October 6, 2020 – Gomez's Vintage (& New) Movies, Music, Games & More

Release Date: 11/21/90 (Japan), 8/18/91 (International)
Platforms: Super Famicom/SNES (OG and Mini), Virtual Console (Wii, Wii U, New 3DS), Nintendo Switch, PC*
Rating: E

* – All Nintendo games from NES to NDS (excluding Gamecube) are free to play on a certain website.

Starting with this review, select products will receive either a bull stamp or a bear stamp. Bull indicates that this product received at least a 9 and a bear indicates that this product received a 3 at best.

Anyway, I have recently beaten Super Mario World (via Nintendo Switch) and my goodness is this game absolutely gorgeous both inside and out. Yes, most 20th century video games can look really outdated in today’s standards, but this is one of those games that really stands the test of time, which in itself is an accomplishment.

This whole game takes place in Dinosaur Land and Bowser kidnaps the princess once again. Not only that, but he and the Koopalings trap Yoshi and his friends in enchanted eggs. Mario (and Luigi) have to rescue all of the trapped friends and save the princess from the powers of team Koopa.

Right from the start, you are placed in Yoshi’s Island and see that your vacation home is completely deserted. From there, you traverse across 7 lands (plus a ton of secrets is you’re exceptionally skilled) to get your friends and the princess back. There’s helpful text blocks that can really help you ease into the game, which is something incredibly noteworthy. Also, there’s an extra button that allows you to spin jump, which can destroy most enemies in one hit and can be useful for traveling trough rough terrain.

Speaking about Yoshi himself, he makes his debut in this game. While riding on Yoshi (the normal), you can swallow fruit, powerups, and most enemies. Not only that, but he can also walk over spikes, which can be incredibly useful at times.

Super Mario World follows the “Quality Over Quantity” rule when dealing with powerups. Unlike Super Mario Bros. 3, there’s not as many powerups available. Aside from the flower and star, Mario 3 features the Super Leaf (and variations), a Hammer Suit, and a Frog Suit. Mario World…just has the Cape Feather. And no, there’s no Toad Houses (the star system sort of replaces it). I do get that it is somewhat understandable giving that they are trying to utilize Yoshi (even if he gets a bit more scarce in the later worlds), but I actually don’t have a problem with that at all. The Cape Feather is such an OP item in that you can literally skip an entire level with said item if you know how to use it correctly (but It’s not available until World 2 – Donut Plains). I also love how you can use a stored item during a level in case you get hit for extra protection. It really helped me get through some of the harder levels in the game.

The level design is incredibly masterful. There were tons of hidden secrets and surprises that kept me coming for more. It’s also home to some unique enemies like Chargin’ Chucks, Dino-Rhinos, and Mega Moles to name a few. Some of the levels seen in this game feel like they belong in a game like Super Mario Maker, which is saying a lot for the levels themselves. Quite a few levels in this game have secret exits, which can open up several pathways and alternate routes. Heck, some secret exits are REQUIRED to beat the game. That is a tricky (and clever) move that the game makers put in and I just adore it.

For a 16-bit game, the game is absolutely lively and bursting with energy with its pristine graphics and a catchy soundtrack. The game is a visual masterpiece for SNES standards with its bright and cheery colors and can convey to being quite dark and gritty like in World 7: The Valley of Bowser. All of the animations that I’ve come through this game never really come off as glitchy and feel more like a smooth transition. While there are a few music tracks this game, they are incredibly memorable and are quite iconic. Some examples include the overworld theme, the title screen, and the final boss fight (which is reused in the Bowser Castle tracks in Super Mario Kart).

I know that I’ve praised this game too much, but the absolute peak of the game is the final battle with Bowser. Dare I say, it might be the best Bowser battle of all time. For comparison, let’s look at the previous times Mario had to deal with Bowser:

Super Mario Bros: Hit the switch.
Super Mario Bros 2 (Japan): Same, but Bowser’s brother is in it too!
Super Mario Bros 3: Have Bowser ground pound his way towards doom, but don’t let him ground pound you!
Super Mario World:

…yeah.

The final castle level is simply a banger and a half. There’s multiple routes you can take to get to Bowser, whether its the front or back door. Entering via the front offers multiple pathways and one you get across the mulitple rooms, you’ll enter a pitch-dark room where a red red item box opens up the light, guiding you way. Then you get to the final boss fight and it is simply a sight to behold. Bowser’s flying around in his Clown Car, dropping Mechakoopas in which you need to throw upward towards Bowser to have any chance of defeating him. There’s also fire, cannon balls, and Bowser literally stomping you at the final segment of the battle. As intense as this battle can get, the princess offers a mushroom or two at times for extra stamina or in case you get hit. There’s so much packed into this one fight and its one of the final bosses that gets your heart pumping really quick.

Super Mario World turned heads back in the early ’90s and it still turns heads today. With eye-popping graphics, exceptional gameplay and level design, and an incredible final boss fight, it’s easy to consider that this is the ultimate 2D Mario platformer. It’s a game that brings joy, wonder and danger in every moment possible. If you haven’t played this game, do so right now. You won’t be dissappointed.

10/10