario from this game.
- Super Mario Galaxy/Super Mario Galaxy 2: Green Stars make an appearance, replacing Star Medals from Super Mario 3D Land. Captain Toad returns and the levels where Captain Toad is playable contains the Toad Brigade theme from the Super Mario Galaxy games. There are secret underground rooms where the player can collect sequences of Coins for a limited time and receive a prize if all Coins are collected. Rosalina's special ability is the Star Spin attack. Rosalina's emblem is a Grand Star. Super Galaxy, a stage based off of the Super Mario Galaxy games appears, and so do Octoombas, Fizzlits, and the Comet Observatory. The Comet Observatory theme (3rd version) plays in the World Crown map area, while a cover of Gusty Garden Galaxy's theme can be heard in Honeycomb Starway, Honeycomb Skyway, and Champion's Road. The final boss themes (and the Meowser defeated fanfare) have portions of the themes for the Battlerock Galaxy, Bowser's Galaxy Reactor, and Bowser's Galaxy Generator. The overworld map of World Star has Star Bits in the background. Also, Grumblumps have a similar appearance to Rhomps. The Beat Block mechanic returns under the name "Beep Block", and the Beep Block stages return to the "beep-beep-beep-switch" rhythm as in Super Mario Galaxy 2 with the same tempo as the Beat Block Galaxy theme as well. There is additionally a level called Boss Blitz; this is in reference to the Boss Blitz Galaxy.
- Mario Kart Wii: When using a Mega Mushroom, the characters have slightly lower-pitched voices.
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii/New Super Mario Bros. U: The abilities to do a simultaneous Ground Pound with multiple players, pick up other players, and place their character in a bubble make a return. Assist Play is similar to Boost Mode from the latter game in that the player can stop/hinder enemies with the GamePad, as well as pause stage obstacles like the rolling hills. In Snowball Park, the night-time setting with the background aurora mirrors Spinning-Star Sky. Fire Toad's colors are exactly the same as Fire Yellow Toad's colors from these games.
- Super Mario 3D Land: The installment is a follow-up to this title, and thus has some similarities to said game. Many of this game's music is reused or remixed, and a cover of the jazz variation of the main theme plays in Super Block Land. The snow theme and castle theme return in this game, but they are now orchestrated. The base beat and some tunes of the music in Simmering Lava Lake is similar to the music that plays in World 8-5 and World 8-Bowser: Part 2 in this game. Warp Boxes, Mystery Boxes, Peepas, Coin Coffers, Goomba Towers, Stingbies, Biddybuds, and Para-Biddybuds all return. The levels in World Mushroom and World Flower are similar to the levels in the Special Worlds from this game. When Mario enters a castle, he walks through a gate with Bowser's face above it, eyes flashing upon entry, just like in this game.
- New Super Mario Bros. 2: Golden Koopa Troopas and wearable ? Blocks return in Golden Warp Pipes.
References in later games
- Mario Kart 8: The Piranha Plant returns as an item. Stamp images are reused in N64 Rainbow Road's fireworks. The Double Cherry appears as an ad in Toad Harbor. There is a DLC cup named the Bell Cup, which has a course called Super Bell Subway. Cat Peach also appears as a playable character.
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: The crown mechanic in Battle Mode is similar to the mechanic in multi-player of Super Mario 3D World, where the player with the highest score from one stage wears a crown in the next stage.
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: The game is a spin-off title based around the Captain Toad's Adventures levels which originated from Super Mario 3D World. Several elements also return, including music. Super Bell Hill, Shadow-Play Alley, Clear Pipe Cruise, and Conkdor Canyon return as stages in the Wii U version. The ending cutscene of the Wii U version also reveals that Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a prequel.
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U: Peach and Rosalina's red costumes are based on their Fire forms in Super Mario 3D World.
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: Three pieces of music from Super Mario 3D World (Super Bell Hill, The Great Tower Showdown 2, and Champion Road) can be selected, and the Toad trophy refers to Captain Toad's inability to jump.
- Super Mario Maker: Rosalina's Mystery Mushroom costume reuses several voice clips from Super Mario 3D World. Cat Mario and Cat Peach appear as Mystery Mushroom costumes, with their voice clips from Super Mario 3D World playing when jumping, and the "course clear" and "lose a life" jingles are reused.
- Super Mario Odyssey: Several sound effects and voice clips from Super Mario 3D World are reused. When RoboBrood is defeated, the Broodals appear as fireworks in the sky similar to when Bowser is defeated in The Great Tower of Bowser Land. Ty-foos and Parabones reappear as enemies, as do Chargin' Chucks with their design from Super Mario 3D World. Captain Toad's design is reused. The sprites of Cat Mario and Cat Peach from Super Mario Maker appear in various kingdoms.
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Sprixie Princesses, Cat Peach, and Plessie appear as spirits using their artwork from Super Mario 3D World. Additionally, Boom Boom appears as a spirit using his in-game model from Super Mario 3D World.
- Super Mario Maker 2: A theme based on Super Mario 3D World can be used, but the actual gameplay is converted to 2D (i.e. 2.5D), but still maintaining some elements of 3D, such as the ability of Cat Mario to climb a wall from the side, and the moves of certain enemies such as Meowser, Charvaargh, and Banzai Bill. Enemies such as Ant Troopers and Piranha Creepers also appear. Levels from Super Mario 3D World such as Super Bell Hill, Conkdor Canyon, and Gargantuan Grotto appears in the background of certain themes in the game.
- Dr. Mario World: An Ant Trooper and a Conkdor appear as assistants. The fire forms of Peach and Rosalina appear as playable doctors.
- Mario Kart Tour: The artwork for the Double Cherry is reused for the Tropical Grocery badge. Fire Rosalina, Tanooki Rosalina, and Meowser appear as drivers in this game. Cat Peach returns in this game, while the cat forms for Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Rosalina also appear. The Super Bell also appears as a special item in this game.
- Paper Mario: The Origami King: Luigi's running pose and Peach's floating pose in the ending are based on their respective animations from Super Mario 3D World.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | スーパーマリオ ３Ｄワールド[?] Sūpā Mario Surī Dī Wārudo |
Super Mario 3D World | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 超级马力欧 3D世界[22] Chāojí Mǎlìōu 3D Shìjiè |
Super Mario 3D World | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 超級瑪利歐 3D世界[22] Chāojí Mǎlìōu 3D Shìjiè |
Super Mario 3D World | |
| Korean | Super Mario 3D World[23] | - |
Trivia
- The character icons from this game (with the exception of Rosalina and Captain Toad's icons) are used in Club Nintendo prizes.
- If one looks closely, the plants dance to the background music, changing animations based on a part of the song.
External links
References
- ^ Edge: The Making of Super Mario 3D World
- ^ Purchese, Robert (January 23, 2013). New 3D Mario and Mario Kart Wii U games at E3. Eurogamer. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
- ^ Tito, Greg. New Mario Kart Wii U Playable at E3. The Escapist. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
- ^ a b Edge Staff (July 6, 2015). "Why double Mario forced Nintendo to change Super Mario 3D World" GamesRadar+. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
- ^ Alba (June 12, 2013). "Peach Wasn't Originally Planned As A Playable Character In Super Mario 3D World" My Nintendo News. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ Costabile, Christopher. "Latest Iwata Asks Reveals More on Camera Angles, Rosalina and the Amount of Content in Super Mario 3D World - Wii U News @ Nintendo Life". Nintendo Life. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
- ^ Gallaway, Brad (February 19, 2014). Super Mario 3D World Review GameCritics. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- ^ Metacritic score of Super Mario 3D World. Metacritic. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- ^ GameRankings score of Super Mario 3D World GameRankings. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
- ^ Walton, Mark (November 19, 2013). Super Mario 3D World Review GameSpot. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
- ^ Otero, Jose (November 19, 2013). Super Mario 3D World Review IGN. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
- ^ Carter, Chris (November 19, 2013). Review: Super Mario 3D World Destructoid. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
- ^ Cook, Adam (November 19, 2013).Super Mario 3D World Review God is a Geek. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ Official Nintendo IR page
- ^ Nintendo (November 4, 2021) Top Selling Title Sales Unites. Nintendo Japan. Retrieved November 8, 2021. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021.
- ^ Ashley. (November 15, 2013). Nintendo of America sends GameStop Employees cat ears for Super Mario 3D World launch. Nintendo Today. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- ^ Madden, Orla. (November 6, 2013). Pre-Order Super Mario 3D World At GAME And Receive These Purr-fect Gifts. Nintendo Life. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- ^ NintendoWiiUUK. (November 29, 2013). SUPER MARIO 3D WORLD - Shadow Puppet Theatre (Wii U). YouTube. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
- ^ a b A+Start (Mar 15, 2019). Super Mario 3D World Glitches - Son of a Glitch - Episode 87. YouTube. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3arXxOvp7U
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qZqSSFrwiM
- ^ a b Super Mario Maker 2 in-game name
- ^ From the Korean version of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.
