History VideoGame / SuperMario3DLand

''Super Mario 3D Land'' is a 3D [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario platformer]] that came out in November 2011 for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS (retail version; as of 2012 the game is available from the Nintendo eShop as well). Unlike earlier 3D Mario games, the style of ''3D Land'' is essentially a hybrid between 2D and 3D Mario. Many elements, from linear level structure to Super Mushroom-based health to old-school power-ups like the Tanooki Suit, have been implemented into the 3D games for the first time. It's best described by Creator/ShigeruMiyamoto [[WordOfGod himself]] as "a 3D Mario game that plays like a 2D Mario game."

''Super Mario 3D Land'' is a 3D [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario platformer]] that came out in November 2011 for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS (retail version; as of 2012 the game is available from the Nintendo eShop as well). Unlike earlier 3D Mario games, the style of ''3D Land'' is essentially hybrid between 2D and 3D Mario. Many elements, from linear level structure to Super Mushroom-based health to old-school power-ups like the Tanooki Suit, have been implemented into the 3D games for the first time. It's best described by Creator/ShigeruMiyamoto [[WordOfGod himself]] as "...a 3D Mario game that plays like a 2D Mario game."

''Super Mario 3D Land'' is a 3D [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario platformer]] that came out in November 2011 for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS (retail version; as of 2012 the game is available from the Nintendo eShop as well). Unlike earlier 3D Mario games, the style of ''3D Land'' is essentially a blend between 2D and 3D Mario. Many elements, from linear level structure to Super Mushroom-based health to old-school power-ups like the Tanooki Suit, have been implemented into the 3D games for the first time. It's best described by Creator/ShigeruMiyamoto [[WordOfGod himself]] as "...a 3D Mario that plays like a 2D Mario game."

''Super Mario 3D Land'' is a 3D [[Franchise/SuperMarioBros Mario platformer]] that came out in November 2011 for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo3DS (retail version; as of 2012 the game is available from the Nintendo eShop as well). Unlike earlier 3D Mario games, the style of ''3D Land'' is essentially a blend between 2D and 3D Mario. Many elements, from linear level structure to Super Mushroom-based health to old-school power-ups like the Tanooki Suit, have been implemented into the 3D games for the first time. It's best described by Creator/ShigeruMiyamoto [[WordOfGod himself]] as "...more like a 3D Mario that plays like a 2D Mario game."

* SpiritualSuccessor: To ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3'', both in gameplay (the primary focus is the use of the Tanooki Suit) and in visuals (many of the levels' assets are modeled after those of the 2D levels in the 1988 game). The name is also a reference to ''VideoGame/SuperMarioLand'' and [[VideoGame/SuperMarioLand2SixGoldenCoins its sequel]], which were Mario's first portable adventures.

* TheBusCameBack: Boom Boom from ''VideoGame/Super Mario Bros. 3'' returns after being gone for 23 years.

* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: The Coin Coffer enemy is basically a more cartoonish, Mario-like design for the Moneybags in ''Videogame/SuperMario64''.

* ShoutOut: [[MilestoneCelebration Celebrating the 25th anniversary]] of the ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'' franchise, World 5-2 is laid out as a typical 2D Zelda dungeon, using elements such as a TopDownView, FlipScreenScrolling, and familiar obstacles like spiked rollers. It even has a "[[SolveTheSoupCans light all the torches to open the door]]" puzzle (complete with the iconic "puzzle solved" jingle!). It gets even better when you realize that since the previous level introduces the BattleBoomerang powerup, you'll probably enter the level armed with a weapon that Link is famous for using.

* SignificantAnagram: The number of the ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda Zelda]]''-themed level is 5-2, which is 25 backwards. ''Super Mario 3D Land'' (2011) celebrates [[MilestoneCelebration the 25th anniversary]] of Zelda.

** In the [[spoiler:final Bowser battle]], during one section of it, [[spoiler:he throws barrels at Mario]], similar to Mario's debut game: ''VideoGame/DonkeyKong''.

[[caption-width-right:350:[[Mario returns to [[RevisitingTheRoots his roots]] in an all new adventure in 3D!]]

[[caption-width-right:350:Mario returns to [[RevisitingTheRoots his roots]] in an all new adventure in 3D!.]]

[[caption-width-right:350:An all new dimension in the classic Mario platforming land.]]

* SpeedRun: Your best time is recorded when you clear a level, as is the best time recorded by any player you've [=StreetPassed=], so players can compare their runs with other people. In the Special worlds, some levels start with only 30 seconds on the clock, forcing you to quickly blaze through the levels and kill enemies to add seconds to the clock.

* RemilitarizedZone: Airships end a few of the worlds, notably Worlds 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7 along with Special Worlds 2, 3, 4, and 6.

* ShipLevel: Worlds 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 and well as Special Worlds 2, 3, 4, and 6 end with an airship.

* SlippySlideyIceWorld: Scattered about in the forms of World 3-4, World 6-5, Special World 2-4, and Special World 7-1. The abundance of pitfalls in them makes the use of tightropes and Propeller Boxes essential.

** This is Pom Pom's [[WeaponOfChoice weapon of choice]] during her battles.

* DevelopersForesight: Much like ''VideoGame/SuperMario64'', you're forbidden from exiting courses (even the ones you've beaten) when you're in midair, thereby terminating the age-old trick of exiting the course right before you fall to your doom.

* ExcusePlot: A Mario platformer staple. WebVideo/SomeCallMeJohnny summed this game's plot up best: "It was a dark and stormy night... Bowser kidnaps Peach..."

* AutoScrollingLevel: Now with 3D areas! This game handles the traditional auto scroll a little differently: You are no longer "pushed" by the boundary; you can go past it. But once you're offscreen long enough, the game considers you dead.

** Many levels require the extra jumping power you get from a Tanooki or Statue Leaf in order to hit the very top of the flagpole, to get the golden flag bonus. Reached the end without one? Have fun playing through the entire level again! This is especially annoying in boss levels.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: One of the collectible photos depicts something that will happen in ''VideoGame/SuperMario3DWorld''. [[spoiler:In the photo, Princess Peach dresses in a Tanooki Suit. So are the Toads, but they can be seen like this throughout the Special World portion of the game.]] The developers even had ''3D World'' in mind during development of ''3D Land''! [[spoiler:Though the final Tanooki Peach isn't wearing a dress, but a suit with very puffy pants.]]

** Oddly, while Luigi received the same {{Nerf}}s as Mario, he also got buffed! Now, he doesn't slide around as much when stopping anymore, meaning he is a true LightningBruiser.

* ShoutOut: [[MilestoneCelebration Celebrating the 25th anniversary]] of the ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZelda'' franchise, World 5-2 is laid out as a typical 2D Zelda dungeon, using elements such as a TopDownView, FlipScreenScrolling, and familiar obstacles like spiked rollers. It even has a "[[SolveTheSoupCans light all the torches to open the door]]" puzzle complete with the iconic "puzzle solved" jingle! It gets even better when you realize that since the previous level introduces the BattleBoomerang powerup, you'll probably enter the level armed with a weapon that Link is famous for using.

* TanukiKitsuneContrast: Referenced by Luigi's unique Super Leaf/Stone Leaf transformation; rather than gain a brown {{tanuki}} suit like his older brother upon picking up either power-up, Luigi instead gets the gold-furred suit of a [[{{Kitsune}} fox]].

* LostWoods: Once again not a single world but a few scattered levels: World 4-1, World 7-3, and Special World 3-3.

* BrutalBonusLevel: Many of the special levels are extremely challenging, especially [[spoiler:S-8 Crown]], which rivals the [[VideoGame/SuperMarioGalaxy2 Grandmaster Galaxy]] in overall toughness (though at least you can take damage and bring a back-up item in this one).

* PermanentlyMissableContent: If an Assist Block ever shows up due to losing five lives in the same level, the save file's stars will no longer shine.