Water Land
- This article is about the world from Super Mario Bros. 3. For the fourth mandatory world of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, see Seaside. For the similarly named galaxy in Super Mario Galaxy, see Sea Slide Galaxy. For the course in Super Mario 64 known as Water Land in Japanese, see Dire, Dire Docks. For the similarly named kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey, see Seaside Kingdom.
Template:Location-infobox Water Land[1][2][3] (alternatively Ocean Side[4], the Island World[5], Sea World[6], or Sea Side[7]) is a water-themed world, and the third world in Super Mario Bros. 3. Water Land has nine stages, two Hammer Brothers, two fortresses, five Toad Houses, five Spade Panels, and a castle that has been taken over by an airship. Cheep-Cheeps and Bloobers are common enemies in this world, and the hard-to-dodge Boss Bass also lives here. This is the first world in Super Mario Bros. 3 to have more than one fortress.
The ruler of the swift tides of Water Land is Wendy O. Koopa. The real king of Water Land (who bears a resemblance to Mario and Luigi) resides in a castle on an island chain. The chain of islands is in the shape of Japan, with the castle being located where the city of Kyoto would be, the city in which the Nintendo headquarters is located. During the events of the game, the Water Land king is turned into a kappa; the SNES and Game Boy Advance versions of Super Mario Bros. 3 see him transformed as a Dino Rhino.
The map of Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 shows that it is located to the south of Desert Land, and west of Giant Land.
Level information
| Level | Preview | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| World 3-1 | 
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The first level is set at in an underwater area with many Bloobers. |
| World 3-2 | 
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This level has the player jumping on scattered and moving platforms while avoiding Cheep-Cheeps. |
| World 3-3 | 
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This level introduces Boss Bass and the stage moves up and down in the water. |
World 3- Fortress 1
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The first fortress level of Water Land has the player figure out which door leads to Boom Boom. |
| World 3-4 | 
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The fourth main level has the player avoiding Lakitu while jumping over hills. |
| World 3-5 | 
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Another underwater level, with Big Berthas and Jelectros. |
| World 3-6 | 
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An auto-scrolling stage with small platforms and Donut Lifts. |
| World 3-7 | 
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A standard level with Semisolid Platforms and Spikes. |
| World 3-Fortress 2
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The second fortress level, which is entirely underwater and introduces Stretches. |
| World 3-8 | 
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Another level similar to World 3-3, but with smaller and lower platforms. |
| World 3-9 | 
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A stage that takes place both above land and underwater. |
World 3- Airship
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Wendy O. Koopa's Airship, armed with many cannons and Turtle Cannons. |
World 3-
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Two Hammer Brothers patrol the map. Running into either one will result in a battle with two Hammer Brothers with two rows of seven breakable blocks each. The arena differs depending on where they are fought on the map. If encountered on land, they will be fought in an area with a hill to the left as well as a row of bushes extending to the right. If encountered in the water, the floor will be submerged. Defeating one of the Hammer Brother pairs will award the player with a chest containing a Hammer, while the other will yield a Starman. If the player met the unlock conditions for the Treasure Ship, one of the Hammer Brothers will be replaced with the ship. |
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Canoe
If the player has a Hammer in their inventory, they can break a rock to gain access to the canoe. The player can then control the canoe across the water to an island with two Toad Houses and two Spade Panels and a second island with a third Toad House.
It is possible to do a glitch in the Family Computer version of the game; to perform, the player must stay on the canoe and get a Magic Whistle. It will result in walking on water, and getting into a glitched map. It can also be used to gain access to all the other worlds.
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3
Water Land was only mentioned in one episode of The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3.
Sneaky Lying Cheating Giant Ninja Koopas: Bully (though speaking through Kooky's mouth due to an animation error) suggested that they could take over Water Land after having conquered Giant Land.
Nintendo Comics System
Water Land is the setting of the Nintendo Comics System story Fins and Roses, which has a heavily armed Wendy O. Koopa set up an ambush for Mario, only to be annoyed by Stanley the Talking Fish while waiting for the plumber's arrival.
Nintendo Adventure Books
In Leaping Lizards, Morton and Iggy Koopa have both set up bases in Water Land, a filthy houseboat and an underground laboratory, respectively. After the Mushroom King is transformed into a rabbit by Morton and no one can figure out how to change him back, Luigi and Toad head to Water Land to find Morton and get answers, with some of the creatures they encounter being Cheep Cheeps, Bloobers and Jelectros.
Gallery
Frog Mario swimming through Water Land
Level 3-4 map, shown without enemies
Water Land as seen in the original Super Mario Bros. 3
The battle against Wendy O. Koopa
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | ワールド３ 海の国[8][9] Wārudo3 Umi no Kuni |
World 3: Ocean Land / Sea Land (alternatively "Ocean Side"[10] / "Sea Side"[11] in-game) | |
| German | Wasserwelt[?] | Water World | |
| Italian | Oceano Regno Acquatico[?] |
Ocean Water Kingdom |
|
| Romanian | Țara apelor (The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3)[?] | Land of the waters | |
| Spanish | Costa Marina[?] | Marine Shore |
Trivia
- The music that plays in this land is very similar to the Fairy Fountain theme from The Legend of Zelda series.
- The Nintendo Power strategy guide for Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 erroneously labels this world as "Big Island" when describing the boss.[12]
References
- ^ Super Mario Bros. 3 English instruction booklet, page 31.
- ^ Super Mario Bros. 3 North American re-release and European ending.
- ^ "The Dino Rhino sprite was re-used in the Super Mario All-Stars version of Super Mario Bros. 3, where the Water Land king has been transformed into a purple Dino Rhino." - Playing With Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics eGuide, Super Mario World 16 Bits Tab.
- ^ Super Mario Bros. 3 North American original ending.
- ^ Nintendo Power Volume 13, pages 3 & 25-34.
- ^ Nintendo Power Volume 11, page 15.
- ^ Super Mario All-Stars and Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 International ending.
- ^ Super Mario Bros. 3 Japanese instruction booklet, page 31.
- ^ Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario 3 + Mario Bros. Japanese ending (in kana).
- ^ Super Mario Bros. 3 Japanese ending.
- ^ Super Mario Collection Japanese ending.
- ^ "Wendy O. Koopa is the only girl of the Koopa family, and she’s one ferocious female. As the ruler of Big Island, Wendy is known as an unbearably bossy Koopa with a sweet tooth. Get ready to dodge some candy!" - The Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 Player's Guide, page 52.
