Super Mario World 2:
Yoshi's Island
Growing
up dirt-poor in rural Georgia, there wasn't really much in terms of
gaming entertainment that I was able to be exposed to. All I had at
the time was a Nintendo 64 with Mario Kart and a Super NES with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Tournament Fighters and the original Super Mario World and while I can
safely say that I was never bored, it meant that I had to suck it up
and play games that I could find dirt cheap at the local flea market.
It was here that I ended up forming a lifelong bond with a little gem
known simply as Super Mario World 2, though being the retarded child
I was, I saw the two and thought: “ooh, a new game, can't wait to
take this home and be forced to delete the old saves so I won't have
the story spoiled for me!”
Don't
believe the lie of Yoshi's Island, it's a sequel in-name and nothing
else. It lacks most, if not all of the refinements brought about by
the original, instead opting out for a revamped style of play and
art-style that can best be described as every sickeningly sweet
kindergarten drawing brought to life. Still, we're here for the
gameplay and it's one of, if not the tightest controlling games I've
ever played. Even today, they still hold up incredibly well, allowing
for easy and quick maneuverability through the environment. Which is
a good thing too, because while some levels will feel like a breeze
completing, others can best be equated to the ninth circle of
platforming hell, where bottomless pits, spikes, and lava become your
best friend. Still, it never feels like the game is punishing you for
the programmers' mistakes but rather your own.
That
being said, the game is far from perfect. Most of the bosses are
fairly simple to beat and usually end up being larger versions of
standard enemies. Furthermore, many people will argue that the sound
of baby Mario wailing for help as he floats around waiting for you to
pick him up is one of the most annoying noises to ever be produced by
a piece of electronic equipment. It's also very easy to accidentally
get knocked around shortly after taking damage from any source, which
is made even worse if you get hit without the kid on your back
keeping you from getting him back.
I'm
knit-picking at this point honestly. Even playing it now, it still
holds up unbelievably well, considering that it's been out for over
eighteen years and still looks great despite it's age. Heck, I still
pull it out every now and again when I get bored of the current tripe
the industry likes to pump out. Simply put, it's one of the most
finely-crafted experiences to ever grace the SNES and I don't say
that lightly. It's charm continues well into this day and serves as a
clear reminder that games can be about pure honest fun as opposed to
pretentious drama-fests that the creators only pumped out to satisfy
their own egos or some insipid expansion pack meant to cash in on
some fanbase's loose wallets.
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