Bank of the Wild River
The Bank of the Wild River is a location found in Wario Land 3 of the Wario Land series. It serves as the fourth of six levels that can be found on the north side of the Music Box World. Wario can come here after he finds the second music box. The level gets unlocked simultaneously with another one: The Tidal Coast.
The level design itself revolves mostly around the aforementioned river and its surroundings. The starting point of the level lies in the riverbed and the main area is set atop of overgrown black rocks. The water of the river is in steady movement, resulting in strong currents that sweep Wario away if he falls into the water. Some of the rocks are hollow and have rooms hidden in them. A damp crystal cave filled with Kobatto lies near the river, accessible through a ledge next to the starting point. Further up the stream lies an area full of vines which eventually lead to another cave. A large mouse-fish creature called Pesce lives there.
Enemies
Spear-bot Fire Robota Water Spark Spearhead Hebarii Kushimushi Kobatto Prince Froggy Flame
Treasures
Gray Chest: Anger Halberd
The Anger Halberd is hidden inside the Gray Chest which is located right at the start of the level. However, the Gray Key needed to open the chest can only be found up the river. Wario has to travel upstream on foot, collect the key, and return to the start, riding the currents and evading the sea urchins.
Once Wario finds the Anger Halberd and the Anger Spell Book from The Tidal Coast, he uses both items to summon a heavy lightning storm above the south side of the world. Numerous bolts then rain from the sky onto the land. One of the bolts hits the river on that side, tearing the ground apart and revealing The Steep Canyon.
Red Chest: Magnifying Glass
The Magnifying Glass[1], also called the magnifier[2], is within the Red Chest hidden inside one of the hollow rocks that are scattered across the riverbed. The respective key is hidden in a similar fashion. Wario needs the powered up Dash Attack to progress, which he gains by eating the Garlic from the Tower of Revival. With increased strength he is able to smash through to the holes that lead into the hollow rocks and find the treasure.
The Magnifying Glass gives the player the ability to check which treasures from which levels they have already collected, without having to enter said level. This can be achieved by pressing the B Button while idling over a level on the world map.
Green Chest: Statue
The Statue[3] can be found in the Green Chest all the way up the river, in a cavern. Wario has to best the Pesce in order to reach it. Beforehead though, he must reach the fish's lair by passing through a river sequence overgrown with vines. The Player needs the Super Swimming Flippers from Out of the Woods to be able to Super Swim upstream, which is necessary to complete this mission.
To win against the Pesce, Wario has to feed the mouse-fish with cheese, until he gets too heavy to swim and sinks down to the ground, where the strong currents will catch him and sweep him away. His body mass will then block the currents from escaping, which makes the Green Chest reachable. Various insects hover over the water surface to aid Wario in his intentions: a dragonfly that carries him, and flies carrying infinite amounts of cheese.
Once the Statue has been freed from the chest, it travels to various levels and produces patches of wire, which Wario can use to climb to higher locations and reach more treasuries. The affected levels are The Tidal Coast and the Tower of Revival.
Blue Chest: Rocket
The Rocket lies in the crystal cave next to the starting point. The player needs the Air-Pump from The Colossal Hole in order to reach the entrance of the cave. Inside, Wario encounters various Kobatto which turn him into his vampire form once they bite him. Wario has to make use of this so he can overcome the obstacles in that cave, find the Blue Key, and get the treasure from the Blue Chest.
Finding the Rocket will not affect the world in any way.
Musical Coins
- One appears in the blue chest room.
- One appears in the flame room.
- One appears in a cave with a Spearhead.
- Another cave has some dropping platforms and a coin.
- Before the green chest and after the first door, Wario should become Puffy Wario to claim one.
- Three are in the vine room.
Reaction abilities in this level
- Flaming Wario (via flame or Fire Robota)
- Puffy Wario (via Water Spark)
- Vampire Wario (via Kobatto)
Gallery
The riverbed
Up the river
The crystal cave
Trivia
- On the official American website, the description for the Blue Key mentions a red froggy, as well as avoiding Robo-Mouse in a pipe-filled location, with the reward being the ability to switch between night and day.[4] This is actually describing the Blue Key for The Peaceful Village.[5]
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 激流の川辺[?] Gekiryū no Kawabe |
Bank of the Wild River |
References
- ^ Official American Wario Land 3 website (Internet Archive)
- ^ Nintendo Power Volume 133, page 66. "The magnifier you win from N4’s Red Chest allows you to view which items you’ve collected in an area."
- ^ Brady, Matthew K., Nathan Beittenmiller, Debra McBride, and David Cassady. Game Boy Game Secrets, 2001 Edition Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 96.
- ^ Official American Wario Land 3 Website (Internet Archive)
- ^ Official American Wario Land 3 Website (Internet Archive)
