THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE opens April 5th
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE is right around the corner, and we couldn’t be more excited to see the legendary Jumpman take a hop, blip, and a jump out of the video game console and onto the big screen with his first animated adventure. Longtime fans of the popular Nintendo franchise, ourselves included, have a long list of wishes for the upcoming feature film from Illumination Entertainment, like characters, Easter eggs and some of the classic Super. Mario Bros. levels.
Below are seven classic Mario stages and boss battles we hope to see when THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE opens in AMC Theatres nationwide this April.
The Opening Stage (Super Mario Bros.)
Is there a more iconic opening stage than “World 1-1” in Super Mario Bros.? We think not. The music, the momentum, the mechanics, and that unforgettable burst of fireworks after Mario jumps off the staircase to grab the flag all live rent-free in the minds of video game fans young and old, and make this a must for THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE. Whether it’s featured in the opening minutes of the movie, or when Chris Pratt’s version of everyone’s favorite pixelated plumber sets off for his adventure in the Mushroom Kingdom, we just have to experience the beloved level like it’s 1985 all over again!
Forest Of Illusion 1 (Super Mario World)
Now, there are levels from Super Mario World that probably come to mind ahead of Forest of Illusion 1, but the opening stage from the 1991 SNES game’s fifth world is one of the most interesting, and dynamic, in the entire 16-bit adventure. There’s the hidden exit, which is key to escaping the labyrinthian set of levels; there’s the extra life trick that can grant you near-infinite lives if timed right; and there’s the dark and mysterious aesthetic on top of all of that. This level, and others from the Forest of Illusion, could be used as a nice puzzle for the heroes to solve in THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE, while also serving as a fun and somewhat obscure reference.
Bob-omb Battlefield (Super Mario 64)
Bob-omb Battlefield, the first proper level in the Nintendo 64 launch title, Super Mario 64, served as the introduction to the red-hatted plumber for a lot of gamers in the mid 1990s, and is more than deserving of at least a quick mention in THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE. The legendary stage, with its catchy and admittedly silly music, put all those revolutionary 3D platformer mechanics to use and showed all the new ways to defeat the classic villains, who had received quite a facelift jumping from the 16-bit to the 32-bit era.
Rainbow Road (Mario Kart)
Unlike a lot of levels on this list, we already know Rainbow Road, the iconic track featured in various releases in the Mario Kart franchise, will play some kind of role in THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE. However, the question remains as to how much we will see the track, with its technicolor pavement, thrilling visuals and deadly turns in Mario’s first big-screen adventure in 30 years. We also don’t know which version of the classic track will be on display, unless there’s some kind of combination of the various incarnations to create a diabolical structure the likes of which have never been seen.
Giant Land (Super Mario Bros. 3)
Giant Land is technically a world, opposed to a level, in Super Mario Bros. 3, but it’s just too good to leave off our wishlist. As the name suggests, all the levels in Giant Land feature levels filled with blocks, obstacles and enemies that dwarf Mario, creating a fun and unique experience in the game’s fourth world. This dynamic could work tremendously well in THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE and create some fun and hilarious moments for the heroes as they try to defeat Bowser and his Koopa army before it’s too late.
New Donk City (Super Mario Odyssey)
New Donk City is more of a modern classic than anything else on this list of Mario levels, but the unforgettable level from the plumber’s most recent adventure – Super Mario Odyssey – is more than deserving of a mention here. This incredibly lively city, with its New Donkers, plethora of references to Mario’s legacy and some of the game’s best characters and obstacles, created such a fun feeling for players exploring the 2017 game for the first time. The level could be incorporated into THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE in a scene where Mario thinks he’s back in New York City, only to be transported to a magical facsimile of his home. Plus, we’d all love to hear “Jump Up, Super Star!” once again.
The First 3D Bowser Battle (Super Mario 64)
One of the constants in the Super Mario Bros. franchise are the epic final battles with Bowser that see Mario vanquish his foe in a variety of fun and unique ways. And while it would be fun to see those 8-bit and 16-bit battles against King Koopa in THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE, one of the many fights from Super Mario 64 would be perfect for the big screen. Just imagine Jack Black’s Bowser yelling at Mario to stop it as the plumber grabs his tail and swings him around and around and around. Pure gold!
We hope to see at least a few of these classic levels on the big screen, but the only way to know for sure is by checking it out when THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE opens at AMC Theatres nationwide.
THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE opens April 5th
