Part 122

Learn how course completion works in Super Mario 3D Land, including Goal Pole rewards, time bonuses, special events, and how to exit levels. Plus, discover Easter Eggs!

This guide covers several miscellaneous mechanics and secrets in Super Mario 3D Land, including how course completion bonuses are calculated, the function of exiting courses, and various Easter Eggs and trivia found throughout the game.

On Course Completion:

1. Goal Pole Coins: The height you reach on the Goal Pole determines coin rewards, ranging from 1 coin at the bottom to a 1-Up at the very top. Reaching the top also awards a Golden Flag, necessary for unlocking Special 8-Crown.
2. Time Remaining Bonus: Each 10 seconds remaining upon reaching the Goal Pole converts to 1 coin (rounded down).
3. Special Events: If your remaining time ends in a 6, 3, or 1 when you grab the Goal Pole, a special visual event occurs: balloons for 6, fireworks for 3, and confetti for 1. This is a nod to the original Super Mario Bros.
4. Power-Up Bonus: Wearing a Propeller Box or Coin Box when grabbing the Goal Pole grants a 1-Up.

Exiting Courses:

• You can exit to the Overworld at almost any time, except when in mid-air, to prevent abuse of mechanics like avoiding death or farming power-ups.
• Exiting a course returns you with the power-up you entered with.
• Exiting an uncompleted course does not reset your 'death count' for Help Block appearances, but it does reset if the course is already completed.

Easter Eggs & Trivia:

• UFO in World 1-3: After looking through binoculars and zooming in on Toad, a UFO may appear in the sky.
• Supernatural Being: In Ghost Mansion courses, waiting near the Goal Pole may reveal a supernatural being behind a fence.
• Character Mechanics: Luigi's higher jump and longer glide compared to Mario is a throwback to Super Mario Bros. 2 (Japan) / The Lost Levels.
• The Legend of Zelda Reference: The 'puzzle solved' sound from The Legend of Zelda plays after lighting braziers in World 5-2.
• Original Super Mario Bros. Fanfare: The original Super Mario Bros. fanfare plays upon grabbing the Goal Pole in World 2-3 and Special World 1-3.