"The game that started it all......"

Its amazing how I still come back to play this game on my NES, though its over 15 years old. Many people think the graphics on this game sucks, but I beg to differ, considering that back then they didnt have the technology and tricks to make the game a graphical phenominom. Well it was back in the day. I hate when people do that, they compare the graphics back then to the graphics today, which is very unfair. But oh well, onto the review.

Graphics - 10
As I stated, this was the most visually stunning game back in the day. But its only competition was Pong and Donkey Kong (maybe Pac-Man). This is definantly one of my top 5 favorite games I have ever played, and I have played quite a few games. In this game you either play as Mario or Luigi (you can only play Luigi if its a 2player game), and there both well animated. Well actually in this game Luigi is just Mario in a green suit instead of red. There even night levels, which look very cool. There are 4 kinds of levels: Day time, Night time, Water, and Castle. Everytime you enter a Castle you must get past Bowser, which is no easy task.

Sound/Music - 10
Not only is this game is stunning in the visual department, its also stunning in the sound/music department. I just love the music to this game, I even downloaded in it on my computer. I think theres only about 5 music peices, but they all serve harmony in your ear, not to mention the cool sound effects.

Gameplay - 10
I love this game. Though Super Mario Bros 3 is slightly better than this game, its still very fun. It will take you multiply tries to beat it, its well worth it. I must commend Nintendo on the new gameplay mechanics they have shunned on the world. They introduced the worlds most famous plummer to your home, Bowser, Luigi, and who can forget the Hammer Brothers. The hardest part of the game is to past them, you'll see what I mean once you reach them, if you can that is.......

Replay Value - 10
If you only beat this game once and never touch it again, there must be someting wrong with you. I must have beaten this game well over 10 times, literaly. The 2 player mode kinda lags a bit, because you dont play at the same time, but take turns playing. But im not complaining, its better than the game having not having a 2 player mode......

Challenge - 10
The first time you play it, it might seem impossible. The second time it will seem very hard, then hard, then medium, then easy, then very easy, then eventually you should be able to go through the game without getting hit once. But once you beat the game you can start over, except everything is ALOT harder. Thats why I give this category a 10.

Good Points
+ Very Fun
+ Long Adventure
+ Lots of Levels
+ Right Difficulty
+ Good Graphics
+ Cool Music
+ Loads of Nostalgia
+ Warp Points make the game easier

Bad Points
- 2 Player Mode Lags
- Some Levels are Very Hard

Overall - 10
No videogame collection is complete without this game. Actually at Funcoland I saw it for 29 cents, and it comes with a game called Duck Hunt, which is also pretty fun. So by all means, go get this game.............now!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/31/01, Updated 03/31/01