Backlog Game Reviews 25: Super Mario All-Stars - Super Mario Bros. (SNES)

                         

        Hey there, and welcome to Backlog Game Reviews. 

   This time we'll take a look at Super Mario All-Stars. It was released on the SNES on July 14^th, 1993, in Japan, August 11^th, 1993 in North America and December 16^th, 1993 in Europe. It's a compilation game that has remakes of Mario 1, Mario 2, Mario the lost levels, and Mario 3. Super Mario All-Stars was very well received by critics, some called it a masterpiece. Let's take a look at the remake of Super Mario Bros and see how it holds up today.

                                                        

This review will focus on the remake of Super Mario Bros.

    There isn't anything to say about the story. Just like the port on the Gameboy advance nothing was changed or added. Bowser kidnaped the princess and turned everyone else into bricks and plants, and now it's up to Mario and Luigi to save Princess Peach so she can change everyone back.

Saving a Toad from Bowser.

   The gameplay is also largely unchanged, it plays just like the original. No new game mechanics or anything of the sort were added. The core gameplay is the same, so if you played the original NES version then you know what you’re in for with this game.

At the start of every stage you're shown a preview detailing what the stage layout will be like and what enemies you'll encounter.

   The game is more or less the same but some small changes were made. One of them being that you can now save your game. On the NES you had to beat the game in one sitting, but in this version, you can save the game from the pause menu. So no matter how busy your schedule is you'll be able to complete the game. Just keep in mind that it won't save what stage you're on. If you save and quit on world 3 stage 3 the next time you play the game you'll have to go back to world 3 stage 1.

                                                    

The file select screen.

 
   This version also has two slightly different endings. On the NES when you completed the game the princess would thank you and tell you to play the game again on hard mode. When you completed hard mode she would say the same thing she did in the normal ending. But in this version, her text is slightly altered after you complete hard mode. It's not that big of a change from the normal ending, but it's nice to see something different after beating the game for a second time.

The stage backgrounds have undergone a huge upgrade since the NES.

   Other then these two changes the game plays just like it did on the NES. If you enjoyed that game then this will be right up your alley.

Luigi vs Bowser

   Looking at the presentation everything has been improved upon. The graphics are much nicer, and the backgrounds are more colorful and detailed. The music has been redone in 16 bit, and stands out more then it did on the NES. Due to the limitations of the NES, the music was more on the simplistic side, but the music this time around is more complex and sounds like real music.

This game offers a large variety of platforming challenges.

   That’s all I have to say about this game. It’s a great remake that I would easily recommend to fans of 2D platformers. I can't comment on whether its better or worse then the NES version as I believe that is dependent on your personal taste. It’s not a very long game so give it a try when you get some free time.

                             

    Thanks for reading. Next time we’ll take a look at a game on the Famicom. I hope to see you again here at Backlog Game Reviews.

                                                              
            Super Mario Bros gameplay video