The Treasure Hunt

From SMWiki

[edit] Development

The game began development in early November 2006. Several of the Super Nintendo ROMs Joshua found included various fanmade hacks and variations, and he was curious if he could make his own. After fumbling around with the Yoshi's Island editor EggVine, Joshua found Lunar Magic and took to it much quicker. After creating a test level to experience modifying the game, he started anew and began heavily modifying the original Yoshi's Island stages, creating four stages entitled Warp Pipe Point, Monty Moleville, Pow Switch Heights, and Musical Lake. The latter two ended up in the final hack, albeit with heavy modifications.

The original Yoshi Isle

At this point Joshua was very unsure with where to take his Super Mario World hack, or even how large it would be. After abandoning an early "Super Josh World" idea where Mario would explore four islands spelling out J-O-S-H, he decided upon a treasure hunt theme and called and began work on a shipwreck level and a new island overworld. At this point he used Google to find the old Acmlm's Board, where he was introduced with the SMW hacking community.

The first demo featuring the early first world was released on November 15, under the title Super Mario's Treasure Hunt. Almost one month later on December 1, a second demo was released with a second world, which has remained for the most part unchanged. After this second release, Joshua created the overworld and opening stage of World 3 before taking a hiatus.

Joshua's interest in Super Mario World hacking got rekindled after talking to a friend on the subject on April 6, 2007. He began creating World 3 once again, and halfway through (after finishing the stage Speedy Shell Race) he decided to completely redo the first world as well, as he found it unimpressive and newbish. On March 27, the third demo featuring the complete World 3 and redone World 1 was released on SMW Central under the shortened title The Treasure Hunt.

Production has slowed a bit since the third demo release, but World 4 is still currently in the works.

[edit] Storyline

Mario is sailing through the high seas in search for the treasure of the legendary eggs, seven artifacts said to be carved out from metals of increasing worth and have mystical properties when placed together. Following a trusty old map he picked up at a seedy location, Mario heads out to an island chain where the eggs are found. Unfortunately Mario's adventure comes to grinding halt when he accidentally crashes his ship in a reef next to Yoshi Isle. But this happens to be the first island in the chain, so Mario prepares to set out on foot...

Mario isn't the only one trying to obtain the eggs. The Yoshis seem particularily interested in finding them and have wholly offered their services to Mario. However it seems that Bowser also has his eyes out for the treasures, and has sent out hordes of minions to collect them.

[edit] Worlds

The island chain the legendary eggs are burried in makes up the various worlds of the game. Each one has a distinct theme and has a variety of levels, which each have their own unique theme. Here is a list of the worlds and the levels that make up them, but note that reading it before playing may spoil some of the discovery in the game. Small secret areas such as switch pallaces are not listed here.

[edit] Yoshi Isle

The game begins on Yoshi Isle, a rich island boasting varried terrain ranging from dense forest to open plains. As the name suggests, many Yoshis have made this small isle their home, and appear in nearly every stage to help Mario out. The first egg was burried here but was dug up by Iggy Koopa.

• The Shipwreck — Not so much an actual level, here you can explore the battered remains of what used to be your ship. There's not much to look at, but it does hide a secret...
• Yoshi Village — This is a short and easy introduction level that leads Mario through a luscious jungle. A single Yoshi awaits to greet Mario at the end.
• Lofty Greens — These grasslands are full of dangerous Koopas and Goombas. In the middle lies a small mountain that Mario can either traverse through or climb over.
• Musical Lake — This highland lake is cut in half by a row of musical blocks, so the experience changes when the water rises above or sinks below them.
• Pipe Plateau — The lower fields of the island are blocked with a large maze of warp pipes. Mario has to nagivate above and below ground to get through.
• Brass Egg Castle — The first egg is now guarded by Iggy Koopa in his castle, which is overridden by dangerous Thwomps. Spin jumping may come in handy here.
• Aquatic Nursery — The last stage of Yoshi Isle takes place in the surrounding bay. To continue onward, Mario has to nurture a young Yoshi through its childhood.

[edit] Drought Valley

In contrast to the ripe fields of Yoshi Isle, World 2 takes place in the parched and dying lands of this next island. While not technically a "valley", its relatively flat geography surrounding a great river gave it that title. However the river is entirely dried up thanks to a dam set up by Bowser, causing the entire lower section of the island to wither away.

• Sea Urchin Beach — In an island chain dominated with steep cliffs, low-lying beaches such as this are rare. Many animals such as giant sea urchins have made it their home.
• Parched Hills — These hills are stopping rain from reaching most of the island, so the entire place probably hasn't seen any water in months. A cape will help Mario greatly here.
• Shining Twilight — Survival is tough out in the open plains near the dried-up river, and sometimes Mario may even have to cooperate with the local wildlife to keep moving.
• Treasure Cavern — An old Yoshi gathered many of his treasures into this cave before passing away. Now his riches, which include the cape power-up, are free for the taking.
• Desolate Manor — It seems that some old entrepreneur built a mansion for himself here, but it withered away along with the rest of the island when the river dried up.
• Great Koopa Dam — Mario must reach and infiltrate the dam that sits near the source of the river. By raising and lowering the water inside, Mario can reach the Reznors who run it.
• Sunken Spelunkin' — These deep caves were hollowed out under the riverbed and are now flooded again. Can Mario nagivate their cramped and soggy passageways?
• Tin Egg Castle — This castle harbors the first radioactive transmitters Mario meets in the game, which vaporize Mario's power-ups. Morton Koopa Jr. guards the egg stored here.

[edit] Airy Archipelago

The third egg is hidden amoungst a small group of islands that reach high up into the atmoshpere, known as the Airy Archipelago. Mario has to tread lightly around the clouds and steep cliffs of this area to make it through. The third egg was escavated from one of the peaks and is now being watched over by Lemmy Koopa.

• Mountain Climb — Mario first has to climb up to the top of the tall islands. This cliff face has an abundant supply of beanstalks and purple triangles to help Mario ascend.
• Pow Switch Heights — This is technically the third level Joshua ever made, although it's somewhat refurbished. This stage features many devious puzzles involving Pow Switches.
• Gripping Peak — This small brown peak sits to the side of its much larger and grassy neighbors, and is covered in large nets that are simply floating in midair.
• Perilous Skies — High above the solid ground below, these skies are infested with flying Koopas and other such hazards. This level hides a large secret on/off switch puzzle.
• Speedy Shell Race — This hidden stage is competely optional and will take some effort to unlock. Does Mario have the reflexes to take on a Koopa shell in an obstacle course?
• Bottomless Haunt — Big Boo lives in this haunted house and loves to feast on the souls of his innocent victums, so Mario should take care not to fall for his traps.
• Pokey Plains — This level takes place in a field and abstains from the normal foes of Koopas and Goombas in favor of Piranha Plants, Volcano Lotuses and Pokeys.
• Cumulus Cruise — Mario has to go through the majority of this level up in the clouds, where Lakitus and Wigglers live. Afterwards he must ride a floating platform to the end.
• Lead Egg Castle — This floating castle is very unstable and has large roof segments that crash down non-fatally towards the floor. They can hinder jumping and, if not careful, crush Mario.