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8 reasons why Super Mario 3D Land is exciting

Tom picks out the best bits from the latest trailer

After playing Super Mario 3D Land at a Nintendo's event in the summer, I will admit I wasn't convinced that it would be brilliant. I enjoyed the demo but the first 3D stage with Mario as a Tanooki didn't blow me away as I had been expecting. I even compared it to Crash Bandicoot.

Now I've seen the latest Super Mario 3D Land trailer it's clear that the plumber's new platformer has far more cool ideas packed into its little cartridge than any Crash game. Here are eight moments I've picked out from the trailer that have made me excited all over again about the Super Mario 3D Land.

1. The Propeller Block

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The propeller block from New Super Mario Bros. Wii is back for Super Mario 3D Land. All we need now is for the Penguin Suit to make a return.

2. Bowser With A Tail

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It's not only the Goombas who have a tail but Bowser can be seen sporting a Tanooki tail. We hope you get to grab him by the tail and swing him around.

3. Gyro controls

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I admit that I don't think I'll be using Gyro controls to steer in Mario Kart 7 but I like it when they're used in special moments of the game. Like when Mario jumps into a cannon and you can aim by moving your 3DS. The 3D should be great here.

4. Acrobatics

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It's always great to see Mario wall jumping and according to Miyamoto there will be plenty of action moves for skilled Mario players to enjoy using.

5. Diversity

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Judging by this still from the trailer it looks like there will be plenty of different types of level in each world. This level select screen shows what looks like a Peach's Castle level and it's followed by an underground level. We've seen snowy and desert stages in the screenshots and, of course there's the retro Zelda-inspired stage as well as the pixel Mario stage. Awesome.

6. Clever use of 3D

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This pipe bonus level messes with your head at first. It looks as though Mario can grab the big gold coin by dropping down the brown blocks but it's only when you walk over to the switch that you realise that the coin is in a different position to where you originally thought. This is why you have to play the game in 3D.

7. Boss battles

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Usually you have to complete an obstacle course to get to Bowser at the end but here King Koopa looks like he's taking over the stage, breathing fire at you as you run over the pathways. Did you notice the Toad behind bars too? Maybe it's not just Peach who has been kidnapped.

8. Bring Me Sunshine

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This platform level should test out your jumping skills. It reminds me of the great Yoshi Go Round secret level in Super Mario Sunshine.

Let us know why you're looking forward to Super Mario 3D Land.

Comments

14 comments so far...
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  1. eternalmidnight Thursday 15th Sep 2011 at 15:39

    Hey now. Don't go belittling the original Crash game Tom! They were and still are great platformers!

    Anyway. I'm just looking forward to playing a 3D mario game on the go :) I always have preferred the 3D games to the 2D ones, no particular reason, I just like to be able to run around a world and explore. Which I guess is a particular reason >.>

  2. Hisoka Thursday 15th Sep 2011 at 15:42

    I concur. The original Crash Bandicoot games are beast.
    I'm very excited for Super Mario 3D land though.

    EDIT: I played it, it's really good. I guess my only problem was it was easy.

  3. ledreppe Thursday 15th Sep 2011 at 15:42

    I like the idea of having to have the 3D turned on, to progress in certain areas. I just hope it really uses 3D to its fullest potential, that would be awesome.

  4. Huang Lee Thursday 15th Sep 2011 at 16:51

    Never question Nintendo's own work. They are the masters of the gaming industry. Without, there would be no gaming industry today probably IMO. I'm a bit confused, can someone please help me out with this. Is this meant to be a sequel to the 3D Mario games, Super Mario Galaxy 2, or is this a sequel to Super Mario Land, since it's called Super Mario 3D Land (makes sense). Please help me out there haha

  5. marxj Thursday 15th Sep 2011 at 18:06

    m a bit confused, can someone please help me out with this. Is this meant to be a sequel to the 3D Mario gamesI', Super Mario Galaxy 2, or is this a sequel to Super Mario Land, since it's called Super Mario 3D Land (makes sense).

    In a recent video interview which was subbed and posted here on ONM, Miyamoto explained it.

    Apparently, having "3D" in the title shows that the game has homage to the 3D titles like 64, Sunshine, Galaxy... whereas having "Land" afterwards in the title is to show that the game still plays similar to 2D Mario's, for example the Land games. Something like that. It was also I guess why they put 3D Land and not Land 3D, so that people would not think of it as much as a Land remake.

    Anyway, I'm looking most forward to... well, EVERYTHING about it. I cannot think of just one thing. It looks amazing. I've loved all the main Mario games and I'm sure this one will be no different.

  6. Huang Lee Thursday 15th Sep 2011 at 18:49

    m a bit confused, can someone please help me out with this. Is this meant to be a sequel to the 3D Mario gamesI', Super Mario Galaxy 2, or is this a sequel to Super Mario Land, since it's called Super Mario 3D Land (makes sense).

    In a recent video interview which was subbed and posted here on ONM, Miyamoto explained it.

    Apparently, having "3D" in the title shows that the game has homage to the 3D titles like 64, Sunshine, Galaxy... whereas having "Land" afterwards in the title is to show that the game still plays similar to 2D Mario's, for example the Land games. Something like that. It was also I guess why they put 3D Land and not Land 3D, so that people would not think of it as much as a Land remake.

    Anyway, I'm looking most forward to... well, EVERYTHING about it. I cannot think of just one thing. It looks amazing. I've loved all the main Mario games and I'm sure this one will be no different.

    Ok but having the title 3d land in the title, to me, sounds like a super mario land game, the next one in the series, and then wait until "2" comes out, if it does....they should at least say its the next game in the 3d series, like i said, 64, Sunshine, Galaxy 1 & 2. its just that i get a understanding. it looks like a super mario land game to me with the selecting the levels. i know they done sorta the same in galaxy, but its just confusing lol anyways, it looks fantastic. maybe when ill play it will make more sense to me. gonna be epic! looks like ill be having a nintendo christmas this year, unless i get wwe'12 on the ps3. mario kart is gonna be epic too! :D

    edit: ok i just read here: http://www.mariowiki.com/Super_Mario_(series)#Super_Mario_3D_Land that its the fifth game in the series, good :D sorry about the confusion lol :P

  7. Ai64 Thursday 15th Sep 2011 at 19:17

    Ha! Bowser with the tanooki tail too? Awsome!
    This is shaping up to be a must have game! :D

  8. cheatmaster30 Thursday 15th Sep 2011 at 21:06

    My thoughts on these moments:

    1. The Propeller Block

    Meh. It's nice it's back, but maybe the actual Propeller Suit will come back as well. That'd be nice.

    2. Bowser With A Tail

    Pointed it out ages ago. Some people were too stubborn to listen. Thanks ONM for clearing up that yes, that's definitely a Tanooki tail on Bowser.

    3. Gyro controls

    Those are gyro controls? Oh god no, I hated those in past games. I hope there's a standard analogue stick using option for cannons and such like.

    4. Acrobatics

    Cool.

    5. Diversity

    Agreed, the levels are very diverse and interesting.

    6. Clever use of 3D

    Don't you mean annoying use of 3D? But out of curiosity, is there any way to get that coin without changing the view, say, jumping into the screen towards where the relevant platform would be if it was in 3D? Or does it only become attainable with a certain camera angle?

    7. Boss battles

    I guess this looks cool. Didn't notice the Toad though, nice catch!

    8. Bring Me Sunshine

    Nah, reminds me of Tick Tock Clock (same rotating blocks) and the Cloudy Court Galaxy (same scenery)

    I'm very disappointed no mention was made of this game having more than eight worlds, or that extra suits are back, or that multiple enemies now have tails for some reason, implying the Leaf affected much of Bowser's army.

    But it's an okay article.

  9. imbusydoctorwho Thursday 15th Sep 2011 at 23:03

    I'm getting quite excited for this now.

  10. Kirby8 Friday 16th Sep 2011 at 22:15

    Hey, like the first comment said, Don't belittle Crash! He used to be great. Anyway, I'M SO EXCITED!

  11. Spyrolad Saturday 17th Sep 2011 at 14:06

    If that toad says sorry but the princess is in another castle I would cheer!

  12. Icytroid1993 Saturday 17th Sep 2011 at 17:20

    Quite simply, Mario is awesome!!! I cannot wait for this :D We don't know too much about this at the moment, so i won't comment on much, but one thing I will mention is the Mario games boss battles. I've always enjoyed them, and i really like the idea that Bowser seems to attack Mario mid-level :) It could introduce some interesting twists during levels! I'm intrigued, and i'm looking forward to the game very much :mrgreen:

  13. Mewtwo465 Sunday 18th Sep 2011 at 19:38

    Looks amazing! 2011 and 2012 are going to be amazing years for the 3DS with games coming out such as Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Star Fox 64 3D, Sonic Generations, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and hundreds more! Roll on 2012!

  14. 08boatfg Wednesday 21st Sep 2011 at 08:27

    They're pretty much the same reasons as what I would put; this looks like it's going to be a fantastic game! :D

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