Wario Land 3

Wario Land 3's core mechanics are truly unique, subverting the traditional concepts of health and death in platformers. Wario cannot actually die; when hit by an enemy, he simply enters a special "reaction" (such as Flat, Bouncy, or On Fire), and players must leverage these seemingly disadvantageous states to trigger environmental changes or unlock new paths. For example, a burning Wario can dash through special ice blocks, and after turning into a zombie, he can fall through certain floors to reach areas below.

The game features a non-linear exploration structure, with only some levels accessible in the initial four areas. As Wario collects treasures from the music box, he gains new abilities (like the Ground Pound and Dash Attack) or the environment undergoes permanent changes (such as receding water levels or shifting seasons), unlocking new routes and treasures in previously explored levels. Players must repeatedly return to old stages, using new abilities and environmental changes to gradually solve all puzzles, find hidden keys and treasure chests, and ultimately collect all the treasures to break the music box's seal. This design masterfully blends platforming action, ability-gating, and puzzle-solving exploration, greatly enhancing the game's replayability.