Super Mario 3D Land Special Worlds and completion checklist
Understand what opens after the first ending and track later objectives.
Edition covered
Original Nintendo 3DS release. Super Mario 3D World characters, Green Stars and Cat Suits are outside this game.
Continue beyond the initial ending
The Special Worlds expand the campaign after the main eight worlds. They remix ideas with tighter timers, new hazards and higher medal requirements.
| Phase | Main purpose | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Worlds 1–8 | Initial rescue adventure | Learn moves and gather medals. |
| Special 1 | Start of the extra campaign | Reach the castle for Luigi. |
| Later Special Worlds | Remixed challenges | Watch timers and medal gates. |
| Final cleanup | Completion requirements | Track medals, clears and flag tops. |
Separate the completion categories
Special 8-Crown opens when the save file has all five stars. The checklist includes all 285 regular-course Star Medals, all courses cleared with both brothers and every Goal Pole top reached with either brother.
| Star | Requirement | Record to check |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clear World 8-Bowser’s Castle 2 | Initial ending. |
| 2 | Clear all courses through World 8 | Ordinary course clears. |
| 3 | Clear Special 8-Bowser’s Castle, then World 8-Bowser’s Castle 2 again | Both final-castle steps. |
| 4 | Collect all 285 regular-course Star Medals | Mystery Box extras do not replace missing course medals. |
| 5 | Clear all courses with Mario and Luigi; reach every Goal Pole top with either brother | Both character icons and gold flags. |
Learn remixed courses again
A familiar layout can hide a new hazard or timer rule. Read the opening situation before repeating your old route at full speed.
Finish the five-star checklist
After clearing Special 8-Bowser’s Castle, return to World 8-Bowser’s Castle 2 and clear it again. Use the course icons to finish missing Mario clears, Luigi clears, medal sets and gold flags.
A familiar layout can hide a new hazard or timer rule. Read the opening situation before repeating your old route at full speed.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Super Mario Wiki: Super Mario 3D Land | www.mariowiki.com |
| Super Mario Wiki: save-file completion | www.mariowiki.com |