Multiplayer (Eight Legs Are Better Than Two!)

Super Mario 3D World supports cooperative play for up to four players. By pressing the (or ) button on your desired controller on the map screen or in a level, your friends can join the action! Just make sure not to get in each other’s way ... unless you really want to!

In multiplayer, all characters are seen onscreen at the same time for as far as the camera can zoom out. If a player gets scrolled too far off of the screen, they will usually automatically become encased in a bubble (except in automatically scrolling stages where staying offscreen can cost a life). Make sure to both keep up and help each other along!

Levels can become both easier and harder in multiplayer mode. Hordes of enemies and certain devices like Multi-Vators can prove to be a snap, but small and narrow platforms become all the more precarious. At times like this you might want to have some of your players encase themselves in bubbles (see the next section).

At other times, you’ll encounter switches that only a specific character can activate. With the entire roster at your command, however, this will no longer be an issue.

Compete for the Crown!

At the end of every level, all participating players are ranked by score, and the winning player receives a crown. If you complete the next course while wearing the crown, you’ll get a point bonus. Watch out, though—getting hit by an enemy, another player’s ground pound or a Cat Power-Up Claw Dive means that other players can nab your crown and possibly take your bonus for themselves!

Don’t fall down a pit with it either, or it’s lost for the rest of the stage. The same happens if the crown is left alone for too long.

Exclusive Multiplayer Techniques

Bubble

This is one of the most important multiplayer techniques. Press (or ) to encase your character inside an invincible bubble. The bubble can only pop if another player touches it. You can also break out of the bubble yourself by pressing (or ).

When a character loses a life, they will automatically revive inside one of these, but using this technique manually can mean your friends can give you a “free ride” across some of the game’s tougher spots.

Synchro Ground Pound

The Synchro ground pound is another super-important technique that sends enemy-destroying shock waves around the area. It’s almost like having a Red POW Block ready to go wherever and whenever you want!

To execute it, simply have all characters onscreen time their ground pounds so that they all hit the ground at the same time. You’ll see circles move outward from your heroes if it was performed correctly.

The Synchro ground pound’s area of effect becomes larger the more players are present, and only works if everyone in play manages to do it correctly—no halfway maneuvers here.

Moving Friends

You can pick up and throw friends in almost the same way as objects: Hold (or ) while standing next to said friend, aim, then release the button. The friend can still be hurt if thrown into enemies, though, so use this technique defensively rather than offensively.

Bounce

Jump on top of a standing friend and hold the (or ) button as if you were bouncing off an enemy, and your hero will gain some extra height to their jumps. This is great for cooperative platform climbing.

Alley-Oop!

Another variation of the bounce technique, this is performed by jumping onto a friend that is crouching. Watch as they heave you super-high!

Watch Out!

Sometimes tactics having the best of intentions can still backfire. Here’s a list of things to watch out for if you don’t (or do!) want to break up your multiplayer party prematurely:

It’s possible—and somewhat easy—to toss your friends into pits, hazards, or enemies after picking them up. Always be mindful of which way you’re facing when you toss.
Similarly, it’s possible to pop someone’s bubble when they are in a precarious place. Try not to—it’ll just be another life wasted.
Don’t use bubbles as a crutch! Players in bubbles count as “inactive” and players outside of bubbles, as “active.” When all active players are defeated, you’ll have to restart the stage or restart from a Checkpoint Flag!
If you bounce off an airborne ally’s head, your friend will fall to the ground extra fast. Don’t bounce while they’re over a pit or other hazard they can’t survive!
Try not to ground pound with other players nearby. If a ground pound hits another player, they’re knocked back and become vulnerable for a couple of game seconds as they recover. This can happen with attacks like the Cat Power-Up’s Claw Dive as well, so be careful.
Watch out when using enemies like Koopa Troopa Shells and potted Piranha Plants against enemies—they can hinder or even damage your friends!
When piloting Plessie, make sure everyone’s on the same page! Steering ability is split up amongst the team while you’re riding, so coordination and communication is key.
Finally, everyone shares the same pool of lives. If you and your friends aren’t careful, you can run out very quickly! A good way to combat this is to consult the infinite lives tricks in the Secrets section of this guide.