One level is presented from a top-down perspective and tasks Mario and company with clearing away strings of enemies and collect coins using boomerangs.

Classic power ups like the fire flower, mega mushroom, and boomerang mushroom also return and give players unique abilities in levels designed around each power up. All four characters can don a catsuit that gives them heightened attack powers and the ability to climb up walls (or the goal pole for a perfect finish every time). Mario and company can grab a cherry power up to get a clone and increase stomping power. While this sounds boring given it’s exactly what Mario’s done for decades, new power ups and inventive level design keep the experience fresh. You can explore at will, discover hidden paths, warp pipes, and more, before eventually ending at the same spot and jumping on the goal pole to end the level. As was the case in Super Mario 3D Land, you pick a level from the map and start at a set point. This might be a disappointment at first, but anyone without a 3DS will still get to enjoy the platforming bliss Nintendo’s 3D level designs provide in spades. 3D World presents lots of great 3D action, but it’s structurally indistinguishable from Mario’s most recent 2D exploits. If you’ve been waiting for a 3D Mario game, a la Super Mario Galaxy or Super Mario 64, you’ll have to keep waiting. While the over world takes you to all the right locales, like a fire world, an ice world, a cloud world, and more, it can feel too similar in structure to the “New” SMB series. This is the first major change you’ll notice when comparing this new Mario game with Wii U’s previous Mario game. On the way, players will navigate an overworld map complete with coin blocks, scores of different levels to choose from, and even a few hidden secrets of its own. When Bowser rears his dino-lizard head once more, it’s up to Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Toad to save the day and restore Sprixie Kingdom to peace.

2d fighter maker 2016 review