Super Mario Land : A Review on the Adorable Mario Classic

Two months ago I set out on a quest to defeat all of the Mario games where the main character was actually Mario. It began with Super Mario Bros. for NES and is going to end with the release of Super Mario Galaxy this spring.

Anyway, I recently finished Super Mario Land for the original Gameboy and felt it was much deserving of a review. Unfortunately, due to being released in the pre-internet time period, Super Mario Land has very few reviews on the internet and I feel it is best that the public have some way of knowing about the game before purchasing it.

Super Mario Land is one of those games that at the start, you'll quickly detest, but as you play, will fall in love with. It definitely does not possess all of the qualities of its NES predecessors and is simplistic at best. Super Mario Land is kind of like the cute baby of the family. The baby that is so ugly on the outside, but once you get to know it, you begin to love it.

I would like to start with the graphics. They're plain and simply ugly - even for their time: Black and white and simply feel strange at first. In fact, the turtles don't even have shells in Super Mario Land. If you jump on them - they turn into little bombs and blow up. The backgrounds are almost hilarious. So simple, yet detailed in their unique way. I was a personal fan of the "Easter Island" themed world which had stone head after stone head as you made your way through.

The music of this game is unforgettable - literally. The music from the first level is one of the most famous Mario songs to date and each other level is just as enjoyable. I was walking around humming world two's theme for at least a week after playing SML for the first time. Each level has a catchy melody that despite its lack of complexity, is bound to produce a smile. Another funny note about the music is that when you get a star you do not receive the typical Mario star music, but in fact a very famous jingle that you're sure to recognize. * wink wink *

The length of the game is kind of disappointing, but a welcome relief after you realize that you can't save your progress. There are only four worlds with three levels opposed to the typical eight worlds. The variety in the levels, however, is pretty creative. You not only do the typical run and jump, but get to operate a submarine and fly a plane; this was a feature not included in previous Mario games. These are a welcome alternative and definitely add to the fun.

In recollection, Super Mario Land is a simple portable spin off of the popular series that flag shipped the NES. While it may appear ugly at first, Super Mario Land has several aspects that make it a ton of fun. It can be bought used for anywhere from $5 - $10 these days, and if you're a Mario fan who has not yet had the experience of Super Mario Land, then this purchase is more than necessary.