There is only one game I ever want to come back to and finish over and over again. Its beauty of design escapes language except to say it is brilliant. If you are reading this review out of curiosity, odds are you already have it.

Mario games generally start with Mario’s girlfriend, the princess, being “kidnapped”. Mario then goes postal and runs across the whole continent killing everything in sight which is stopping him achieving his goal. A bit like Arnie.

In fact if you think about it, Mario is a bit of a git: he’s the RSPCA’s most wanted; he’ll pick a fight for no apparent reason with anyone; he’s practised medicine without a licence; he’s a well known mushroom abuser (often while driving); he’s been a dodgy builder; he often gambles; and his friends and family are some of the most terrified people on the planet. It’s amazing he hasn’t been singled out by 60 Minutes as the ‘Worst Italian since Mussolini’. Ah well, the girls still love him. That’s all that matters in the end, right?

But enough with the conspiracy theories, you’re here for an explanation of the joys experienced playing Super Mario World. Basically, the goal in the Mario games is to get from your starting point to the goal on the other side of the level, using power ups to your advantage as you go with occasional boss battles to mix things up. But as Mario players know, there is far more to it than that.

Fire! Fire in the pipe!

The Mario games are respected as platforming’s finest because of the sheer joy of movement. Every single movement is a joy whether you’re flying through the air or chucking that spare red shell into a line of koopas. Even something as mundane as running and jumping is great fun as you watch his animation and hear his head accidently hit the ceiling, all the while feeling total control with perfect inertia.

There are also great gameplay additions to the Mario series, such as the magic cape which lets you soar through the air like a pro with thirty seconds practice, wildly avoiding baddies as you angle down to regain momentum. Oh and I mustn’t forget the fire flower, raining fire pellets, baby! There’s also everyone’s favourite green dinosaur Yoshi, who is a joy to control and he cannot be killed. If you do get hit Mario will just fall off as Yoshi panics and starts to run away. At this point, you will almost certainly give chase and hop on again, just because he’s such good company. Yoshi can eat and do more damage with his jumps than Mario as well as perform actions when he eats a coloured shell, some of which are very surprising. He can also fly when Mario has the cape and hold items in his mouth for later use, items like keys and trampolines, for instance.

Keys you say? Yes, there are multiple exits to levels coloured red on the world map. Take the key to the exit and unlock an alternate path. Simple, but it works a treat and allows for some neat puzzles.

I have no idea how this house met the safety guidelines...

This game also introduced a world map for replaying levels and ghost houses where finding the exit is half the challenge. On top of that there are some great highlights featuring giant boos. The game also allowed Mario to throw blocks straight up to hit aerial objects, do a spin jump (pre cursor of ground pound) and climb along wires to hit koopas on the other side. There’s also excellent innovation with some rather groovy moving platforms, which include dolphins and ferris wheels in just the first few levels. A special few of you might also know some interesting facts about Lakitu – the spiny beetle throwing fisherman – and an alternate art design to be found among other things.

Graphically, it holds up perfectly thanks to wonderful design and animation. I can picture the grandeur of the entire game’s landscape in my head perfectly – that’s how beautiful it is. The songs and sound effects are also surprisingly catchy and effective, thanks to new tunes and clever remixes of most of the golden oldies.

I’ll have to admit that it is slightly easier than Super Mario Bros. 3, but sheer fun and ease of use make it the far superior Mario game in this reviewer’s mind, and it’s amazing how my earliest strong gaming memory is also my favourite game. Nearly all the Mario games had a similar effect on me, even the DS one. I had just turned four when my sister finally cracked the Star World, and it would take me nearly nine years to work out if that crazy alternate universe had actually existed when I finished it again. Every time I start playing it again I still get a sense of awe at the first world, which despite being easy contains some of my favourite gaming moments. Once again, as has been my experience with Mario games.

I’m truly sorry to end this review, but I have to call this a classic before I start crying tears of joy all over the keyboard. I’m going to say it and I honestly don’t care if everyone on the planet hates me for it – it was perfect across the board then and it’s perfect now.

By ireadtabloids

The Verdict

Graphics: A+

Sound: A+

Gameplay: A+

Overall: A+

A high distinction amongst classics.