Close Encounter With Super Mario World

File: Super Mario World

Gaming Score - 10

Difficulty Score - 6

Mystery Score - 8

The year is 1990, with 3 years to spare until my existence, Super Mario World entered the atmosphere. It was apparent from the very start that this game had originated in a place not from this world. Introducing itself in a colorful light show of cosmic magic and mystery, transcending human bounds with its timeless game play, and wondrous graphics. This was a breakthrough in discovery, and would change my unborn life, forever.

Crash Landing on Super Mario World!

Super Mario World is a distant land, in an unknown, yet familiar universe. The Mario brothers have returned, and they have some cool new tricks, and an iconic new partner! I will disclose that I'm a sucker for 16-bit graphics even today, and this game has a high magnitude of nostalgia wrapped around it. With that being said, each new land in the game feels fresh, and encourages adventure for the whole family! I believe that Super Mario World is both challenging, and peaceful at the same time. Super Mario World does have increasing challenge, but it is at such a gradual rate that it keeps you flowing forward at a rewarding rate. Each new land, or encounter involves some of the greatest video game music I have ever heard. The soundtrack for Super Mario World conveys the emotion the player should be feeling in these different moments perfectly, and expresses the environment quite well. Hearing that end credits song always puts a smile on my face, even as an adult! 

Enough about the ambiance though, lets get to the point of focus here: game play. I have always thought that Super Mario World just feels good to play, and controls well. The platforming is tight, and fluid which is essential because character responsiveness is huge in this genre, and can make or break a game. The power ups from the previous games make a comeback for the most part, with the addition of the feather cape, which is awesome! An iconic member of the Mario crew is introduced, Yoshi! The cape power up, and Yoshi both changed so much of what could be done in this game versus the others. It's a fun way to add new puzzles, or new ways of traveling, while keeping it simple. Sometimes this even means jumping off of Yoshi leaving him to die for the sake of reaching a new area. 

Super Mario World Yoshi Game play

Another product brought back from a previous game is the interface, taking a page out of Super Mario Bros 3's book with the level map to move around and pick what level to play next. I love that you can go back to certain levels for power ups that you need, and of course the secret level that will let you get unlimited power ups and lives! Every Mario game has a ton of secret blocks, areas, levels, but the star levels and block levels are one of the coolest implemented secrets I've seen. 

Super Mario World Maps

With Super Mario World you get a straightforward game that all ages can appreciate. It has just enough secrets, difficulty, and a timeless adventure that will grab anyone's attention, but is also simple and easy enough to pick up that even a child can play it. It doesn't matter how many Mario games have been or will be created, Super Mario World will always have a special place in our hearts! 

End Game Screens