Super Mario Advance

Released in 2001 as a launch game for the superb Game Boy Advance, Super Mario Advance is actually Super Mario Bros. 2, originally released for the NES and then included on Super Mario All Stars on the SNES.

The delightful title screen.

This GBA version is essentially the All Stars version with some aesthetical tweaks and additional features. There is some voice acting in this version, and perhaps the best of the additions is the Yoshi Challenge. This involves revisiting stages in search of Yoshi eggs. Nifty, eh?

Just before the title appears on the main screen, the Yoshi Challenge is hinted at as you can see a large Yoshi egg perched on a ledge. There's also a remake of Mario Bros. on here, which is the original arcade game and still good fun to play to this day. It's better in 2 player mode though, so unless you've got a link cable handy for your GBA and a friend who also has the system...well, you can't play 2 player!

The artwork for Doki Doki Panic.

Anyway, back to the main title available here. I've always had a soft spot for this game. I have the original NES version (Which I will get around to eventually!) and have always enjoyed it. As many will already know, this game wasn't even supposed to be a Mario game!

You see, the "real" Super Mario Bros. 2 was deemed to be too tough for Western players. Nintendo's solution to this problem was to remodel the main characters in Japanese game "Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic" with characters from the world of Mario.

I loved being able to play as either Mario, Luigi, Toad and Princess Toadstool (As she was known in the original, although in the GBA version it was changed to Princess Peach.), as each of the characters has a unique feel and their strengths really do make selecting them for different levels in your attempt to stop Wart a must.

You have to use these keys to open locked doors...but be careful!

The soundtrack is fantastic, as Koji Kondo works his magic to truly bring the game to life with his unique style and amazingly catchy melodies. However, don't be fooled by the pleasant overworld theme.

This game is hard as nails. Not only will you be platforming in traditional fashion, but also vertically. The waterfalls with their logs can be particularly tricky, even at the beginning of the game, and the sand sections can be challenging too. There are many dangers, in many different forms.  I still fear those golden masks who appear down certain vases!

My copy of Super Mario Advance.

World 1-3 has a warp zone which will take you straight to world 4-1, but it's almost a bad idea in many regards, as the spike in difficulty is pretty steep. There are also a few other warp zones well hidden in some later levels.

So yeah, you will die. A lot. That being said, the challenge is a thoroughly enjoyable one, and with that in mind this game is highly replayable. If you've never clocked this game, get to it as it's well worth it! I'll happily visit the land of Subcon many times more.

Gary