Super Mario World

"Best Mario game EVER"

Introduction

I am going to start this off by saying that this is the best Mario game I have ever played. The game has great graphics, catchy tunes, a fair amount of challenge, great gameplay, and is fantastically fun! This game has very few (if any) weak points. Super Mario World is one of my all time favorite games, and I seriously do consider it to be the best Mario game ever.

Gameplay

Gameplay is the meat and potatoes of ANY game, and this game has plenty of it. Mario controls like a charm (especially if compared to the clumsy controls of SMB1) and has some very interesting abilities. Mario has the classic super mushroom (from Super Mario Brothers 1) which will cause him to grow and take an additional hit, the fire flower (also from SMB1) which will turn enemies into coins and instantly defeat them) and the feather (a twist on the leaf from SMB3) which gives Mario a cape and allows him to fly for short (or long, if you do it right) distances at a time. Yoshi is also introduced to the series in this game, and he has become an integral part of the Mario series, but he also serves Mario very well in Dinosaur Land.

Challenge

SMW is a very challenging game in parts, but not so overly-frustrating that you accidentally destroy your SNES. The game has a fairly kind learning curve; the first few levels are pretty simple, and even the first boss isn't that difficult, but in later worlds good reflexes are vital and the levels can become very complex (especially if your looking for the secret exits.) Yes, you heard right. Many levels have secret exits, and some are INSANELY difficult to find. Some of them have no purpose (except bragging rights:) while others lead to secret levels. Also, there are eight "special levels" that are difficult to find (they all exist in a place called "Special",) and some of these are unbelievably difficult! The first one's rather forgiving, but the second one is arguably the hardest level in the game. There is one fatal flaw to the games challenge, though. THERE ARE SO MANY FREAKIN' 1 UPS! It is nearly impossible for a veteran to get a game over; not because the levels are easy, for that is very untrue, but because there are usually multiple 1 ups in EVERY level. Also in some levels, it is possible to net tens of free lives in a single go. However, just because it is more difficult than normal to get a game over, that does not make the game overly easy (just less frustrating:) for it still requires SKILL to beat the levels.

Graphics

SMW was a launch title, and it did the SNES justice. SMW's graphics are far superior to any of the SMB games (though SMB3 looks very good, almost SNES quality) and are very appealing to the eye. There are no ultra-detailed backgrounds, and the overworld is not exactly beautiful, but the enemies and Mario himself (and don't forget Yoshi and Luigi) are all very detailed and well done.Some things, admittedly, could have been done better (overworld map, I am looking at you) but the majority of the graphics are all well done.

Sound/Music

Classic Mario music was born when this game was created! The music for levels in which you are up in the air most of the time have perhaps some of my favorite Mario music ever (I can still envision the song.) The standard theme, of which the sky music is just a fast-paced re-mix, is also an instant classic, and I enjoy them both equally. SMW's sound effects are also very good, and they actually fit what they are supposed to be for (i.e. a shell hitting a block and bouncing back sound as it should, a solid thud.) Also, most any action that could have a sound has one (getting coins, getting power ups, getting 1 ups, stomping on enemies; the list goes on and on.)

Longevity

There are a total of 96 possible exits to the levels in this game, and it can take a long time to get them all. However, it is not necessary to get them all, or even half of them for that matter (though it takes a lot of the fun out of it if you don't) but it still seems like it is worth-while to get as many as you can. This game is quite long if you go for all the goals and can take many, many hours to complete.

Replayability

Super Mario World is very replayable and in fact DESERVES to be replayed. I have only beaten it twice, but the second time I got all 96 goals, and, back when I wasn't very good at video games, I would just play my mother's near-perfect file (90 goals) and beat the levels that I could beat over and over again (especially the first castle) and it never got old.

Conclusion

YOU SHOULD BUY THIS GAME! I have never played a more enjoyable Mario game, and if you are a Mario fan but for some reason don't have this game, YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY FIND A COPY OF IT! IMO, no Mario game can compete, though some do come close (SMB3, SMW II,) so it is a mus-buy!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/24/06