Summary
Apparently, Illumination is reaching way back into the past for their futureSuper Mario Bros. Movieproject.According to IGN, an NBCUniversal press release detailing the popular franchise sequel was recently published and then abruptly pulled. The short-lived release citedSuper Mario Worldin regard to Universal Pictures and Illumination’s upcoming film slate.
There’s a chance thatSuper Mario Worldisn’t the final title for the movie, as NBCUniversal is clearly noncommittal on the leaked development. But, if the title stands, it presents a fun (if not triggering for some) opportunity to introduce one of Mario’s most notorious game features. ‘The Special Zone’ is an infamous secret mode in theSuper Mario Worldside-scrolling masterpiece, which would make sense forTheSuper Mario Bros. Moviesequel, considering the first film’s formula.
What Is TheSuper Mario WorldVideo Game’s ‘Special Zone’?
The Special Zone was quite an anomaly inSuper Mario World,as the special area’s very first level requires players to have one of two enhancements to complete it. In order to reach the end of the Special Zone’s ‘Gnarly’ level, players must ascend on springboards and mystery boxes to transport switches from one end of the stage to the other and make it to the warp pipe in rapid time. The super-extended distances between platforms in that first level require a specially suited Mario or a specific Yoshi variety to clear the many extra-wide gaps.
Only after taking a secret exit inSuper Mario World’s Star World did a select group of Mario players gain access to theundisputed hardest levels ofSuper Mario Worldand arguably even the entire Mario game franchise. While the throwback level would be far too deep of a cut for modern and long-time casual fans alike, the challenge would be a perfect gauntlet for Mario to master at the end of the new movie, similar to the one from the original’s final act.
This time, there would be no invincibility stars to bail them out, as the Mario brothers would rely on pure skill and, of course, a little assistance from Yoshi. However, it must be mentioned that perhaps no challenge will be as daunting and flawlessly executed asPrincess Peach’s maestro-level run ofThe Super Mario Bros. Movie’s training obstacle course.
This is especially true considering the only way to accomplishSuper Mario World’s ‘Gnarly’ first Special Zone is with either Caped Mario or Blue Yoshi. With Yoshi likely to be a featured character in the sequel, it would be a fun addition to see him evolve in a way to become Blue Yoshi and assist Mario in one of his toughest tasks to date.
TheSuper Mario Bros. MovieSets A Path For ‘The Special Zone’
At the end ofThe Super Mario Bros. Movie,a post-credits scene reveals one famously spotted egg about to hatch, which should soon result in one of the Mario universe’s cutest and most fun to play characters -Yoshi the (mostly) green dinosaur.
In Super Mario World, Blue Yoshi is acquired when Yoshi finds wings, granting him the ability to fly and making him a perfect asset toward the completion of the Secret Zone’s sky-faring level construction. With the Mario brothers defeating Bowser and his minion army by finding a super star at the end of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, it would be great to see them in turn rely on skill derived from practice over the period between films.
In keeping with the formula set by the original,The Super Mario Bros.Moviesequel could instead see Yoshi find the superpower at the film’s end. He could come through in the nick of time to fly a deflated Mario up to an unreachable platform to rescue his damsel, or even more likely, assist his one-time damsel in defeating Bowser once more to save Yoshi from impending capture.
How To Implement ‘The Special Zone’ InThe Super Mario Bros. MovieSequel
The ultimately challenging Special Zone inSuper Mario Worldis, of course, the final level of the game, and thus would be a fitting denouement for the Mario Bros. sequel. In the game, the secret level can only be unlocked by taking a sneaky exit in Star World level 5.Super Mario Worlddepicts Star World as a star-shaped map, with various stars to track down and even some starry sky level backdrops here and there. In its early conception, though, it seems to lack some of the bright, rainbow-clad, psychedelic galaxy art associated with stars and star worlds in later installments.
The new film could take some creative liberties by marrying the star world concept with theSuper Mario Galaxyspin on stars and the like. Mario could explore these new locations in the sequel and even set up the third film in the series, which could then be suitably titled “Super Mario Galaxy.” WhenThe Super Mario Bros. Moviecomes out, whether it’s calledSuper Mario Worldor not, the crazy difficult secret area from the classic game should make an appearance. Tying in Yoshi with his game-saving wing power in the Special Zone would be a big jump for the sequel, butMario always sticks the landing.
