Really cute little Mario game and such a huge leap forward after SML1, and definitely the best traditional Mario platformer released on GB/GBC. As with most Game Boy games, it's not overly long (but offers much more than its predecessor) and relatively simple to get through with lots of secrets to find on the way. The final level does introduce quite a big difficulty spike however, but I did actually find myself very much enjoying the challenge this time around, but I have found it very frustrating in the past.

5/5 coz this game introduced my boi Wario

made me feel like a doo doo baby idiot because I couldn't figure out the first screen of this chibi puzzle platformer godzilla for children. Also I pressed a menu button and got

> CONTINUE
TRY AGAIN
ENTIRE PLAN
PASSWORD

What in the fuck does "Entire Plan" mean???

this game is legendary for the player character controlling like a piece of industrial equipment but it's a shame that it's not as common knowledge what purpose this serves.

difficulty is not the focus- instead, the precise tuning of simon and the world around him maximizes friction, but it's an initmate friction. castlevania doesn't have fodder enemies. everything demands your attention. it's a hot and heavy game- occasionally awkward, often frustrating, but always present and in your personal space.

the breezy cadence of other platformers has its merit, but how many rooms can you recall from any other NES platformer? years later, gothic, blocky, vignettes fill my mind...