It seems that the tanooki power-up is getting around the Mario universe.

The Super Leaf power up from Super Mario Bros. 3 makes a return this year, in both Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7, and it seems that this time round it is not just Mario who gets to experience its powers.

Nintendo has released 75 new screenshots from next month's Super Mario 3D Land that show off a number of elements from the highly anticipated game. Anyone who views the screenshots is bound to notice one thing - the tanooki tail is everywhere.

Judging from the screenshots the power up actually ties into the story, with Mario looking at a tanooki-like tree at one point on which a Super Leaf is perched. We'll have to wait to find out exactly how the storyline plays out but for now be sure to check out the new screenshots for Super Mario 3D Land in the gallery.