subject: Retro Rewind - Super Mario World [print this page] Nintendo's Mario series is one of the highest-selling and most beloved group of video games in existence. Since Mario first appeared in the Donkey Kong arcade game in 1980, he has appeared in over 200 games. Super Mario World is undoubtedly one of the jewels of the Mario series. Leading up to its release in 1990, Super Mario World was wildly anticipated due the success of Super Mario Bros. 3. The Nintendo Company was in no danger of falling from popularity, but it did have some big competition with SEGA and the Sonic the Hedgehog games. Also, the game was to be packaged along with the first Super Nintendo game consoles on the market. Because of these factors, Nintendo had to deliver.
Luckily, Nintendo stepped up to the challenge and created what is arguably the best platform game ever made. For any younger readers who might not be familiar with what a platform game is, it's basically a game that involves jumping between different areas and avoiding or destroying obstacles similar to modern Mario games such as Super Mario Galaxy only in a 2D environment.
What Makes it Such a Great Game?
Super Mario World is a fantastic game because it's simply a joy to play. The game relies on many of the mechanics that made the original Mario Bros. games a success: power-up mushrooms, fire flowers, jumping on enemies, starmen, etc. However, it adds several new features that make it a complete blast. Mario now has a dinosaur sidekick named Yoshi who is very powerful when jumping on enemies and can eat many things in the game. There are different colored Yoshis, each of which has different abilities. Mario also has access to a cape that allows him to fly through the air and make many different types of attacks. If you're playing with two people, the second player gets to be that incredibly overlooked and misunderstood video game legend Luigi.
The player is taken on a journey through six different worlds and two secret worlds. Different levels have different atmospheres, and the player really feels like they're exploring strange, magical lands. The characters are endearing and players can jump right in.
Also, the game is endlessly replayable. Once you beat the game, you can start all over again and many aspects of the game will be different. The difficulty level is just right. The trap that many platform games fall into is that they can be too difficult or too easy. Super Mario World provides a challenge even to its most seasoned players while not being so hard that it's inaccessible.
Enduring Legacy
Super Mario World has been listed by several video game publications as being one of the best video games ever made. It was even voted by Empire magazine as the greatest game of all time. It was the inspiration for an animated series, and even led to a sequel Yoshi's Island. It set the standard for platform games of its generation, allowing games like Donkey Kong Country and Earthworm Jim to become successful.
Even though video game companies rarely make 2D platformers anymore, Super Mario World's legacy is still important. It is a rare occasion when a video game combines simplicity, enjoyment, and replayability to such a perfect degree. If you haven't played it in a while, it's definitely time to dust off the SNES and relive one of the best video games ever made.
