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Hey there everyone, put on your Tanuki suit! Let's-a go to the mushroom kingdom once more in Super Mario 3D Land!

Of course Mario will always follow the same rehashed story of Bowser kidnapping Princess Peach. Of course hot on the trail is none other than, of course, Mario. Utilizing the powers of Super Mushrooms, Tanuki Leaves, Fire Flowers, and Boomerang Flowers Mario must rush through 8 worlds to save the Princess.

Gameplay wise, the Mario formula hasn't changed. However unlike previous Mario Land video games, should Mario die, he won't start off in his Mini form when he starts over. Also if you die 5 times in a level during your first run through of the 8 main worlds, you'll get a Golden Tanuki leaf (more on that later.) And if you die 10 times you get the warp wing, which instantly warps you the flag at the end of the level.

The 3 main power-ups are very simple but interesting to utilize:

First the Fire Flower still keeps it's status as a fireball projectile Item. However it now serves two purposes; one is to torch enemies as usual, the other is to light fires. You can hurl up to three at a time and they bounce an ricochet off of walls. And, by defying physics, it can be used underwater. For any veteran to the Mario series this will be the most familiar item at your disposal and won't take long to master.

Second is the Tanuki Leaf. Unlike Super Mario Land 3, where you could fly with the Tanuki Suit for extended periods of time, the flying ability has been reduced to a floating ability with no ascending abilities. However it still retains its spinning attack properties. The Tanuki has 2 additional forms. One is the Golden Tanuki Leaf which has all abilities of the Tanuki suit but now Mario is permanently invincible, however it's only available in the main 8 worlds after you die five times in a single level without leaving or completing it once. Once you complete the level the Golden Tanuki suit becomes a regular Tanuki suit. 3rd is the Stone Tanuki Leaf which allows Mario to transform into a statue, making him invincible and heavy, but unmovable.

Third is the Boomerang Flower. Like the Fire Flower it provides mario with a projectile attack. The boomerang will be thrown in front of mario and return. Though unlike the Fire Flower you can manipulate the boomerang upon it's return to strike enemies all around. Aside from it's ability to return only one can be thrown and it serves little purposes aside from attacking or fetching items over large gaps.

The music isn't any much more notable than any other mario game, save one level where pathways appear and disappear to the beat of the level music. Though some of the challenges do rewind back to previous Mario World games which gives it a small amount of nostalgia.

Nonny's rating: 8.5/10. It's a great game, easy to pick up, and simple enough to complete the main storyline in days. However the charm of Mario's simplicity is what draws many players back to it. I say go out and buy it, you won't be disappointed, unless you're a member of PETA.

Nonny's tip: Collect as many Star Medals as possible. You'll need them to unlock further levels and especially get into the final level.