Super Mario Allstars

If you didn’t know, and most likely you do, Super Mario Allstars is a compilation of Super Mario Bros. 1, Japan’s 2, our 2, and 3. If you enjoyed the games before, most likely you will enjoy them again. Only problem is that it won’t feel the same compared to playing it on the NES.

Let me remind you that every game plays exactly like the NES version. If you have all the NES versions of this game, then there really isn’t a reason to buy it. The only major difference is the updated graphics and music. This is my opinion, but I just like playing them on the NES more than the SNES. Allstars is good, but to get the feeling of back in the day, you need to play the NES versions.

Let's compare SMB2 with the Allstars SMB2



Some of the changes to the games were pretty good. Having the graphics updated was a real treat, and a lot of the music being redone is really nice. Playing through SMB 1 with new a version of mario that looks like present day mario is pretty cool. Another thing about the graphics upgrade is that levels now have backgrounds. When playing our version of SMB 2, you have some backgrounds detaling what is around the world that you will never see instead of a plain blue background. It made the music a little better to listen to repeatedly for hours upon hours. Also since the console can handle much more, so it adds more beats and some more sounds onto the music.

Now here are some negative thoughts about the upgrade. The graphics are not as good as other games that came out around the same time. Playing a game you have for years, and now looks completely different with the same graphics throw you off for a second. No longer is Mario wearing brownish overalls in SMB 1, but what he looks like today. Certain backgrounds completely change the feel of certain areas. One example is the tube you can go down that is accesible from the sky in SMB 3. In the original version, the lack background makes it feel more like actually going down into a sewer and collecting money. With this upgrade, it adds a bright, happy, colorful background the changes the mood of where you are.

Mor comparisons.


Along with some more dissapointment is some of the upgraded music, which again is not comparable to music from games that came out around the same time. We all love the original Mario theme, but now it changes it to make it more Hawain music. Hard to play in a game, taking place in a new land where there is not a beach, have steel drums play in the background. Yes there are water levels, but does that change the fact steel drums on a 16 bit console go with the oringinal SMB music?

One addition that is cool is the ability to play Japan’s Super Mario Bros. 2. Now I won’t lie, this game is pretty hard. If they didn’t add the save system, then it would be really hard to reach the end. The first level feels more like one of the last levels in the first game. Now when you think at how it would have been on the NES, it is better that they didn’t send us the original SMB 2 but the changed character Doki Doki Panic.

If you want to relive your days as a kid, then just go play the originals. The graphics and music were a nice touch, but the games play exactly the same. If you don’t have a NES but a SNES, then go buy it. If you have a NES with the games already, then don’t bother with it. 3.5 out of 5, which with our current system, rounds up to 4.

3.5 star(s) out of 5

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