SMB3 Level Design Discussion

[VinnyVideo]

SMB3's Bros are typically less dangerous than the Hammer Bros. of the original SMB, since you have a much greater variety of tools for defeating them. Still, they can be dangerous in certain situations, so it's good that the game introduces them in a level that's otherwise not very threatening.

Using the White Block to access a hidden Mushroom House is quite cryptic - the game never gives you any indication that you can do that. Since SMB3 came out well before the Internet era, you probably wouldn't find it on your own unless you used a strategy guide or had a friend who's already found the secret. On the other hand, the Warp Whistle is a powerful but completely optional item, so making it difficult to find was a reasonable design decision.

Course clear! You got a card.