Super Mario News
February2012
News Mario Kart 7 Mobile App Makes Kart Combos Clearer
Take advantage
With so many different kart pieces to unlock in Mario Kart 7, it can be tough knowing what's what and how to maximise your kart's abilities for land, sea and air. That's where the Combo Explorer app for iOS and Android can come in handy. The application lets you create a custom kart from all in-game parts and see how it stacks up...
News Super Mario Bros. Ambassador Update Hits North America
You're in
3DS Ambassadors in North America can now download the update for Super Mario Bros. that adds Virtual Console restore points to the experience. Head over to the eShop, select Titles You've Downloaded and scroll to find the game; tap Update and you're on your way. As you know, Nintendo's ultimate plan is to add wireless multiplayer, restore...
Feature Nintendo Characters Looking for Love
Will you be their player two?
Like so many others, we at Nintendo Life get swept up in the romance that is in the air during St. Valentine's Day. We love the smell of the flowers, the taste of the chocolate and the irresistible allure of digging through the online dating profiles of strangers, hoping to find something amusing. Surprisingly, we got...
News See, Kids? Sonic and Mario Weren't Always Friends
A little history lesson
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games might have been SEGA's biggest seller of last year, but don't let it fool you: it's an uneasy alliance. Sonic Wrecks recently posted a video from SEGA's official library that dates way back to 1992, from a time when the plumber-hedgehog rivalry was at boiling point. Just...
News Can You Complete Super Mario Bros. In Under Five Minutes?
Mamma mia
Over 25 years on from release, people are still playing Super Mario Bros. on NES. Andrew Gardikis has probably played it more than most, as he's just set a new world record for fastest completion of the NES classic. Clocking in at 4:58.72, the time beats the previous record by ten seconds. Last year, Gardikis attempted to break the five...
January2012
News Mario Kart Wii Races Past 30 Million Sales Milestone
No brakes
Mario Kart Wii has sold a whopping 31.9 million units around the world. The Wii racer has shifted 4.9m copies worldwide since April, standing as the biggest-selling Wii game of the financial year so far. It's not the only Mario game hitting milestones: perhaps due to its inclusion in the Nintendo Selects range, Super Mario Galaxy has...
News Super Mario 3D Land is 3DS's First 5 Million Seller
Just can't get enough
Super Mario 3D Land is the first 3DS game to sell over 5 million copies worldwide. According to Nintendo's latest figures, the game sits at 5.03m units sold around the world, just ahead of Mario Kart 7's 4.54m sales. Both have easily trumped the previous best-seller, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, whi
News Nintendo Announces 2D Super Mario Title for 3DS
Coming soon
Nintendo will release a new 2D side-scrolling Super Mario title for 3DS in the next financial year, president Satoru Iwata has announced. Speaking to investors about the upcoming titles for the console, Iwata said: Although there is no logo here, we are planning to release a totally new side-scrolling action Super Mario in 2D as a key...
News Mario and Zelda Sheet Music Now Available
Ocarina of Tune
Super Mario and The Legend of Zelda are arguably Nintendo's most prominent and famous franchises. With a shared history spanning 25 years and a lot of games, fans have been treated to some glorious music, whether it's been chip-tune or orchestral. Now, thanks to Alfred Music Publishing, musical gamers have the opportunity to play...
News Wahoo, It's a Mario Party 9 Trailer
You can cry if you want to
The latest Mario Party 9 trailer is in and shows off some of the 80+ minigames you can expect when it launches in March. Long-time Mario fans will pick up on countless references: Super Mario Sunshine's Piantas make an appearance, but there's plenty more to see if you keep your eyes peeled. How many can you spot?
News Finally, Shouting at Donkey Kong Makes a Difference
"You stupid ape!"
SEGA's Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games uses just about every input the 3DS has to offer, but it's the weightlifting event that looks to make best use of the machine's microphone. As the new trailer below shows, you can shout at your character to give them an extra bit of power. While it might make you look a bit...
News Europe Joins the Mario Party on 2nd March
Send your invitations now
Partygoers across Europe get an extra reason to be cheerful on 2nd March when Nintendo releases Mario Party 9 across the continent. The second Wii instalment in the series, MP9 includes new boss battles, 80 minigames and vehicles too. North America gets it on 11th March. WHO WILL YOU INVITE TO YOUR MARIO PARTY? Rivals...
News Australia Gets Chance to Win Mario 3DS Consoles
And 3D Classics: Kid Icarus
Europe, your maniacal grip on 3D Classics: Kid Icarus and those Mario 3DS consoles is loosening. Nintendo of Australia just opened up its very own It's a Me, Mario competition with near-identical rules to Europe's: register two 3DS games with Club Nintendo and you get a free code for Kid Icarus, with entrants over the age...
News Nintendo Has No Plans to Fix Mario Kart 7's Maka Wuhu Glitch
So keep on droppin'
If you've played Mario Kart 7 online, chances are you've encountered the Maka Wuhu glitch that allows devious racers to bypass a huge section of the course. Nintendo knows about it too, but will it do anything to address it? Stick Twiddlers emailed Nintendo of America about the issue and got this response: Thanks for your...
News 3DS Hardware and Software Tops Japan's 2011 Charts
Outselling the rest
Nintendo 3DS has achieved the 2011 chart double in Japan by topping the hardware and software charts for the year. Statistics from Enterbrain (via Andriasang) show 3DS shifted 4,135,739 units since its February launch, twice as many as the second place — and now seven years old — PSP with 1,960,177 sales. Wii didn't make it...
December2011
News Join Our Mario Kart 7 Communities for Festive Fun!
Show us some skill
If you're one of the many thousands unwrapping a 3DS console and/or Mario Kart 7, you probably want to try out its really rather good online modes. We've put together not one, not two, but three official Nintendo Life racing communities for you to take part in. Here's how to get involved: Load up Mario Kart 7 Install the Mario...
News How Was Super Mario Bros. 3 Made?
Origin tails
The Tanooki tail is back in a big way this year, but it's time to take a look back at when and how it entered the Mario canon way back in Super Mario Bros. 3. Chris Covell's website has a translation of The Stars of Famicom Games, a 1989 book taking a sneaky peek at how Mario's greatest 8-bit adventure was created, from ideas to...
News Just Dance 3 Gets Mario DLC on 14th December
Wa-ha!
Just Dance 3 is about to get a whole lot more plumber-y, as Nintendo UK has announced a Mario song is on the way next week. From 14th December you'll be able to download The Mario Song for 250 Nintendo Points, a medley of classics beats and tracks from Mario games past. An on-screen Mario jives to the beat, and the dance marks all wear Mario...
News 3DS Nears 3 Million Sales in Japan
Mario Kart does the business too
3DS is selling better than ever, with Nintendo president Satoru Iwata telling the Nikkei newspaper (via Andriasang) the system is about to tip the scales at 3 million units sold in Japan — two weeks quicker than the DS reached the same milestone. The news comes a week after Nintendo confirmed 3DS beat the DS's...
News Japan Buys Half a Million Copies of Super Mario 3D Land
Off to a flyer
Super Mario 3D Land saw release in Japan last month and made light work of the competition, selling over 500,000 copies across the country. Andriasang reports the game shifted 542,842 copies across Japan between 31st October and 27th November, with the best first-week sales of any 3DS game yet. In North America Super Mario 3D Land set...
News Super Mario Galaxy Director Said No to Kuribo's Shoe
Not a wind-up
After Super Mario Bros. 3 it took the Tanooki tail years to make a resurgence, appearing in both Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7, but it's not the only retro power-up from the game overdue a revival. IGN recently spoke to Super Mario 3D Land director Koichi Hayashida about the game and asked about the legendary Kuribo's shoe, one
Be magnificent in MK7
By now you'll probably have pumped a stack of hours into Mario Kart 7, but if you're still finding yourself more loser than leader we've got Mario Kart medallist James Newton to put together a few short tips to help you shave seconds off your performances. If you want to put your new skills to the test, check out our Mario Kar
News Nintendo Life Takes the Podium at Mario Kart 7 Launch Event
We're number... two!
Mario Kart 7 is out now around the world, and to celebrate the release of Mario's latest racing outing Nintendo UK shelled out on a launch party at London's Sports Café this past Wednesday. Nintendo Life editor James Newton was there. The café's interior was decked out in Mario Kart livery, with stacked tyres and plenty of 3DS...
News Join the Official Nintendo Life Mario Kart 7 Communities
Let's see some skill
Mario Kart 7 is out around the world this week, and to get you all playing together we've set up an official Nintendo Life community for you to join. To make sure everyone finds something to enjoy we've set up a range of game types, all in the 150cc class. To join the Nintendo Life community on Mario Kart 7, follow these steps:...
News Digital Makes Up 14% of Key Nintendo Franchise Sales
The figures are in
Nintendo does not release sale statistics for its digital content, leaving us with no real idea of how the company's download sales are doing. Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime did give away one intriguing nugget of information in a recent interview with Time, however: The packaged content gets all the buzz and the...
November2011
News Iwata Asks Sheds Light on Mario Kart 7's Creation
Retro and Nintendo in harmony
By now you've presumably read our Mario Kart 7 review, giving the latest 3DS racer a well-deserved 9/10 score. If you want to know more about how the game was put together, Nintendo's got you covered with an Iwata Asks interview all about MK7. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata spoke to series producer Hideki Konno and...
News Game Paused Shares Classy Mario and Zelda Shirts
Boldly going
Your wardrobe is probably missing shirts showing neon Mario leaping over a Super NES pad, not to mention garments depicting 112 icons of moments from the last 25 years of The Legend of Zelda. Your wardrobe shame could end soon though, with two new shirts from Game Paused. The classic Mario and anniversary Legend 25th t-shirts sell for...
News Mario and Skyward Sword Set Series Sales Records
Quick off the mark
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has told USA Today that the latest outings for Mario and Zelda have smashed series sales records. Super Mario 3D Land became the fastest-selling handheld Mario game in history, shifting over 500,000 units since it launched on 13th November. The plumber's long-awaited début gave 3DS...
Feature Keeping Mario at the Top
A never-ending icon
Mario is the face of Nintendo, a fact that is clear to most. As a character, however, he lacks any depth or back-story. Although some titles, such as the Mario & Luigi RPG titles on the Game Boy Advance and DS, apply a simple and humorous story to Mario and his world, he is often simply rescuing a Princess from a giant turtle...
News Send Your Friend a Mario Kart 7 Item to Brighten Their Day
Here comes Bullet Bill!
Mario Kart 7 is out next week, and to get you geared up (sorry) Nintendo has revamped the game's official website with new videos, information and social features. By visiting the items page you can send any of your Facebook friends an item from the series, so why not be the best friend ever and send them a Spiny Shell? We're...
News Nintendo Finishing Mario Kart 7 Was an "Act of Emergency"
Calling all cars
Mario Kart series producer Hideki Konno has revealed Nintendo saw finishing work on Mario Kart 7 as an "act of emergency", according to a new Japanese Iwata Asks article (via Eurogamer). Konno reveals the game started development with just eight staff attached, but that once team members were peeled off to wo
News Miyamoto: "Super Mario 64 Was Boring"
Wasn't always a classic
We now know that Super Mario 64 is one of the most important genre leaps in gaming history, taking Nintendo's mascot from 2D into 3D with enormous skill and craftsmanship. However, creating the game wasn't plain sailing, as a new Iwata Asks reveals. The discussion — which comes in at a colossal 26 pages — reveals that...
News Miyamoto Not a Huge Fan of Mario Kart 7 Customisation
But he came around
One of the biggest additions to Mario Kart 7 is the ability to change up your racer to suit the surroundings: big tyres, little tyres, that sort of thing. That's not to say that everyone within Nintendo was keen on including customisation though, with gaming genius Shigeru Miyamoto revealing he was against it initially. Speaking...
News Zelda and Mario Break Into UK Top Ten
Strong showing
In one of the most crowded release weeks in the gaming calendar, Nintendo's key players have performed well to enter the UK top ten chart. Super Mario 3D Land leapt into ninth place, while The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword grabbed seventh position. Further down the chart, the latest crossover between plumber and hedgehog, Mario and...
News Classic and Modern Mario Stages Step Onto Fortune Street
World 1 awaits
Nintendo and Square Enix team-up Fortune Street is bringing the best of both franchises to its world of board games, with new screenshots showing some of the familiar sights you'll be trying to conquer with the upcoming Wii game. The game takes in spots of Mario history, starting from the classic World 1 from Super Mario Bros. and...
Out Today Super Mario 3D Land and Wallpapers
Double whammy
Talk about good days: Nintendo fans in Europe have a new Mario and a new Zelda to choose from today, as the much-anticipated 3DS release Super Mario 3D Land finally reaches European shores. To celebrate the plumber's first true 3D platforming game we've put together some awesome computer wallpapers to bring a touch of the Mushroom...
News West Coast Customs Creates Real Life Mario Karts
If only they were street legal
Just as we guessed when Nintendo announced its presence at the LA Auto Show, the company's team-up with West Coast Customs is all in aid of Mario Kart 7. West Coast Customs — best known for its appearances on Pimp My Ride of course — created two life-size Mario Karts to promote the upcoming 3DS racer, out in early...
News PETA - Relax Mario Fans, It Was All a Joke
Fur real
Oh, PETA. Your Tanooki Flash game stirred up a real hornet's nest, and Nintendo's reaction threw frogs and penguins into the mix. Now PETA has clarified its original intentions — it was all a joke. The organisation just sent over a statement that says its Tanooki-related Flash game was all a tongue-in-cheek joke, and that it really wishes...
News Nintendo Reacts to PETA's Tanooki Campaign
Telling tails
Yesterday's controversial PETA campaign against Mario's Tanooki suit certainly stirred up some heated discussion about the power-up's inclusion in Super Mario 3D Land. Now Nintendo has responded to PETA's claim that the Tanooki suit encourages people to wear fur with an official statement to Eurogamer: Mario often takes the app
News PETA Launches Campaign Against Mario
We're not kidding
If there was any doubt that Super Mario 3D Land is a high-profile game release, that has now been banished. It has emerged today that PETA — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — has launched a campaign against Mario. The complaint revolves around the Tanooki suit, with the PETA website stating the following: When on a...
Feature How Japanese Folklore Inspired Mario's Tanooki Suit
What’s a Tanooki, anyway?
Ever since Super Mario Bros. 3 landed on store shelves, when Nintendo fans hear the word “tanooki” they almost always produce an excited smile and start reminiscing about days spent flying through levels as Racoon Mario. If you were to utter this same word today around these same Nintendo fans you’d probably get a...
News More Mario Kart 7 Courses Revealed
Dare you discover them?
If you want to find out some of the retro courses that have made the grade in Mario Kart 7, the latest update to the game's official Japanese website might throw some light on the situation. The game's Shell, Banana and Leaf Cup courses and six battle arenas have now been unveiled, with selections from Mario Kart 64, Mario...
News Hideki Konno Talks Mario Kart Wii U Ideas
It'll be "unique"
Hold onto your hats: Nintendo is investigating bringing Mario Kart to Wii U. Series producer Hideki Konno spoke to Nintendo Power recently about the potential for the flagship multiplayer racer to come to Nintendo's next home console, saying: I can't get into specifics, but I do want to create a new and enjoyable Mario Kart that...
News Super Mario 3D Land Leaps to a Strong Start in Japan
Bigger than galaxies
By now you've read in our Super Mario 3D Land review that Mario's latest outing is very good indeed, but has it succeeded in lifting the console's sales in Japan? Yes, and how. In its first week the game shifted a staggering 343,492 copies, according to figures from Media Create (via Andriasang). That's nearly triple the amount...
News Super Mario Galaxy Orbits London 2012 Olympic Games
It'll make sense
Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games takes inspiration from all corners of both companies' history: screenshots have reminded us of Yoshi Story, Sonic Adventure and more. But we've just received more screenshots showing the most universe-shaking crossover yet. Despite earlier rumours that Sonic would appear in
News Mario and Zelda's Babies Would Play Like This
The ultimate crossover chaos
We found out after E3 that there's a Zelda-style level in Super Mario 3D Land, and now we have a video look. As you can see below, the game takes more than a few cues from old-school outings like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Link's
News Atlanta, You're On Mario's Touring Itinerary Too
He gets around
Atlanta, Georgia is the next stop on Mario's tour of the United States to promote Super Mario 3D Land. The plucky plumber is taking in the unique sights of the Atlanta Underground this Friday, 11th November, with a surprise performance by a gang of Marios in Tanooki tails and ears. ATLANTA ON ALERT FOR MASS MARIO SIGHTING AT ATLANTA...
News GAME and Gamestation Give Away Mario 3DS Pouches
But only if you pre-order
With Super Mario 3D Land out next week and Mario Kart 7 hot on its heels two weeks later, GAME and Gamestation are stepping up their pre-order initiative with two giveaways. Pre-order customers will receive a 3DS pouch bearing artwork from the relevant game when they purchase their game. Neat giveaway items, but as we'd bet...
News Chicago, Mario is Coming to See You Too
He gets everywhere
Mario visits the Windy City next week to promote upcoming 3DS release Super Mario 3D Land, appearing at the John Hancock Center on 9th November. As with his other events in Austin, TX, New York City and San Diego, there'll be an army of Tanooki Marios making an appearance for a surprise performance. What city do you think will be...
News Austin, Texas Gets In On the Mario Launch Love
Spreading far and wide
After San Diego and New York, where else can Nintendo go to spread the word about Super Mario 3D Land? How about Austin, Texas? On 7th November Nintendo will take a host of Tanooki Marios to the Republic Square Park in Austin, TX for an impromptu (as in "extremely rehearsed") performance of a surprise nature. Still...
News Super Mario 3D Land Made for Snacking, Not Gorging
Handheld finger food
3DS might be as powerful as Wii, but it's in a very different setting, as Super Mario 3D Land director Koichi Hayashida explains in a recent Iwata Asks. According to Hayashida, if Super Mario Galaxy 2 is a grand imperial banquet, Super Mario 3D Land is fast food, designed to be consumed quickly in short bites: [Super Mario...
October2011
News Super Mario 3D Land Launch Spreads to San Diego
Nothing in between
Mario mania isn't just taking in New York, as Nintendo has revealed San Diego California can expect a Mushroom Kingdom-themed party next week to celebrate the launch of Super Mario 3D Land. This Friday, "sometime between 12pm - 1:30pm" according to Nintendo, dozens of Marios in Tanooki ears and tails will race through...
News Two New Characters Take To the Mario Kart 7 Grid
You may bee surprised
Metal Mario and Lakitu are two of the already-confirmed characters joining the roster in Mario Kart 7 in December, but they're not the only new faces you'll be able to pick. Honey Queen from Super Mario Galaxy and Wiggler, first seen in Super Mario World have both signed up as competitors in Nintendo's big 3D racer. Last week...
News Explore Super Mario's 3D Land at New York Launch
Tanooki tails mandatory
For the North American launch of Super Mario 3D Land, Nintendo is going all-out by turning Times Square into a real-life rendition of the Mushroom Kingdom. From 12th November, fans will be able to pick up their very own Tanooki tail and ears to wear while leaping through Mario's world: green pipes, coin jumps and even the...
News Iwata: We Want 3DS Sales to Show Consoles are Here to Stay
President comes out swinging
One of the most anticipated 3DS games is nearly here: Super Mario 3D Land releases in Japan next week, and Nintendo president Satoru Iwata expects it to ignite 3DS hardware sales. Speaking to investors after the company's quarterly results, Iwata revealed that since the price drop the 3DS is selling at a better pace than...
News Swimming, Cycling and Spin Attacks in Mario and Sonic Trailer
It gets weirder
The first screenshots of Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games did indeed blow minds and collapse worlds: from dinosaurs riding horses to Sonic the Hedgehog taking part in a walking race, there were truly incredible scenes. This next trailer can't quite match it, but makes a good effort anyway. Events new to the series...
News You Don't Just Play as Mario in Super Mario 3D Land
Back to the land of intrigue once more
There's still a lot of mystery surrounding Super Mario 3D Land — remember the Luigi statue spotted in the enormous panoramic artwork? It seemed to hint at an appearance from the nervous brother in Mario's next adventure. While we think you can probably see where we're going with this, our next sentence may...
News Classic Courses Captured in Mario Kart 7 Stills
Balloons at the ready
It's no surprise that Mario Kart 7 features courses from previous games, but now you can race by land, air and sea some past tracks might work a little differently. In the new shots below we've got some aerial action in Mario Kart Wii's Mushroom Gorge, the return of Balloon Battle in a Super Mario Kart-inspired battle stage and...
News We Wish These Mario 3DS Consoles Weren't Japan Only
Too cool for words
It's a complaint we've heard countless times over the years: "Japan gets all the cool stuff." It's not always true of course — just look at StarTropics — but these limited edition Mario-themed 3DS consoles are definitely some of the coolest things we've seen. The Mario, Peach and Super Mushroom machines are special...
News Mario Kart 7 Online Features Come Into View
Group effort
As promised, Nintendo has opened up about the online features in its big multiplayer title for 2011, Mario Kart 7. One of the big new features is the ability to create groups for your friends, letting you organise players into specific skill, location or friendship groups, with these shared via StreetPass too. You can also custom rules...
News StreetPass Mode Shown in Super Mario 3D Land Vid
More to share
Nintendo just released a new video sharing a little information about the StreetPass mode in surefire Christmas hit Super Mario 3D Land as well as some of the other recently announced features and characters. The local sharing function allows players to exchange so-called "Mystery Box" levels with each other. These stages are...
News Mario Kart 7 Art Shows DK, Peach and Big Blue Shells
All the right ingredients
Last week's Mario Kart artwork — Mario Kartwork, if you will — has been quickly overtaken by this new set of pictures showing Donkey Kong, Princess Peach and Mario all enjoying their brand new rides. Peach's regal mobile looks fine and dandy with its tiny wheels, while DK and Mario have both decked out their rides with...
News New Super Mario 3D Shots Show Tonnes of New Stuff
But we won't say what
Nintendo's putting out new media every week for its biggest titles, but we know you like to save yourselves until the games are released. We do too. That's why we're not going to tell you about the new power-ups, stages or bosses pictured in the Super Mario 3D Land screenshots below. Instead, we'll just let the 62 new images...
News So That's What a Boomerang Flower Looks Like
Guess what it does
A few weeks ago we brought you news of a new power-up in Super Mario 3D Land, and now we see exactly how you'll be strapping on the new suit. The official Super Mario 3D Land website just updated with some brand new screenshots, showing off more of the game's secrets. For instance, we now know that Boom Boom's female counterpart...
News Ain't No Party Like a Mario and Sonic London Party
Just stay away from Soho
SEGA's next spin on multiplayer sports is just a month away, and to get you all excited for Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games the publisher has revealed a new trailer showing off the game's London Party mode. The minigame mode sees Mario, Sonic and friends take to the streets of England's capital city in...
Podcast Episode 22 - Heroes of Ruin and Super Mario 3D Land
Plus Zelda hype too
That's right: the Nintendo Life podcast is back in action, focusing on some of the biggest games set for release in the next six months. We talk to Heroes of Ruin community manager Kevin Eva about some of the gameplay modes and secret surprises in one of 2012's most promising games, Brad Long shares some of his thoughts about...
News Mario Kart 7 Art Races Your Screen
Sorry, that should say "graces"
It's wall-to-wall artwork these days, with new Kirby art released today and now some character artwork for Mario Kart 7 screeching in too. The underwater art is particularly nice, and even if the other artwork has been seen so far it's still a nice reminder that we'll all be able to play some Mario Kart on 3DS in less...
News Reconfigured Black Wii Heads to North America
Mario in tow too
The new Wii console without GameCube support is officially coming to North America, Nintendo has confirmed. From 23rd October Nintendo will offer a black Wii with New Super Mario Bros. Wii and an exclusive Super Mario Galaxy soundtrack CD to boot. The deal will cost around $149.99. Will you be picking one up? BLACK WII HOLIDAY...
News Blue Wii Console Competing for Europe's Christmas Money
Mario and Sonic bundle revealed
Nintendo's going all-out on coloured consoles these days: after the red, pink and white 3DS consoles, the company has announced a new blue Wii bundle on the way to Europe before Christmas. The newly announced pack is in honour of Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games, out 18th November, and includes a copy...
News Looks Like Mario's Got His Boomerang Suit On
Not a throwaway addition
A new piece of artwork has surfaced online showing one of the suits heading to Super Mario 3D Land: the boomerang. While Nintendo hasn't officially released any video or details of the suit, it's not hard to figure out anyway: Mario throws a boomerang. It comes back. Pretty simple. The Boomerang Bro enemies appear in Super...
FAQ Your Super Mario 3D Land Questions
Updated! New questions! New answers!
We've played the first two worlds of Super Mario 3D Land, and so we opened our inboxes to invite questions from you, the information-hungry Nintendo Life readers. Of course, the game isn't out yet so there are some questions we simply can't answer, but in the interests of fairness we'll reproduce those questions...
News Two More Super Mario 3D Land Trailers for You
Nintendo, you are really spoiling us
If there was any doubt at all that Super Mario 3D Land is one of Nintendo's biggest focus titles for 2011, the sheer amount of new material released for the game lately should put those thoughts to bed. After 74 screenshots, new character artwork and
News Panoramic Super Mario 3D Land Artwork is Awesome
What's that tucked away?
The Super Mario 3D Land box art is nice and all, but it's just a very small square of the bigger picture. The much, much bigger picture. Nintendo Europe just released the full image, weighing in at an eye-watering 10,000 x 4,000 pixels, and it's like a who's who of Mario: Bob-ombs, Toad, Bowser and more are all there, but...
News Mario Kart 7 Screens Come Up Tails
That pesky thing gets everywhere
The Tanooki suit is back, and how. As well as a starring role in Super Mario 3D Land, it's also set to feature as a power-up in Mario Kart 7, as these new screens show. The tail attaches to the back of your kart and, as you'd expect, can take out other racers with a quick swipe, as you can see in this screenshot...
News We Have 74 New Screenshots of Super Mario 3D Land
And now so do you
Forget less is more: when it comes to Super Mario 3D Land, it's definitely a case of more is more. After the Super Mario 3D Land artwork earlier this morning we now have 74 — count 'em — new screenshots of Mario's latest adventure, showing everything from giant Goombas to what looks like a "super" Tanooki suit. Check...
News A Whole World of Super Mario 3D Land Artwork
Guess who's back?
Nintendo's just released yet more character artwork from Super Mario 3D Land, showing some classic characters will make their return. Super Mario Bros. 3 veterans will recognise the Boomerang Bro — also seen in New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Super Mario Galaxy 2 — but there are new characters too: Boom Boom seems to have f
It's all about perspective
The last time we played Super Mario 3D Land, we came away confident that Nintendo was taking its mascot forward, as our preview explained. That was based on a four level demo but we've since played the game's opening two worlds, so does that first impression still hold true? Well, it all depends on your point of view...
September2011
News New Super Mario 3D Land Artwork to Gaze At
Goombas with tails?!
The latest artwork for Super Mario 3D Land should act as a neat taster for upcoming in-depth hands on preview, showing some of the game's new elements. Propeller blocks, Goombas with raccoon tails, Mario on a pole: it's all here, along with an expanded version of the game's typically bold box art. According to the countdown...
News Finally, Nintendo Owns SuperMario.com
Squatters stomped
Super Mario turned 25 last year, but Nintendo's only just got around to wresting control of the all-important domain SuperMario.com from a nefarious Internet squatter. Until 25th September, SuperMario.com offered free Mario games playable over the Internet, but domain snooping shows it now belongs to Nintendo of America. The page...
News Here's How Super Mario 3D Land's Gyroscope Controls Work
Pay attention
The inclusion of gyroscope motion controls in Super Mario 3D Land raised some eyebrows, but until now we didn't really know what form they'd take. Now the game's Japanese website has been updated with some fresh details. During certain levels, Mario will find a set of mounted binoculars: step up to them and he'll peer through them to...
News GameStop Has Tanooki Mario Keychains For Your Pre-Order
Don't leave them hanging
Super Mario 3D Land is one of the most anticipated games of the year, but if you haven't yet got your pre-order down then GameStop is hoping to change that pretty quickly. The retailer is offering an exclusive Tanooki Mario keychain when you pre-order and buy the game, either in-store or online. There's no image of it yet,...
News Super Mario Galaxy and Twilight Princess Now Cheap in Europe
Available right now
Missed out on Super Mario Galaxy and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess in their original versions? Frustrated at the relative lack of reprints and subsequently inflated price? Like the colour red? If you can answer yes to all these questions, you'll be pleased to know that Nintendo just rereleased the two games in Europe as part...
News Mario Tennis 3DS Screenshots Are a Smash Hit
Camelot returns
Just because Mario Sports Mix combined multiple disciplines and the upcoming Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games will include 50 sports doesn't mean Mario's gone Jack of all trades, master of none: he's still in pursuit of single sport excellence, as next year's tentatively titled Mario Tennis proves. The lawn tennis...
News Go First-Person in New Mario Kart 7 Trailer
All systems go
The motion controls in Mario Kart Wii divide opinion amongst gamers, so it'll be fascinating to see the reaction to the new first-person gyroscope controls in December's Mario Kart 7. The new mode is briefly shown in the new trailer below, alongside new additions such as the Fire Flower power-up and returning favourites too. There's...
News Super Mario 3D Land Video Shows Raccoon Bowser and More
Those tails get everywhere
The return of the Tanooki Suit in Super Mario 3D Land is causing a lot of excitement, but even more exciting than seeing the tail pinned on Mario is seeing his age-old adversary wagging the stripy length of fur around like a dog with a bone. The new trailer below from Nintendo Conference 2011 shows the raccoon tail...
News Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 Release Dates Confirmed
Gyroscope controls also announced
Prepare yourselves, Mario fans, because the two most anticipated 3DS releases of the year now have confirmed release dates. We've known for a while now that Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 would be arriving on the 3DS this November and December, respectively. Nintendo have now confirmed the dates that we can...
News More Super Mario 3D Land Screenshots Warp Into View
More Super Mario eye candy
It seems that all of the announcements flowing out of Nintendo tonight have also brought a barrage of new game assets with them. First up is a brand new set of 10 Super Mario 3D Land screenshots that show off some new areas of the game. With every new group of shots, the game just keeps looking better and better. We'll...
News Mario Tennis Smashing Onto 3DS
Confirmed at conference
We've just seen footage of a new Mario Tennis game coming to 3DS. We don't have much information on the project, but Andriasang confirms that it will support gyroscope control. You can view a screen grab to the right. We'll have more news as it develops. Are you excited about this popular franchise making its 3D debut?
August2011
News Musical Mario Toys Hit Japan, Score Continuous 1-Ups
Most wanted
Music and Mario go together like Princess Peach and promises of cake, so it's good to see the two celebrated in a new set of Mario toys hitting Japan. Inside Games reports on two new toys, set to retail for around 790 Yen ($10/£6.25/€7), each based on iconic moments from the history of Super Mario. One sees Mario descending into an...
News Mario & Sonic London 2012 Trailer is Suitably Rousing
But who put those Flickies on a bus?!
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games is racing towards the Wii finish line later this year, with a 3DS version due out — perhaps more appropriately — in early 2012. We now have a new trailer for the game, likely to be the introductory video getting you all into the Olympic spirit. Showing off...
News Super Mario Land 2 and Metroid II Heading to 3DS Virtual Console
GB sequels confirmed
Nintendo just announced two more classic Game Boy outings on their way to the 3DS Virtual Console in the coming months: Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins and Metroid II: Return of Samus. Both games are down for a vague "Quarter 4" release date so don't expect to see them long before Christmas. Will you be picking up...
News Super Mario 3D Land's Logo Still Has a Raccoon Tail
Wouldn't be the same without it
Much was made of the raccoon tail poking from the O in the Super Mario logo when Satoru Iwata first took to the Game Developer Conference stage to announce the upcoming adventure, but now the game is officially known as Super Mario 3D Land some thought the bushy tail might be dropped. Thankfully we can reveal it's...
News Flame Red 3DS Leads Charge in New Video
Reggie appears too
The FlameRed 3DS is under a month away, and Nintendo is keen to use tomorrow's price cut and the new colour to inject some life into the handheld's sales. In case you were in any doubt about this, here's a video showing the console's new, redder shade; in fact, Reggie Fils-Aime has a new, redder shade of his own, looking even more...
News Koizumi Talks Super Mario 3D Hub, Caps and Replay Value
Lots of levels?
The 3DS price cut tomorrow might spur more people into picking up the console, but it won't matter a thing if the software isn't there to support the console in the longer-term. That shouldn't be a problem with Super Mario 3D Land set to launch in November this year, though. Director Yoshiaki Koizumi recently spoke to Official...
Rumour MTV Has Release Dates for Mario 3DS Outings
Salt at the ready
Nintendo's press release this morning for the Flame Red 3DS launch mentioned upcoming titles but only stuck to its vague November and December windows for Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. Now the MTV Multiplayer blog thinks it has the exact North American release dates. The blog puts Mario's 3D platformer out on 13th November...
News Super Mario Converse High-Tops Let You Jump Real High
(May not be true)
Converse high-top sneakers are iconic. Super Mario Bros. is iconic. Combine the two, and you get an iconoblast. These four officially licensed pairs of Mario sneakers might be a little garish for some wardrobes, but if you've ever wanted World 1-1 on your feet then they're your best hope, as long as you live in Japan or don't mind...
Feature The Future of Nintendo Gaming - 2D or Not 2D?
That is the question
It’s been a busy year for Nintendo as it seeks to move onto a new generation of consoles. The 3DS is already here and, despite a sluggish start, has some big releases ahead. Then of course there is the Wii U, boasting a unique touch screen controller and the promise of much greater processing power than the Wii. Both devices...
News This is Your Mario Kart 7 Logo and Artwork
Seventh heaven?
Mario Kart 7 is the official name for the House of Mario's next racer, and here's the official logo to make that even clearer. The logo might not be much to look at, but the accompanying artwork is certainly a lot easier on the eye, depicting Mario, Luigi and Bowser in a range of vehicles. We played the game in June and more recently...
News Koizumi has "Too Many Ideas" for Mario on Wii U
What a problem to have...
Mario's new master, Super Mario Galaxy director Yoshiaki Koizumi, is already brainstorming ideas for how to bring the famous mascot to Wii U. He's been so busy, in fact, that he's already come up too many ideas to put into practice, according to a recent interview with Official Nintendo Magazine. Koizumi — who was kept in...
July2011
News 3DS Mario Titles Land in November and December
Official titles revealed
Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 will launch in November and December this year respectively, Nintendo has announced. The company made the decree in the same statement that outlined the new 3DS price drop and Game Boy Advance Virtual Console games
Super Mario Features
Forum Topics
96,537 replies |
Comment on the Avatar of the Person Above You
48,720 replies |
The Nintendo Switch Rumor and Speculation Thread
4,164 replies |
What Game(s) are You Currently Playing?
1,300 replies |
1,876 replies |
6,559 replies |
264 replies |
Most Read
Round Up The Previews Are In For Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (Switch)
Hands On Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Unfolds Gloriously On Switch
News Garry's Mod Is Removing "All Nintendo Related Stuff From Steam Work...
Reminder Nintendo's Zelda: TOTK And Mario Wonder GDC Talks Are Now Online For Free
News Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Looks Glorious In New Footage
Guide Super Mario RPG: Post-Game - What To Do After Beating The Game
Guide Super Mario RPG: Walkthrough, Tips, All Secrets, Minigames & Bosses