5 ways Super Mario 3D World changes the Mario formula (preview)

Super Mario 3D World is Nintendo’s version of Frankenstein’s monster. The developer took parts from past Mario games and pieced them together in the hope that its colorful creation will lead to a bigger, better game for the Wii U.

Out on Nov. 22, the latest platformer specifically draws from Super Mario 3D Land (for the 3DS) and the New Super Mario Bros. series (Wii and Wii U). The former combined the familiar side-scrolling gameplay with 3D levels that left more room for exploration while the latter introduced cooperative multiplayer, where you and a few friends could play together using different characters. Super Mario 3D World attempts to refine and expand on these features while also looking for its own identity in the process.