Super Mario 3D Land

My first request: Super Mario 3D Land!!! A definite must-buy for any true Mario fan, or anyone for that matter... It incorporates 2D gaming with a 3D twist! Read on to find out more! TRAILER AT THE END :)




Super Mario 3D Land mixes the old classic Mario games with new ideas. Of course the first thing to mention is that it is 3D. We will also take a look at the first boss, some of the enemies, a new mode, and some of the cool power-ups.

Similarities/What's New

Super Mario 3D Land starts out with, as you probably guessed, Bowser kidnapped Princess Peach. One of the features that I am really glad they brought back from old Mario games is the flag pole at the end of each stage. Hit the top of the flagpole to get extra lives, otherwise you will get coins.


Environment
Some of the old environments can be seen here and there in Super Mario 3D Land. I wont give away the levels, but they are definitely recognizable. The nice thing about this game being in 3D is that it introduces players to a new expansive environment. Instead of the usual left to right seen in the old Mario games, players can go up and down as well. Now players can also move towards and away from the screen, opening up hidden zones and extra coins. 3D also makes some levels look better and makes some puzzles easier to solve.

You also make use of the 3DS's gyroscope, using it in a few places. The one hint I will give is when you have to shoot Mario from a cannon. Be sure to look around and don't head straight for the top right away.

Power-Ups

They brought back the Tanooki Suit!! Use the tail to attack enemies and to gently float to the bottom of certain levels. Some other power-ups that make an appearance is the Super Mushroom, the Power Star, the Fire Flower, and the Propeller Block. The Propeller Block is similar to the propeller hat. It takes you to the end of the level.

Another nice new feature is that you can now store one power-up on the bottom screen. This can come in handy when in a tough spot. If you don't have a back up, you will turn into a tiny Mario that runs faster and jumps higher.

Enemies
I love that Super Mario 3D Land brings back some old school enemies. You will see Dry Bones, Thwumps, Koopas, Piranha Plants, Goombas, and of course Bowser. There are also some cool new enemies, such as the desert shark-like thing, a "football defensive linemen" Thwomp, and cool flying beetles.

For some reason Bowser decided to unleash Tanooki tails everywhere! You will see them on Goombas, trees, and even on Bowser!

The New 'Help Mode'
There is a new Help Mode in Super Mario 3D Land. It shows up if you happen to get stuck on a level or loose too many lives. It also opens the door not necessarily to cheating but to skip over levels quickly.

If you loose your life 5 times, an invincible Tanooki suit appears. It is a cross between a Tanooki suit and a power star. If you loose your life 10 times, a P Wing appears and flies you to the end of the level.

The 1st Boss
Just to warn you, I will explain how to beat the first Boss so if you want to know just stop reading here.

The first boss is..... Bowser. You first confront Bowser on a bridge spitting fireballs at you. Don't try to fight him, it wont work. The only way to defeat him is to get to the other side of the bridge and jump on the switch. This causes the bridge and Boswer to fall into lava. Only you never did fight Bowser. Turns out it was a Goomba in disguise!!

 Conclusion
Super Mario 3D Land is going to be the only reason some people buy a 3DS. It stands up to all the other Mario games while throwing in cool new features. A definite MUST BUY for any gamer.