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* DuelingGames
** With the first ''VideoGame/{{Knack}}'' game, which was released a week or two later, depending on territory. ''Knack'' got worse reviews than this game, but actually sold a fair bit better between its launch and around Christmas 2013. Though this game would ultimately outsell ''Knack'' quite handily, many agree in retrospect that this was the point when it became obvious that the Platform/WiiU was going to lose [[MediaNotes/TheEighthGenerationOfConsoleVideoGames its console generation]], '''badly'''. The ''Mario'' franchise would subsequently get payback in 2017, when ''VideoGame/SuperMarioOdyssey'' handily demolished ''Knack II'' in sales.
** Also with ''VideoGame/RaymanLegends''. While that game also launched on the Wii U, it was originally supposed to be exclusive to the console until Ubisoft delayed it from its original February 2013 release date in order to make it MultiPlatform, thanks to poor sales of ''VideoGame/ZombiU''. Both games also feature similar gameplay, being four-player co-op platformers with unique and creative level design, with the main difference being that ''Rayman'' is 2D while ''3D World'' is, well, 3D.
* MilestoneCelebration:
** In commemoration of Advertising/TheYearOfLuigi (which celebrated Luigi’s 30th anniversary), The Wii U original contains a special version of ''VideoGame/MarioBros'' called ''Luigi Bros.'', as well as [[https://www.mariowiki.com/List_of_Luigi_sightings_in_Super_Mario_3D_World numerous Luigi Easter Eggs]] throughout the game. These were actually retained in the Switch port, despite [[TheArtifact lacking the context for their addition at the time]].
** The Switch port was one of the three major titles released during the 35th anniversary of ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros1'' (the other two being ''Super Mario 3D All-Stars'' and ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros35'') and like the other two, was announced in a special anniversary direct.
* NewbieBoom: The original Wii U release sold about 5.88 million copies by the end of the console's lifespan. The Switch port sold close to 11 million copies by the end of 2022, around twice as well as the original version. This was chalked up to both the larger install base of the Switch console and the added ''VideoGame/BowsersFury'' mode bringing in a ''lot'' of interest when it was revealed.
* TheOtherDarrin: Rosalina is voiced by Creator/LauraFayeSmith rather than her previous voice actresses Mercedes Rose and Kerri Kane. According to [[http://www.mariowiki.com/Kerri_Kane Mario Wiki]], Kane and her family moved.
* PromotedFangirl: Laura Faye Smith herself is a fan of the Mario series, as well as seeing Rosalina's personality much like her own after knowing her backstory.
* ThrowItIn: The Double Cherry powerup was created by accident when a developer spawned two Marios instead of one when testing a level. The team loved the concept so much they decided to make it an actual feature via a power-up.
* WhatCouldHaveBeen:
** Peach was not always intended to be playable. At some point, she would still be the DamselInDistress, and the Sprixie Princesses wouldn't have existed if that decision was made. But then Yoshiaki Koizumi suggested to have her within the playable roster.
** The team originally considered having Yoshi as a playable character at one point, however this idea was scrapped due to much of his moves being too similar to other functions of characters and items already featured in the game, such as Peach's floating, the Piranha Plant's chomping, and Plessie's riding abilities.
** Like its [[VideoGame/SuperMario3DLand predecessor]], the game was originally going to support stereoscopic 3D, but it was dropped because it wouldn't have worked well with the multiplayer mode, since each player would need their own set of 3D glasses. This would've made it the reason the game is called ''Super Mario 3D World'' than just because it's the sequel to ''Super Mario 3D Land''.
** [[https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2021/02/rumour_hidden_file_suggests_toadette_was_planned_as_a_playable_character_in_super_mario_3d_world Within the files of the Switch port]], there are DummiedOut animation files for Toadette, as well as a voice clip for when she's selected, which suggests she was considered to be a new playable character at one point.
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