Before Wario was the quirky microgame king or the anti-hero of his own sprawling series, he was just the disgruntled rival kicked out of Mario's castle. But in 1994, he decided it was his turn for riches and glory, leading to the release of Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 on the trusty old Game Boy. This wasn't just another Mario game; it was the birth of something wonderfully different.
This game didn't just star Wario; it was Wario. His greedy, tough-guy persona infused every aspect of the gameplay, setting it apart from the hop-and-boing adventures of his mustachioed nemesis.
Wario's Grand Heist: The Story
Fresh off his defeat in Super Mario Land 2, Wario is understandably miffed about being homeless. His solution? Get rich, fast, and build a castle even bigger than Mario's. Hearing tales of the Brown Sugar Pirates and their hoard on Kitchen Island, Wario sets off on a treasure hunt, aiming to swipe enough loot to fund his architectural dreams. His ultimate target: a massive golden statue of Princess Peach, which he plans to sell back to Mario (classic Wario!). This simple, self-serving motivation perfectly frames the entire game.
More Than Just Mario: Unique Gameplay
While it kept the side-scrolling platforming structure, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 fundamentally changed the feel. Wario isn't agile and floaty like Mario; he's a weighty bruiser.
- Stomping and Throwing: Instead of just jumping on enemies, Wario often stuns them with a jump or a bump, then picks them up to throw them at other foes or obstacles.
- The Shoulder Charge: A signature move! Wario's shoulder charge breaks blocks Mario couldn't touch and is essential for opening chests and dealing damage. It feels powerful and satisfying.
- Body Slam: Another move adding to Wario's destructive toolkit, perfect for breaking blocks below.
This move set encourages a more aggressive, less cautious approach than traditional Mario games.
Wario's Arsenal: Power-Ups
Forget the Super Mushroom or Fire Flower; Wario has his own unique power-ups, usually found in blocks or dropped by enemies:
- Garlic: Makes Wario big and strong, enabling his shoulder charge.
- Bull Helmet: Gives Wario horns for a stronger charge, allows him to stick to ceilings, and perform a ground pound.
- Jet Helmet: Grants increased speed, horizontal flight bursts, and an underwater charge.
- Dragon Helmet: Lets Wario breathe fire over a short range, useful for breaking blocks and hitting enemies from a distance.
Mixing and matching these abilities is key to exploring levels and finding secrets. Taking damage shrinks Wario, making him vulnerable until he finds garlic or a helmet.
The Treasure Hunt: Coins, Gems, and Endings
Unlike Mario where coins often grant extra lives, in Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, coins are currency. You collect them throughout levels and use them at the end of worlds to pay for exiting or activating checkpoints. More importantly, hidden within levels are locked treasure rooms containing unique, valuable items.
Collecting these treasures and amassing a huge coin count is crucial because the game features multiple endings! The final cutscene and the type of dwelling Wario gets (ranging from a birdhouse to a planet) are determined by the total value of coins and treasures collected by the end of the game. This replayability factor added a fantastic incentive to explore every nook and cranny.
Legacy of the Greed: Wario's Rise
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 wasn't just a one-off; it was the foundation for an entire franchise. Its success solidified Wario's place in the Nintendo universe, leading to direct sequels like Wario Land II, 3, 4, and Shake It!, as well as the wildly popular WarioWare series. The game's distinct mechanics and focus on treasure over pure platforming established Wario as a character defined by greed, strength, and a willingness to break the rules – a perfect foil to Mario's heroic purity.
Playing Today: How to Revisit Kitchen Island
Feeling nostalgic for Wario's inaugural adventure? While original Game Boy cartridges are out there, Nintendo re-released Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 on the Nintendo 3DS eShop Virtual Console, making it accessible digitally for a time. For those with other means, emulation remains a popular way to experience this classic on modern devices.
Whether you first played it on a chunky grey brick or are discovering it now, Wario Land stands out as a bold, unique platformer that perfectly captured the essence of its anti-hero protagonist and proved that sometimes, it's good to be bad (and rich!).
FAQ
Q: Is Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 a direct sequel to Super Mario Land 2? A: Yes, it follows directly after the events of Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, with Wario seeking revenge and wealth after being kicked out of Mario's castle.
Q: How is Wario Land different from Super Mario Land games? A: Wario is heavier and slower than Mario but stronger. Gameplay focuses more on using Wario's unique abilities (shoulder charge, throwing enemies) and collecting coins/treasures as currency for multiple endings, rather than just reaching the flagpole.
Q: How many endings does Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 have? A: The game features several different endings, determined by the total value of coins and treasures you collect by the end of the game. The more wealth you amass, the better (or bigger) Wario's final dwelling will be.
Q: Can I play Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 on modern systems? A: It was available on the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console. While that service is now closed, finding an original Game Boy or exploring emulation options are ways to play it today.
