Now that Switch 2, and Mario Kart World are finally here; we're in the Super Mario spirit! So we have reached into our vault of the best Mario video games, to see what treasures have released over time. And one that certainly caught our eye was the 3DS 2011 game, Super Mario 3D Land. It's time to grab your coins, put on your Mario hat and jump into the green pipe as we discover why Super Mario 3D Land was so successful.
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Why is Super Mario Land so different?
The game turns Super Mario into a brand new experience, as the game's graphics are in 3D, and so is the console! This was one of the first games for Super Mario where players could explore the 3D world they were in whilst completing levels. The 3D approach included more depth, distance and speed whilst playing which made the race to the finishing line feel that much more real. In the game, like usual, Princess Peach has been kidnapped, and it's up to Mario to reach Bowser's castle to rescue her... what could go wrong? Along with the 3D aspect, the game itself was very unique in terms of gameplay, here are our 3 reasons why we think the game performed so well.
Are there any secrets in Mario 3D World?
The 3D feature allows players the opportunity to explore each level thoroughly. Typically, we get about 400 seconds per level, so we have plenty of time to look around and interact with surroundings. In most video games, a 'bonus section' or 'Easter egg' is indicated via light or a side character, but in 3D Land, the player has to search for the secrets themselves. They can be easily missed, and a couple of tries at each level may be necessary to uncover them all. Some can be obvious, like a crack in a wall that leads to a hidden room, and some can be accidental like falling off the side of the world and landing by as hidden pipe. Others you have to search for yourself. My personal favourite is climbing up a tree, reaching the top and finding a secret staircase that takes you to an additional mini game, if you didn't decide to impulsively climb a random tree, you'd never find this add-on. Everything is interactive, walking into a flower, breaking open random boxes or opening secret doors may enable you to uncover secrets within the game. Give it a try!
Easter eggs in Super Mario 3D Land:
- 3D Demo Stage - Stay on the title screen and it will bring you to a secret demo.
- Fireballs - World 5-2, hit the 4 torches with fireballs to light them up and a 'puzzle-solved' chime will sound.
- 100 added seconds - World 1-1, halfway through the level, jump up the furthest tree on the left side, it will take you to a staircase in the sky with a +100 second timer.
- Flying Saucer - World 1-3, look into the binoculars and in the sky there will be a UFO.
- Super Hints - Watch Mario (your character) when in levels, he will subtlety nod towards hidden Easter eggs.
- Microphone - If the Piranha plants shoot ink at your screen covering it, blow into your mic to wash the ink away.
- Balloons - If your time remaining ends with a 6 when you reach the final flagpole your screen will fill with balloons.
- Luigi - After completing Special World 1, you'll have the option to play as Luigi.
How many star coins can you get in Mario 3D Land?
When following a typical video game, players have to follow the structure of completing the easy levels and then move onto a boss level. And after defeating the boss, head onto the next 'world'. In Super Mario 3D Land, some levels are optional. Through the mandatory levels, players can collect special coins that build up in the bank. We discover later that these coins can pay for new levels within a world. Whilst players don't have the complete these levels to reach the final boss, it's still a bit of fun and gives meaning to collecting these random 'special coins'.
How to get special world in Mario 3D Land?
And finally, you've completed all 7 worlds and all 7 boss levels. You've completed all main levels on World 8 and you've finally, after hours and hours and gameplay, managed to defeat Bowser in World 8. Then we discover our first (yes we did say first) plot twist. World 8 has an extended section, with another level and an ultimate boss round. We have to admit, that this one is difficult, and it takes a long time to complete... but eventually you'll get there, and Princess Peach will be saved. That is until we find out Luigi has now been kidnapped, and players must complete not only another level but another 8 worlds! That's right! There are 2 sections within the home screen, the Worlds, and the Special Worlds. The 8 Special Worlds can ONLY be accessed after completing all normal worlds, and to switch between the normal worlds and special worlds a pipe will appear at the beginning of each world. The Special Worlds are optional, but it's a great add-on if you're a quick gamer... and it certainly took us off guard when we uncovered it!
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Conclusion:
Super Mario 3D Land was certainly a success! It sold 12 million copies worldwide, making it the 7th best-selling game for the 3DS. We do think these features made it stand out and there are so many features within this game we'd love to see in modern video games. Did you ever play this game? Let us know what you remember from it?
