Super Mario All-Stars
All-Stars is a fantastic compilation of all the Super Mario games from the 8-bit era. That's right, you get Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 2, Super Mario Bros 3, and Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels all in a single cartridge. The last game is the Japanese original sequel that was never released in the US until now. Each game has been upgraded graphically and musically to take advantage of the Super Nintendo's capabilities. This means more parallax, sharper characters, and more colors in each game. And sound that is much clearer and full. In addition, each game has its own stage save feature.
All the games play as great as they did so many years ago. Remaining a testament to good game design and engaging game play. As if you didn't know, the Mario games are all about platform jumping, turtle stomping, coin collecting, and block smashing goodness. The original set the standard with these classic elements. While the US sequel took the series to new realms including alternate worlds and vegetable picking. The third installment returned to the series roots with larger stages, new power-ups, the Koopa kids, and lots of hidden secrets. Lost Levels plays a lot like the original Super Mario Bros, but the game has completely different levels.
Super Mario All-Stars is an amazing addition to the SNES game library. It shows everyone what good games really are, and how to do compilations right. Nintendo has outdone themselves once again.
(pics by the pros at vgmuseum.com)
| Category | Rating | How & Why? |
| Graphics | 9 | Upgraded Graphics / New Parallax Backdrops & Vibrant Colors / Retains the Visual Nostalgia of the Classics |
| Music | 9 | Enhanced Original Soundtrack & Sound-Effects |
| Gameplay | 9 | Classic Controls & 2D Platform Game Play / Four Different Games to Conquer / Each One is a Great & Enjoyable Challenge / A Fantastic Mario-Themed, Nostalgic Trip |
| Innovation | 9 | US Mario Trilogy + Japanese Original Sequel + Better Graphics = One Heck of Game known as Super Mario All-Stars |
| Replay | 9 | Classic Games are Still Fun Today / "Lost Levels" is New to Most American People / Built-In Save Features for Each Game |
Overall 9.0
Review written by ShinjiZ for GameyPlace.com on May 5, 2001