How HD graphics helped inspire gameplay in Super Mario 3D World

"Now that we're able to have graphics in HD, this is allowing us to express some different ideas that we really haven't done before," Super Mario 3D World's director said.

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Super Mario 3D World marks the franchise's first 3D foray into HD. Nintendo's colorful animated worlds really come to life with the added power offered by Wii U. However, Nintendo rarely focuses on graphics for the sake of graphics. Game director Kenta Motokura pointed out that the jump to HD allowed the team at Nintendo Tokyo to come up with new gameplay ideas.

"Now that we're able to have graphics in HD, this is allowing us to express some different ideas that we really haven't done before," Motokura said in a group interview transcribed by VentureBeat. "For example, the clear pipe is something that's just that much easier to see in this kind of presentation, and this allowed us to connect it to new ideas for gameplay."

In 3D World, players will be able to switch direction while traveling inside the clear pipes. With hazards and bonuses tucked away in the pipes, the translucent change adds a lot of gameplay opportunities. "We had a lot of fun thinking about what happens exactly inside the pipe if you could see through it. What sort of things are able to go through? And so we worked on, 'OK, maybe fireballs can go through. Maybe even Goombas could go through.' We spent a lot of time coming up with different variations."

We walked away from our recent hands-on with the game thoroughly impressed. Super Mario 3D World will be available on Wii U on November 22.

Andrew Yoon was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    October 24, 2013 1:00 PM

    Andrew Yoon posted a new article, How HD graphics helped inspire gameplay in Super Mario 3D World.

    "Now that we're able to have graphics in HD, this is allowing us to express some different ideas that we really haven't done before," Super Mario 3D World's director said.

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      October 24, 2013 1:05 PM

      [deleted]

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        October 24, 2013 1:37 PM

        Sometimes it does seem that way when talking about HD and internet connected multiplayer when Nintendo is concerned.

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          October 24, 2013 1:58 PM

          Nintendo is finally sorta catching up, but they've been light years behind the technology curve. That said, despite some pretty awful platforms, they still make excellent games, and SM3DW looks to be no different. Do. Want.

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            October 24, 2013 3:08 PM

            Tech =/= gameplay

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              October 24, 2013 4:48 PM

              Nobody is saying it does but it has value nonetheless obviously.

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      October 24, 2013 1:42 PM

      Nintendo is going to shit themselves when they discover that online gaming is also a good thing.

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      October 24, 2013 2:45 PM

      Impressive how HD rookies put Next Gen Twins to shame...

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        October 24, 2013 2:45 PM

        [deleted]

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        October 24, 2013 3:42 PM

        I would have lol'd this, except that I have played Pikmin 3/Wonderful 101/Mario 3D World and I must admit they are some darn purdy games. Rendering technology is nice and all, but it is amazing what 1080p + amazing artists can get you on their own.

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        October 24, 2013 4:49 PM

        'to shame' is a bit much.

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      October 24, 2013 9:19 PM

      I'm glad to see divorce mode is making a return. Also, you wouldn't want any newcomers to develop the kind of problem solving skills that games originally built by making them actually conquer a level or solve a hard puzzle.

      Yay for the moron tool! They should just have Clippy appear at the bottom of the and screen say, "You're dangerously close to critical thought, would you like me to break your brain for life?"

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