What does each level icon size mean on Super Mario World's map?
In the SMW map we have four types of normal levels:
-
Yellow (small) -
Yellow (big) -
Red (small) -
Red (big)
I know that the red levels have more than 1 exit, but what about the sizes?
There is no known reason why some levels have larger map icons.
On the SMW map, there are four levels with large map icons. Three with red icons (Vanilla Dome 1, Forest of Illusion 1, Valley of Bowser 2) and one with a yellow icon (Vanilla Dome 3). Aside from all 4 levels being in sub-areas, these levels seem to have little in common.
Users in the Super Mario World Central Discord channel #smw-hacking mentioned there was speculation as to what the large icons were meant for. Some theorize large icons could indicate level size. Others think at some point in development large icons may have been meant for major split paths before a castle, but Vanilla Dome 3's single-exit yellow icon goes against this.
Ultimately, only Nintendo would know what the icons are truly for.