Super Mario World

- Reviewed on Switch 2 -

Super Mario World released on November 21st, 1990.

When it comes to classic video games, there are certain titles that you just have to experience at least once in your life.

Whether you're a longtime Nintendo fan or someone who just enjoys games in general, I think it's safe to say that Super Mario World is one of those games!

Originally released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) back in 1990, this game has stood the test of time and continues to be one of the most beloved entries in the Mario franchise.

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

Let's start with the story.

Mario and Luigi are heading to Dinosaur Land for a nice, relaxing vacation and as you might expect, things don't exactly go according to plan.

Princess Toadstool, now better known as Princess Peach, has been kidnapped by Bowser and his Koopalings, leaving Mario and Luigi to save the day once again.

It's a classic Mario adventure, and while the story itself isn't anything groundbreaking, that's not really what you're here for.

One of the biggest highlights of Super Mario World is the gameplay.

Honestly, it still feels practically flawless to me!

Mario controls incredibly well, the platforming feels smooth, and the levels are designed in a way that makes you want to keep playing.

Whether you're running across platforms, dodging enemies, finding power-ups, or figuring out how to reach that one suspicious-looking area, there's always something enjoyable to do.

And then there's Yoshi.

Super Mario World marks the debut of everyone's favorite green dinosaur, and what a debut it is!

Being able to ride Yoshi adds another layer to the gameplay, and he's an absolute joy to use.

Between eating enemies, helping you traverse certain obstacles, and giving you another way to approach the levels, Yoshi quickly becomes one of the most memorable additions to the Mario formula.

It's easy to see why he became such an important character in the franchise after this game.

However, if there's one thing that truly amazes me about Super Mario World, it's the sheer amount of secrets hidden throughout the game.

We're talking secret exits, hidden paths, bonus areas, alternate routes, and so much more!

You can play through a level, think you've seen everything it has to offer, and then discover that there's an entirely different way to approach it.

The world map itself encourages exploration, and finding those secret paths can open up new possibilities that you might never have noticed during your first playthrough.

For a game originally released in 1990, the amount of content packed into Super Mario World is genuinely impressive.

It rewards curiosity in a way that makes exploration feel worthwhile, and discovering something you missed earlier is incredibly satisfying.

Even if you've played the game before, there's always a chance you'll stumble across something you didn't notice the first time around!

Now, while the gameplay and level design are fantastic, my absolute favorite part of Super Mario World isn't even the gameplay itself.

It's the music!

There's hardly a level I play where I don't find myself singing or humming along to the music.

The melodies are catchy, memorable, and fit the atmosphere of the different areas perfectly.

Even after all these years, the soundtrack still has that special charm that makes you want to keep listening to it long after you've put the controller down.

Major props to Koji Kondo for creating such an iconic soundtrack!

The music is a huge part of what makes Super Mario World so memorable for me, and I honestly can't imagine the game without it.

It's one of those soundtracks that sticks with you, and I think that's a big part of why this game continues to resonate with people decades later.

Of course, that doesn't mean everything is perfect.

While I enjoy the boss battles against Bowser's Koopalings, I find them to be surprisingly unmemorable.

They're fun enough when you're playing through the game, but none of them really stand out as particularly amazing encounters.

Considering how memorable the rest of the game is, I wish these battles had left a stronger impression on me.

Another minor annoyance is the 1-Up minigames found in the tunnels.

I appreciate the idea of having extra opportunities to earn lives, but I'm not particularly fond of these minigames.

Sometimes, I don't even bother with them.

They're not terrible or anything, but they're definitely not a highlight of the experience for me.

Still, these complaints are pretty small when you consider everything else Super Mario World brings to the table.

The excellent controls, creative level design, rewarding exploration, introduction of Yoshi, and incredible soundtrack all come together to create an experience that remains just as enjoyable today as it was decades ago.

Super Mario World is a fantastic example of what makes Nintendo's games so special.

It doesn't need complicated mechanics or an elaborate story to be entertaining.

It simply understands what makes a platformer fun and delivers that experience with an incredible amount of polish and creativity.

If you've never played Super Mario World before, I highly recommend giving it a try.

And if you're already a Mario fan, chances are you already understand why this game is considered one of the franchise's greatest entries!

Pros: 

    - A timeless classic that still holds up incredibly well

    - Flawless-feeling gameplay and smooth platforming

    - A fun, classic Mario story 

    - The debut of Yoshi, who adds a lot to the gameplay

    - An unbelievable number of secrets, hidden paths, alternate routes, and bonus areas

    - A fantastic soundtrack that remains memorable to this day

    - Excellent level design that rewards exploration

Cons:

    - The Koopaling boss battles are fun but ultimately forgettable.

    - The 1-Up minigames in the tunnels aren't particularly enjoyable, and I sometimes skip them.

My Rating for Super Mario World (on Switch 2):

4 / 5

-----

Disclaimer

All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.