Editor’s Impressions: Super Mario Land (NGB)
Super Mario is definitely an interesting game. So many changes have been made to the conventional Mario game formula. I know the graphical ability of the Game Boy limits this game’s potential, but on the other side of the coin, that will be the case for any game coming on this platform. It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make when it comes to gaming on the go.
Even though it’s clunky and limited, I know that there are some portable games out there that make people play their portable at home over their console. For the most part the graphics or competent overall and they get the job done. Though the game is original, it a very much a Mario game. It’s still light hearted and charming and the music only elevates those qualities in the game. The game might be original to an extant, but isn’t likely to be a game that will be remembered by most because it falls short of what was The Super Mario Bros. game.
June 16, 2008 at 5:24 pm
You seem to be looking for a brand new genre for Mario.
I am looking for SMB with brand new worlds to travel, and this game delivers. As an added bonus, you can take it anywhere you want!
It falls a bit short of SMB, but they are because of the Game Boy itself (less levels, less detail and color, clunky, etc.), not of the game design itself, and the game design sticks out from the flaws enough to satisfy the traveling gamer.
At least for me.
June 16, 2008 at 7:33 pm
In my review, I had nothing but good things to say about it come to its originality (and I don’t think the controls are clunky at all). Also, having played some great Game Boy games I know perfectly well that this title does not show near the full potential of the Game Boy. Like I said before, it’s original, but it isn’t a game that will make me choose the Game Boy Mario game over the Famicom equivelant.
June 16, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Of course you ain’t going to choose it over SMB.
They are to co-exist. Not to replace each other.
June 17, 2008 at 8:15 am
Okay, let me give you an example of me choosing to play a portable game over a console game. Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins. Not just the best portable Mario game out there, but one of the best Mario games, period. It’s a better example of what the Game Boy can do. So, it isn’t a hardware issue. It’s more an issue of Super Mario Land being a test bed to see a Mario Game can be done on the Game Boy.
June 17, 2008 at 8:29 am
But Super Mario Land came out in 1989. It was a launch title!
Super Mario Land 2 came out in 1992! Plenty of time to get even more juice out of the hardware.
But back at launch, Mario Land was the closest thing you could ever get to SMB. It’s all about time.
For example, Super Mario 64 now isn’t as polished or as groundbreaking as it was in 1996, now that you have the option to play Super Mario Galaxy.
Wait a minute….
What are we arguing about again? Super Mario Land was a great game that would be later improved upon greatly by later games.
June 17, 2008 at 8:40 am
Right. It was a good solid game. That is exactly what a III/V means. low points and high points aside, the rating and review is based on hands on experience and research by playing other games of its kind that came out before that particular title.