Super Mario Land: Difference between revisions

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!width="1%"|Defeated By Superballs?
!width="1%"|Defeated By Superballs?
|-
|-
|<center>[[File:SML Honen Sprite.png|20px]]
|align=center|[[File:SML Honen Sprite.png|20px]]
|<center>[[Honen]]
|align=center|[[Honen]]
|<center>These undead Torion jump vertically from offscreen, similar to [[Lava Bubble|Podoboos]], but can be stomped or torpedoed.
|These undead Torion jump vertically from offscreen, similar to [[Lava Bubble|Podoboos]], but can be stomped or torpedoed.
|<center>100
|align=center|100
|<center><big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|align=center|<big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|-
|-
|<center>[[File:SML Yurarin Boo Sprite.png|30px]]
|align=center|[[File:SML Yurarin Boo Sprite.png|30px]]
|<center>[[Yurarin Boo]]
|align=center|[[Yurarin Boo]]
|<center>Jump vertically, breathing fireballs diagonally in Mario's direction. Can be stomped or hit with two torpedoes.
|Jump vertically, breathing fireballs diagonally in Mario's direction. Can be stomped or hit with two torpedoes.
|<center>400
|align=center|400
|<center><big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|align=center|<big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|-
|-
|<center>[[File:Mekabonsprite.PNG|30px]]
|align=center|[[File:Mekabonsprite.PNG|30px]]
|<center>[[Mekabon]]
|align=center|[[Mekabon]]
|<center>Found only in 2-2. Turn back at edges. Throw their heads at Mario, which can be stomped but regenerate. The headless body can be stomped, or the whole robot with a [[Super Star|Star]], both of which finish them off.
|Found only in 2-2. Turn back at edges. Throw their heads at Mario, which can be stomped but regenerate. The headless body can be stomped, or the whole robot with a [[Super Star|Star]], both of which finish them off.
|<center>100<br><small>If Head Or Body Stomped, Or A Star Used</small><br><br>400<br><small>If Whole Body Is Stomped
|align=center|100<br><small>If Head Or Body Stomped, Or A Star Used</small><br><br>400<br><small>If Whole Body Is Stomped
|<center><big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|align=center|<big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|-
|-
|<center>[[File:SML Torion Sprites.png|75px]]
|align=center|[[File:SML Torion Sprites.png|75px]]
|<center>[[Torion]]
|align=center|[[Torion]]
|<center>Found only in 2-3 in groups of three, which make a U-turn when they reach the left edge of the screen. Can be killed with a single [[Marine Pop]] torpedo.
|Found only in 2-3 in groups of three, which make a U-turn when they reach the left edge of the screen. Can be killed with a single [[Marine Pop]] torpedo.
|<center>100
|align=center|100
|<center><big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|align=center|<big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|-
|-
|<center>[[File:SML Yurarin Sprite.png|30px]]
|align=center|[[File:SML Yurarin Sprite.png|30px]]
|<center>[[Yurarin]]
|align=center|[[Yurarin]]
|<center>Found only in 2-3. Move right-to-left in a semi-random diagonal pattern. Can be killed with two torpedoes.
|Found only in 2-3. Move right-to-left in a semi-random diagonal pattern. Can be killed with two torpedoes.
|<center>400
|align=center|400
|<center><big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|align=center|<big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|-
|-
|<center>[[File:SML Gunion Sprite.png|30px]]
|align=center|[[File:SML Gunion Sprite.png|30px]]
|<center>[[Gunion]]
|align=center|[[Gunion]]
|<center>Found only in 2-3. Can be killed with three torpedoes, but then turn into two fireballs which move in Mario's direction.
|Found only in 2-3. Can be killed with three torpedoes, but then turn into two fireballs which move in Mario's direction.
|<center>800
|align=center|800
|<center><big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|align=center|<big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|-
|-
|<center>[[File:Tamao Sprite.PNG|30px]]
|align=center|[[File:Tamao Sprite.PNG|30px]]
|<center>[[Tamao]]
|align=center|[[Tamao]]
|<center>Bounces around the boss area when fighting Dragonzamasu. Damages Mario when touched, but cannot be destroyed.
|Bounces around the boss area when fighting Dragonzamasu. Damages Mario when touched, but cannot be destroyed.
|<center>0
|align=center|0
|<center><big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|align=center|<big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|-
|-
|<center>[[File:SML Dragonzamasu Sprite.png|30px]]
|align=center|[[File:SML Dragonzamasu Sprite.png|30px]]
|<center>'''[[Dragonzamasu]]'''
|align=center|'''[[Dragonzamasu]]'''
|<center>A giant Yurarin Boo which moves up and down, shooting fireballs. Can be killed with twenty torpedoes. or the player can attempt to clear the way to the kill switch.
|A giant Yurarin Boo which moves up and down, shooting fireballs. Can be killed with twenty torpedoes. or the player can attempt to clear the way to the kill switch.
|<center>5,000
|align=center|5,000
|<center><big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|align=center|<big><big><big>{{color|✗|red}}
|}
|}



Revision as of 21:05, June 11, 2021

Super Mario Land has been nominated to become a featured article!
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This article is about the game Super Mario Land. For the series as a whole, see Super Mario Land (series). For the microgame from WarioWare Gold of the same name, see Super Mario Land (microgame).
Not to be confused with Super Mario World or Super Mario 3D Land.

Template:Infobox Super Mario Land is an installment in the Super Mario series, originally released as a launch title for the Game Boy in 1989 and later rereleased for the Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console in 2011, making it the first handheld title in the series. Unlike the previous installments, the game takes place in Sarasaland rather than the Mushroom Kingdom, in addition to introducing Princess Daisy, a new character serving as the damsel-in-distress in place of Princess Peach. Tatanga, a malevolent alien with powers of hypnosis, serves as both the main antagonist and final boss. Unlike previous games, Super Mario Land was not developed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Nintendo's EAD division, but by Nintendo R&D1, with Gunpei Yokoi as guiding producer. This game is notable for its inclusion of different or unrelated enemies and sound effects compared to traditional titles.

This game is the first of the three Super Mario Land games, as well as the shortest, comprising of only twelve levels. It was succeeded by Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, which marks the first appearance of Wario, and Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, which is also the first installment in the Wario Land series. They were originally excluded from the main Super Mario series, but were included alongside the more traditional games for the 30th anniversary of Super Mario Bros.,[1] and the history page from the Mario Portal and "The official home for Mario" websites.[2][3]

Story

Mario in Sarasaland, surrounded by various enemies in the game

The following text is taken directly from the instruction booklet.

Once upon a time, there was a peaceful world called Sarasaland. In this world there were 4 kingdoms named Birabuto, Muda, Easton and Chai. One day, the skies of Sarasaland were suddenly covered by a huge black cloud. From a crack in this cloud, the unknown space monster Tatanga emerged to try to conquer Sarasaland. Tatanga hypnotized the people of all the kingdoms so that he could control them in any way he liked. In this way he took over Sarasaland. Now, he wants to marry Princess Daisy of Sarasaland and make her his queen. Mario came to know of these events, and he has started on a journey to the Chai Kingdom where Princess Daisy is held captive, in order to restore peace to Sarasaland. Can Mario defeat Tatanga, release people from his interstellar hypnosis, and rescue Princess Daisy? It's all up to you and Mario's skill. Go for it Mario!

In order to save Princess Daisy and the inhabitants of Sarasaland from Tatanga, Mario must make his way through all of the four kingdoms, defeating the enemies within. The four kingdoms are led by the Sphinx King Totomesu, sea dragon Dragonzamasu, moai Hiyoihoi, and cloud Biokinton. Each entity serves as the boss of its respective kingdom. After the first three bosses are defeated, Mario rescues an enemy disguised as Princess Daisy. After defeating Biokinton, Mario boards his plane, the Sky Pop, to battle Tatanga himself in his heavily armed ship, the Pagosu. After defeating Tatanga, Mario rescues Daisy and the two ride off together in a spaceship.

It is revealed in the sequel, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, that Wario took advantage of the events in this game to take over Mario's castle. In this game, Tatanga guards a Golden Coin, presumably working under Wario.

Gameplay

Super Mario Land is very similar to previous Mario platformer games. A Button allows the player to jump, while B Button serves as the action command, allowing Mario to run faster. +Control Pad controls where Mario walks or runs. The player may also pause at anytime with Start Button. Jumping on an enemy usually defeats it and earns the player points. When Mario is Superball Mario, or if he is driving the Marine Pop or Sky Pop, B Button fires out projectiles at Mario's enemies.

Most of the bosses can either be beaten via physical attack, or by jumping on a switch behind the boss. Collecting one hundred coins earns Mario an extra life, and if he manages to earn 100,000 points by defeating enemies, he gains an extra continue to use in the event all lives are lost.

Mario is vulnerable as Small Mario. When he gets a Super Mushroom, he grows slightly in size and is then able to take damage without losing a life. However, if he is hit in this state, he turns back into his small state. If Mario collects a Superball Flower, he becomes Superball Mario, and is able to shoot Superballs at his enemies. If Mario happens to find and collect a Star, he becomes invincible, and is able to defeat any enemy just by touching it. These effects are temporary, lasting a short time.

At the end of every non-boss level, the player reaches a Goal tower with two entrances. The lower entrance takes Mario directly to the next stage, while the upper entrance sends him to a Bonus Game for the chance to win either a flower or a maximum of three extra lives.

After beating the main game, the Mushroom icon on the title screen changes to Mario's head. This allows the player to play through the game once more, with additional enemies spread throughout the levels, though no further changes occur to increase the difficulty. Beating the "Mario head" game unlocks a level select. As the game has no battery backup, the title screen reverts to the standard version upon switching the Game Boy off, resetting the game, or the batteries running out.

Controls

Game Boy

Button Action
A Button
Jump
B Button
Run/Throw Superball
+Control Pad
Move
Start Button
Pause

Nintendo 3DS

Button Action
A Button
Jump
B Button
Run/Throw Superball
+Control Pad
Move
Start Button
Pause

Worlds and levels

Rather than the Mushroom Kingdom being the usual setting, Super Mario Land takes place in Sarasaland, a region ruled under Princess Daisy. The land is divided into four kingdoms serving as the corresponding worlds of the game - the Birabuto Kingdom, the Muda Kingdom, the Easton Kingdom, and the Chai Kingdom, respectively. Each world consists of three levels, with most levels featuring backgrounds, music, and enemies pertaining to the themes of their respective worlds. The third and final level of each world has at least one boss Mario must defeat to rescue Princess Daisy, or an enemy disguised as her.

Levels
Birabuto Kingdom
Super Mario in World 1-1
The first world in the game, a desert-themed kingdom based on ancient Egypt. The first two levels feature pyramids in the background, while the third and final level takes place inside a pyramid, as evidenced by hieroglyphics. This world features a number of common, beginning enemies, such as Goombos, Bombshell Koopas, Flies, Bunbuns, Piranha Plants, and Gaos. King Totomesu, a large Gao, is fought at the end of the final level of this world. Defeating him rescues a Fly disguised as Princess Daisy.
Image Level Description
Screenshot of Mario after using a ? Block World 1-1 The first level in the game. Pyramids and palm trees appear in the background. The level is very straightforward, featuring common enemies and items, as well as two pipes along the way, both of which lead to rooms filled with coins.
Super Mario Land World 1-2 The second level features little actual ground, requiring Mario to use blocks and palm trees as platforms alternatively.
Birabuto Kingdom: World 1-3 World 1-3 The third and final level of the Birabuto Kingdom. The level takes place in a pyramid with hieroglyphics on the walls. King Totomesu is fought at the end.
Muda Kingdom
Small Mario in World 2-3, Muda Kingdom
The second world of the game, a water-themed kingdom. The name is inspired on Mu, a proposed lost continent, and Bermuda. This is the only world to have one level featuring the Marine Pop. The first two levels take place in a tropical area with water below, while the third level takes place entirely underwater. Yurarins, Yurarin Boos, Honens, Goombos, Piranha Plants, Bombshell Koopas, Mekabons, Gunions, Torions, and Tamao are all enemies featured here. Dragonzamasu, a large Yurarin Boo, is fought at the end and defeated to rescue a Gunion disguised as Princess Daisy.
Image Level Description
Super Mario Land World 2-1 This level appears to take place on a beach, with a layer of water below.
SML World 2-2 Screenshot.png World 2-2 Mario must use blocks to cross over water throughout the stage.
A screenshot of the battle between Mario in his Marine Pop and Dragonzamasu, lord of the Yurarin and boss of the Muda Kingdom in Super Mario Land. This was the first shooter battle in any Mario game. World 2-3 The entire level takes place underwater, requiring Mario to use the Marine Pop to defeat enemies, as well as the boss, Dragonzamasu.
Easton Kingdom
World 3-1 in Super Mario Land.
The third world of the game, with the levels and enemies resembling Easter Island. Large Moai stone statues appear in the backgrounds, while Batadons, Bombshell Koopas, Bullet Biffs, Piranha Plants, Tokotoko, Ganchan, Suu, and Kumos are all enemies featured in this territory. Hiyoihoi, a large stone head who attacks by chucking Ganchan at Mario, is fought at the end of the final level to rescue a Kumo disguised as Daisy.
Image Level Description
World 3-1 in the Easton Kingdom World 3-1 A rocky level featuring statues in the background.
SML World 3-2 Screenshot.png World 3-2 This level takes place in a cave with several waterfalls.
SML World 3-3 Screenshot.png World 3-3 The majority of this level takes place on rocky terrain, with Hiyoihoi being fought in a cave at the end.
Chai Kingdom
Princess Daisy and Mario running to their ship after Mario's defeat of Tatanga in World 4-3.
The fourth and final world in the game. The level architecture, background music, and certain enemies appear to be based off mythical ancient China. Chai references a Chinese name and surname, as well as a type of tea that originated in India. This is the only world to have a level feature the Sky Pop. Piranha Plants, Pionpis, Bullet Biffs, Goombos, Nyololins, Pompon Flowers, Chikakos, Chickens, Genkotsu, and Roketons are all enemies found here. Biokinton and Tatanga, the final boss and main antagonist, are both fought at the very end to rescue the true Princess Daisy.
Image Level Description
SML World 4-1 Screenshot.png World 4-1 This level takes place in a bamboo forest with mountains in the background.
Chai Kingdom: World 4-2 World 4-2 A mountain range level with floors made of blocks. There is a hidden room filled completely with coins.
SML World 4-3 Screenshot.png World 4-3 The final level in the game. Mario fights two bosses, Biokinton and Tatanga, in the Sky Pop.

Items

This game features a small variety of items, a mix of both new and classic ones. The 1 UP Heart and Superball Flower both debuted in this game.

Item Abilities
1UP heart
1 UP Heart
Replaces the role of 1-Up Mushrooms, most likely to distinguish them from regular Super Mushrooms, 1 UP Hearts are found in Mystery Boxes and Brick Blocks. Collecting one grants Mario an extra life, though it must be collected before it falls through the ground.
A coin
Coin
Coins may be found in Mystery Boxes as well as in groups. They may also be collected with Superballs. Each coin Mario collects earns him one hundred points, while collecting one hundred coins earns him an extra life.
Star
Star
Stars are rare items granting Mario brief invincibility from enemies. Rather than the usual invincibility theme, two loops of an excerpt from the famous "Galop infernal" from Orpheus in the Underworld by Jacques Offenbach, a tune most commonly associated with the can-can, play while Mario is invincible.
Superball Flower
Superball Flower
A new item, the Superball Flower allows Mario to shoot Superballs, which bounce off surfaces such as floors, walls, and ceilings to collect coins and defeat enemies, similarly to how the Fire Flower allows him to shoot fireballs. Mario's Superball form is the same as his standard Super Mario form.
Super Mushroom
Super Mushroom
The classic Super Mushroom powers Mario up into Super Mario, allowing him to take damage once before reverting to his small form.

Enemies

Around thirty different types of enemies appear in Super Mario Land. Some are found throughout multiple kingdoms, though most are exclusive to a certain kingdom. The only recurring enemy of previous Mario titles is the Piranha Plant, which goes under its Japanese name, Pakkun Flower. A few creatures seem to be closely related to enemies of earlier Mario games, though most of them are unique to Super Mario Land. Notably, their English names are generally very similar or identical to the Japanese names, with the only exception being Kumo, which is not the case for other localizations of Super Mario platformers.

Common

The following enemies and obstacles appear throughout several different courses, and are not indigenous to any particular kingdom.

Image Name Original Name Description Points Defeated By Superballs?
Goombo Goombo Chibibo Very similar to Goombas in name, appearance, and behavior. They walk forward until they hit a wall, then turn back. They may also fall off platforms. They can be defeated with a simple stomp. 100
SML Bombshell Koopa Sprite.png Bombshell Koopa Nokobon A cross between a Koopa Troopa and a Bob-omb. If stomped, it turns into a bomb that cannot be moved and explodes a short time later, damaging Mario if the explosion touches him. 100
SMLPiranhaPlant.png Piranha Plant Pakkun Flower Pops out of both pipes, some upside-down. They can only be defeated with Superballs. 100
If Right-Side Up

400
If Upside-Down
Super Mario Land Bullet Biff Gira Missile which fires from a variant Bill Blaster that periodically emerges from pipes. Can be stomped and defeated. 400

Birabuto Kingdom

The following enemies and boss are found only in the Birabuto Kingdom.

Image Name Description Points Defeated By Superballs?
SML Fighter Fly Fly Bounces sideways. Can be defeated with one stomp or two Superballs. 400
Bunbunsprite.png Bunbun Found only in 1-2. Flies horizontally, pausing periodically to drop spears. Can be stomped or hit with a Superball to be defeated. 800
Gao.png Gao Found only in 1-3, as well as 1-1 in Hard Mode. Sits still and breathes small balls of fire diagonally in Mario's direction, similar to a Fire Piranha Plant. Can be stomped or hit with a Superball to be defeated. 800
Kingtotometsu.PNG King Totomesu Very similar to the Bowser fights from Super Mario Bros., this Gao breathes fireballs horizontally and periodically jumps. Can be defeated with five Superballs, or dodged to hit the kill switch behind him. 5,000

Muda Kingdom

The following enemies and boss are found only in the Muda Kingdom.

Image Name Description Points Defeated By Superballs?
SML Honen Sprite.png Honen These undead Torion jump vertically from offscreen, similar to Podoboos, but can be stomped or torpedoed. 100
SML Yurarin Boo Sprite.png Yurarin Boo Jump vertically, breathing fireballs diagonally in Mario's direction. Can be stomped or hit with two torpedoes. 400
Mekabonsprite.PNG Mekabon Found only in 2-2. Turn back at edges. Throw their heads at Mario, which can be stomped but regenerate. The headless body can be stomped, or the whole robot with a Star, both of which finish them off. 100
If Head Or Body Stomped, Or A Star Used

400
If Whole Body Is Stomped
SML Torion Sprites.png Torion Found only in 2-3 in groups of three, which make a U-turn when they reach the left edge of the screen. Can be killed with a single Marine Pop torpedo. 100
SML Yurarin Sprite.png Yurarin Found only in 2-3. Move right-to-left in a semi-random diagonal pattern. Can be killed with two torpedoes. 400
Various sprites of a Gunion. Gunion Found only in 2-3. Can be killed with three torpedoes, but then turn into two fireballs which move in Mario's direction. 800
Tamao Sprite.PNG Tamao Bounces around the boss area when fighting Dragonzamasu. Damages Mario when touched, but cannot be destroyed. 0
SML Dragonzamasu Sprite.png Dragonzamasu A giant Yurarin Boo which moves up and down, shooting fireballs. Can be killed with twenty torpedoes. or the player can attempt to clear the way to the kill switch. 5,000

Easton Kingdom

The following enemies and boss are found only in the Easton Kingdom.

Image Name Description Points Defeated By Superballs?
A screenshot of a Batadon.
Batadon
Bounces along, similar to a Fly or Kumo but somewhat higher. Can be stomped or eliminated with three Superballs.
800
Sprite of a Tokotoko from Super Mario Land
Tokotoko
Runs quickly. Can be stomped or hit with a Superball.
400
Ganchan.png
Ganchan
Simple boulders. While they damage Mario if they hit him, Mario can stand on them to cross spikes or to reach the Bonus Game Goal entrance in 3-1. Cannot be destroyed.
0
Suusprite.png
Suu
Found only in 3-2. Drop down from the ceiling at Mario, like slow Thwomps. Can be stomped or eliminated with two Superballs.
400
SML Kumo.png
Kumo
Behave identically to Flies, and can also be defeated with one stomp or two Superballs.
400
A screenshot of Hiyoihoi.
Hiyoihoi
Throws Ganchan at Mario. Can be defeated with ten Superballs, or Mario can use the boulders to jump over Hiyoihoi and hit the kill switch.
5,000

Chai Kingdom

The following enemies and bosses are found only in the Chai Kingdom.

Image Name Description Points Defeated By Superballs?
Sprites of Pionpis from Super Mario Land.
Pionpi
Zombie-like creatures that bounce at Mario. Stomping them gives only stuns them briefly, similar to Dry Bones. Two Superballs are required to actually finish them off.
800
Pomponsprite.png
Pompon Flower
Appear only in 4-2. Similar to a cross between a Volcano Plant and a Ptooie, they walk around, occasionally shooting a damaging spore vertically. They can be defeated by a stomp or two Superballs.
800
Nylolin.png
Nyololin
Appear only in 4-2. A snake with the same attack pattern as a Gao, which can also be defeated by a stomp or Superball.
800
A Roto Disc
Kaitensuru Honō
Flame rotating around a central block, which does damage to Mario if he touches it. Invulnerable.
0
SML Chicken Sprite.png
Chicken
Appear only in 4-3. Tend to appear in loose clusters, and be brought down by a single Sky Pop missile. Also thrown out by Biokinton.
400
Roketonsprite.PNG
Roketon
Appear only in 4-3 and can be defeated with one missile. Fire Bullet Biffs backwards at Mario once past him, but do not fire anything forward (despite the official art).
400
A sprite of a Chikako.
Chikako
Appear only in 4-3. Float in mid-air, do not fire projectiles and require ten missiles to be destroyed, or the use of a Star.
800
If Missiles Are Used

400
If Star Is Used
A Pipe Fist in Super Mario Land
Genkotsu
Appear only at the end of 4-3. Function like slightly faster Piranha Plants that "punch" downwards. Cannot be destroyed.
0
A sprite piece of Biokinton from Super Mario Land
Biokinton
Bounces all around the boss area, throwing chickens at Mario. To defeat him, he must be hit with twenty missiles, bringing forth Tatanga.
5,000
Tatanga in Pagosu, from Super Mario Land.
Tatanga
Moves around the right of the arena, firing large cannonballs, which almost immediately split into three smaller cannonballs, at Mario. These also absorb missiles, taking several hits before being dispersed (for one hundred points), making it harder to shoot the Pagosu. Once the warship is destroyed, Tatanga and the boss room vanish.
5,000

100 Per Cannonball

Objects and obstacles

The following objects and obstacles exist within the game, either to help, hurt, or hinder Mario and his progress.

Object/obstacle Description
A brick
Brick Block
Some Brick Blocks contain rarer items, while some can produce a number of coins.
A dropping lift
Donut Block
Blocks that fall when stood on for a short time.
An Empty Block
Empty Block
A Mystery Block that has already been struck.
A three-section lift
Lift
A platform that can move Mario a short distance.
Lift Block
Lift Block
A type of block appearing only in 1-3 and 3-2. Found in Hidden Blocks. Mario can ride them up to find coins or a Warp Pipe to a secret room.
Marinepop.gif
Marine Pop
A submarine found and used only in 2-3. Allows Mario to shoot torpedoes at a number of aquatic enemies, including the boss. Super Mushrooms and Stars affect the Marine Pop as well.
A Mystery Block
Mystery Block
Blocks that produce items when struck.
Super Mario in Sky Pop.
Sky Pop
An airplane appearing only in the final level, 4-3. It fires missiles, used to defeat both Biokinton and Tatanga. After Daisy is rescued, she and Mario ride off in the Sky Pop.
The switch that wins boss fights.
Switch
A switch found behind most bosses. Alternative to defeating the boss, Mario can avoid it and hit the switch to defeat them instead.
A Warp PipeA Warp Pipe to go up.
Warp Pipe
Mario can enter most pipes to reach hidden or secret areas, as well as exit them.

Revision

Later printings of the game featured alterations to the soundtrack[4] and fixed the screen wraparound glitch of the original release.[4] Unusually for a Virtual Console version, the 3DS release of Super Mario Land is based on the original version rather than the 1.1 revision.[4]

Development

See also: List of Super Mario Land staff

Super Mario Land was initially set to be the pack-in game for the Game Boy. However, Henk Rogers of Bullet-Proof Software managed to convince NOA president Minoru Arakawa that Tetris would have wider appeal[5].

The game was developed by Nintendo R&D 1 rather than by Nintendo EAD, making it the first Super Mario platformer to not be developed by EAD. Gunpei Yokoi acted as the producer and future R&D manager Satoru Okada was the director. Hirokazu Tanaka handled the sound effects and soundtrack.

Nintendo eShop description

North American version

Ancient ruins, giant crabs, Koopa Troopas, flying stone heads, and hungry sharks await you in this rerelease of the 1989 Game Boy™ game. In the beautiful kingdom of Sarasaland, a mysterious alien has appeared and hypnotized the inhabitants while kidnapping Princess Daisy™ for himself! Travel over land, in the air, and underwater as Mario™ runs, jumps, and bounces his way to fortune and glory on his mission to save Princess Daisy and restore peace! Ancient ruins, tempestuous waters, and brand new challenges await!

European version

Mario’s acclaimed Game Boy debut brings the plucky plumber to new territory: Sarasaland, where the evil space monster Tatanga has hypnotised the people and kidnapped Princess Daisy!

While the gameplay will be at first familiar, with the winning blend of platforming and power-ups, Super Mario Land is unique for introducing vehicles for Mario to ride: the Sky Pop aeroplane and Marine Pop submarine.

You’ll need all your skills on land, in the sea and through the air, to traverse the four diverse kingdoms of Sarasaland in your quest to defeat the dastardly Tatanga and rescue Daisy.

Soundtrack

To tie in with the game's Japanese release, an original soundtrack for the game was published in that region by Nippon Columbia, featuring arrangements of ten of Tanaka's compositions by Ikuro Fugiwara, and performed by the "Mario Freaks Orchestra."

Reception

Super Mario Land received mostly positive reviews. The difficulty, the length of the game, the price, and the overall gameplay experience were among the most discussed aspects of the game. The game has received a 77.94% based on 8 reviews.[6]

Corbie Dillard of Nintendo Life noted the successors of the game as superior in both length and quality, praising the sequel, Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins, as the better game, despite the price. However, he recommended playing the game in commemoration of Mario's first portable experience. Adam Riley of Cubed3 scored the game well, also acknowledging the standards achieved by later games, while also recommending the game as a short and sweet adventure.

Additionally, Lucas M. Thomas of IGN, noted the differences between the game and standard titles as odd, focusing on the graphical and other visual capabilities.[7] Other IGN reviewers rated the game more negatively, with Marc Nix referring to the game as uninspired,[citation needed] with Travis Fahs referring to the game as less ambitious than Super Mario Bros. 3.[citation needed]

On GameSpot, the game received an average rating of 8.1 out of over 2,000 reviews, with almost half of the ratings being 8/10.[8] The more positive reviews praised the simple though memorable elements of gameplay. The neutral or mixed reviews noted the short length of the game and the graphical capabilities, while acknowledging some of the aforementioned positive traits the game had to offer. Various negative or critical reviews heavily or harshly criticized the graphics and length in addition to other aspects such as the controls and inexplicable differences from main games in the series.

Reviews
Release Reviewer, Publication Score Comment
Game Boy Lucas M. Thomas, IGN 7.5/10 "With history as it is, though, Super Mario Land simply stands alone in time as a small, singular oddball. Its weirdest elements and tiny sense of scale would be brushed aside as Mario moved on, as titles like the sequel Super Mario Land 2 pushed the camera closer and began bringing back more traditional power-ups like the common Fire Flower (instead of the rubber bouncy ball version). If you'd like to experience this moment when Mario first toyed with the idea of becoming a full-time pilot or submarine commander, though, there's no better time than now -- at a price of just $3.99 in the newly-launched 3DS eShop, tickets to visit this small, weird Land are definitely affordable."
Nintendo 3DS Corbie Dillard, Nintendo Life 7/10 "Super Mario Land was impressive when it was first released for the Game Boy, but given how the length and overall quality of Game Boy releases increased shortly thereafter, it only made this original seem even more inadequate by comparison. It's not the best launching-off point for the 3DS eShopSuper Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins is by far the better game — and it is the most expensive of the launch Virtual Console titles at $3.99/£3.60. It's still a very fun Super Mario experience, but just about the time things are really getting good, the experience ends and the credits roll. If you haven't played Super Mario Land before, you owe it to yourself to at least give the game a try. The quest might be fairly short, but it's still worth playing through at least once, if only to see where Mario's portable adventures began."
Nintendo 3DS Adam Riley, Cubed3 8/10 "Despite not particularly ageing too well, looking graphically rather shabby and not offering a considerable amount of challenge or any replay value, at its heart Super Mario Land is still a fantastic piece of history in the platform genre, and a thoroughly enjoyable romp for Mario fans in general."
Aggregators
Compiler Platform / Score
GameRankings 77.94%

Sales

The game sold very well. It became the best-selling Game Boy game, with over 18 million copies sold, and was the fourth best-selling Game Boy game overall at the time of its discontinuation.[9] Additionally, it is currently the tenth Mario game with the most sales overall, as well as the sixth best-selling portable Mario game, being surpassed by New Super Mario Bros. and Mario Kart DS, both for the Nintendo DS, and Mario Kart 7 for the Nintendo 3DS, as well as Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, both for the Nintendo Switch.

Pre-release and unused content

Pre-release and unused content for Super Mario Land.
The reserved, though unused, tile for a Hidden Block

The theme that played when climbing ladders lasted much longer, over five seconds longer than necessary.

A tile reserved for a Hidden Block existed in 3-3, though was ultimately unused, rendering it futile.

Various jingles, including the death and goal themes, originally had less detailed audio, with no background tracks.

Several enemies and platforms were misplaced in certain levels, indicating developmental oversight. For instance, a Bombshell Koopa is placed right above a pit in 3-2, and can only be spotted if quick enough.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Super Mario Land.

Artwork

Sprites

Media

For a complete list of media for this subject, see List of Super Mario Land media.
Audio.svg Overworld - The overworld theme.
File infoMedia:Overworld Theme Super Mario Land.oga
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Glitches

Main article: List of Super Mario Land glitches

In 1-1, Mario must get hit by a Honen at the same time he falls from the bottom side of the screen, causing a glitchy sound to play rather than the regular sound effects. This also happens in 1-3, if Mario auto-fires a wall while turning into Super Mario.

Additionally, while battling Hiyoihoi, Mario may be at the left edge of the boss's platform. If done correctly, every time a Ganchan is thrown, Mario is able to collect it as a coin.

References to other games

  • Super Mario Bros./Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels: World 1-3, and to a lesser extent World 3-3, have a similar design to the Castle levels; in the former, the boss fight against King Totomesu is even similar to the boss fights against Bowser in that game.

References in later games

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning
Japanese スーパーマリオランド
Sūpā Mario Rando
Super Mario Land

Chinese (traditional) 超級瑪利歐樂園[10]
Chāojí Mǎlì'ōu Lèyuán
Super Mario Wonderland

Trivia

  • The back of the package and the Nintendo eShop description for the game state that Koopa Troopas appear, when in fact, only Bombshell Koopas appear. It also mentions "giant crabs," despite no crabs appearing in the game.

External links

References

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