Super Mario World is a masterpiece, a blueprint for all 2D platformers to come after it. When I first played through the game, I didn't put much time into exploring the map or diving deep into the levels. I still enjoyed the game very much and completed it by defeating Bowser, but I didn't look far beyond the surface level. Upon picking it back up, I was told there were 96 levels to beat, and I had only found 45 in my original save. This was when I realised Super Mario World had so much more to offer.
One of the main things I think this game does well is the world map. The excitement of finding secret exits to levels and the mystery when discovering Star Road is something they haven't been able to replicate in any 2D Mario games to come after it. The way switch palaces are presented on the map is really cool because, if you don't find the switch palace in the first area, you'll progress through Yoshi's Island and notice missing blocks, outlined in yellow. When progressing from Yoshi's Island to Donut Plains, you can see the yellow switch palace peaking out on a hill from Yoshi's Island, encouraging the player to go back and get it to fill in the missing blocks, not only encouraging map exploration but also encouraging the player to go back, replay levels and find their secrets.
The emphasis on secrets in this game is amazing, my favourite world is the Forest of Illusions because it is entirely based on finding unconventional routes through the levels to progress. Each level in this area has a secret exit that leads somewhere new and is even required to progress onto the next world.
Looking back on this game, it's insane to see how many concepts were introduced here that became a staple to the series that I just hadn't noticed because I'm so used to seeing them in every title. The main one is Yoshi, who I think peaked in this game; I love how you can bring him from one level to another, allowing for more complex secrets. As well as this, Yoshi can gain different abilities when holding Koopa, different per colour. These concepts seem to have been abandoned in the later games though sadly.
Overall, Super Mario World is a must-play for any fan of platformers as it completely redefined the genre and still holds up well to this day.
One of the main things I think this game does well is the world map. The excitement of finding secret exits to levels and the mystery when discovering Star Road is something they haven't been able to replicate in any 2D Mario games to come after it. The way switch palaces are presented on the map is really cool because, if you don't find the switch palace in the first area, you'll progress through Yoshi's Island and notice missing blocks, outlined in yellow. When progressing from Yoshi's Island to Donut Plains, you can see the yellow switch palace peaking out on a hill from Yoshi's Island, encouraging the player to go back and get it to fill in the missing blocks, not only encouraging map exploration but also encouraging the player to go back, replay levels and find their secrets.
The emphasis on secrets in this game is amazing, my favourite world is the Forest of Illusions because it is entirely based on finding unconventional routes through the levels to progress. Each level in this area has a secret exit that leads somewhere new and is even required to progress onto the next world.
Looking back on this game, it's insane to see how many concepts were introduced here that became a staple to the series that I just hadn't noticed because I'm so used to seeing them in every title. The main one is Yoshi, who I think peaked in this game; I love how you can bring him from one level to another, allowing for more complex secrets. As well as this, Yoshi can gain different abilities when holding Koopa, different per colour. These concepts seem to have been abandoned in the later games though sadly.
Overall, Super Mario World is a must-play for any fan of platformers as it completely redefined the genre and still holds up well to this day.
KarrotoZetsubou
6 months ago