Part 121

Learn how damage works, the different Mario forms, and the mechanics of item slots and Help Blocks in Super Mario 3D Land. Master Time Trial mode too!

Taking damage in Super Mario 3D Land affects Mario's form based on his current state. Falling into hazards like lava or pits results in death regardless of Mario's form or any temporary invincibility.

Damage Mechanics:

• Small Mario: Dies upon taking damage.
• Normal Mario: Becomes Small Mario.
• Fire Mario, Tanooki Mario, Statue Tanooki Mario, Boomerang Mario: Become Normal Mario.
• Falling into lava, poison water, pits, etc.: Results in death for any Mario type, even if invincible.

Help Blocks

Help Blocks appear to assist the player and come in three types:

• The Roulette Block: Dispenses a random item (Tanooki Leaf, Fire Flower, Super Mushroom, or Super Star). Appears after two deaths, and then after every three subsequent deaths.
• The Invincibility Tanooki Leaf Block: Dispenses an Invincibility Tanooki Leaf, granting invincibility until the course is completed or Mario dies by falling. Appears after five deaths, and then after every subsequent death. Using this block prevents earning 'Glittering Stars' unless the game is restarted without saving.
• The P-Wing Block: Dispenses a P-Wing, which automatically replaces the current item in the item slot. Using a P-Wing generally skips the player to the end of the course. Appears after ten deaths, and then after every subsequent death.

Item Slot Mechanics

The item slot allows players to store a spare item for later use. The interaction between collected items and the item slot depends on Mario's current form:

As Any Mario Type:

• Collecting a P-Wing places it in the item slot, replacing any existing item.

As Small Mario:

• Collects any item and immediately wears it, regardless of the item slot's contents.

As Normal Mario:

• Collects any item other than a Super Mushroom and immediately wears it, regardless of the item slot.
• Collects a Super Mushroom with an empty item slot stores it in the slot.
• Collects a Super Mushroom with an item in the slot results in the mushroom being lost and earning ten coins.

As Powered-Up Mario (Fire, Tanooki, Boomerang, Statue Tanooki):

• Collects an item of the same type he's wearing, with a different item in the slot: the newly collected item replaces the one in the slot.
• Collects a Super Mushroom with an empty item slot: the mushroom is stored in the slot.
• Collects any item other than a Super Mushroom with an empty item slot: wears the new item, and the previously worn item is stored in the slot.
• Collects a Super Mushroom with an item in the slot: the mushroom disappears, and ten coins are earned.
• Collects any item other than a Super Mushroom with an item in the slot: wears the new item, the previously worn item is stored in the slot, and the item already in the slot disappears.

Time Trial Mode

Time Trial Mode becomes available after completing World 8-Final Castle. It displays the time taken to complete previous courses and your best time for newly completed courses on the Overworld Map. If other save files are in use, your 'Rival's Best Time' from those files will be displayed, encouraging speed run challenges.