Task 3: Mario
Nintendo’s mascot is perhaps more representative of video games than any other character. With a child-friendly appeal and bright colors, the series has stood the test of time despite the public’s craving for dark plots and first-person shooting games, and I’d prefer to ask you all to have lighthearted lucid dreams instead of violent ones. Its appeal is also broad enough that I don’t think anybody will be confused about the subtasks.
Jump higher than possible IWL—10 points: Most of you can fly in dreams, so this should be a breeze. That said, it’s Mario’s iconic skill (and even more iconic for his brother), so it’s an LC task for easy points.
Drive a go-kart, motorcycle, or ATV—30 points: Welcome to Mario Kart! The games have branched away from just go-karts in recent years, so any of the three listed vehicle types will work. I’m aware that obfusc8 has already dealt with motorcycles this LC, but I made this subtask before I knew that somebody would find it simple.
Reach the top of a flagpole—30 points: The good prizes are at the top! 8000 points are there in classic games, and a 1UP is there in modern ones. Mario usually needs to jump from a high place to reach the top, and while you can do the same, you could just climb the pole itself.
Enter a pipe or sewer—40 points: Mario usually travels down perfectly clean pipes and finds surprisingly few gross things underground, but what will you find? You don’t need to mimic Mario’s style exactly, so if you’re struggling to find a big enough pipe in your dream or if a sewer isn’t convenient, perhaps you could shrink near a sink and head down the drain?
Cause a bridge to collapse—30 points: Every fourth level in Super Mario Bros. brought Mario face to face with his nemesis Bowser or an enemy disguised as him for a battle on a bridge over a pool of lava. If Mario wasn’t able to shoot fireballs, he was forced to duck behind Bowser and knock out the supports for the bridge to win the fight. You don’t need to cause a particular bridge to collapse, of course; any collapse you cause will be worth points.
Fight a gorilla—40 points: It’s how Mario got started, and now it’s your turn. While Mario did it at a construction site to save a damsel, you get more choice. You could copy Mario’s fight, but you could also just run down to the local zoo and jump into the primate exhibit.
Use a power-up from the original Super Mario Bros. (mushroom, fire flower, starman) properly—30 points: The three power-ups from this game have become pretty iconic, and I doubt there’s anybody involved in this LC that doesn’t know how they work. What appeals to you most? You could double in height and see the dreamscape from a new perspective as DCs look up at you. You could have the ability to create fire in your palms and gorgeous white clothes (just before U.S. Labor Day, you fashionistas). You could flash colors for a few precious seconds during which nothing can harm you. Grab a power-up and put it to use!
Become a turtle—40 points: The most common Mario enemy species is the Koopa, a race of sentient turtles. While the iconic foot soldiers that march at you from the first game are still in the newer games (albeit bipedal), the species has expanded and included more powerful varieties. You could become a turtle from a Mario game for a task, including Bowser and all of his underlings, or you could become a turtle from elsewhere, such as a character from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtes of your childhood or even just one from the zoo.
Team Advantage Subtask! Wear and use a backpack-styled water cannon—40 points: The entire game of Super Mario Sunshine revolved around Mario carrying a powerful water cannon on his back. He could use it to squirt targets, hover or rocket into the air by aiming it at the ground, or move fast by firing it behind him as he runs. For this subtask, wear such a thing and see what you can do with it!
Host Subtask! Battle a giant LC host—50 points: Recent Mario games often end with Bowser being enlarged to fight Mario in a flashy-looking battle of man vs. colossus. Swap Bowser for the host and have a fight of epic proportions. As before, I’m sympathetic to not wanting to experience pain, so the “battle” can be pretty mild or more playful than aggressive if desired. This subtask may or may not have been influenced by En’enra; I can neither confirm nor deny this.
As always, best of luck to everybody!