Time Limit

A Time Limit (or simply Time) is instituted in almost every game, where its basic purpose is that the players must complete a task in a set time. It is a prominent element in the Mario platformer games. The time limit appears every when the player enters a level and is always counting down starting from an specific amount of time given so that the player has to complete the course in that lapse. While the player is within the level either staying still or moving around, the time reduces progressively to reach zero. If the player does not finish the level when time is up, the character automatically loses a life and has to start the level over. Once the player finishes a level, the remained time is multiplied by a number and then added to the player's score (or coins in Super Mario 3D Land). Usually it is impossible to regain time to the time limit, although in a few games, it is possible to restore time, such as in Super Mario 3D Land.

Trivia

 * It is interesting to note that in many Mario platformers the timer doesn't count by seconds, instead they count by 6/10th's or 7/10th's of a second.