Super Mario World Review
Platforms: SNES, GBA, Wii(VC)
Players: 1-2
Original Release Date(s):Aug 13 1991(US), Apr 11 1992(Europe), Nov 21 1990 (Jap)
After both the success of the NES and the Super Mario Bros. series Nintendo had to launch their newest console with a game that was going to get them off to a flying start and there was no better choice than Mario himself, but would it really live up to the excellence that was Super Mario Bros. 3 or would it fail to deliver the same high level of quality that Nintendo was fast becoming known for?
At the same time Nintendo had to battle with Sega and their new mascot in Sonic, and rather than change the age old formula of Mario they stuck by the tried and tested route and just improved it all for the new hardware.
Presentation
Simple yet well presented and following on from Super Mario Bros. 3, nothing is there that is not really need to keep the feel of the game simple and too the point. The world map also gives a sense of the game being much bigger than any game previously as every level and path interconnect giving a sense of true exploration not seen in a platform game.
Graphics
Certainly a real evolution of Super Mario Bros 3.everything is far more colorful and really more of what made the third game so good, this time with some added rotation effects and some really nice scrolling backdrops, really if you have played the third game this is that with the volume turned up and some nice level and enemy design.
Don't be put off in anyway that this looks like your typical Mario game and just an enhancement over the NES game, in still images it may look that way but in motion it is far smother in the animation department and as a whole an improvement and a test of what the SNES can do as hardware, with more colours and more sprites on screen. the game also has so much character and life to it making it feel very unique and further making them staples in how the Mario universe will look.
Sound
Right from the start you will be humming the tunes as they are all really catchy from the theme tune onwards, each tune matches the level perfectly and not one will get on your nerves through out the entire game, the sound effects are your typical Mario ones but don't think that is a bad thing as they are still high quality throughout and keep a good level of consistency with everything within the game series.
This games is also a test of the SNES hardware of what the NES could do really showing what that custom sound chip is capable of delivering high quality music and sound through the game, it was certainly a sign of things to come for what the hardware was truly capable of.
Gameplay
This game is certainly an evolution on the controls from the NES games but thanks to the SNES 6-button controller everything feels that much more comfortable to run and jump place, really it is everything you would come to expect from a Mario game, tight controls with the right difficulty curb ranging from easy to difficult sections.
Much like the look and the sound of the game it is what you would have come to expect from the way the series plays to date, but with the volume again turned up in terms of how smoothly the game plays, and the introduction of Yoshi doesn't hinder the game in any way, it nicely compliments the game and ads an extra level of depth to certain levels that you cant do certain things with out one but can still complete the level as normal if you aren't riding one.
Lasting Appeal
If super Mario Bros. 3 lasted long enough because of wanting to go through your favourite levels again Super Mario World will last for that very same reason and also trying to uncover all 96 exits to all the levels and some are incredible random to find, and some times trying the strangest of things will lead you to one.
Then there are the fiendishly hard Special World stages that you will have moments of pure anger trying to beat but also moments of pure satisfaction when you finally do, with so much to do on that first play through it will take you long enough to beat the game and the you will really want to play some of those levels again just to get them exits unlocked it's really that addictive.
Overall
A game that not only got the SNES off to a perfect start but also a game that further redefined the genre making it much more open that it used to be and making exploration a very key part in actually finding everything there is to unlock in the game as well as the hub world becoming a key part with the game.
While the game itself is not a revolution of the Mario formula it is certainly an evolution and a perfect blend at that getting everything just right from the look and feel to the difficulty so if you are a fan of platform games or just good games in general you should experience this game at least once in your life as it really is the pinnacle of what a 2D Mario game is and should be.
Scores
Players: 1-2
Original Release Date(s):Aug 13 1991(US), Apr 11 1992(Europe), Nov 21 1990 (Jap)
After both the success of the NES and the Super Mario Bros. series Nintendo had to launch their newest console with a game that was going to get them off to a flying start and there was no better choice than Mario himself, but would it really live up to the excellence that was Super Mario Bros. 3 or would it fail to deliver the same high level of quality that Nintendo was fast becoming known for?
At the same time Nintendo had to battle with Sega and their new mascot in Sonic, and rather than change the age old formula of Mario they stuck by the tried and tested route and just improved it all for the new hardware.
Presentation
Simple yet well presented and following on from Super Mario Bros. 3, nothing is there that is not really need to keep the feel of the game simple and too the point. The world map also gives a sense of the game being much bigger than any game previously as every level and path interconnect giving a sense of true exploration not seen in a platform game.
Graphics
Certainly a real evolution of Super Mario Bros 3.everything is far more colorful and really more of what made the third game so good, this time with some added rotation effects and some really nice scrolling backdrops, really if you have played the third game this is that with the volume turned up and some nice level and enemy design.
Don't be put off in anyway that this looks like your typical Mario game and just an enhancement over the NES game, in still images it may look that way but in motion it is far smother in the animation department and as a whole an improvement and a test of what the SNES can do as hardware, with more colours and more sprites on screen. the game also has so much character and life to it making it feel very unique and further making them staples in how the Mario universe will look.
Sound
Right from the start you will be humming the tunes as they are all really catchy from the theme tune onwards, each tune matches the level perfectly and not one will get on your nerves through out the entire game, the sound effects are your typical Mario ones but don't think that is a bad thing as they are still high quality throughout and keep a good level of consistency with everything within the game series.
This games is also a test of the SNES hardware of what the NES could do really showing what that custom sound chip is capable of delivering high quality music and sound through the game, it was certainly a sign of things to come for what the hardware was truly capable of.
Gameplay
This game is certainly an evolution on the controls from the NES games but thanks to the SNES 6-button controller everything feels that much more comfortable to run and jump place, really it is everything you would come to expect from a Mario game, tight controls with the right difficulty curb ranging from easy to difficult sections.
Much like the look and the sound of the game it is what you would have come to expect from the way the series plays to date, but with the volume again turned up in terms of how smoothly the game plays, and the introduction of Yoshi doesn't hinder the game in any way, it nicely compliments the game and ads an extra level of depth to certain levels that you cant do certain things with out one but can still complete the level as normal if you aren't riding one.
Lasting Appeal
If super Mario Bros. 3 lasted long enough because of wanting to go through your favourite levels again Super Mario World will last for that very same reason and also trying to uncover all 96 exits to all the levels and some are incredible random to find, and some times trying the strangest of things will lead you to one.
Then there are the fiendishly hard Special World stages that you will have moments of pure anger trying to beat but also moments of pure satisfaction when you finally do, with so much to do on that first play through it will take you long enough to beat the game and the you will really want to play some of those levels again just to get them exits unlocked it's really that addictive.
Overall
A game that not only got the SNES off to a perfect start but also a game that further redefined the genre making it much more open that it used to be and making exploration a very key part in actually finding everything there is to unlock in the game as well as the hub world becoming a key part with the game.
While the game itself is not a revolution of the Mario formula it is certainly an evolution and a perfect blend at that getting everything just right from the look and feel to the difficulty so if you are a fan of platform games or just good games in general you should experience this game at least once in your life as it really is the pinnacle of what a 2D Mario game is and should be.
Scores
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