In Super Mario 3D World, Stamps serve as collectible items that enhance the gaming experience by encouraging exploration and creativity. There are a total of 85 Stamps scattered throughout the game, with each main level housing one Stamp, except for the bonus Worlds (World Mushroom and World Flower) where no Stamps are available. Collecting these Stamps not only rewards players with a sense of accomplishment but also enables customization of photos in the game’s photo mode on the Nintendo Switch version, or sharing on Miiverse for the Wii U.

To acquire Stamps, players need to navigate through various levels, searching for hidden locations or accomplishing specific tasks. Here are examples of how Stamps are found in the initial World 1 levels:

– World 1-1 (Super Bell Hill): The Stamp is hidden inside a pipe that is cleverly positioned between two bell-shaped trees.
– World 1-2 (Koopa Troopa Cave): Players must jump on a long Question Mark Block, which reveals an invisible block leading to a hidden pipe.
– World 1-3 (Mount Beanpole): The Stamp is located in the mid-section of the level, accessible through wall jumps.
– World 1-4 (Plessie’s Plunging Falls): Here, the Stamp is positioned along the water path that players traverse.
– World 1-5 (Switch Scramble Circus): To reach the Stamp at the level’s end, players need either a Cat Suit or a double jump ability.
– World 1-Boss (Bowser’s Highway Showdown): The Stamp hides behind gray blocks, which can be broken using a Soccer Bomb, adding an element of action and strategy.

Players can keep track of the Stamps they have collected by pressing the Minus (-) button on the map screen, which displays the Stamp collection and indicates which ones are still missing. Collecting all Stamps is essential for unlocking additional content within the game, such as the World Crown, thereby enriching the player’s journey and experience within Super Mario 3D World.

In summary, Stamps are not only collectibles but also play a role in enhancing the game’s interactive elements, serving as a fun way to express creativity through photo decorations and facilitating player engagement in discovering all parts of the beautifully crafted levels in Super Mario 3D World.