Super Mario 3D World

Game Overview

Super Mario 3D World is a 2013 3D platformer developed by Nintendo EAD Tokyo and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. It serves as the sequel to Super Mario 3D Land on the Nintendo 3DS and the first 3D Mario game to support simultaneous four-player cooperative multiplayer.

The story begins when Mario, Luigi, Peach, and Toad discover a clear pipe in the Mushroom Kingdom and are pulled into the Sprixie Kingdom. There, Bowser has captured the Sprixie Princesses, and the heroes must travel through multiple worlds filled with creative, linear 3D courses to free them. Levels feature goal poles, Green Stars to collect, and stamps, blending the tight design of classic 2D Mario games with free 3D movement.

Each playable character has distinct abilities: Mario is balanced, Luigi jumps higher, Peach can hover, and Toad runs the fastest. Rosalina becomes available later and brings a spin attack. The standout Super Bell power-up transforms players into Cat Mario (or Cat forms of the other characters), allowing wall-climbing and scratching attacks. Additional power-ups include the Double Cherry (creating clones), Boomerang Flower, and more. Up to four players can join in local co-op at any time, mixing cooperation with light competition for points and the crown.

The game received widespread critical acclaim for its level design, variety, multiplayer, and presentation, earning a Metacritic score of 93. It later received an enhanced Switch version with the added Bowser’s Fury mode.

Quick Specifications

• Title: Super Mario 3D World
  
• Platform: Wii U
  
• Release Date: November 21–30, 2013 (varies by region)
  
• Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
  
• Publisher: Nintendo
  
• Genre: 3D Platformer, Action
  
• Players: 1–4 (simultaneous local multiplayer)
  
• Rating: ESRB E / PEGI 3
  
• Modes: Single-player, Local Multiplayer
  
• Compatible Controllers: Wii U GamePad, Wii U Pro Controller, Wii Remote (horizontal), Wii Remote + Nunchuk, Classic Controller
  
• Features: Drop-in/drop-out multiplayer, GamePad touch features, offline play
  
• Worlds: 12 (including special worlds) with over 100 courses
  

Key Features

• First-ever simultaneous four-player co-op in a 3D Mario game
  
• Unique character abilities for Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, and unlockable Rosalina
  
• Iconic Cat Suit (Super Bell) that enables wall-climbing and claw attacks
  
• Creative and highly varied level design with constant surprises
  
• Classic and new power-ups including Double Cherry, Boomerang Flower, and more
  
• Green Stars, stamps, and collectibles that encourage exploration and replay
  
• Competitive scoring and crown system in multiplayer
  
• Excellent HD presentation running at a smooth 60 frames per second
  
• Support for a wide range of Wii U controllers
  

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

How many players can play at the same time?

Up to four players can play simultaneously in local multiplayer. Additional players can drop in or out at any time.

What are the differences between the characters?

Mario is balanced. Luigi jumps the highest. Peach can hover in mid-air. Toad is the fastest runner but has the weakest jump. Rosalina (unlockable) has a useful spin attack.

Is there online multiplayer?

No. Super Mario 3D World features only local multiplayer. There is no online play.

What is the Cat Suit?

The Super Bell power-up transforms the player into a cat form. This allows climbing most walls, performing claw attacks, and diving.

Does the game have DLC?

No major content DLC was released for the original Wii U version. An enhanced version with the new Bowser’s Fury mode later appeared on Nintendo Switch as Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury.

Can I use a Wii U Pro Controller?

Yes. The game fully supports the Wii U Pro Controller, GamePad, Wii Remote (held horizontally), and other compatible controllers.