Binoculars
- This article is about an object debuting in Super Mario 3D Land. For the item in Yoshi's New Island, see Binoculars (Yoshi's New Island).
| Binoculars | |
|---|---|
 Artwork from Super Mario Odyssey | |
| First appearance | Super Mario 3D Land (2011) |
| Latest appearance | Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (2021) |
Binoculars,[1][2] also named Telescopes,[3] appear in the Super Mario franchise as telescopic devices in a few of the 3D installments in the Super Mario series.
History[edit]
Super Mario series[edit]
Super Mario 3D Land[edit]
Binoculars in Super Mario 3D Land can be stepped on from a green platform, allowing Mario to take a look through the lens and get a view of the whole area. The binoculars are controlled by moving the Nintendo 3DS around using its gyro-sensor control, and the player can press 
or 
to zoom out and zoom in, respectively. The player can also look for hidden Toads, and if the Toads are sighted, they will throw out items such as Star Medals, 1-Up Mushrooms, or even Super Stars. The camera can also be moved about using the 
on the 3DS. The image within the binoculars appears as 2D even if 3D is turned on.
There is a possibility that a white UFO can be spotted in certain levels such as World 1-3, though it eventually disappears from sight via the binoculars.[4]
Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury[edit]
In Super Mario 3D World and Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury, a Sprixie holding a pair of orange binoculars appears in certain points of the levels, indicated with a round white platform. Once the player(s) step(s) on that platform, the camera shifts towards the direction of the Goal Pole, as the Sprixie looks through the binoculars. While these spots are referred to as binoculars in the Prima Games guide, there are differences compared to binoculars in other games: The player(s) cannot zoom in or out, and can only move the camera angle along a fixed plane.
Super Mario Odyssey[edit]
Binoculars return in Super Mario Odyssey. Here, Mario uses them by capturing them with Cappy. Once done, the binoculars launch upward from their base then stop at a set altitude due to being tethered by a thin cord. Then Mario can view more of the area he is in. The location of the current objective is highlighted, with a rectangular box stating its name positioned just above the location or Power Moon. In some kingdoms, a peculiar flying object (such as the Sphynx or a taxi) can be spotted in the sky, and zooming onto it with the binoculars makes a Power Moon appear. The Binoculars switch directly to looking at that Power Moon. If the player looks into the Sun by using the binoculars, Cappy tells the player to stop. Looking at the Moon has Cappy admire the view. If the player looks at the roof of Peach's Castle, Cappy mentions the egg on the roof. A number of other context sensitive responses can occur, such as one for the Broodals' airship.
In this game, binoculars resemble R.O.B.'s head. Their model shows them having no eyes, instead glass as binoculars usually have. However, they actually do have eyes, but underneath the glass in their model.[5]
Mario Party series[edit]
Binoculars appear in the Mario Party series. While they do not appear in Mario Party 9, the Goomba Spotting minigame (also returning in Mario Party Superstars) appears to be viewed from the perspective of a pair of binoculars, except during the ending. Binoculars from Super Mario 3D Land are used in the minigame Point 'n' Shoot in Mario Party: Island Tour.
Super Nintendo World[edit]
Several sets of binoculars exist in the Super Nintendo World themed lands that use augmented reality to superimpose animated characters onto the landscape of the park. One of the keys of the Power-Up Band Key Challenges can be obtained by spotting an Airship with the binoculars.[6] Moving the binoculars towards the sky results in them zooming out into space to reveal the Comet Observatory, with Rosalina flying out to greet the viewer,[7] while looking towards a rainbow over a ledge reveals a group of Pikmin.[8]
Profiles and descriptions[edit]
Super Mario 3D Land[edit]
- Website description:
- English (American):
Take a peek into one of these to see far away platforms or possible secret areas. - English (British):
These are to be found dotted around the game's courses. Use them to get a glimpse of the world around you.
- English (American):
Gallery[edit]
Artwork from Super Mario 3D Land
screenshot from Super Mario Odyssey
Super Nintendo World
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 望遠鏡[9] Bōenkyō |
Telescope | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 望远镜[10] Wàngyuǎnjìng |
Telescope | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 望遠鏡[11] Wàngyuǎnjìng |
Telescope | |
| Dutch | Verrekijker[?] | Binoculars | |
| French | Jumelles[?] | Binoculars | |
| German | Teleskop[?] | Telescope | |
| Italian | Binocolo[?] | Binoculars | |
| Portuguese (NOE) | Binóculos[?] | Binoculars | |
| Russian | Бинокль[?] Binokl' |
Binoculars | |
| Телескоп[?] Teleskop |
Telescope | Super Mario 3D Land | |
| Spanish | Telescopio[?] | Telescope |
References[edit]
- ^ Super Mario 3D Land digital manual, section 8 (PDF). Archived January 13, 2012, 00:55:56 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine.
- ^ Musa, Alexander, and Geson Hatchett (November 22, 2013). Super Mario 3D World PRIMA Official Game Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 978-0-804-16249-4. Page 18.
- ^ Slate, Chris (October 2011). Nintendo Power Volume 272. Future US (American English). Page 50.
- ^ GSD3DS (December 22, 2011). Super Mario 3D Land - UFO in world 1-3. YouTube (English). Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ October 18, 2020. The Binoculars in Super Mario Odyssey do not visibly gain Mario's eyes when captured; however, the eyes are actually present under the opaque lenses, just not visible. The Art of Super Mario Odyssey book also shows the eyes, meaning they were covered up during development.. Twitter (English). Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ Lloyd, Spencer (February 3, 2021). PHOTOS, VIDEO: Battle Goombas, Koopas, Piranha Plants, and Bob-ombs in the Four Key Challenge Mini-Games in Super Nintendo World. WDW News Today (English). Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ Sal (January 12, 2023). There’s also a little Mario Galaxy Easter Egg! Also noticed one of the binoculars was a little off center but I’m sure sure that’ll be fixed by opening. X (English). Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ January 15, 2023. Secret Characters in Super Nintendo World!?. YouTube (English). Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ mario_odysseyJP (September 10, 2017). おはようございます。 この「望遠鏡」にキャプチャーすると、箱庭世界を俯瞰して見ることができるんです。上から眺めれば、きっと新しい発見が…！. Twitter (Japanese). Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ 2012. 超级马力欧 3D乐园 (Chāojí Mǎlìōu 3D Lèyuán) digital manual (PDF). Retrieved July 6, 2024.{{page needed]}
- ^ 超級瑪利歐 3D樂園 (Chāojí Mǎlìōu 3D Lèyuán) digital manual (PDF). Retrieved July 6, 2024.[page number needed]
