April Edition Live Magazine - April 2014 Issue. | Page 102

retro

Why Super Mario World is the
Greatest Game Ever
A couple of months ago I shared with
you, the wonderful reader, my top
5 video games of all time. At the top
of the list was Super Mario World,
and deservedly so! In my article I
provided a few reasons why, but
I also had 4 other games to cover.
This month’s article will be solely devoted to Super Mario World and just
why it is so perfect. Let’s not waste
any more words and explore this brilliant game!
As most Super Nintendo gurus will
know, Super Mario World was a
launch title for Nintendo’s 16-bit
powerhouse and it was also the first
ever pack in title for the console.
The game sold over 20 million copies during the life of the Super NES,
which is double the second highest
game (Donkey Kong Country) on 9
million.

as aesthetically pleasing as later releases such as Donkey Kong Country or Super Mario RPG. The real
charm with the game,however, lies
in the simplistic graphics. They are
a step up from Super Mario Bros 3
but retain the fluidity of the 8-bit title which was an outstanding feat for
the original Nintendo Entertainment
System.
To go with these fluid graphics are
some of the smoothest controls you
will ever experience in a game. The
player always feels like they are in
complete control of Mario or Luigi,
whether they be walking, running,
swimming, jumping or on the back of
Yoshi. The player demands instant
reaction with each button press and
is never disappointed, no matter
how urgent the response. If for some
reason Mario or Luigi do fall off the
screen, or hit a Koopa, it never feels

16-bit graphics allow for the game
designers to add a little more life
into both the heroes and villains
alike. Koopas now walk upright and
can be bumped out of their shells
when jumped on, and Mario and
Luigi have more frames of animation which gives them more of a
presence. The Koopalings are back
from Super Mario Bros 3, and they
appear to be more aggressive and
lively than Mario’s last encounter.

“SUPER MARIO WORLD HAS HAD A LIFE, AND THOUGH IT HAS BEEN ENHANCED THE
CORE GAME HAS CHANGED VERY LITTLE SINCE ITS ORIGINAL RELEASE..”
Numbers don’t tell the whole story
however, as proven by Star Wars
Episode 1 being in the top 20 grossing films of all time. Don’t get me
started on that one...
The first thing to keep in mind is
that Super Mario World is a launch
title, and as such is not going to be

cheap. If you become stuck on a level it never feels impassable. It may
take a few goes to fly under the Butter Bridge to reach the secret goal,
but you know if you keep trying you’ll
get it eventually.
The Mario series has always been
full of character, and the enhanced

The game is so detailed that even
years later you can find something
new. Personally, I was not aware
that Mario actually punches Yoshi
on the head to make him poke his
tongue out until about a year ago,
23 years after the game was published!

the enhanced Super Mario All Stars
pack was released with Super Mario
World, Luigi was given a makeover, making him appear different
to Mario. In Super Mario Advance
2 Luigi could jump higher and the
brothers were voiced by Mario voice
actor Charles Martinet.

Super Mario World features the largest over world map of any Mario
game at that time, though the game
can be completed in 11 levels if you
fancy a challenge, or you can try for
the juggernaut of completing all 96!
While the game is rather linear, the
option of completing some levels in
more than one way does make the
player feel like they have more freedom to explore.

though with a 16-bit flavour that will
tantalise your auditory senses. The
additional bongo drums that play
when you ride Yoshi just adds to the
fun beats in the game. Your typical
Mario sound effects have been given a 16-bit upgrade and fit with the
gameplay nicely.

The music to Super Mario World
is your typical bouncy Mario affair,

Super Mario World has been given a
few upgrades over the years. When

Super Mario World has had a life,
and though it has been enhanced
the core game has changed very
little since its original release in
November 1990. The point is that
it doesn’t need to change, as the
game is perfect as it is. Perfect
gameplay, graphics and music that
fit the theme, and a lot of world to
explore. If you’ve never played
Super Mario World before, get out
from under that rock you’ve spent
the past 23 and a bit years under
and treat yourself.

Written by Paul Monopoli