Binoculars
- This article is about an object debuting in Super Mario 3D Land. For the item in Yoshi's New Island, see Binoculars (Yoshi's New Island).
| Binoculars | |
|---|---|
 Artwork of a pair of binoculars from Super Mario 3D Land | |
| First appearance | Super Mario 3D Land (2011) |
| Latest appearance | Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (2021) |
Binoculars[1][2] (called Telescopes in Nintendo Power)[3] are telescopic devices that are commonly used in 3D Super Mario games.
History
Super Mario series
Super Mario 3D Land
Binoculars are introduced in Super Mario 3D Land. If Mario steps on a green platform in front of it, he can look through the lens and get a view of the whole area. The binoculars are controlled by moving the Nintendo 3DS around using its gyro-sensor control, and the player can press 
or 
to zoom out and zoom in, respectively. The player can also look for hidden Toads, and if the Toads are sighted, they will throw out items such as Star Medals, 1-Up Mushrooms, or even Super Stars. The camera can also be moved about using the 
on the 3DS. The image within the binoculars appears as 2D even if 3D is turned on.
In certain levels in Super Mario 3D Land such as World 1-3, the player may be able to spot a white UFO that eventually disappears from sight via the binoculars.[4]
Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
In Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, a Sprixie holding a pair of orange binoculars appears in certain points of the levels, indicated with a round white platform. Once the player(s) step(s) on that platform, the camera shifts towards the direction of the Goal Pole, as the Sprixie looks through the binoculars. While these spots are referred to as binoculars in the Prima Games guide, there are differences compared to binoculars in other games: The player(s) cannot zoom in or out, and can only move the camera angle along a fixed plane.
Super Mario Odyssey
Binoculars return in Super Mario Odyssey. Here, Mario uses them by capturing them with Cappy, and they launch upward a set distance (due to being tethered by a thin cord) before usage, allowing Mario to view more of the area he is in. In some kingdoms, a peculiar flying object (such as the Sphynx or a taxi) can be spotted in the sky, and zooming onto it with the binoculars will make a Power Moon appear. If the player looks into the Sun by using the binoculars, Cappy tells the player to stop. In this game, binoculars resemble R.O.B.'s head. Their model shows them having no eyes, instead glass as binoculars usually have. However, they actually do have eyes, but underneath the glass in their model.[5]
Mario Party series
Mario Party 9
Although binoculars do not appear in Mario Party 9, the Goomba Spotting minigame seems to have been seen from a pair of binoculars, except at the ending.
Mario Party: Island Tour
In Mario Party: Island Tour, binoculars taking on their designs from Super Mario 3D Land appear as the objects the players use in the minigame Point 'n' Shoot.
Mario Party Superstars
In Mario Party Superstars, the returning Goomba Spotting minigame appears to be seen from a pair of binoculars, like in Mario Party 9.
Super Nintendo World
Several sets of binoculars exist in the Super Nintendo World themed lands that use augmented reality to superimpose animated characters onto the landscape of the park. One of the keys of the Power-Up Band Key Challenges can be obtained by spotting an Airship with the binoculars.[6] Moving the binoculars towards the sky results in them zooming out into space to reveal the Comet Observatory, with Rosalina flying out to greet the viewer,[7] while looking towards a rainbow over a ledge reveals a group of Pikmin.[8]
Profiles and descriptions
Super Mario 3D Land
- North American website bio: Take a peek into one of these to see far away platforms or possible secret areas.
- European website bio: These are to be found dotted around the game's courses. Use them to get a glimpse of the world around you.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 望遠鏡[9] Bōenkyō |
Telescope | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 望远镜[10] Wàngyuǎnjìng |
Telescope | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 望遠鏡[11] Wàngyuǎnjìng |
Telescope | |
| Dutch | Verrekijker[?] | Binoculars | |
| German | Teleskop[?] | Telescope | |
| Italian | Binocolo[?] | Binoculars | |
| Portuguese (NOE) | Binóculos[?] | Binoculars | |
| Russian | Бинокль Телескоп (Super Mario 3D Land)[?] Binokl' Teleskop |
Binoculars Telescope |
|
| Spanish | Telescopio[?] | Telescope |
References
- ^ Super Mario 3D Land digital manual, section 8.
- ^ Musa, Alexander, and Geson Hatchett. Super Mario 3D World PRIMA Official Game Guide. Page 18.
- ^ Chris Slate, Nintendo Power Volume 272, page 50.
- ^ GSD3DS (December 22, 2011). Super Mario 3D Land - UFO in world 1-3. YouTube. Retrieved December 24, 2011.
- ^ https://twitter.com/MarioBrothBlog/status/1317884207847378944?
- ^ Lloyd, S. (February 3, 2021). PHOTOS, VIDEO: Battle Goombas, Koopas, Piranha Plants, and Bob-ombs in the Four Key Challenge Mini-Games in Super Nintendo World. WDW News Today. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ https://twitter.com/salismetho/status/1613631455057543169
- ^ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3Q0185WC3Ko
- ^ mario_odysseyJP (September 10, 2017). おはようございます。 この「望遠鏡」にキャプチャーすると、箱庭世界を俯瞰して見ることができるんです。上から眺めれば、きっと新しい発見が…！ Twitter. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
- ^ Online simplified Chinese manual for Super Mario 3D Land. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
- ^ Online traditional Chinese manual for Super Mario 3D Land. Retrieved March 1, 2020.
