Released in the US on August 13th, 1991, Super Mario World was the debut Mario title to launch with the new Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). It's a little difficult not to be a little bias in regards to my affinity for this game as it also marks my first foray into the world of video games. And what a superbly jolly and creative introduction into the medium it was. Players take control of this mustached hero as he dawns bright yellow capes and mounts adorable green dinosaurs, soaring to the skies to rescue the princess on a island named entirely off delicious sweets. Sounds like the perfect start to a very memorable adventure.
If this premise was not enough to melt your cold heart though, the colorful art direction and fantastic score are sure to change your mind otherwise. While Mario has taken a more consistent, sometimes less inspired look as of late, Super Mario World represents a time when Nintendo dared to imagine Mario in a breath of original and distinctive design. Mario was a fully designed and realized character, from how he spun his cape, clung to fenced walls, or even just tilted his head to look up; Every angle and pose was a considered work of art to be made. Meanwhile the infectious nature of the music, from the sweeping melodies of a fortress to the catchy addition of bongos while riding Yoshi, assured that an uncontrollable smile would stay on players' faces.
So yes, I could go on and on how this game is a work of art. But what makes it stand apart gameplay-wise from its 2D brothers of the series? Well, there are quite a lot of unique and nuanced mechanics on display in this colorful platformer. For starters, most every level is just teeming with secrets to be uncovered. With hidden power-ups, Yoshi coins, alternate exits, and power switches, players had plenty of reason and fun to be found taking repeated dives into levels to locate these sneaky secrets. And as the first ghost house of the game taught players, discovering these secrets could sometimes require some very creative thinking. Every level sought to bring an interesting new idea or tempo to be found, keeping the flow of the game fresh and exciting at all times. And being able to freely navigate the overworld of Dinosaur Island, players would frequently observe suspicious corners of the map for potential yet to be discovered levels, with scattered visible warp stars just taunting the players as how to reach them.
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| Super Mario World artwork. |
There's still so many wonderful things that can be said about the gameplay found in this title. The way you can spin-jump to break blocks and bounce off certain enemies. How the Cape Feather is one of the coolest power-ups in any Mario game ever, allowing him to fly and create a sort of endless twirling shield against baddies. The endearing partnership of riding Yoshi as he gobbles down uncountable enemies, only to coldly abandon the dino as you jump off to save your own skin and he plummets into the abyss. This game is a masterpiece and assuredly represents the greatest, unbridled creativity of the 2D platforming Mario series. Here's to its astounding legacy is still holds today and the hopes that Nintendo will strive to again push the 2D Mario series in bold, new creative ways as Super Mario World once did here.
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