Skip to main content

How to unlock everything in Super Mario 3D World

With the re-release of Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury for Nintendo Switch, players have gotten the chance to revisit (or try for the first time) one of the best Wii U games out there. Super Mario 3D World is one of the most unique Mario games, particularly due to its 2.5D camera, which tends to shift depending on where you are in a particular level. This game — like many Super Mario titles — has a lot to unlock, from the green stars across each level to an additional character, unlimited lives, and more.

Since there’s so much to do in this game, you might be overwhelmed when trying to unlock everything it has to offer. Fortunately, we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll show you how to unlock the additional Rosalina character, unlimited lives, and the secret Luigi Bros. game.

Recommended reading:

Recommended Videos

How to unlock Rosalina

Image used with permission by copyright holder

First up, we’ll walk you through unlocking Rosalina in Super Mario 3D World. She first appeared in Super Mario Galaxy and is a playable character in Mario’s latest adventure. By default, you can play as Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Princess Peach, but Rosalina is an additional fifth character that can be unlocked if you meet certain requirements.

First, you need to complete the game by finishing World Castle and World Bowser. You need to defeat Bowser in his final form and reach the game’s final credits. After you do, you’ll come to the game’s main home screen. Boot back into the game and return to the first world.

Head over to World 1-1, but don’t actually start it. Instead, look to the north and you’ll see a tall structure surrounded by fairies (the ones you’ve been rescuing throughout the game). Walk toward it and you’ll get a cutscene, revealing a tall rocket ship. Jump in and it’ll take you to World Star, a secret world that is only available after you’ve completed the game.

Once you beat the first two levels of World Star — Rainbow Run and Super Galaxy — you’ll gain access to Rosalina. In fact, you can see Rosalina waiting for you at the end of Super Galaxy level, indicating that she’ll be ready to unlock. After you complete the level, you’ll have this additional character added to your roster. Simply back out to the main menu and start the game again to select Rosalina.

How to unlock infinite lives

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Next, we’ll show you how to get unlimited lives in Super Mario 3D World, and it’s actually quite simple. What you need to do is continuously jump on a turtle shell over and over, which will grant you an additional life each time you land on top. To get this set up, we recommend booting up World 1-2, Koopa Troopa Cave. From the start of the level, head down through the warp pipe and you’ll appear inside the cave.

Then, make your way through the transparent pipe, up to the second floor to reach a Koopa Troopa. Stomp on it, grab its shell, and take it just below to where the Goomba is. Next to the Goomba are a few purple blocks. Take out the Goomba, then line yourself up to face the wall opposite the purple blocks. Let the shell go, and if you’re positioned correctly, it will continuously move between the two walls back and forth.

All you need to do at this point is jump on top of the shell. Once you do, your character will keep jumping automatically, and each jump nets you an extra life. Keep in mind, there are multiple spots to execute this trick, but this is one of the earliest locations — making it easy to get stacked up on lives right away.

How to unlock Luigi Bros.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Finally, we’ll cover how to unlock Luigi Bros., a playable version of the original Mario Bros. but with Luigi characters instead. That’s right, Super Mario 3D World gives you access to the entirety of Luigi Bros., and unlocking it is a fairly straightforward task.

All you need to do is complete the main Super Mario 3D World game — much like you would when unlocking Rosalina. After you roll credits, you’ll come back to the main menu. This time, you might notice the main screen is a little different. In the bottom left, you’ll see an 8-bit Luigi character. Press the minus (–) button on your controller, and once you do, you’ll get a notice that reads “Do you want to play Luigi Bros., the Luigi version of the classic Mario Bros. arcade game?”

Select Play, and you’ll be taken to the Luigi Bros. home screen. You can play the game with up to two players locally. And with that, you’ll be able to start playing the classic 8-bit adventure right from Super Mario 3D World.

Joseph Yaden
Joseph Yaden is a freelance journalist who covers Nintendo, shooters, and horror games. He mostly covers game guides for…
How to unlock Alternate Outfit 3 in Tekken 8
Azucena holding a coffee mug in Tekken 8.

Everyone who's been playing Tekken since Tekken 5 knows that the game is secretly a fashion show. With a fun customization mode that allows you to change up your favorite fighter's style, it's hard for it not to be.

This returns in Tekken 8 and, as always, players can spend earned in-game currency in the shop to unlock more accessories and cosmetics. However, one outfit has to be unlocked instead of bought, and that's Alternate Outfit 3. This style is a variation of each character's main look that usually removes something from that ensemble such as a hoodie or overshirt.
How to unlock Alternate Outfit 3

Read more
Where to find the Ghost Medal in Super Mario RPG
Mario sleeping in a bed.

One of the best aspects of Super Mario RPG is how beginner-friendly it is as an RPG. You don't have a ton of stats to manage, and your weapons and equipment are mostly linear upgrades outside of some secrets. Accessories are the most interesting ways you can customize your party, allowing you to add unique attributes. The Ghost Medal is one of the strongest of these. but it's tucked away in a hidden corner of the game. It's no time for a nap, so let's go over how to get the Ghost Medal in Super Mario RPG.
How to get the Ghost Medal

The Ghost Medal can be found only after you've reached Monstro Town, which is a good way into the game. Once here, enter the house directly to the right of the Item Shop, turn off the mushroom light, and rest in the bed. While sleeping, the Three Musty Fears will appear around Mario and tell him clues as to where their flags are. By collecting them all, you will earn this accessory. Here's where to find them:

Read more
All hidden chest locations in Super Mario RPG
Toad explaining Hidden Treasures to Mario.

The remake of the SNES game Super Mario RPG is about as faithful as any fan could hope for. The classic characters, locations, combat mechanics, and music are all back in a new and charming graphical style. While there are a few new tweaks and additions here and there, for the most part, the world is just as you remember from your childhood. That includes those tricky Hidden Chests. Just like in the original, a special set of hidden chests are waiting to be found all across the game world, but for those who haven't played the original, you may go most (if not the entire) game without finding them. Hidden chests, in this case, are actually invisible until Mario jumps up and activates them. Mario is a superstar jumper, but even he would get tired of jumping everywhere possible in search of these secret chests. We'll point out where to find all 39 Hidden Chests in Super Mario RPG so you can reap the rewards without pulling your hair out while trying to find them.

We will list every Hidden Chest in the order you should naturally come across them as you're playing the game so you can follow along. However, if you've already missed some, none of them are missable, so you can always backtrack to get any you might have accidentally passed by. You should also equip the Signal Ring to alert you when a Hidden Chest is in your area.
Hidden Chest 1

Read more