Super Mario 3D World

Super Mario 3D World is a 3D platformer action game for the Wii U. It is the fifteenth title in the Super Mario series, the sixth original 3D Mario title, the seventh 3D Mario title overall, and the fifth 3D Mario title on a home console after Super Mario Galaxy 2. The title is the follow-up game of the Nintendo 3DS installment Super Mario 3D Land. The game also received a prequel/spin off titled Captain Toad Treasure Tracker which is based on The Adventures of Captain Toad levels in this game was released on December 5th 2014 in North America a little over a year later.

Story
On an evening in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad come to view and enjoy the fireworks outside of Princess 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 tries to save the princess but winds up falling down the pipe herself, and the others soon follow in order to assist Peach. 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 defeat Bowser, the Sprixie Princess is saved. However, the celebration is cut short by Bowser surprisingly returning, capturing all seven Sprixie Princesses in a large bottle, and escaping to World Bowser: a theme park modeled after the Koopa King.

The heroes make their way through this world, and encounter Bowser again in The Great Tower of Bowser Land. Here, Bowser makes use of a Super Bell, turning into Meowser, and initiating the final battle. The group manage 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 platform game which plays very similarly to Super Mario 3D Land, being a 3D platformer though 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 are returning as well, such as Chargin' Chucks and Kuribons, now with an official English name, Galoombas. 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.

Power-ups, like the Fire Flower and Super Leaf, make a return, along with almost every item from Super Mario 3D Land (excluding the Statue Leaf and P-Wing). The Mega Mushroom from New Super Mario Bros. also make 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.

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 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. 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.

Super Mario 3D World features Nintendo Network support in the form of Miiverse integration and Ghost Miis, which is first enabled on a given save file after progressing a bit into the game. With Miiverse, players can make a post at any point on the World Map or after completing a stage by tapping the "Post" icon; other players' posts can 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, which creates a ghost that perfectly recreates their movements throughout the course, and is automatically distributed 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.

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.

Worlds
The game features a large world map, consisting of 8 worlds, in a similar vein to Super Mario Bros. 3, with 4 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 Blockades, Toad Houses, Sprixie Houses, Lucky Houses, and either Mystery Houses or a puzzle-focused series of levels called "The Adventures of Captain Toad" with Captain Toad playable; the level featured alternates with each world with the exception of the final bonus world. 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 flagpole will be 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 will be shown on the upper-right corner of the Map Progression screen.

Supporting Cast

 * Sprixie Princesses
 * Sprixies
 * Lumas
 * Plessie
 * Rabbits
 * Big Rabbits
 * Toads

Returning
* - Only appears in Luigi Bros.

Bosses
This is a list of all the bosses in the game. There is a total of 22 boss battles in the game.
 * Bowser ×3 (as Meowser ×1)
 * Boom Boom ×3
 * Pom Pom ×3
 * Hisstocrat ×3
 * Boss Brolder ×3
 * King Ka-Thunk ×2
 * Prince Bully ×2
 * Motley Bossblob ×3

New power-ups

 * Super Bell
 * Double Cherries
 * Lucky Bell

Luigi sightings


Like with New Super Luigi U, Super Mario 3D World features 8-bit Luigi sprites hidden in various parts of the game, not just restricted to levels.

Development
Early in development and according to Koichi Hayashida, Peach was planned to reprise her role as damsel-in-distress which also meant that she wasn't meant to be a playable character originally; however, after Yoshiaki Koizumi suggested to the development team that she should be a playable character like how Peach did in Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario 3D World ended up being the first and only 3D Mario platformer in which Princess Peach is playable and not kidnapped, as well as the second and final Super Mario game after Super Mario Bros. 2 and the fourth and final platformer overall after her own game and Super Paper Mario.

Reception
Super Mario 3D World received widespread critical acclaim. IGN gave the game a 9.6, criticizing its four-player camera, but praising its "phenomenal level design, art direction, and multiplayer". Destructoid gave the game a perfect 10/10 score, praising specially the Cat Suit mechanism and the addition of Princess Peach as a playable character. GameXplain gave the game's single and multiplayer modes a 4.5/5 stars. Joystiq also gave the game a perfect score of 5/5 stars. The Official Nintendo Magazine gave it a 93 out of 100, praising its gameplay and multiplayer, while criticising the small level size.

The game 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, its few negatives vary from its camera issues with co-op to some control issues.

As of March 31, 2014, Super Mario 3D World is the 4th best selling game for the Wii U, having sold about 2.17 million copies worldwide.

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.

Staff
The game productor is Yoshiaki Koizumi, and the game direction was done by Koichi Hayashida and Kenta Motokura. Main characters voices by Charles Martinet, Samantha Kelly and Laura Faye Smith. General game production by Satoru Iwata and Shigeru Miyamoto.

Beta elements
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.

Long Jump glitch
The glitch only occurs when the player is Small Blue Toad. If while holding the snowball the player perform a Long Jump, Small Blue Toad will go backwards.

Quotes

 * It's-a Me, Mario! (Mario being selected)
 * Oh, nooooo! (Peach while falling)
 * Let's go! (Rosalina while the level starts)
 * He he he, gotcha! (Luigi while collected a stamp/green star)
 * Gotcha! (Toad getting a stamp)

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. Additionally, Beep Block Skyway has 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 resembles Mario's 8-bit sprite from the game.
 * The Legend of Zelda: Link's 8-bit sprite from the game can be found in the secret area of Rainbow Run.
 * Super Mario Bros. 2: Mario, Luigi, Peach, 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. Bombs also appear and are used in the same way they were used in Super Mario Bros. 2.. Rocket Ships make an appearance.
 * Super Mario Bros. 3: Like its predecessor, Super Mario 3D World shares some similarities to this game. The "Too Bad!" music is a cover of the death jingle from this game. Tank levels return from this game. The "Golden Express" level is possibly inspired by the Treasure Ship. In American and some European versions of the game, when first visiting a Toad House, the Toad will instruct the player to "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 also use the same sound effect as in this game. The Beach Koopa artwork is also reused as a Stamp. World Bowser has neon lights like Bowser's Castle did in the Valley of Bowser. Additionally, hitting the Bowser Mobile 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 Mario Circuit courses from this game. Also, the music is a cover of Mario Circuit.
 * Mario Paint: The Cat Goombas make a similar meow to the cat notes from this game.
 * Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins: Bowser uses a Super Bell and Double Cherries in the same way Wario used a Carrot and a Fire Flower in his battle with Mario.
 * Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS: In levels when players are riding Plessie, the music that plays is a cover of that of Rainbow Ride, Tick Tock Clock, 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 areas in this game and its remake. When the player catches a rabbit, the rabbit will give 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. The one in World 2 is named Mystery House Melee and the one in the later World Mushroom is named Mystery House Brawl.
 * 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 sound that plays when the character jumps while riding in the shell is similar to New Super Mario Bros. jump sound effect as well.
 * Super Princess Peach: The Super Bell Hill theme has similarities to this game's Ladida Plains music.
 * Super Mario Galaxy / Super Mario Galaxy 2: Green Stars make an appearance, replacing Star Medals from Super Mario 3D Land. The 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 the Gusty Garden Galaxy theme can be heard in Honeycomb Starway, Honeycomb Skyway and Champion's Road A remix of the Purple Coins theme plays in World Mushroom and World Flower. . The final boss themes (and the Meowser defeated fanfare) have portions of the Battlerock Galaxy, Bowser's Galaxy Reactor, and Bowser's Galaxy Generator themes. The overworld map of the Star World has Star Bits in the background. Also, Grumblumps have a similar appearance to Rhomps.
 * New Super Mario Bros. Wii / New Super Mario Bros. U: The ability to do a simultaneous Ground Pound with multiple players, pick up other players, and place their character in a bubble make a return. The rolling hill platforms from World 1 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.
 * Super Mario 3D Land: The installment is the follow-up game of this title, and thus has some similarities to said game. The game's cover of the Super Mario Bros. theme is reused, 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. Warp Boxes, Mystery Boxes, Peepas, Coin Coffers, Goomba Towers, Stingbies, Biddybuds, and Para-Biddybuds all return.
 * Mario Kart 7: Princess Peach's portrait from this game, located in Sherbet Rink, is reused.
 * New Super Mario Bros. 2: There are multiple levels/rooms that contain hordes of Coins, like the secret Golden Express stage, Conkdor Canyon Coin vault, and other various locations. Also, three bonus worlds are called World Star, Mushroom, and Flower, just like the bonus worlds in this game. Golden Koopa Troopas and wearable coin blocks return in Golden Warp Pipes.

References in later games

 * Mario Kart 8: The Potted Piranha Plant returns as an item. Stamp images are reused in N64 Rainbow Road. Stamps can also be collected in this game. The Double Cherry appears as an ad in Toad Harbor.
 * Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker: The game is a spin-off title based around the The Adventures of Captain Toad levels which originated from this game. Several elements from this game also return, including music. Super Bell Hill, Shadow-Play Alley, Clear Pipe Cruise, and Conkdor Canyon return as stages in this game. The ending cutscene also reveals that Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker is a prequel to this game.
 * Super Smash Bros. for Wii U: Several pieces of music from this game appear, and the Toad trophy refers to Captain Toad's inability to jump.

Trivia

 * If one counts the wearable items (such as boxes and shoes), Super Mario 3D World has the most power-ups in any Mario platformer thus far, with seventeen power-ups (compared to Super Mario Bros. 3, which has nine).
 * The character icons from this game (with the exception of Rosalina and Captain Toad's icons) are used in Club Nintendo prizes.