Level
- This article is about the general overview of levels. For a directory of every level, seeCategory:Levels and its subcategories. For the growth mechanic, seeLevel up.
- "Course" redirects here. For the race courses in theMario Kart series, seeCourse (Mario Kart series) andCategory:Race courses.
- "Overworld" redirects here. For the various musical themes with similar names, seeOverworld Theme.
- "Area" redirects here. For the Areas of Remix 10 inSuper Mario Run, seeSuper Mario Run § Remix 10.
Platform games generally have multiplelevels (also calledcourses,stages, andareas), which contain obstacles,enemies,items, and the like.Mario,Luigi, or another playable character (or characters) must pass through levels to access more of them and ultimately complete the game. However, some levels may be optional to complete, such as due to a secret method that allows them to be skipped (such as aWarp Zone) or the level itself being a secret.
List of level themes[edit]
In theSuper Mario franchise, as well as the relatedDonkey Kong,Yoshi, andWario franchises, platform games often contain multiple differentthemes for their levels. Themes usually have different elements to challenge the player. Some levels are mixtures of themes, such asPerilous Pokey Cave inNew Super Mario Bros. U being a desert-themed underground level. The theme of the level often corresponds to theworld it is placed in. Although most level themes usually take place in the daytime, they can occasionally occur later in the day, such asNight Falls on Really Rolling Hills inSuper Mario 3D World, a grassland-themed level taking place at night, orSpiky Mount Beanpole, also fromSuper Mario 3D World, taking place at sunset. Nighttime-themed levels are also a mechanic inSuper Mario Maker 2.
Grass/ground/plains theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Grasslands
This theme often features grass, hills,trees, and slopes. It is usually the easiest kind of level theme, as it is normally the first level or world theme encountered in each game. It is common for this level theme to introduce common level features and mechanics, such asjumping, breakingblocks, and new power-ups. Common enemies here includeGoombas,Koopa Troopas,Piranha Plants,Hammer Bros,Shy Guys,Spinies,Rexes, andChargin' Chucks.Bottomless pits are some of the more dangerous features in these levels. This level theme often has secret areas that lead to sky- or underground-themed locations. In 3D games, grassland levels offer more exploration and sometimes feature an easy boss battle. The music on this level theme, occasionally officially known as "Ground BGM," or the "Ground Theme," usually serves as a main theme of the whole game.
Underground/cave theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Underground areas
This theme takes place underground and is usually found during the first or second level in the game. Common archetypes for this level are Goombas, Koopa Troopas, Piranha Plants that come out of pipes,Buzzy Beetles walking on the ceiling,Swoops flying towards the player, and bottomless pits. Different kinds of underground levels include sewers/pipe mazes or mines, while other times, these levels might havewater orpoison to get across. Some underground levels cross over with other themes like the ice, desert, or lava themes. Underground levels usually have an arrangement of theUnderground Theme fromSuper Mario Bros.
Sky/cloud/athletic theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Sky areas
This theme usually takes place in the sky, typically with many clouds and pipes, and some mountains. Common enemies here include Spinies, Piranha Plants,Paragoombas,Koopa Paratroopas,Lakitus,Biddybuds,Flame Chomps,Fuzzies,Foos,Ninjis, and/or other sky-based enemies.Mushroom Platforms are very common in these levels, as are auto-scroller segments. Sometimes, Mario has to ride a moving platform across the sky. This theme sometimes overlaps with the grass, snow, or desert themes. Occasionally, this theme instead takes place on top of trees or on a bridge, which was common in earlier titles. This theme usually has fast-paced music.
Castle/fortress/tower theme[edit]
This theme takes place in one of manytowers,fortresses, orcastles that theKoopa Troop built or conquered. They are typically encountered at the midpoint or end of a world, withBowser's Castle normally being the last challenge in the game the player must face. Towers are always vertical-scrolling, while castles and fortresses are usually horizontal-scrolling. Enemies such asWhomps,Thwomps,Thwimps,Magikoopas,Dry Bones,Bone Goombas,Bony Beetles,Amps,Sumo Bros,Grrrols, andLava Bubbles are very common here. Castles are usually lava-themed and have lava for the player to avoid, but other types of castles such as water castles or ice castles can also be found in some titles. Other obstacles found in these levels are also typically varied, featuringSnake Blocks,Spike Balls,Spinners,Skewers,Grinders,Fire Bars, fire- or laser-shootingBowser Statues,Pendulum Platforms, or moving ledges. Bosses, includingBowser Jr., theKoopalings, andBoom Boom, are normally fought at the ends of these levels. Castles and fortresses are typically the hardest genre of levels in the game, aside from post-game content. In the final castle,Bowser himself is often fought.
Desert/pyramid/sand theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Deserts
This theme takes place in a desert and often featuresquicksand that slows down and sucks in the player, palm trees to jump on, pyramid ruins, and bazaars. TheAngry Sun,tornados,Pokeys,Fire Snakes,Spikes,Sand Geysers, and Lakitus withSpinies are common obstacles faced in these levels. Bottomless pits and blocks are also fairly common here. 3D games typically feature pyramid temples for the player to explore.
Underwater/ocean theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Aquatic areas
This level theme takes place underwater, featuring many underwater enemies, such asCheep Cheeps,Bloopers,Torpedo Teds,Jelectros,Urchins,Mines,Maw-Rays,Sushi, and other enemies depending on the game. The player is often given a limited air gauge in 3D games. This theme sometimes overlaps with the underground theme. Strongcurrents and auto-scrolling in the 2D games are common and make navigating these levels difficult.
Beach/island/coastal theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Beaches
This level theme takes place on beaches, islands, or other types of coastlines, with water often submerging the bottom of the level and palm trees on the islands on top of the water. Unlike underwater levels, beach levels offer the option to travel above or below water. Sometimes, Cheep Cheeps and/orPorcupuffers jump in and out of the water to attack the player, whilst Urchins,Huckit Crabs,Skeeters, andWater Geysers are also common. Beach levels are often found near underwater levels, and so the level themes often overlap.
Haunted/ghost/spooky theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Haunted areas
This level theme features ghosts as its main enemies, such asBoos,Peepas,Eeries, andBroozers. Bat, pumpkin, and rat enemies such as Swoops,Splunkins, andScaredy Rats are also fairly common. This level type usually takes place in aGhost House, often rife with ghosts and full of unusual objects such as fake doors and/or possessed objects, such as floating couches. However, this theme can also take place in a haunted forest with dead trees andCrowbers to dodge or even on haunted shipwrecks with intertwined water mechanics. These levels often feature maze-like navigation and secret exits.
Jungle/forest/swamp theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Forests,Category:Swamps
This level theme takes place in a jungle withpoisonous swamps,swinging vines, and exotic enemies such asWigglers,Scuttlebugs, andBramballs. Forests and jungles may require the player to get across a swamp, such as ridingDorrie. Forest levels in 3D games often feature treetops that challenge the characters' jumping skills. In theDonkey Kong Country series, jungle levels typically serve as the beginner stages, similar to grassland levels in theSuper Mario series.
Snow/ice/winter theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Snowscapes
This level theme features slippery ice that hinders the player's movement, as well as snow-themed enemies such asCooligans,Snow Spikes,Snow Pokeys, andMr. Blizzards. Another common feature of these levels isicicles that fall from the ceiling, stopping the player from crossing safely. In 3D games, skating across ice is an option. Sometimes ice levels overlap with other course themes, including the underground theme inDonut Secret 2 fromSuper Mario World, the jungle theme inWorld 9-7 fromNew Super Mario Bros. Wii, or even the volcano theme inFreezeflame Galaxy andShiverburn Galaxy in theSuper Mario Galaxy games.
Mountain/cliffside/rock theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Mountains
Mountain, cliffside, and rock-themed levels typically feature Rexes, Ninjis, Fuzzies,Monty Moles,Stone Spikes,Dino Rhinos,Bill Blasters/Bullet Bills,Chain Chomps, andWaddlewings and sometimes have underground segments. Sometimes, it is required to climb on thin ledges on cliffsides to avoid falling to the player's death. Other common obstacles include bottomless pits, Bill Blasters, andFire Bars. In 3D games, mountainous levels require exploration to reach the very top of the level. This theme sometimes overlaps with the sky theme.
Volcano/lava/fire theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Volcanic areas
Volcanic and lava-filled levels are typically later levels faced in the games. They featurelava and debris falling from the sky (usually being shot from backgroundvolcanoes), and they often swarm with some of Bowser's stronger minions. Lava creatures and enemies such asBlarggs,Bullies, Crowbers, and Lava Bubbles are very common here. As lava levels are faced later in the game, they are generally among the hardest levels. The underground theme is a common overlap here, with these types of levels usually portrayed as taking place inside volcanoes themselves. Bowser's castles usually take place here and are also full of lava.
Space/cosmic/galaxy theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Cosmic areas
Space levels are rarer levels within theSuper Mario franchise, as they rarely appear outside theSuper Mario Galaxy games. Space levels often feature lowgravity that affects jumping and planets that pull the player in. Space levels have some of the most diverse enemy types in the games and are often combined with different level themes, such as the sky theme.
Airship/military/tank theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Airship areas
These levels usually take place on a flyingairship, usually built to accommodate some of Bowser's armies. Common obstacles and enemies here includeBob-ombs,Rocky Wrenches,Cannons,Bill Blasters/Bullet Bills,Burners, andMechakoopas. Bosses and allies of Bowser, including Bowser Jr., the Koopalings, and Boom Boom, are fought at the ends of these levels. Airships usually start at the bow and end at the stern and are usually auto-scrollers with many obstacles, and they are an alternative to castles and towers. Sometimes, the level is based on a different kind of military-based automobile, such astanks,battleships, and/or military trains.
Factory/mechanical/metallic theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Factories
These levels take place in a metal fortress or factory-like area, often featuringWarp Pipes,Conveyor Belts, electrical hazards, and robotic/metal enemies such asGoombeetles,Topmen,Bob-ombs, andMechakoopas. Factory levels are rare in the mainlineSuper Mario games, though they often appear in theDonkey Kong Country series.
Food/sweets/candy theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Food areas
These levels are composed primarily of giant-sized food, which acts as platforms for Mario to climb on or obstacles that get in Mario's way. Candy and sweets are the most common type of food, as seen in levels such asSweet Sweet Galaxy fromSuper Mario Galaxy,Sweet Mystery Galaxy fromSuper Mario Galaxy 2,Cakewalk Flip fromSuper Mario 3D World, andMaw-Maw Mouthful fromSuper Mario Bros. Wonder, though some levels use other types of food. For instance, theLuncheon Kingdom fromSuper Mario Odyssey is stew-themed, while theGolden Temple fromDonkey Kong Country Returns is fruit-themed.
Pirate/warship theme[edit]
- See also:Category:Pirate areas
These levels take place on a pirate ship or boardwalk with an armada of warships in the background. These usually overlap with common water themes due to their location. Pirates and aquatic enemies are most common here, withcannonballs andbombs being common obstacles. Climbing on masts and ropes are usually the way across these levels. These levels often appear in theDonkey Kong Country andWario Land series.
Gallery[edit]
Ground theme icon inSuper Mario Maker 2
Underground theme icon inSuper Mario Maker 2
Underwater theme icon inSuper Mario Maker 2
Ghost House theme icon inSuper Mario Maker 2
Airship theme icon inSuper Mario Maker 2
Castle theme icon inSuper Mario Maker 2
Desert theme icon inSuper Mario Maker 2
Snow theme icon inSuper Mario Maker 2
Forest theme icon inSuper Mario Maker 2
Sky theme icon inSuper Mario Maker 2
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | Parcours[1] | Route | Yoshi's Story |
References[edit]
- ^1998.Yoshi Story instruction booklet (PDF).Nintendo of Europe (French). Page 58.
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