- map features levels, shops, enemies, coins and secrets
- at least seven different islands
- visit in a counterclockwise fashion starting from the bottom
- mid-world fortress stage called "Bowser's Bullet Bill Brigade"
- this level features a parade of tanks, armed goombas and also slowly scrolls
- one Bowser boss battle takes place on a flaming highway as Bowser drives a car, trying to hit you with bombs and mess you up with oil slicks
- encounter a giant Piranha Plant's silhouette on a wall that turns out to be a tiny enemy that just happened to be close to a light source
- new power-up includes a cannon you can wear to fire off explosive shells
- carry a sleeping Piranha Plant that will eat up bad guys
- Goomba costume which Mario can wear and use to sneak around an enemy compound
- in multiplayer, you only have a few seconds to touch the flag once the first person does
- if you get the best score twice in a row, you'll get more bonuses besides the crown