Super Mario World review by Tyson

Overall

Buy

Super Mario World is one of the best examples of a launch game. It is great looking, sounds excellent, and most importantly is fun to play.

Gameplay

     Super Mario World takes place on Dinosaur Island. Mario and the gang take a vacation here after rescuing the Mushroom Kingdom but sadly Bowser shows up and ruins everyones plans. It’s now up to Mario and Luigi to save Princess Peach and Dinosaur Land from Bowser. While the story isn’t different from past Super Mario games what is added is a new character Yoshi and 7 worlds with many of stages in them.

     What makes Super Mario World so fun for me has to be the games level design. It seems like every few levels the game wants to show some different kind of mechanic. Maybe it’s the way Bullet Bills are flying across the screen, how platforms are constricting and expanding, or how you are riding a platform that is wiggling its way across a giant lava lake. I also liked how many of the games levels had optional exits that would open up more bonus stages or secrets.

     The main world takes a cue from Super Mario Bros. 3. You move around a giant world to enter levels and what makes the world so fun is all the secrets in it. As I mentioned earlier how you exit many levels will open up new pathways or secret levels in the world map. I found this to be a very fun design.

     Sadly what is a little disappointing about Super Mario World has to be the small amount of power-ups. While you have the classic Super Mushroom and Fire Flower there is also the Cape Feather. The Cape Feather allows you to fly with Mario or Luigi similar to the Raccoon Suit of Super Mario Bros. 3. While the number of power-ups are small atleast they are fun to use. Also I loved how the dinosaur pal Yoshi is added in the game. You can ride him and he has his own share of secrets such as powers he gets when swallowing Koopa shells.

     There isn’t much more I can add about how much fun I had with Super Mario World. This is definitely one of my favorite SNES games.

Control

I feel that Super Mario World makes good use of the SNES controller. You have buttons to run, jump, spin jump (which can break some blocks), and you can use the tops L and R buttons to move the camera left or right.

Graphics

I came away really enjoying the graphics in Super Mario World. Everything looks good and is very colorful. The game also animates well and it is a good looking launch game for the SNES.

Sound

Super Mario World performs very well in the audio category. I liked the background music and various sound effects. I really don’t have any complaints here.