Mario has a ruddy good time (Super Mario Land (GB))

Member Name: Hermanthetosser

Product:	Super Mario Land (GB)
Date:	28/05/09 (6 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It's dead good

Disadvantages: Gets a wee bit samey after a bit

Kids these days, eh? Playing their Xboxes with their Fallout Nuclear Holocausts and Bioshocks and Killzones, you fear for the new generation. Where are the Super Mario games? Where's the friendly charm? These days they're shunned in favour of frankly outrageously realistic killing simulators, which are, admittedly, tremendous fun but not quite what you'd want little Billy to be getting stuck into on Christmas morning in front of nana, because that's what happens these days folks.

During my childhood, I remember playing simple yet fiendishly enjoyable delights on my Gameboy: Tetris! Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! And, of course, Super Mario Land. SML is not too different from the vast majority of Mario games. As you scroll along sideways avoiding gaps in the ground, spikes and assorted baddies, you busily collect coins and power-ups and extra lives and make your way to the next level and, ultimately, rescue Princess Daisy from Tatanga. It's difficult to describe why this is such a good game, it's probably down to nostalgia as much as anything else, but it's littered with classy touches and full of charm.

If you've never played it and you have a Gameboy knocking around, have a go, you won't be disappointed. If you used to love it, get it again!

Summary: Lovely stuff, way ahead of it time