Mind = Blown.

Hmm, that ís weird... hadn't actually thought about it yet, like most people here...

It is interesting. I figure it's just a gameplay decision. It adds a new mechanic how you must run uncontrollably and have to avoid further danger while your toosh is smoking. It just kinda adds a little humor, so I think it's better the way it is now.

One thing about Mario games... you just shouldn't think about it too hard. In the first Mario if you fell into water you died automatically. But if you went down a pipe that opened underwater, then you could swim. So something about the FALLING into the water is what kills you. And let's not forget that you can actually throw FIREBALLS underwater. Nothing in MARIO makes sense. I mean, you're a dinosaur-riding plumber trying to save a princess... who jumps on turtles... who grows when you eat magic mushrooms... while avoiding clouds that rain spiked beetles on you.

I, um, hmmm....

That never occured to me before.

Asbestos pants. Duh! They make Mario too heavy for quicksand but protect against fire. Everybody knows that.

Wow i haven't though of that before aswell to, to be quite honest, i remember that quite abit from Super Mario World from the snes to Super Mario 64 right up there with Sunshine...

I think because in general, the 3d lava levels are some of the most challenging levels in 3d mario, so to add needed difficulty would be frustrating. 3d mario it seems much easier to misplace your jump than it does 2d mario.

It's harder to control yourself in a 3D Mario game in that if you're hit by fire, whether it's a fireball or lava, your posterior makes you run uncontrollably. In a 2D Mario, there's no function for posterior burning. That and the fact that Super Mario 64 has enemies that try to push you from platforms and instant killing via Lava would be cheap and problematic.

I defense of Mario 64, there is some quicksand that doesn't kill you instantly.

Like in the pyramid of Shifting Sand Land.