Role: Level Designer
Tool: Unity
Development Timeline: 2 weeks
This level was designed as part of the Blocktober level design event, in which designers are tasked with designing a blocked out level for their favorite games in a 30 day period throughout the month of October. This level is designed for Super Mario 64, as it is one of my all-time favorite games and one of the most prolific games of my childhood.
Super Mario 64 levels include 8 stars (7 objective-based stars and 1 bonus star for collecting 100 coins), so I've also included 8 stars in my level.
Below I've included a list of each of the stars present in the level along with a description of the objective to obtain the star as well as a rationale for the design choices made. Note: stars that will appear after an objective is completed are colored white and stars that can be collected as soon as the level begins are colored their standard yellow.
STAR #1
Star #1: Ride the Hot Air Balloons to the Star
For this star, Mario rides the hot air balloon pictured above up into the sky (talk to the bob-omb next to the balloon), and then jumps out of the balloon to land on the swaying balloons nearby. Mario then platforms across the balloons, which are all swaying back and forth to allow Mario to make the jump, to reach the star at the end of the row of balloons (pictured below).
You will also see that I've included vertical air currents around the row of balloons next to the star so that if the player falls off of them, they are caught and can land back on the balloons without starting the objective all over again (which would be rather annoying).
STAR #2
Star #2: 7 Red Coins on the Roller Coaster
For this star, the player has to collect 7 red coins hidden on and around the roller coaster to make the star appear on coaster's track. Below is a list of locations with images for each of the 7 coins.
This coin can be found behind the coaster.
This coin can be found down a pipe hidden behind blocks near the tall part of the coaster.
This coin can be found at the highest point on the coaster. Players can either ride the coaster to reach this location or they can simply walk up the track (be careful to avoid getting hit by the coaster!).
This coin can be found in the back corner of the ride. It is guarded by two bob-ombs.
This coin can be found in the middle of the ride. The player must avoid the bullet bill cannons and jump up to retrieve the red coin.
This coin can be found near the front of the ride in between double hills. To reach the coin, players must either jump from the passing coaster when it passes the coin or complete a well-placed triple-jump from the taller bump.
This coin can be found next to the coaster. It is guarded by a chain-chomp, however, so players must distract the chomp and then quickly jump up to grab the coin before being attacked by the chomp. Players can also ground pound the pole to release the chomp and nullify it as a threat.
STAR #3
Star #3: Dislodge the Ferris Wheel!
For this star, the player must dislodge a bullet bill that has been stuck inside of the ferris wheel. To do that, they must launch Mario from the cannon (pictured below) and into the bill to dislodge it from the wheel. Once they do, Shy Guy will thank them, and a star will appear on the platform floating next to the ferris wheel. The wheel will also start operating again. The player can then ride in one of the cars and exit onto the platform to obtain the star.
Important note: the cannon is not just used to dislodge the bullet bill, but is also used to obtain coins (left side of picture) and reach the platform of one-ups (center of picture). Players can also try to use the cannon to take a short cut to skip some of the balloons for Star #1.
STAR #4
Star #4: Surf the Cheep Cheep Pond
For this star, players must surf on the koopa shell to defeat all of the cheep cheeps in the pond. Inspired by duckie ponds at carnivals and fairs, this game requires players to defeat the cheep cheeps in a limited amount of time (60 seconds).
STAR #5
Star #5: Whack-A-Monty-Mole
Another carnival-inspired game, this game requires players to ground pound each of the monty moles within the allotted time (60 seconds). The monty moles pop in and out of their holes sporadically, and the player must pound all of them before time runs out.
STAR #6
Star #6: Find the Secret Slide in Princess Peach's Castle
This star requires players to find the secret entrance into Princess Peach's castle to access the star slide leading to Star #6. The secret entrance is behind the stained-glass window of Princess Peach. Below is a sketch of the star slide inside of Peach's Castle.
STAR #7
Star #7: Mischievous MIPS in the Funhouse
This star requires players to enter Big Boo's Funhouse and catch the yellow rabbit, MIPS. (Diagram Forthcoming)
STAR #8
Star #8: Collect 100 Coins
The final star requires players to collect the 100 yellow coins within the level. Once they do, a star appears atop Princess Peach's Castle. It can be reached by ascending the castle from the back. Below are snapshots of coin locations throughout the level (many are also pictured above).
Asset Credits:
"Super Mario Stuff" by jamethy
Peach Castle
HOT AIR BALLOON by nicolas.oliveira22
Amusement Park 3D model by paulius3d