Warp Zone

The Warp Zone is a hidden area that acts as a kind of freeway, connecting many worlds to one place.

In Super Mario Bros., the zone was a sectioned off area, containing pipes to different levels. In Super Mario Bros. 3, the zone was actually an island and could only be accessed via Warp Whistle. On the game screen it is referred to as 'World 9.'

In New Super Mario Bros., secret exits in levels 1-Tower, 2-A, 3-GH, 4-GH, and 5-GH led to cannons which launch Mario or Luigi to a later world (the first two to World 5, then 6, 7, and 8, respectively).