[Re-Play] Super Mario World

Hey everyone! This is the first iteration of the Re-Play section of my blog. In this column, I'll cover games that are just itching to be played again. I'm going to try to focus on games from consoles at least one generation behind the current one, but we'll see how it goes. Anyway, without further ado, here it goes!

From the moment the coin-noise plays and Nintendo presents appears on the screen I was hooked. The short introduction that follows (seen below) is just a small glimpse of perfection that this early 90’s title has to offer.

 

For many of us, Super Mario World is a window into our childhood. I recall spending many hours exploring the world, trying my best to find every secret level and special area. (Random note: it wasn't until I replayed the game again in high school that I stumbled upon the actual Secret Area level. Man, that would've made life easier back then). I marveled at the artwork and the enemy design. In fact, I remember going as far as to designing my own trading card game (based off of the Pokemon TCG’s setup) featuring the Mario characters and enemies of this game. Hey, I was like five at the time, so cut me some slack. Anyway, while this idea never went anywhere beyond my art pad, it nonetheless demonstrates my love for this game.

I recently spent a few hours delving back into the game I knew and loved via the Wii Virtual Console and I must say this game definitely withstands the test of time. Now being seasoned in platforming games, it is easy to quickly get through the entire game (even without using Star Road). In fact, having played the original Super Mario Bros. recently, it seems that this game is a little bit easier compared to its predecessor, which was likely a conscious choice by the developer to appeal to a broader (and younger) audience. The true joy, however, is not in the challenge the game presents now, but the memories that surface while playing it. Let’s take a look back at Super Mario World.

The Idea: Venture through several lands as you attempt to save Princess Peach (again) from Bowser and his army of Koopas. On the way, run from ghosts, cross lava pits, and partake in the consumption of drugs (Mushrooms? “Fire Flowers”?) Furthermore, you ride dinosaurs. What's not to love?

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The Look: Visually stunning for its time. Personally, I find the two-dimensional graphics to be among the best of any SNES game and I still enjoy the art style used. The mix of cartoonish characters appeal to the demographic the game targeted and the simple backdrops make focusing on the action much easier. The diversity of level environments also kept the game fresh. 

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The Sound: Iconic noises such as the 1-Up, the Power-Up, and Yoshi’s music all appear here. Watch out, though, because these tunes may become ingrained in your brain after an hour or two of playing. 

The Play: Tight mechanics and well thought out level design. This game is superb when it comes to control. There are a few glitches, but none of them seemed to be all that noticeable, and the rare ones that were didn’t hinder my progress. Check out Mario being put to the test in some custom levels that are (quite accurately) dubbed The Impossible Levels.

The Entertainment: Besides the nostalgia factor here, the game still is one of the most fun and, at times, frustrating games of its kind. Once you get beyond the Twin Bridges and Ludwig Von Koopa in Castle #4, the game starts to get more challenging. Forest of Illusion struck a great balance between confusion and clarity for first time players, by forcing them to think outside of the formula they had been introduced to and look for multiple ways to finish each level. And the Sunken Ship is still as infuriating as it is entertaining.

The Challenge: While the game may have been challenging to us as youngsters, it seems to be a little easier these days. This is especially true once you reach Donut Plains and the Cape becomes available. Simply grab a Feather Power-Up and you’re able to take the scenic route over 90% of the outdoor stages.

The Legacy: In addition to selling 20.6 million copies globally, we see the first introduction of Yoshi here. This little green dino made such an impact that he, and his band of multicolored dinosaur friends, starred in the direct sequel of Super Mario World (which somehow featured Mario as a deafening baby, even though it’s the second release in the series).

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And to conclude this nostalgia post I leave you with two of the most impressive custom levels I’ve come across. This first video is a level is untouched by human hands. Mario moves based on in-game mechanics such as the Music Note box, stomping on enemies, conveyer platforms and more. Oh, and did I mention it’s done in synchronization with music? Now that’s impressive.

This second video is a TAS, meaning it is completely done using an emulator and is only edited to look like precise human playing, when actually the human element has been removed. More on TAS can be found at TASvideos.org. So, while this isn’t as impressive as it would be if someone could actually play like that, it’s still cool to watch Mario beast through this custom level that showcases every single exploitable glitch in the game. Plus this music is pretty entrancing.

Well, that about wraps it up for me. Now it’s your turn! What are your favorite memories of Super Mario World? What is your favorite Mario game of all time?