Part 58

Learn how to unlock the challenging Special Worlds in Super Mario 3D Land. Discover the requirements and strategies to access these new levels.

The eight Special Worlds in Super Mario 3D Land are unlocked after completing the final level of World 8. A Warp Pipe will appear at the start of World 1, leading to Special World 1. All levels within a Special World are available upon entry, and completing the final level of any Special World unlocks the next. However, Castle and Airship levels require a certain number of Star Coins to progress, necessitating the completion of some Special World levels.

Each Special World opens a corresponding Warp Pipe in the normal world, allowing travel between them. These courses are harder versions of normal world levels, often featuring new elements, Time Trials, or Cosmic Clone challenges. The Statue Leaf, a variation of the Tanooki Leaf, replaces it, allowing a 'Statue Pound' for invulnerability and increased damage.

Special World 1 Overview:

The Special 1 Overworld Map includes levels Special 1-1 through Special 1-4, a Mystery Box, a Toad House, and a Castle. A Warp Pipe is also present.

Special 1-1 Walkthrough:

1. Start by heading north and running through shrubs for coins.
2. Grab the Statue Leaf and use Statue Pound on three stumps for coins. Ignore the initial brick blocks.
3. Continue past Spinies, which can be defeated with Tail Spin or Statue Pound. Ignore further brick blocks.
4. Hit the ? Block past the brick blocks for coins.
5. Do not hit the next ? Block, as it contains a Poison Mushroom that chases the player and causes damage on contact.
6. Grab the Super Star and run through the level, hitting the next 6 Spinies.
7. Continue up steps and grab another Super Star. Hit 6 Prongos. If the second Super Star is collected before the first ends, the first kill of the second Super Star grants a 1-Up. This sequence can yield up to 8 1-Ups.
8. After the run, backtrack to the first set of steps.

Special 1-1 Star Coin #1:

• From the base of the stairs, jump onto the two brick blocks (if unbroken).
• Take a running jump from the right onto these blocks, then use that momentum to jump onto the cliff to your left.
• The Star Coin is on top of a brick block on this cliff. Ensure this block is not broken.
• Jump onto the block and use momentum for extra height to reach the Star Coin. This may require multiple attempts, especially if Small Mario.
• Once collected, drop back down to the base of the steps.