Super Mario Galaxy 2 showed us that Nintendo is not afraid to bring back old levels in future Super Mario titles. The game dedicated an entire galaxy to a redone version of Whomp’s Fortress, a classic Super Mario 64 stage. The enhanced level featured enemies and mechanics added in from Super Mario Galaxy 2, along with an orchestrated version of sound track and all new star missions. We’re hoping Nintendo will do the same with Super Mario 3D World, and we’ve picked one stage from each entry in the 3D Super Mario series that would work well with 3D World’s gameplay and style.
Lethal Lava Land
Super Mario 64
It’s very important to remember that levels in Super Mario 3D World require multiple players to play on one screen. For the most part, this makes open world levels much harder to transfer over to the more linear style of 3D World. With Lethal Lava Land, players are still able to explore whatever part of the map they like, but they are forced to move together as the design of the map features tons of barriers, also known as lava. It also helps that the paths will either go left, right, up, or down, making it easier to create a stable camera angle.
Pianta Village
Super Mario Sunshine
The worlds of Super Mario Sunshine are even more open world than Super Mario 64, and one can argue that none of the levels would work well in Super Mario 3D World. But if we had to pick, Pianta Village’s flat design and simple concept helps form something more along the lines of a linear level. There aren’t any major branching paths (aside from the giant palm trees), and few of the structures will get in the way if an isometric or top down view was put into place.
Freezeflame Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy
Not only is this a pretty and beautiful stage to play in, it also fits the 3D World vibe quite well. The camera can essentially be fixed on one side of the mountain, zooming in and out whenever players begin to move away from each other. Issues come in when players fall from a higher area in the level, but this can be fixed by cutting off lower sections of the level once everyone has made it up to that point.
Clockwork Ruins Galaxy
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Again, the fixed camera angle has a huge impact on whether or not a level will make a good 3D World stage. With Clockwork Ruins, the camera is almost always fixed in one position, and the level is designed to zoom out nicely without going too far. This particular level has great platforming and the theme is one of the more interesting in the game. A lot of Super Mario Galaxy levels could work in 3D World, making Clockwork Ruins one of many possibilities.
World 4-1
Super Mario 3D Land
It’s no secret that Super Mario 3D World is a direct sequel to Super Mario 3D Land. Almost every level from 3D Land can be thrown into 3D World, the only adjustments needed are those for multiplayer functionality. World 4-1 was picked for it’s basic theme and design for good multiplayer fun, but truly, any other level would do. It would also be great to see some of these levels in HD!
What do you think of the list? Any levels you think would work well in Super Mario 3D World? Share in the comments below!