Last night, we found out that Super Mario 3D Land would incorporate use the 3DS’ tilt functionality, using the built-in gyro sensor. Nintendo of America say the tilt functionality will allow for scouting levels and finding hidden secrets before you start playing.
Meanwhile, Shigeru Miyamoto explains that Super Mario 3D Land is meant to be a 2D Mario game that can be played in 3D. The game is a bit of an homage to Super Mario Land, and like the 2D Mario games, each stage has a flagpole at the end as a goal for players.
This is an interesting goal because there’s a clear divide between 2D and 3D Mario games. The 3D ones such as Super Mario Galaxy tend not to sell as well as the 2D games, which are simpler and easier for the more casual player to progress through. When Nintendo followed Super Mario Galaxy up with Super Mario Galaxy 2, they made a conscious effort to streamline the sequel in a way that players would be less intimidated by the prospect of playing a 3D Mario game. In Japan, Galaxy 2 even shipped with a beginner’s DVD to help newcomers understand how to play the game.
As far Super Mario 3D Land goes, special moves from the 3D games will be present, but won’t be required to complete the game. Instead, you’ll be able to use them to discover secrets and hidden areas. Speaking to the actual stereoscopic 3D effect on the 3DS, Miyamoto says that the game will not require the 3D effect to be played, but that there are places in Super Mario 3D Land, which will play more naturally with it turned on, and will be trickier with the 3D effect off.
Super Mario 3D Land will also feature StreetPass functionality, which hasn’t been detailed yet. Here’s a trailer and new screenshots, ahead of its November 13th release:
Published: Sep 13, 2011 04:05 pm