They are all entertaining. It's hard to choose one over the other. I think the prequels are a bit underrated, as I enjoyed them all. A bad Star Wars movie is better than 90% of movies out there.
I only wish the prequel backgrounds didn't look so much like computer graphics...but that's nitpicking
RJay_64's forum posts
I've probably stated this opinion somewhere on Giant Bomb before, but might as well make a long blog post about it!
Super Mario Bros. was fun, and still holds up today quite well. There's a reason why the Mario franchise became so legendary, and it starts with this game. It's amazing how happy a fire ability could make people. I couldn't wait to get the flower, as well as many of you couldn't wait to get it either. Of course, besides that and the star, Mario had no other abilities in this game. You run and jump. The levels were pretty straightforward.
Then we have Super Mario Bros. 2. Some people may knock this obscure release in the franchise, but at least it tried some new ideas. Who doesn't like throwing vegetables and riding on flying carpets? 4 different characters to choose from, each with their own abilities? Even if you didn't like the other characters, you could always choose Mario. There was a good sense of exploration in this game...it wasn't just Mario going from left to right.
In it's time, Super Mario Bros. 3 was perfect. The power ups are what made this game for me...The raccoon tail was fun, it gave me the sense of freedom unseen in the previous two Mario titles. There was the usual fire and star abilities as well. But then there was also the tanooki suit! Who could forget Kuribo's shoe? On the one hand, you're thinking "WTF," but on the other hand, it's so much fun to bounce around! The frog suit and hammer bros. suit only added to the fun. In addition, the liked the way Mario interacted with the map. He could use the hammer to break down rocks, use the whistle to warp to another zone...It felt like there was so much to do and see in this game. I will say the graphics seem a bit outdated now...
Now Super Mario World. I love the world map in this game! So many paths to uncover. So many secrets. But not only that, but the map is aesthetically pleasing to look at, as well as large. If this game came out for the first time tomorrow, with the same graphics, it would fit right in. I don't feel the graphics have aged at all.
The gameplay itself was a logical progression from Super Mario Bros. 3. I loved using the cape to fly. Yes, perhaps Super Mario Bros. 3 had more suits you could put on. However, Super Mario World made up for this with Yoshi! Each colored Yoshi had different abilities...The puzzles in the haunted houses could be a bit tricky, but that's good because it only means they put thought into the game. This remains my favorite 2D Mario.
So it was a bit surprising that each Yoshi in New Super Mario Bros. Wii was the same. I don't understand people who rank New Super Mario Bros. Wii ahead of Super Mario World. I admit, the power ups in New Super Mario Bros. Wii were cool, except for the omission of flying (although the helicopter suit comes close...). I always felt like New Super Mario Bros. Wii just wasn't all it could have been...
For one, the map looks simple, and doesn't give the impression that Mario is in a gigantic world to explore.
This is all opinion of course, but the levels felt lazily designed...
Yes, there are different power ups, different suits Mario can wear in the New Super Mario Bros. Wii, however it feels geared towards those who only remember the first Super Mario Bros...the only part for me that's ahead of Super Mario World is the multiplayer aspect. If we're talking graphics, I actually prefer the look of Super Mario World. If we're talking sound, I could listen to the Super Mario World soundtrack all day. I can't say the same about the music in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
Even with the multiplayer, the game felt like it took a backwards progression for me.
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