Game Statistics

• 96 goals.
• 71 courses.
• 25 secret exits.
• Battery backed memory to save game data.
• 4-megabit cartridge.

Game Design
With the release of Super Mario Bros. 3 on the NES, people were expecting Super Mario World to be even better. I am not quite sure if Super Mario World is better then Super Mario Bros. 3 but it is a fantastic game. Super Mario World borrows many of the great ideas from the previous games in the Mario series but is also very innovative. One great game play addition is the "item reserve." Mario can reserve one item such as a Mushroom or Fire Flower. Once Mario is hit, that item will fall from reserve and Mario may acquire its power. When Mario acquires a power that he already has, the item will be placed in the reserve. In Super Mario Bros. 3, Mario could pick up Koopa shells for the first time. In this game Mario can pick up much more then just shells. Also, Mario can kick shells and other items straight up. This adds greatly to game play variety. The final major innovation in this game is that there are many secret exits to levels. These secret exits force the player to think and solve problems. The addition of the feather, which gives Mario a cape, is fantastic as well. Nintendo took a page from DC Comics and turned Mario into a true super hero.

Graphics
The surprising thing about Super Mario World is that it was one of the best looking games throughout the life cycle of the Super NES. All of the sprites are well drawn and the backgrounds look excellent. Nintendo showed off the power of the SNES by creating some large sprites like the Big Boo, Reznor and Bowser. All of the character animations are relatively smooth. The colourization of the Luigi sprites could have been improved.

Sound
The sound effects in this game are well done. The Yoshi sounds are great. The music in this game is the perhaps the most memorable in any Mario game. All of the music tracks are catchy and have that great Mario style.

Control
Because of the nature of the SNES controller, the control scheme is more complicated then the previous Mario games. However, it will not take very long to get used to. In fact, once the controls scheme is mastered, it is the best control scheme in any 2-D Mario game. The most evident benefit of the SNES control scheme is Y/B run/jump scheme. The Y/B run/jump scheme is very easy on your hands.

Satisfaction
It is pretty difficult not to like this game. The only real drawback is that there is no competitive multiplayer mode such as the Mario Bros. mini-game found in Super Mario Bros. 3. The difficultly level of Super Mario World is perfect.

Replay Value/Game Length
While Super Mario World does not have as many levels as Super Mario Bros. 3 there is actually more to do because there are so many secret exits to discover.

Overall
If you have an SNES and don't own Super Mario World, there must be something seriously wrong with you! The SNES flagship launch title is one of its best.

Game Design	9.6
Mechanics	10
Innovation	9.0
Originality	9.0
Extras	10
Depth	10
Graphics	9.3
Character/Animation	9.0
Environment	9.0
Framerate	10
Sound	10
Music	10
Sound FX/Voice	10
Control	9.8
During Play	9.5
Menus	10
Functionality	10
Satisfaction	10
Challenge	9.0
Fun-Factor	10
Replay Value/Game Length	10
Multiplayer	8.0
FINAL SCORE	9.6

Review by Player Guy Forever

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