We store cookies, you can get more info from our privacy policy.

Super Mario World

by Neal Ronaghan - April 29, 2013, 1:05 pm EDT
Total comments: 6

9.5

Mario and Yoshi's relationship got off to a rocking start in this SNES classic.

When Super Mario World debuted alongside the launch of the Super Nintendo back in 1990, it was a landmark title. More than 20 years later, Super Mario World holds up as a must-play highlight of the Mario Bros. legacy. With a delightful sense of discovery and intriguing additions, this title is well worth picking up on the Wii U Virtual Console, whether it's your first time through Dinosaur Land or your 100th.

If you haven't played the game before, you're missing out on a gem (and what rock have you been under?). While the art style is definitely peculiar, the gameplay is precise and spot-on, making this arguably Mario's greatest 2D adventure. Outside of the game's traditional seven-world linear progression, numerous alternate exits and secrets are littered throughout, leading you to hidden levels, optional difficult worlds, and alternate paths. While some of the exits are extremely devious, most of them are easily discoverable by explorative players. And if you are stuck trying to find a certain exit, you can always take advantage of the Miiverse community on the Wii U.

Miiverse isn't the only addition to the Wii U Virtual Console release. You can also use save states, which, since this game features a save feature, is something I didn't use much. However, you can still only save at certain points in the game’s menu, so being able to create and resume a state at any time is helpful. The whole experience is also playable on the GamePad, In my time with the game, this method ran fantastically. I even used the Pro Controller to play the game off the GamePad. It's definitely not quite the same as a Super Nintendo controller, but the button placement is all very similar, making it easy to get used to if you played the game on other systems before.

Super Mario World is, rather bluntly, one of the best platformers out there, and in the upper echelon of Mario games. The Wii U Virtual Console version adds some useful secondary elements that make the game a little more modern and flexible. If you're hankering for some classic Mario action after New Super Mario Bros. U, then Super Mario World, which is definitely a little bit of a spiritual predecessor to the Wii U launch title, is a fine place to go to next while you wait for New Super Luigi U and the next great Wii U game.

Summary

Pros
  • Cape power-up and Yoshi!
  • Excellent platforming fun
  • GamePad play is nice
  • Tons of secrets
Cons
  • Total completion hard to track

Talkback

Fatty The HuttApril 29, 2013

Cue TJ pointing out that SMW wasn't truly a launch game and Neal retorting that he said it launched "alongside" the SNES. I love predictability.


Also, the cape feather is still my favourite Mario power-up.

TJ SpykeApril 29, 2013

Quote from: Fatty_The_Hutt

Cue TJ pointing out that SMW wasn't truly a launch game and Neal retorting that he said it launched "alongside" the SNES. I love predictability.

LOL, Super Mario World actually was a launch game (unlike Super Mario Bros.).

I love the game, I still own the SNES cartridge. I also bought Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 on GBA (though that was stolen from me a few years ago) and I own it on the Wii Virtual Console. Once I get a Wii U, I will gladly pay the $1.50 to upgrade it.

Fatty The HuttApril 29, 2013

Quote from: TJ

Quote from: Fatty_The_Hutt

Cue TJ pointing out that SMW wasn't truly a launch game and Neal retorting that he said it launched "alongside" the SNES. I love predictability.

LOL, Super Mario World actually was a launch game (unlike Super Mario Bros.).

I love the game, I still own the SNES cartridge. I also bought Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 on GBA (though that was stolen from me a few years ago) and I own it on the Wii Virtual Console. Once I get a Wii U, I will gladly pay the $1.50 to upgrade it.

Ha! You're right. I was thinking of this post:

Quote from: TJ

Actually, those games came out before SMB in North America too. Despite popular misconception, SMB was NOT a launch game in North Amerca (it actually came a few months after launch), so games like Ice Climber came out before SMB. Most people didn't notice thought since the NES launched just in the New York City area. By the time the NES was released nationwide (in August 1986), SMB was out and so most people thought it was a launch game.

My Bad.
See, I really do read your posts!

Leo13April 29, 2013

Total completion is not that hard to track. If you do Star World, and the Bonus levels that come after Star World (the ones with level names like Groovy and Tubular) then just remember that every ghost house has 2 exits and every red level (as opposed to the standard yellow ones) has 2 exits.

BrandonCHFGApril 30, 2013

My wife's family was visiting today. I fired up Super Mario World because I knew they all played it on SNES (even my Mother-in-law).  The intention was to play a level and quit.  They wouldn't let me quit and we all watched/played for an hour.  Super Mario World was made with magic!

ShyGuyMay 01, 2013

9.5? Why so low?

Share + Bookmark





Genre Action
Developer
Players1 - 2

Worldwide Releases

na: Super Mario World
Release Apr 26, 2013
PublisherNintendo
RatingEveryone
jpn: Super Mario World
Release Apr 27, 2013
PublisherNintendo
RatingAll Ages
eu: Super Mario World
Release Apr 27, 2013
PublisherNintendo
Rating7+
aus: Super Mario World
Release Apr 27, 2013
PublisherNintendo
RatingGeneral

Related Content

Got a news tip? Send it in!
Advertisement
Advertisement