Super Mario 3D Land

Super Mario 3D Land
North American box art
Developer(s)	Nintendo EAD Tokyo
Publisher(s)	Nintendo
Director(s)	Koichi Hayashida
Producer(s)	Yoshiaki Koizumi
Composer(s)	Mahito Yokota
Series	Mario
Platform(s)	Nintendo 3DS
Release date(s)	JP November 3, 2011 NA November 13, 2011[1] EU November 18, 2011[2] AUS November 24, 2011[3]
Genre(s)	Platforming
Mode(s)	Single-player

Super Mario 3D Land (スーパーマリオ3Dランド, Sūpā Mario Surī Dī Rando^?)^[4] is a platform game in the Mario series developed by Nintendo EAD Tokyo for the Nintendo 3DS. The game was released in Japan on November 3, 2011 and is scheduled to be released in the US, Europe and Australia later in the month.^[5] It was announced at Nintendo's Keynote Conference during the 2011 Game Developers Conference held in San Francisco. The game combines elements from both classic 2D side-scrolling Mario games and modern free-roaming 3D Mario games.

Gameplay

Super Mario 3D Land is a platform game that has been described by game designer Shigeru Miyamoto as a "3D Mario that plays as a 2D Mario game." As such, Super Mario 3D Land combines the elements of traditional side-scrolling Mario titles, such as linear-based levels, with those of the modern open world Mario titles, such as moving Mario in three dimensions and performing a variety of actions.^[6]

Similar to the classic side-scrolling Mario games, the objective of each level is to reach and grab the flagpole located at the end before the time limit expires. Super Mario 3D Land utilizes a similar health system to those games, in which Mario shrinks upon taking damage from enemies or hazards, and damage while "small" results in losing a life. The game offers a number of traditional Mario items, such as the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Starman, along with new power-ups that bestow a special suit onto Mario that grants him new abilities. Some revealed power-ups include the Super Leaf from Super Mario Bros. 3 which allows him to turn into Tanooki Mario and attack with his raccoon-like tail and float in the air, with the Statue Leaf allows Mario to turn into a statue,^[7] and the Propeller Box, which acts similarly to the Propeller Block and the Propeller Mushroom from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, allowing Mario to reach high places.^[8] Also revealed is the Boomerang Flower that lets Mario become Boomerang Mario and allows him to throw boomerangs.^[9][10] Later revealed is the Question Box, a suit which has an appearance similar to the Question blocks, which allows Mario to collect coins by walking around while he wears it.^[11] Similar to the Super Guide feature in recent Mario titles, certain items can be made available if the player struggles on a certain level. The Invincibility Leaf, which appears after the player dies five times in a level, gives Mario invincibility and Tanooki Suit abilities, whilst the P-Wing, which appears after the player dies ten times in a level, sends the player right to the end of the level.^[12]

Super Mario 3D Land utilizes the Nintendo 3DS autostereoscopic technology, allowing players to perceive depth when viewing the game screen. While the game is designed to not require the 3D effect, some obstacles or points of interest are deliberately more noticeable or easier when the 3D is switched on.^[6] Super Mario 3D Land also utilizes the 3DS gyroscope for binoculars that allow players to search for Toads and earn additional power ups.^[6] The game will also feature StreetPass functionality, allowing players to exchange mystery boxes containing bonus items.^[13] Luigi also appears in the game as a playable character, possessing different handling from Mario.^[7]

Plot

A tree that stands on Princess Peach's castle grounds is stripped of all its leaves during a storm. The leaves, which turn out to be Super Leaves, are blown across the Mushroom Kingdom, bestowing Tanooki tails on all living things they touch.^[14] . The next morning, Princess Peach goes outside to see if the tree is okay, but during her inspection, Bowser once again kidnaps her.

Later on, Mario and three Toads (Red, Yellow, and Blue) go looking for the princess. Eventually, they discover that she is missing and the Tanooki leaves are gone too. Yellow Toad notices a hovering letter near the tree, which the group of four go to. Mario grabs and opens it, and a picture of Bowser holding Princess Peach with Tanooki leaves flying in the background pops out. The message shocks the three Toads and Mario, and immediately, Mario and the three Toads run to save Princess Peach. Throughout his adventure Mario receives more letters about Peach's predicament.

Development

Super Mario 3D Land screenshots shown at GDC 2011.

In November 2010, Shigeru Miyamoto announced that both 2D and 3D Mario games were in the works for the Nintendo 3DS.^[15] He also described this particular game as "completely original" and a cross between Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario 64,^[5] and revealed that the game will utilize the 3DS gyroscope.^[16] The game is being developed by Nintendo EAD Tokyo, which had developed Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel.^[17]

Satoru Iwata pointed out that the game's tentative logo sports a tail, and stated that its purpose would be revealed at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2011.^[18] Miyamoto later stated that "it's what you think it is."^[19] While no exact release date was announced, Miyamoto stated that he hoped to release the game during 2011.^[20]

The game was showcased at Nintendo's press conference at E3 2011, where a 2011 release date was confirmed, along with the appearance of the Tanooki Suit, a power-up originally from Super Mario Bros. 3.^[21] The power-up allows Mario to float down gently, but unlike in Super Mario Bros. 3, he can no longer fly.^[22]

Director Yoshiaki Koizumi said Mario will have access to a number of his famous suits. While only the Tanooki Suit was revealed at E3, Koizumi told Official Nintendo Magazine UK: "I can't reveal the actual number of power-ups in the game right now, but suffice to say that we do try to include enough so that people can enjoy a variety of different kinds of play experiences in the title. But I can say that we will definitely have some more familiar suits than just the Tanooki Suit."^[23]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
Aggregator	Score
GameRankings	89.92% [24]
Metacritic	(90/100) [25]
Review scores
Publication	Score
1UP.com	B+ [26]
Famitsu	38/40[27]
Game Informer	9/10 [28]
GamePro	5 out of 5[29]
GameSpot	8.0/10 [30]
GamesRadar	9/10 [31]
IGN	9.5/10 [32]
Wired	9/10 [33]
Joystiq	[34]
Destructoid	8.5/10 [35]

The game sold over 343,000 copies in its first week in Japan, helping to move over 145,000 Nintendo 3DS units.^[36] Famitsu awarded Super Mario 3D Land a score of 38/40, praising level design, accessibility for beginners and the use of 3D.^[27] IGN gave the game a score of 9.5 and an Editor's Choice award, calling it "brilliant and addictive."^[32] GamesRadar gave the game a score of 9/10, praising its wealth of content, although criticising the inclusion of a run button and some easy difficulty.^[31]

References

1. ^ "TGS: Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7 Release Dates". IGN. September 12, 2011. http://ds.ign.com/articles/119/1193986p1.html. Retrieved September 13, 2011. 
2. ^ "Super Mario 3D Land release date confirmed". Official Nintendo Magazine. http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/30407/super-mario-3d-land-release-date-confirmed/. Retrieved 13 September 2011. 
3. ^ "Super Mario 3D Land". Nintendo. http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=119&prod_id=21080&pageID=4. Retrieved October 10, 2011. 
4. ^ "Nintendo 3DS price drops to $169.99, as great value and new 3D games come together". Nintendo. July 28, 2011. http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/fttgI7OsQIB1tZqRMa5CtT45KLrmNkAY. Retrieved August 26, 2011. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Nathan Brown (April 21, 2011). "Miyamoto Reveals More On Mario 3DS". Edge Magazine. http://www.next-gen.biz/news/miyamoto-reveals-more-mario-3ds. Retrieved 2011-04-21. 
6. ^ ^{a b c} George, Richard (September 13, 2011). "TGS: Super Mario 3D Land - Regaining What Was Lost". IGN. http://m.ign.com/articles/1194014. 
7. ^ ^{a b} http://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-3d-land-playable-luigi-tanooki-statue-japanese-trailer/
8. ^ "Mario 3DS: Out with the new and in with the old...". ComputerAndVideoGames. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/310729/previews/mario-3ds-out-with-the-new-and-in-with-the-old. 
9. ^ Gilbert, Henry. "Super Mario 3D Land has Boomerang Suit (and 75 new screens)". GamesRadar. http://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-3d-land-has-boomerang-suit-and-75-new-screens/. 
10. ^ Totilo, Stephen. "Super Mario Honors Zelda in His Next Game by Tossing a Boomerang". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/5851846/super-mario-honors-zelda-in-his-next-game-by-tossing-a-boomerang/. 
11. ^ "ニンテンドー3DS｜社長が訊く『スーパーマリオ ３Ｄランド』｜Nintendo". http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/interview/arej/vol1/index.html. 
12. ^ http://gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=163048&sid=3dabfb35855e24be3ca12b42802552a1
13. ^ http://www.gametrailers.com/video/boomerang-mario-super-mario/722791
14. ^ Hansen, Steven. "Boomerang action in Super Mario 3D Land". Destructoid. http://www.destructoid.com/boomerang-action-in-super-mario-3d-land-214124.phtml. 
15. ^ "Super Mario 3DS games on the way in 2D and 3D, says Shigeru Miyamoto". Video Games Blogger. 5 November 2010. http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2010/11/05/super-mario-3ds-games-on-the-way-in-2d-and-3d-says-shigeru-miyamoto.htm. 
16. ^ Hoggins, Tom (5 May 2011). "Shigeru Miyamoto interview". The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/video-games/8493624/Shigeru-Miyamoto-interview.html. Retrieved 6 May 2011. 
17. ^ Reilly, Jim (2 March 2011). "GDC: Super Mario 3DS Revealed". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/115/1153006p1.html. 
18. ^ Gilbert, Henry (2 March 2011). "Nintendo reveals new Super Mario for 3DS". GamesRadar. http://www.gamesradar.com/3ds/super-mario-3d/news/nintendo-reveals-new-super-mario-for-3ds/a-20110302102629413085/g-20110302102510972026. 
19. ^ Pereira, Chris. "Super Mario 3DS Combines Galaxy and Mario 64, Will be at E3". 1up. http://www.1up.com/news/super-mario-3ds-combines-galaxy-mario-64-e3. 
20. ^ Plunkett, Luke (21 April 2011). "Super Mario 3DS Might Be Out This Year?". Kotaku. http://kotaku.com/#!5794242/super-mario-3ds-might-be-out-this-year. 
21. ^ Moriarty, Colin (7 June 2011). "E3 2011: You'll Play Super Mario 3DS This Year". IGN. http://ds.ign.com/articles/117/1173514p1.html. 
22. ^ "Super Mario 3D - Preview". EuroGamer. 20 June 2011. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-06-19-super-mario-3d-preview. 
23. ^ Ivan, Tom (4 July 2011). "More famous suits planned for Super Mario 3DS". CVG. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/310226/news/more-famous-suits-planned-for-super-mario-3ds/. 
24. ^ http://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/620831-super-mario-3d-land/index.html
25. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/super-mario-3d-land
26. ^ http://www.1up.com/reviews/super-mario-3d-land-3ds
27. ^ ^{a b} "Famitsu - review score details, Miyamoto talks Super Mario 3D Land". Famitsu (via GoNintendo). 26 October 2011. http://gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=164781. 
28. ^ http://www.gameinformer.com/games/super_mario_3d_land/b/3ds/archive/2011/11/09/super-mario-3d-land-review-mario-returns-to-rescue-the-princess-and-the-3ds.aspx
29. ^ http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/224745/review-super-mario-3d-land-3ds/
30. ^ http://uk.gamespot.com/super-mario-3d-land/reviews/super-mario-3d-land-review-6344529?tag=summary%3Bread-review
31. ^ ^{a b} http://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-3d-land-review/
32. ^ ^{a b} http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/121/1211974p1.html
33. ^ http://www.wired.com/gamelife/2011/11/super-mario-3d-land-review/
34. ^ http://www.joystiq.com/2011/11/09/super-mario-3d-land-review/
35. ^ http://www.destructoid.com/review-super-mario-3d-land-215338.phtml
36. ^ http://www.animenewsnetwork.co.uk/news/2011-11-09/super-mario-3d-land-sells-343492-propels-3ds-sales