Prerelease:Super Mario Bros. 3

Famimaga Sept. 1988 Early Footage
As seen in this video, there are mostly screenshots of some interesting levels featured that are completely gone from the final. A brief bit of live gameplay from the video shows that at least the basic mechanics were already functional.

All of these use an older status bar which does not display the world (instead saying MARIO in all-caps) and it appears that the Cards were displayed as monochrome outlines instead of being filled-in with white. The early retail boxes had a couple of screenshots using this status bar, including one of the screenshots below.

Live Footage
The only section of "live" gameplay in the entire video shows Mario kicking a Koopa shell and breaking the blocks. The layout here is clearly an old version of World 1-3. The strange looking "wood" block on the right side of the Famimaga footage structure is possibly an old version of the square "wood" blocks found frequently in SMB3. The ground is also taller and there are two red Koopa Troopas instead of one, among other differences.



While this is a still in the video, this area is actually briefly seen to the left of the first screenshot above. All of the blocks and the red Koopa Troopa are gone in the final World 1-3; only the large background bush remains, with a Boomerang Bro in place.

Mockup Screenshots
Two mockup screenshots display levels that are not in the final, although they may be old versions of indeterminate levels.



A "hilly" level with Para-Beetles flying through. This exact screenshot also appeared on the early SMB3 box. Note that Mario is slightly too far to the right.



Another screenshot with Para-Beetles. Not only is the HUD exactly the same as the previous shot, but the Para-Beetles, some clouds, and the top row of coins are in the same positions. Again, Mario is too far to the right.



A variation of the above shot, with different stats at the bottom. Compared to the other shot, this is clearer and has some TV-esque "curving" around the edges.

Other Shots


An Airship with a unique design. The questionable placement of the cross cannon causes cutoff on the crossbeam.



If this is an actual screenshot, then either the Venus Fire Trap popped up again instantly, the fireballs moved quite slowly at this point in development, or both.



A screenshot depicting a level with bunkered-down Hammer Bros. Unfortunately, this interesting scenario is never seen in any real level.



An early Koopaling battle, also with the TV-esque curving.