Super Mario Bros. Deluxe

"Brilliant package with two classic Classics"

Super Mario Deluxe is a celebration of over 10 years in Mario's history. The games in this package includes the original Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros - The Lost Levels (previously found in the Japanese Famicom and the Super Mario All-Stars on the SNES). The conversion onto the Gameboy Color is a success in replicating the nostalgic flavor and feel of the original games themselves. As well as this, Nintendo has also packaged extras into the cartridge which makes an awesome compilation even better.

GAMEPLAY:

Super Mario Bros.

plays as it should do. The hidden extra lives, the secret warp zones and beanstalks are all very intact. This game introduced a concept that has become severely milked and saturated by many modern video games and that is the Jump-on-the-enemy's head concept. When playing this game, one should not mark it down because of this because Super Mario Bros. was the game that popularized the concept and should be credited for it.

After completing the game, the option to play a more difficult game is available and should satisfy those who found the original a tad too easy. The high score board gives you the incentive to actually return to the game and beat your high score! In fact, it gives anyone the incentive to try and beat a particular high score.

Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels

Now this is THE definition of a difficult platform game. Everything is overhauled and rearranged to boost the difficulty of the game massively. Jumps are now much harder to time and master, obstacles are placed in more narrower places and oh, don't forget the introduction of the Poison Mushroom. One touch and boom, you're dead or either shrunk to small size. Warp zones are no longer generous in world skipping.

If you are looking for a real challenge, then this game is it. It does everything to test your platform game skills and will frustrate even those who claims to be the best at everything. To lower frustration levels, Nintendo has included a battery back-up option allowing you to continue where you last saved. This option is found in the first Super Mario Brothers game but it is not needed there. Here, its almost an essential option though you should remember that the original Japanese version of this game on the Famicom did not have battery back-up.

GRAPHICS

The authenticity of the graphics to their NES counterparts is great. There are no changes to improve the graphics that would have ruined the nostalgic feeling of it all. Simple, basic and straight to the point - no waltzing around fancy special effects or any of that stuff, just a good old Mario feel from the decade past.

MUSIC/SOUND

Like the graphics factor, there are no changes at all really. The addictive Mario theme is left untampered and you'll find yourself humming along to the catchy beat of the music. Don't expect explosions or special sound effects, this is Mario in the 80's and all the better for it!

LENGTH/REPLAYABILITY

Super Mario Bros. will provide a nice, fresh course in the basics of platforming or for the older players, a reminder of good times gone by. The Lost Levels however will provide much more hours of gameplay because it is really tough (this is not an exaggeration). I am sure that you will see that GAMEOVER screen a lot.

In this package, there are some extras for you to do. The Red Coin Challenge is really fun and requires you to play each of the original stages to try and find the red coins, Yoshi eggs and also a high score. This challenge is very tough especially when it comes to the high scores section. Other extras include a picture gallery of characters associated with the Mario series, a fortune-teller and hints for the Red Coin Challenge.

And let's not forget the Boo races where you must race Boo across various new stages. Overall, the replayability is amazing. As well as the two main games, there are the extras to provide a lot more gameplay hours to your daily routine.

RENT OR BUY

Buy. I guarantee that you will not put this game down for a long time once you begin playing. It really is that addictive. New gamers may wish to get this package to experience some of Mario's earlier adventures and the origins of his skills.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 09/13/01, Updated 09/13/01