Similar to the older side-scrolling Mario games, the health system revolves around Mario shrinking upon taking damage from enemies or hazards, there is a dedicated 'Dash' button as opposed to using analog input to determine travel speed, and damage as 'Small Mario' results in losing a life. As such, Super Mario 3D Land combines the elements of traditional side-scrolling video game titles, such as linear-based levels, with those of the modern open world titles, such as moving Mario in three dimensions and performing a variety of actions. Super Mario 3D Land is a platform game that has been described by game designer Shigeru Miyamoto as a '3D Mario that plays as a 2D Mario game'. The player's extra lives and reserved power-up can be viewed and accessed from the touchscreen. A sequel, titled Super Mario 3D World, was released for the Wii U in November 2013. Nintendo re-released the game as a downloadable title via Nintendo eShop in 2012. It was also the first 3DS game to sell over five million copies.

The game was a commercial success, and has sold 12.84 million copies worldwide as of September 30, 2021, making it the seventh best-selling game for the 3DS. The game was released to critical acclaim, with gaming critics praising the amount of creativity and technical design presented within the game, though the utilization of 3D in the gameplay was met with a more mixed reception. The main story is similar to previous Super Mario titles, centering on Mario's efforts to rescue Princess Peach, who has been kidnapped by Bowser. It also introduces elements into the series, including power-ups and gameplay mechanics. Super Mario 3D Land is unique from other games in the Mario series, as it combines elements from both traditional 2D Mario side-scrolling games and modern free-roaming 3D Mario games.

It was the first Mario game to be released for the 3DS. It was released worldwide in November 2011, beginning in Japan. Super Mario 3D Land is a platform video game in the Super Mario series developed and published by Nintendo for their Nintendo 3DS handheld game console.

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