Time Limit

A Time Limit (or simply Time) is instituted in almost every game, and its basic purpose is to notify the player of how much time is allotted to complete a level or task. It is a prominent element in the Mario platformer games. While the player is in a level, the time limit decreases at a steady rate until it reaches zero. If the player does not finish the level when time is up, his or her character automatically loses a life and has to start the level over. Once the player finishes a level, the remaining time is multiplied by a number and then added to the player's score (or coin total in Super Mario 3D Land). With few exceptions (e.g. in Super Mario 3D Land), it is impossible to increase a level's time limit.

Trivia

 * It is interesting to note that in many Mario platformers, the time limit doesn't count in seconds but in six-tenths or seven-tenths of a second.