classic game
Graphics: 8/10 Colorful cartoony graphics that are prettied up from the original 8 bit games to reflect the capabilities of the SNES machine. The animation of large Mario/Luigi running in SMB1 is a little weird looking though.
Sound: 8/10 Appropriate sounds and catchy musical tunes. However you may grow tired of some of the sound effects being repeated in the first four games from Super Mario World.
Control: Precise controls with the standard SNES controller. SMW is the most complicated, but the learning curve isn't too high, and the other games are even simpler.
Challenge: These are the types of games that require memorization. Some of the gameplay in the earlier titles are repetitive, but the presence of "warp zones" and other secrets help to make up for it. These games were originally designed for kids with lots of time to memorize patterns and mazes though, so be warned if you have a shorter attention span for such games. A "world save" (not sub-level save) has been added to the first four games to save your progress which helps somewhat. Many levels require precise jumps, and repeatedly missing the same jump or being hit by a random enemy can be frustrating. SMB2 is probably the most "relaxing" of the series as it doesn't have the same restrictions on movement, time limits, etc. as SMB1 and "the Lost Levels."
Replay Value: At first these games may seem repetitive, but finding secrets and testing out new strategies can bring replay value. Multiplayer is a bit lacking (except for the "Battle Mode" in SMB3), as the players simply take turns, or compete for points.
While some may not like the "remade" graphics and sound, the gameplay in these five titles is solid. Super Mario Bros., "The Lost Levels" ("Super Mario Bros. 2" in Japan, a much harder version of SMB), Super Mario Bros. 2 ("Doki Doki Panic" in Japan, the character sprites and a few items were changed for the US release), Super Mario Bros. 3, and the SNES Super Mario World (unchanged from its original stand-alone incarnation).
The games are more or less identical in gameplay to their NES 8-bit counterparts. The infamous "minus world" trick in SMB doesn't work anymore though.
SMB 3 allows you to play a 2 player "battle mode" right from the title screen (in a remake of the original Mario Bros., only competitive style).
For NES nostalgics and for those who simply enjoy colorful platform games with cutesy characters, this is a must own.
For collectors: please note that this game was actually a pack-in with the redesigned Super Nintendo console, and thus while there is a manual, there was never an official box released. However you can pretty easily find a clear plastic case to protect your treasure.Read full review
