Super Mario World (Super Nintendo, 1990)

I'm nearly 30 years old, and I recently re-bought this game because it has incredible re-play value and is great fun.

I had a brother and a sister, and we had several video games growing up; but as we began to get through high school and spend less time playing video games, we sold our systems and games in the late '90s. A few years ago, I got myself another SNES, and I have since acquired what I feel are the top few SNES games released. This is one of them.

It is one of a few games that carves an unforgettable niche in a young player's memory. The graphics are colorful, vibrant, and inviting. The music is lively and, for the most part, stays fresh. I find myself walking around humming the tunes to myself, now that I've been playing the game again. The control with the original Nintendo control pad is outstanding. Modern systems and games do no better than the level of control coded into this classic. The slightest nuances of how long and how hard you press a face button (A, B, X, Y) or a directional button are precisely reflected in the ways that Mario, Yoshi, and Luigi interact with the worlds around them.

Worlds is right. One of the reasons this game is so memorable and re-playable is that it is brimming with a variety of levels and worlds. There are numerous hidden levels, found through secret doors in the levels along the main path. There are secret paths through the stars, allowing quick access for experienced and adept players to the end of the game. Early levels are easy, but late levels are quite difficult. The challenge is probably just about right, though. Some spots demand practice, but are not really impossible. The challenge levels of the game are another thing that make it great. The designers did this right.

They did a great job with the level designs, as well. Levels are varied, presenting a wide assortment of challenges, roadblocks, and puzzles throughout the colorful world. They never seem to become dull, with new designs springing up every other step.

The music CAN become repetitive, however - if one plays the game hours a day. It's one thing about this game that ensures I don't devote too much time to it (which is good). Another occasional complaint is when a challenging level sticks its menacing head forward, preventing my pass. Sometimes, a level just has my number for a while, and that can be frustrating; but a game that is TOO easy is worse, and has LESS replay value. A challenge is a must for a game to demand for you to come back to it after years and years, and after having beaten the game in the past.

I feel that the Super Nintendo has been the greatest home video game system released for its time. It lacks the colossal processing and memory capabilities of today's machines; but for its time, its games were more fun and more playable and more RE-playable than games of today. Developers had to DEVELOP their games, instead of simply selling re-vamped graphics engines year-after-year.

In that early gaming world, Super Mario is among the best. Its graphics and sounds appeal to all ages. The levels are exciting, adventurous, and appropriately challenging. Unlike Mario games before it, it allowed players to save their progress in an expansive setting. It's huge, and its fun. You can become a giant; ride a fire-breathing, flying dragon; and defeat shelled beasts of almost countless varieties - and you can encounter staples to the Mario universe that were first seen here. Truly a great.

This is without a doubt one of THE best games on the Super Nintendo. When I first saw it I was completely blown away. Our story starts with Mario, Luigi, and the Princess taking a well earned vacation in Dinosaur Land. As they were showing off to Her Highness however, they returned to find her missing which can only be the work of Bowser, King of the Koopas. Off our heroes go to save her and kick Bowser out for good. On their jaunts through the whole of Dinosaur Land they'll meet new friends and several new enemies. This is the game where Yoshi, everyone's favorite, lovable green dino first made his debut and he's been a major player in almost EVERY other Mario game to date, even going as far as to have one of his own.

The first thing you notice when playing this game is the vastly improved graphics. From the cloud strewn skies of Yoshi's Island to the stone walls of the fortresses the scenery is top notch. The enemies all animate fluidly as does Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi. From what I can see this game makes excellent use of the console's power.

Sound is also very nice although my only gripe with it is that the music is pretty much the same track but with different speeds and tempos. A minor gripe to be sure but it doesn't detract from its enjoyability. I more often than not find myself humming the underwater version of it quite frequently and the fortress theme as well. Sound effects are also done very well although I usually found myself humming too much to notice them. :)

Play control is for the most part flawless. I've played through the game many times and not once have Mario or Luigi ever been sluggish or too slow when it came time to jump to a crucial platform or avoiding enemy attacks. Yoshi controls equally well and nor have I had any problems with him.

For the most part you'll want to replay this game as many of the levels in the game have secret exits that lead to out of the way places on the map. There are 96 exits in the whole game and finding them all will take a little while. You could also replay it even AFTER finding all of them to see if you can find them all faster or using different means.

Overall, Super Mario World is an excellent game that has quite effectively stood the test of time. Almost all who played it have enjoyed it and if you enjoyed the NES games i'm sure you'll enjoy this one as well. You should as always make every effort to try it before you buy it as it may not appeal to everyone. If a friend has it see if you can borrow it from them, providing you've never played it before. If you have then enjoy it. Good day and happy gaming. ;)

I simply rejoice myself each time I hear the melodies of this glorious game. Th gameplay is just perfect, the levels are challenging, the powerups are rewarding, the enemies are so much fun to squash and it's Yoshi's first(& best) appearance in any game.
It's Miyamoto's 5th symphony! Everybody should play it or see it, at least as pop culture history.

You may want to try it on the virtual console, but I think that playing it on the original SNES is way better.

Super Mario World is arguably the best Mario game that was ever made. The game incorporates features from all of the previous Mario games and expands on everything.

Each level in each world is massive and riddled with secrets. Some of the levels have multiple exits which lead to secret areas or additional levels. The game also features a wide variety of power-ups such as the cape, which allows Mario to fly (like the feather in Super Mario Bros. 3). Mario can also get assistance from Yoshi, who he can use to eat enemies and spit them back out. In addition to the excellent gameplay, Super Mario World also features colorful and sharp graphics and an great soundtrack.

Super Mario World is a huge game (for its time) and is one of the best games on the Super Nintendo; a classic, and a must have game.

Pros:
- Huge world with tons of levels
- Classic gameplay
- Secret levels/worlds to find
- Save feature

Cons:
- None

This is a truly amazing game. It combines the best elements of the Mario Franchise with elements of an RPG. You follow the tale of Yoshi trying to rescue his friends. They have been kidnapped by an evil lord. Bowser is at it again. You help Yoshi either in one or two player mode and help to save Yoshi's friends. Great puzzle solving elements and hours of fun for the entire family. A must have for the SNES gaming system.