World 3-1
These critters are lean, mean, and hungry! Since water is the primary element in this stage, we recommend the Frog Suit or Fire Flower as the gear of choice.
A Power-Up in the Deep
Go straight down at the beginning of the world to find a Power-Up. You should always collect Power-Ups, because they’re worth 1,000 points.
Don’t Lose Control
A strong current flows out of many of the underwater pipes. Don’t let the flow make you lose control, but swim through it as quickly as possible.
Blooper Alert!
Bloopers are a constant underwater hazard. Swim with care when you see one.
Go Over the Top for a Power-Up
By jumping at the water’s surface, you can get on top of the island in these screenshots. Once there, you’ll find a Power-Up.
A Tricky 1-Up to Collect
The 1-Up in the “?” Block shown in this screenshot drops into the pit below if you’re not careful. A current boost carries you past.
World 3-2
Those pesky flying fish, the Cheep-Cheeps, are back and more bothersome than ever! It’s best to use firepower to fry them, but you can also stomp them.
Dropping Donut Lifts
Donut Lifts flicker and fall if you stand on them for a few seconds. Look out below!
Get Three Starmen in a Row
If you get the first Starman and then hit the two indicated “?” Blocks while you’re invincible, there will be Starmen inside instead of coins! It’s a trick maneuver, but worth the effort for triple invincibility!
A P-Switch Makes a 1-Up Accessible
Hit the P-Switch. While its magic is in effect, it’s easy to get the 1-Up in the Invisible Block.
Go Raccoon Mario!
As Raccoon Mario, you can fly up to this area and score a few extra coins!
World 3-3
Boss Bass: He’s big, he’s bad, and he’s hungry! We also think you’ll dislike him. He can swallow you whole even if you’re fully powered-up! Plus, the land in this world rises and sinks, putting you right within his reach!
Use the Koopa to Hit the P-Switch
Once you hit this P-Switch, you can collect some extra coins, and try for the Power-Up in the Note Block. Just keep an eye on Boss Bass!
Another Helpful P-Switch
Use an Ice Block to make the P-Switch appear. Activate it and the coins turn into a bridge to the goal. Boogie across the bridge (holding the B Button as you run) and Boss Bass won’t be able to catch you.
Not for the Faint at Heart
If you’re feeling brave, you can go for a hidden 1-Up on the far right side of the stage. But first, get rid of the Boss Bass with a fireball if you can.
World 3 Fortress
The doors in the fortress lead to a flooded “back” stage. Most of the doors just waste your time if you take them, so follow our directions carefully.
Boo Diddly Sandwich!?
Be sure to give both ghosts a look as you wait for the Thwomp to reset, or one of them will get you.
Take This Door to Boom-Boom
If you’re in a hurry to get through the Fortress, head through the sixth door (fourth from the last) to get to Boom-Boom’s room.
Alternatively, if you head to the third door and enter it while mashing Up on the Control Pad, you have a chance to enter a door suspended above the water in the next room. If you’re lucky, you’ll end up in Boom-Boom’s room.
The Last Door Leads to a Secret Coin Room
An Invisible Block directly above the door in this room allows you to collect all of the coins here.
Repeated Item Collection
Going back and forth between the main hall and the water hall of this stage resets Power-Up items. That means you can repeatedly collect the Power-Up at the start of the water hall.
This Boom-Boom Can Fly
You’d better stomp this guy three times as fast as you can; otherwise, he sprouts wings and flies about the room. Then he’s really tough to defeat!
World 3-4
Most methods for getting unlimited 1-Ups involve skill and practice. In this world, the technique works automatically.
The Jet Coaster Jump
Slide down the hill and wipe out the Goombas. At the last second, jump and you should make it over the pond.
A 1-Up Factory, Courtesy of Lakitu!
Get rid of the two Para-Goombas near the pipe that’s hanging from the ceiling. Go right until Lakitu appears, then backtrack left. Capture a Koopa and kick him while standing on the golden Blocks under the hanging pipe. The shell begins to oscillate back and forth, defeating any of the Spinies that Lakitu throws out. Eventually, the Koopa shell begins scoring 1-Ups for you. Easy peasy!
World 3-5
By now, you know that the Frog Suit makes it much easier to swim in the water worlds. Also, certain underwater pipes can be entered only if you’re wearing the Frog Suit. The secret rooms you reach usually have valuable things inside, like 1-Ups.
Big Bertha and Her Babies
Big Bertha won’t try to eat you, but she does send her baby Cheep-Cheeps after you.
A Frog Suit Exclusive!
You can get into this pipe while wearing the Frog Suit. Hold Right as you enter to reach the giant “?” Block.
Go Against the Flow for a 1-Up
Swim against the current coming out of the final hanging pipe in the stage to reveal a 1-Up in an Invisible Block.
World 3-6
This is an autoscroller with some precarious platforming. Don’t stay on the Donut Lifts for too long!
Don’t Just Stand There! Jump!
Whenever on Donut Lifts, always jump up as fast as you can. This prevents them from falling and buys you some time while you wait for the screen to move forward.
Use the Koopa to Collect the Coins
Kick the first Koopa you meet to the right to score 10 coins.
An Icy Situation
Kick one of the Ice Blocks into the first Block on the right to reveal a P-Switch. Hit the P-Block, then jump to grab the first coin on the left above you. This is actually a secret Block containing a 1-Up. Race right and grab it as it falls.
Look Out for the Rotary Lift
Time your jump to the lift so that you land on the Rotary Lift as it stops spinning. Immediately jump off the Lift and into the pipe to avoid being knocked off of it.
World 3-7
A spacious stage with big, grassy Blocks, this area is the home of a new enemy named Spike.
Meet Spike!
Spike attacks by pulling spiked balls from his gullet and throwing them at you. If you’re in his line of sight, he throws them with reckless abandon, so try to stay above him and jump on his head as soon as you get the chance.
Vine Time!
Use this screenshot to find a hidden vine Block. Climb it and head to the left to grab coins and a P-Switch.
Off to Coin Heaven!
Before you drop back down, stand on the Block on the top of the vine and jump to the right. You should land on another cloud platform. Stand in the middle of the platform and jump to reveal a red Magic Note Block. You can jump off this Block to shoot up to another Coin Heaven.
Bouncing Wood Blocks?!
You can jump against the Wood Blocks at the end of this stage to bounce them into the enemies in front of them; the second Wood Block also contains a Power-Up.
World 3 Fortress
This water-filled Fortress is the home of another new enemy: Stretch—a ghost who hides in white platforms scattered all over the stage. He can’t be defeated, so you must sneak by him to make it through this level.
Your Only Power-Up Item
The first “?” Block in this level contains the only Power-Up you have access to here. If you’re already Super Mario, the Power-Up will be a Fire Flower, which helps you deal with all the Cheep-Cheeps.
Heeeeeeeeeeeere’s Stretch!
If you’re a powered-up Mario, make sure to stay below all of the Stretches scattered throughout the stage. If you’re small, however, you’re free to take any path you see fit.
Boom-Boom is Flighty
A flying Boom-Boom controls this Fortress and his dwelling has Blocks suspended in mid-air. These can be a bit bothersome, so try to fight him in the center of the room.
World 3-8
This is one of the toughest stages in the game. Boss Bass is back and the tides go deeper, leaving you with nothing to stand on. Use the vines in this stage and climb to safety!
Life Saving Vines
Hit the first Block you see with a Koopa, an Ice Block, or your Raccoon tail to make a vine grow. Climb to the top and wait for the tide to drop before moving ahead!
There are three other Blocks concealing vines. Check out our screen shots to find the other two.
All the Help You Can Get!
Use an Ice Block on the Block pictured in this screen shot to reveal a 1-Up. Grab it quickly! You’ll need it.
More P-Switch Magic
There’s an alcove that dips into the water just before the pipe leading to the end of the level. Look there to find a P-Switch, then hit it and race up to the platform above. The top of the tower of coins holds a hidden Block with a 1-Up.
World 3-9
Another chance to gain unlimited lives!
A Regular 1-Up Farm!
At the start of the stage, grab the Koopa hopping around just ahead of you. Race to the right while holding it until you pass the second cannon, then quickly kick the Koopa over the cannon and hop onto the platform above it. Race over and stand directly above the pillar of gold Blocks and wait. The Koopa shell will bounce between two cannons, defeating the Bullet Bills that come out of them. You can just stand there while the Koopa shell racks up all the 1-Ups you could ever need.
How to Make Mario Invisible!
When you kicked the Koopa to do the unlimited lives trick, it actually opened up a path to a pipe that leads to the second half of the level. Stand on the tall, white platform directly in front of the second cannon that you kicked the Koopa over and hold Down to fall into the background of the level. If you head to the right and go down the aforementioned pipe into the second half of the level, Mario becomes invisible! Well, really he’ll just be behind the background, but it’s still neat!
A Free Frog Suit -- What a Bargain!
Once you’re in the underwater second half of the level, swim all the way to the left to find a pipe. Go down the pipe and immediately hold Right to land on a platform with a giant “?” Block on it. Punch that Block and a Frog Suit comes out!
World 3 Airship
You can jump over some of the walls in this warship, even though the gap you go through is off the top of the screen. This can save you lots of time and effort.
You Can Do It!
Although the automatic scroll of the Airship makes it tough, you can collect this Power-Up if you’re quick!
Use Your Momentum
If you jump on top of an enemy or cannon ball and hold the A Button, your momentum will give extra height to your jump.
A Kooky Mode of Transportation
Jump repeatedly on the Bolt Lift and it will take you across the gap. In this case, though, it might be easier to take the low road and just avoid the flame jets.
Through an Unseen Gap!
Hold down the B Button and jump at this wall to reach the other side!
Wendy O. Koopa’s Candy Rings Ain’t Sweet!
“Hey Mario! Try some of my candy rings, I think you’ll be surprised how they taste! (I hope Mario falls for this trick… He doesn’t know that these sweets are deadly—yet!)”
