Super Mario All-Stars
Introduction
There was one thing I wanted to mention. This review is going to detail the differences between the original versions of the games and the versions in this collection. It does not actually review all the aspects of each game. With the exception of the Lost Levels (SMB2j), I have reviewed the games individually, so if you want to see more detail about any of the individual titles, I suggest you check out those reviews.
Graphics
The graphics on all 4 games have been improved significantly. As you might imagine, the enhancements are the much more noticeable on the older games than the newer ones.
The original Super Mario Brothers looks much more like a regular SNES game than I expected it to. The detail of Mario and Lugi, as well as all the enemies has been improved. There are also different, more detailed backgrounds than before, and other minor changes that enhance the overall look of the game. There were some minor color changes and things that I didn't like all that much, like the way the backgrounds of the castles were changed. But the good aspects more than make up for something so minor. Now, I've never seen the Original Version of the Lost Levels, since it wasn't released in the USA until this collection. But from what I've heard, it used to look exactly like the original did before the remake. And on All-Stars, it also looks much like a SNES game. The same kinds of things have been improved, making the two games look almost identical on this collection.
As for Mario 2, the graphics are a little better, but it's hard to really notice many differences. I think that the backgrounds may be different now, and the characters are just slightly less flat looking than before. Other than that though, you won't notice many differences. This game looked great to begin with, so it was probably hard to do much with it. Mario 3 actually looks virtually the same as it did on the NES, as this game had excellent graphics to begin with. The only way you will notice any improvements is if you play the two versions back to back and compare them. Overall, the way the graphics were improved was much better than I expected, and it really gives new life to these games, and makes them seem much more modern than before.
Gameplay
When you start the game, you are able to select which of the four games you would like to play. One excellent aspect that has been added to the games is a save feature that allows you to save your progress at various points, depending on the game.
Super Mario Brothers- This game was the first in the series released on the NES. The graphics are greatly improved, as mentioned above, but the Gameplay is still just as good as it was on the NES. The game may feel a little easier to control, simply because the SNES controller is better than the ones on the NES, but the mechanics of the game haven't been changed at all. In this one, you can save at the beginning of each of the 8 worlds. So, if you run out of lives in the second area of the fourth world, you have to start over again at the first area of the fourth world.
Super Mario Brothers 2- This was the next Mario game released in America. In actuality, it isn't a Mario game at all. It still plays just as good as on the NES, and I think the save feature works the same way as on the remake of that one. I'm not 100% sure on that aspect, though.
The Lost Levels- Actually, this game is the real SMB2. It was decided that the game was too difficult and not innovative enough to be released in the USA. So, it did not come over here until this compilation. Like I was saying, it is considered to be the most difficult game in the series. Because of this, on the All-Stars version, you are able to save after every single level. So, if you lose in the second are of the fourth world, this is where you start again. This makes completing the game just a matter of time, and makes it fun rather than frustrating. While many people didn't like this game as much as the others, I found it extremely entertaining, especially in the later areas. I would even go as far as to say that it's better than the original Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Brothers 3- This version isn't really that much different from the NES version. It's just as fun, and the slightly improved graphics make it even better. You can save in this one, and when you lose, you start at the beginning of each of the different worlds. However, if you've beaten a fortress, it remains beaten, allowing you to get back to where you left off much quicker than if you had to play through all of the individual levels again. The only difference I've noticed is that when you beat this game, you don't get to play over again with a lot of P-Wings as a reward, like you could on the NES.
Sound
As far as I can tell, the music on these games hasn't really been changed in any significant way. It does sound a little clearer with slightly enhanced quality, but all the original pieces of music do remain. I feel that this is probably for the best. The games just wouldn't be the same without the classic music and sound effects that we remember from the original versions.
Conclusion
Whether you've played the games included here on the NES or not, this is still a must have collection. It has all the classic Mario games with enhanced graphics and the ability to save your progress. It also gives American gamers the chance to play the true SMB2 for the first time. I have to give this collection a perfect score! I don't see how it really could have been any better than this. Remaking these classics was one of the best things Nintendo has ever done.
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