Fantastic Game. Pity about the poem. (Super Mario All-Stars (N64))

Member Name: Midrange

Product:	Super Mario All-Stars (N64)
Date:	17/09/08 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Essential Nintendo collection of RPG platformers - great value package

Disadvantages: May be hard to get hold of - try 2nd hand

Mario All Stars - 4 classic Nintendo platform games in one. I remember getting this game well over 10 years ago. I still play it today. To make this review a little different, I have decided to write it in rhyme. I will try and keep it as informative as possible.

Once upon a time in a far away land
An evil king hatched a monstorous plan
He kidnapped the Princess, Peach was her name
Enter Mario and Luigi - the heros of this ga...

Ok. This really isn't working. Let's just write a normal review.

Released in 1993 for the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) platform, Super Mario All Stars is a compendium of all Mario's adventure games, previously released on the NES. All of the games (but one) have both a single player and 2 player mode, allowing you to take charge of either Mario or his big, little brother, Luigi. Upgrades from the NES version of the games included:
* ability to save your progress in up to 4 different files for each game
* improved graphics, enhanced sprite detail and new exciting backgrounds for the levels
* polyphonic and better voiced in game music

1. Mario Bros
The original platformer has the player guide Mario from the left hand side of a level to the right. The screen scrolls across as the player moves and Mario (or Luigi) is unable to "retrace" his steps. Collect coins, bop enemies on the head and dodge various projectiles are just some of the fun things to do whilst running and leaping your way to the end flag. Environments include: underwater (watch out for those pink squids!), castles (with lava pits and plenty of leaping fire balls), snow world, mushroom top world and a night-time world. Good fun and a great challenge.

2. Mario Bros. 2
Possibly the strangest of the Mario games - it's set in a dream world where Mario (and his friends, Luigi, Princess and Toad) must use vegetables (???) to fight various enemies. A very different feel to the original - with doors, free motion about the world and some rather creepy enemies (like the flying evil face!) Not as challenging as the original Mario Bros. but good for something "different".

3. Mario Bros. 3
In my opinion, the best Mario game for the SNES. Full freedom in the levels, in game map, various secrets to find (like the cleverly hidden "whistle" in level 1), lots of world environments and the ability to fly, throw hammers and turn into a statue. Great stuff and very playable. It will take you at least a day to get through this from end-to-end - I mean, playing non-stop as an experienced gamer and not using the whistle. Seriously hardcore retro fun.

4. The Lost Levels
This game was like a "add on" to the original Mario Bros games. The learning curve is much steeper - only really play this if you've completed Mario 1 arleady. It get fiendishly difficult. It also gets weird - especially when you get into the "lettered worlds" (as opposed to "numbered worlds"). Some examples of the feircesome weirdness is a disgusting brown Bowser castle (as opposed to grey) and the frequent appearance of fire underwater. Magic.

Overall
I don't see what's stopping you from buying this... other than the fact it's not made anymore and that most people have probably put there SNES in the loft. Buy it second hand though - I'm certain you'll find it on eBay for an absolute steal.

Summary: A great collection of great games. Playable again and again.