Level: Difference between revisions

===Sky/cloud/athletic theme===

{{see also|Category:Sky areas}}

This theme takes place in the sky, typically with many clouds and pipes. Common enemies here include Piranha Plants, [[Koopa Paratroopa]]s, [[Lakitu]]s, [[Flame Chomp]]s, or other sky-based enemies. [[Mushroom Platform]]s are very common in these levels, as are auto-scroller segments. Sometimes, Mario has to ride a moving platform across the sky. This theme sometimes overlaps with the desert or snow themes. This theme usually has fast-paced music.

===Castle/fortress/tower theme===

{{see also|Category:Towers|Category:Fortresses|Category:Castles}}

This theme takes place in one of many [[tower]]s, [[fortress]]es, or [[castle]]s that the [[Koopa Troop]] built or conquered. They are typically encountered at the midpoint or end of a world, with [[Bowser's Castle]] normally being the last challenge the player must face. Towers are always vertical-scrolling, while castles and fortresses are usually horizontal-scrolling. Enemies like [[Thwomp]]s, [[Whomp]]s, [[Dry Bones]], and [[Lava Bubble]]s are very common here. Castles are usually lava-themed and have lava floors for the player to avoid, but other types of castles such as water castles or ice castles can also be found in some titles. Other obstacles found in these levels are also typically varied, featuring [[Snake Block]]s, [[Spinner]]s, [[Pendulum Platform]]s, or moving ledges. Bosses, including [[Bowser Jr.]], the [[Koopalings]], and [[Boom Boom]], are normally fought at the end of these levels. Castles and fortresses are typically the hardest genre of levels in the game, aside from post-game content. In the final castle, [[Bowser]] himself is fought.

===Desert theme===

{{see also|Category:Deserts}}

This theme takes place in a desert and often features [[quicksand]] that slows down and sucks in the player, palm trees to jump on, and pyramid ruins. [[Tornado]]s, [[Pokey]]s, and Lakitus with [[Spiny|Spinies]] are common obstacles faced in these levels. Bottomless pits and blocks are also fairly common here. 3D games typically feature temples and caves for the player to explore.

===Underwater theme===

{{see also|Category:Aquatic areas}}

This level theme takes place underwater, featuring many underwater enemies, such as [[Cheep Cheep]]s, [[Blooper]]s, eel enemies, and [[Urchin]]s. Strong [[current]]s and auto-scrolling make navigating these levels difficult. The player is often given a limited air gauge in 3D games. This theme often overlaps with the underground theme. Auto-scrolling in the 2D games is common.

===Beach/island/coastal theme===

{{see also|Category:Beaches}}

This level theme takes place on beaches or the coastline, with water submerging the bottom of the level. There are palm trees on the islands on top of the water. Unlike underwater levels, beach levels offer the option to travel above or below water. Crab enemies, [[Porcupuffer]]s, and Urchins are common here. Sometimes, there are [[Cheep Cheep]]s that jump in and out of the water and [[Water Geyser]]s. Beach levels are often found near underwater levels, and so the level themes often overlap.

===Haunted/ghost/spooky theme===

{{see also|Category:Haunted areas}}

This level theme features ghosts as its main enemies, such as [[Boo]]s, [[Peepa]]s, and [[Broozer]]s. Pumpkin and spider enemies such as [[Splunkin]]s and [[Scuttlebug]]s are also fairly common. This level type usually takes place in a [[Ghost House]], often rife with ghosts, full of unusual objects such as fake doors and possessed objects. However, this theme can also take place in a spooky forest with dead trees or even on haunted shipwrecks with intertwined water mechanics. These levels often feature maze-like navigation.

===Jungle/forest/woods/swamp theme===

{{see also|Category:Forests|Category:Swamps}}

This level theme takes place in a jungle with [[Poison (obstacle)|poisoned water]], [[vine]]s to swing from, and exotic enemies such as [[Wiggler]]s, [[Piranha Plant]]s, and [[Shy Guy]]s. Forests and jungles may require the player to get across a swamp, such as riding [[Dorrie]]. In the [[New Super Mario Bros. (disambiguation)|''New Super Mario Bros.'' series]], [[Bramball]]s can be often found in this theme. Forest levels in 3D games often feature treetops that challenge the characters' jumping skills. In the ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' series, jungle levels typically serve as the beginner stages, similar to grassland levels in the ''Super Mario'' series.

===Snow/ice/winter/tundra theme===

{{see also|Category:Snowscapes}}

This level theme features slippery ice that hinders the player's movement, as well as snow-themed enemies such as [[Snow Pokey]]s and [[Mr. Blizzard]]s. Another common feature of these levels is [[icicle]]s that fall from the ceiling, stopping the player from crossing safely. In 3D games, skating across ice is an option. Sometimes ice levels overlap with other course themes, including the underground theme in [[Donut Secret 2]] from ''[[Super Mario World]]'', the jungle theme in [[World 9-7 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 9-7]] from ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', or even the volcano theme in [[Freezeflame Galaxy]] and [[Shiverburn Galaxy]] in the ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' games.

===Mountain/cliffside/rock theme===

{{see also|Category:Mountains}}

Mountain, cliffside, and rock-themed levels typically feature [[Monty Mole]]s, [[Bullet Bill]]s, and [[Chain Chomp]]s and sometimes have underground segments. Sometimes, it is required to climb on thin ledges on cliffsides to avoid falling to the player's death. Other common obstacles include bottomless pits, [[Bill Blaster]]s, and [[Fire Bar]]s. In 3D games, mountainous levels require exploration to reach the very top of the level. This theme sometimes overlaps with the sky theme.

===Volcano/lava theme===

{{see also|Category:Volcanic areas}}

Volcanic and lava-filled levels are typically later levels faced in the games. They feature lava and debris falling from the sky (usually being shot from background volcanoes), and they often swarm with some of Bowser's stronger minions. Lava creatures such as [[Blargg]]s, [[Koopa Troopa]]s, [[Hammer Bro]]s., and [[Lava Bubble]]s are very common here. As lava levels are faced later in the series, they are generally among the hardest levels in the game. The underground theme is a common overlap here, with these types of levels usually portrayed as taking place inside volcanoes themselves. Bowser's castles usually take place here and are also full of lava.

===Space/cosmic/galaxy theme===

{{see also|Category:Cosmic areas}}

Space levels are rarer levels within the ''Mario'' series, as they rarely appear outside the [[Super Mario Galaxy]] games. Space levels often feature low [[gravity]] that affects jumping and planets that pull the player in. Space levels have some of the most diverse enemy types in the games, as they are often combined with different level themes, such as the sky theme.

===Airship/tank/military theme===

{{see also|Category:Airship areas}}

These levels take place on a flying [[airship]], usually built to accommodate some of Bowser's armies. Common enemies here include [[Rocky Wrench]]es, [[Cannon]]s, [[Bullet Bill]]s, [[Burner]]s, and [[Mechakoopa]]s. Bosses and allies of Bowser, including Bowser Jr., the Koopalings, and Boom Boom, are fought at the ends of these levels. Airships are normally auto-scrollers with many obstacles, and they are an alternative to castles and towers. Sometimes, the level is based on a different kind of military-based automobile, such as [[tank]]s, battleships, and/or military trains.

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===Factory/mechanical theme===

{{see also|Category:Factories}}

These levels take place in a metal fortress, factory, or foundry area, often featuring [[Warp Pipe]]s, [[Conveyor Belt]]s, electrical hazards, and robotic/metal enemies such as [[Goombeetle]]s, [[Topmen]], [[Chain Chomp]]s, and [[Bullet Bill]]s. They are often set in space and can overlap with the castle and airship theme. Factory levels are rare in the mainline ''Mario'' games, though they often appear in the ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' series.

===Food theme===

{{see also|Category:Food areas}}

These levels are composed primarily of giant-sized food, which acts as platforms for Mario to climb on or obstacles that get in Mario's way. Candy and sweets are the most common type of food, as seen in levels such as [[Sweet Sweet Galaxy]], [[Sweet Mystery Galaxy]], and [[Cakewalk Flip]], though some levels use other types of food. For instance, the [[Luncheon Kingdom]] from ''Super Mario Odyssey'' is stew-themed, while the [[Golden Temple]] from ''[[Donkey Kong Country Returns]]'' is fruit-themed.

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===Pirate/warship theme===

{{see also|Category:Pirate areas}}

These levels take place on a pirate ship or boardwalk with an armada of warships in the background. These usually overlap with common water themes due to their location. Pirates and aquatic enemies are most common here, with [[cannonball]]s and [[bomb]]s being common obstacles. Climbing on masts and ropes are usually the way across these levels. These levels often appear in the ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' and ''[[Wario Land (series)|Wario Land]]'' series.

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