We understood that the prime focus of this morning’s Nintendo Direct was 2013’s upcoming library of Wii U and 3DS titles, and one of these games was the much-anticipated platformer, Super Mario 3D World. Billed as a spiritual successor to 2011’s 3DS exclusive, Super Mario 3D Land, the follow-up brings Mario & co. to the Wii U with a whole litany of new features, as detailed by Saturo Iwata earlier today.
Retaining the same aesthetic as 3D Land, it seems Super Mario 3D World will also utilise the same familiar, side-scrolling gameplay as its predecessor. In terms of the new-fangled features, though, Iwata detailed several new features including a red cherry power-up that allows you to clone your character; the ability to disguise yourself as a Goomba and use those pesky Piranha Plants to your advantage.
Not only that, the game also introduces cooperative multiplayer to the 3D Mario title – a long overdue feature, mind you – with players having the ability to link up as either Mario, Luigi, Toad and Peach and wreak havoc using the multitude of suits and power-ups. Specifically, Super Mario 3D World will hail the return of the Tanooki and Boomerang suit from previous titles while also introducing players to the Cat Suit; a brand new costume that makes scaling the flagpole at the end of the level that little bit easier. Nintendo also confirmed that upon completing a single-player level, it will become available in multiplayer mode to play with three friends.
In tandem with the Nintendo Direct, the company also unveiled a special pairing of Wii Remote Pluses that are modelled in red and green variations after the beloved Mario Brothers. These controllers will launch first in North America on November 1st, before debuting in Europe on November 7th.
Super Mario 3D World has been confirmed to launch in North America on November 22nd, with the European version of the game arriving one week later on November 29th. Until then, though, let us whether this Wii U title is on your radar or not in the comments below.
