Official Website
Developer - Nintendo EAD Tokyo (Group No. 2)
Publisher - Nintendo (no shit)
Release Dates - November 21st (JP) , November 22nd (NA), November 29th (EU), November 30th (AU)
Platform - Wii U
Game Size - 2.4GB
Genre - Platformer
Controls - Gamepad (Player 1 Only), Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Remote (Sideways), Wii Remote + Nunchuk, Wii Classic Controller Pro, Wii Classic Controller.
Multiplayer - 4 Player Local Co-Op
Retail and Digital versions launch on the same day. The Digital version will be available at Midnight (EST) on the eShop.
On a starry night in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Blue Toad take a walk 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, and the Sprixie Princess, a green fairy-like creature, pops out in front of them and starts to frantically ask for help. Suddenly, Bowser, who emerges from the pipe; finds the Sprixie Princess and captures her inside a bottle before disappearing back down the pipe with her. Mario and the group enter the pipe to pursue Bowser. They end up in the Sprixie Kingdom, where the journey mainly takes place.
TL;DR Go kick Bowser's ass.
All four of the main characters. If you've ever played Super Mario Bros 2 you should be familiar with their Gameplay quirks as they're almost identical in 3D World. Mario is the "all-around" character with average speed, jumping height, and so forth. Luigi can jump higher than anyone else. Peach can hover through the air but is slower than the rest of the cast. And Toad is the fastest out of the all the characters. In addition to the main cast, we also have the Toad Brigade Captain. He has in own special levels, but more on that later.
The Overmap
Similar Mario 3, Super Mario 3D World has a World Map that consists of various islands which connected by Clear Pipes. Each World also has it's own theme, with Grassland, Desert, and Snow being the basic themes for the first three worlds. Unlike with previous maps, you now have full control of the character instead of being guided by a line. And as you would expect, each World has it's own set of standard levels, a boss level, and other, miscellaneous levels.
- Standard level: These feature platforms, enemies, and various obstacles for you to overcome. At the end of every level, there is a Flag Pole for you to lower. Each level features around three Green Stars and a single Stamp for you to collect. The Green Star that sits atop the Flag Pole outside the level signifies you've collected all the Green Stars in that level. And the Golden Flag means that you've reached the top of the Flag Pole at the end of the level.
- Boss levels: These are almost always at the end of every World and are required to complete in order for you to progress. Once the boss if defeated, you rescue a Sprixie who will give you Stamps and other items periodically throughout the game.
- Enemy Blockades: Enemies block your path throughout the game, forcing you to defeat them. These guys are normally a bit tougher than you regular baddie, so you get a Green Star once you kill them.
- Captain Toad levels:. These mazes let you take control of the Toad Brigade Captain. You navigate through a small, puzzle-like level where you goal is to collect Green Stars. The main trick here is that Captain Toad cannot jump, forcing you to heavily rely on the camera in order to see hidden passages and ramps.
- Mystery Boxes:. Another returning element from 3D Land, except they're drastically different this time around. Instead of a single, 10 second challenge to complete, there's now multiple challenges within one box. Another new change is that they aren't gathered through Streetpass and now stay stationary on the World Map, just like any regular old level.
- Toad Houses: You walk inside and collect a Power Up. Nothing much else to say about them.
Power Ups
New:
(Click on the images for Gifs)
- Super Bell: The Super Bell transforms Mario and the gang into Cats. In Cat form, you can climb up walls, slide into enemies, attack in midair, and even climb up Flag Poles.
- Double Cherry: The Double Cherry creates an exact replica of your current character and the clone moves identically alongside you. You're only limited by how many Double Cherries you can find per level. In multiplayer, other players can steal your clones by ground-pounding on them. The clones can also be used to active certain platforms and switches.
Returning:
- Super Mushroom: Transforms Mario into Super Mario where he can take additional damage.
- Fire Flower: Transforms Mario in Fire Mario. You can shoot Fire Balls at enemies and other objects in this form.
- Super Star: Temporally grants you invincibility.
- Super Leaf: Transform Mario into Tanooki Mario. When in Tanooki form, you can your newfound tail to spin attack enemies and blocks. Additionally, when in the air, you can slowly descend by using your tail.
- Boomerang Flower: Transforms Mario into Boomerang Mario. In Boomerang form, you can throw Boomerangs at enemies as well as at items in order to retrieve them.
- Mega Mushroom: Temporally transforms Mario into Mega Mario. While in Mega form, you can wreak havoc upon the land by crushing everything in your path. Blocks, baddies, you can destroy almost anything that's in your way.
Objects:
- Coins: Coins are found scattered throughout levels. They can be found within blocks, on the ground, and even hidden areas. Every 100 coins nets you an extra life.
- 1-Up: Give you an extra life when collected.
- +Clocks: Adds various amounts of time to the time limit when collected. A Green Clock adds 100 units of time. A Blue Clock adds 10 units.
- Pipes: There are two types of Pipes found in 3D World: Warp Pipes and Clear Pipes. Warp Pipes are the same as ever, allowing Mario to travel distances far too long for a jump. Clear Pipes make their debut in this game. They allow you to control Mario inside the actual pipe where you're can maneuver around enemies and other obstacles.
- Green Stars: Green Stars are the main collectable found throughout the courses. They usually require tricky jumps in order to reach them.
- Stamps: There are over 80 stamps to collect throughout the whole game, one per level. Once collected, they unlock a special image that can be used when posting to Miiverse.
- Blocks: Blocks have become a stable of the Mario series, and 3D World is no exception. It features regular Brick Blocks, Mystery Blocks which contain items, Used Blocks, POW Blocks which destroy any enemy in the vicinity, and Assist Blocks which grant you an Invincibility Leaf. Assist Blocks only appear when you die a set number of times, however.
- Wearable Boxes: Another returning mechanic from 3D Land are the Wearable Boxes. Coin Boxes look exactly like Mystery Blocks, but when hit the Box sticks to your head and spawn coins as you move. The faster your run with, the more coins it spawns. Propeller Boxes, when worn, allow you to gain major altitude by propelling yourself straight into the air. Light Boxes emit a beam of light, when worn, and can be used to defeat Boos. Finally, Cannon Boxes allow players to fire cannonballs at enemies and other objects.
- Wearable Enemies: Upon defeating certain Goombas, a Goomba Mask may drop. When wearing the mask, other Goombas will not recognize or attack you. Similarly, when you defeat Koopas some drop their Koopa Shell. And while carrying the shell, Mario can climb inside and slide around in it.
- +Much more: It would be near impossible for me to cover every item and object in the game. From P-Switches to Baseballs, there's plenty more to discover for yourself!
Online:
When you connect to the internet, you can download other player's Ghost Mii Data. Ghost Miis are representations of other people's attempts at a level. You can compete against them to see who can get the fastest time, observe how they tackled a specific level, or even follow them along to potentially find secrets that you weren't even aware of before.
Super Mario 3D World also supports Miiverse. For those who are unfamiliar, Miiverse is basically a social network where you can post Screenshots, discuss aspects of the game, ask for help, and draw artwork. 3D World expands on Miiverse further by introducing Stamps that can be used on you Miiverse posts. You can find Stamps scattered throughout all the courses in the game.
Misc.
If you happen to have New Super Luigi U Save Data on your Wii U, you can unlock a special version of Mario Bros right from the get go. Aptly named "Luigi Bros.," it's a direct port of the original NES version of Mario Bros, except starring Luigi. If you don't have Save Data of New Super Luigi U, you will be able to unlock Luigi Bros. by playing through 3D World.
GameFAQs too slow for you? Prima has you covered with this guide. Taken from the Gamestop description, this guide supposedly contains...
• BONUS CALENDAR - a 13 month calendar with special Mario dates and artwork is included
• Art Section - this collector's edition exclusive shows the wonderful artwork of Super Mario 3D World
• Find Everything - fully labeled maps show the locations for every single power-up
• Collect It All - locations shown for every collectible
• All The Secrets - the best spots revealed for getting 1-ups, shortcuts, star rankings and more
• Beat The Baddies - strategies for defeating every enemy and boss
And while it normally retails for $35, you can buy it off Amazon for about
$24.
Trailers:
Screens:
Reviews will be up once Nintendo finishes bribing all the reviewers.
Famitsu - 9/10/9/10
IGN - 9.6/10
Official Nintendo Magazine - 93/100
