Gamer's Attic #21 - SUPER MARIO WORLD 2: Yoshi's Island guest written by Eddy

[James]

Think of it as a fairy tale.

Mario and Yoshi, two longtime friends. They first crossed paths in the popular SNES game “Super Mario World”, but one game would seem to defy that. Are the events that took place in this game something that really happened in the Mario universe? Or maybe “Yoshi’s Island” is supposed to be a bedtime story to help young mushrooms fall asleep…


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/ResidentYoshi88/yoshi.jpg


Gamers Attic Presents:
SUPER MARIO WORLD 2: YOSHI’S ISLAND
Genre: Adventure/Platform
Published by: Nintendo
Platform: SNES
Released: 1995


“Yoshi’s Island” has been hailed as one of the greatest platform games of all time. Supposedly, it acts as a prequel to the entire Mario story. However, in my eyes I think of it to be a tall tale. A story told to Yoshi babies to hear the story of Mario and Yoshi. Or maybe I’m just being nerdy by looking at it that way, who knows?

Story:


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/ResidentYoshi88/yoshiscreen1.jpg

The game begins on a dark, moonlit night. A stork is flying through the night air, in his beak he holds two newborn babies, two brothers. You guessed it, the stork is carrying the young Mario and Luigi and is on his way to the proud to-be parents house.

On his way there, the stork can see a black figure heading right towards him.


"THE BABIES ARE MINE!"


The figure screamed as he blurred right past the unsuspecting stork. Unfortunately for the dark figure, he only grabbed one baby. Dizzy due to the sudden attack, the stork accidentally drops the second baby and it is sent falling towards the sea…



OH-NO!!!

Meanwhile, on the humble Yoshi’s Island, Yoshi is enjoying his time by taking a relaxing walk. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a baby lands on Yoshi’s back along with a map. When Yoshi can’t understand the map he takes it and the baby to his friends. They soon learn that the vile Kamek has kidnapped Baby Mario’s brother and taken him to the evil Baby Bowser.

And so Yoshi and his friends set out to help Baby Mario and rescue his brother Luigi…


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/ResidentYoshi88/yoshiscreen2.jpg

Welcome to Yoshi's Island!
Gameplay:

“Yoshi’s Island” had gameplay unlike any other Mario game at the time, while still maintaining that Mario feel. Like many Mario games before it, Yoshi could jump on some enemies to defeat them. But “Yoshi’s Island” also added the idea of ammo in the Mario universe. Whenever Yoshi would eat an enemy an egg would be produced. With these eggs, Yoshi could pick them up and hurl them at foes in order to defeat them. At times the use of Yoshi’s eggs were absolutely needed.

Yoshi could also pull of a stylish new jumping technique that has since carried on into games like Yoshi’s Story, Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Mario 64 DS. There was also a wide assortment of power-ups for Yoshi to get, from watermelons to ice breath. Not to mention all the devices Yoshi could morph into! At several points in the game Yoshi can transform into many unique things, such as helicopters and submarines.

The level design was excellent. Each level offered a unique design, unique enemies and a large amount of entertainment.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/ResidentYoshi88/yoshiscreen4.jpg

Here we see Yoshi in the form of a helicopter!



Controls:


The controls were easy enough to understand. If you had difficulty, you would eventually catch on. You’d simply use the control pad to move left or right and look up or down. Holding the jump button while in the air allowed Yoshi to kick his feet, providing a further jumping distance.

Where you wanted to fire the eggs was guided by the use of a crosshair that would move up and down. Once your crosshair was on the target you could release the egg and attack the foe.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/ResidentYoshi88/Yoshiscreen5.jpg

The target system aided the egg throwing greatly.

Graphics and Sound:

Even today the graphics of “Yoshi’s Island” can be considered marvelous. It has a very unique style and feel to it, and is full of bright and colorful characters. The backgrounds often look like drawings and the scenery looks as if it was a work of art as well.

The music in this game is very catchy. Certain tunes like “Make Eggs, Throw Eggs” and “Touch Fuzzy, Get Dizzy” will get stuck in your head for hours. The opening, closing and cave themes are also very beautifully put together.

The sound in the game ranges from “boings,” “springs,” and Yoshi noises. However, the cry of Baby Mario annoys just about anybody who plays this game. Regardless, it’s a small price to pay and the rest of the game more then makes up for it.




http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/ResidentYoshi88/Yoshiscreen6.jpg

The caves are certainly some of the most beautiful areas in the game, with very nice music to boot.




Conclusion:


There’s a reason that this game is considered to be one of the greatest Mario games, as well as platform games in general, of all time. It deserves every bit of praise that it gets. If you missed out on the SNES version, you can check out the Game Boy Advance port of the game. “Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island” is not a game to be ignored.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v623/ResidentYoshi88/yoshiscreen7.jpg


Review written by Eddy (http://forums.toonzone.net/member.php?userid=1123)


Gamer's Attic #20: Metal Gear: Ghost Babel (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?p=1544701)
Gamer's Attic #19: Super Castlevania IV (showthread.php?t=122445)
Gamer's Attic #18: Diddy Kong Racing (http://gamer%27s%20attic%20/#18:%20Super%20Castlevania%20IV%20%3C/a%3E%3C/font%3E%3C/font%3E)
Gamer's Attic #17: Space Quest IV (http://showthread.php/?t=116774)
Gamer's Attic #16: The Secret Of Monkey Island (http://showthread.php/?t=107347)
Gamer's Attic #15: Wing Commander 3: The Heart Of The Tiger
Gamer's Attic #14: Super Mario RPG: The Legend of the Seven Stars (http://showthread.php/?t=98560)
Gamer's Attic #13: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Arcade) (http://showthread.php/?t=92013)
Gamer's Attic #12: Populous (http://showthread.php/?t=86349)
Gamer's Attic #11: Mortal Kombat 3 (http://showthread.php/?t=84567)
Gamer's Attic #10: Doom (http://showthread.php/?t=80778)
Gamer's Attic #9: Tomb Raider (http://showthread.php/?t=78734)
Gamer's Attic #8: Final Fantasy (http://showthread.php/?t=65570)
Gamer's Attic #7: Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie's Double Trouble (http://showthread.php/?threadid=59248)
Gamer's Attic #6: Shenmue (with pics) (http://showthread.php/?threadid=56376)
Gamer's Attic #5: Phantasy Star IV (http://showthread.php/?threadid=54598)
Gamer's Attic #4: Zelda: A Link to the Past & Tokyo Highway Battle and Chase (http://showthread.php/?threadid=51968)
Gamer's Attic #3: Mega Man X (with Pics) (http://showthread.php/?threadid=48466)
Gamer's Attic #2: Dragon Power (http://showthread.php/?threadid=47785)
Gamer's Attic #1: Super Mario Bros. (http://showthread.php/?threadid=40934)



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[Classic Speedy]

Certain tunes like “Make Eggs, Throw Eggs” and “Touch Fuzzy, Get Dizzy” will get stuck in your head for hours. And "Hop Hop! Donut Lifts", one of the catchiest and bounciest tunes in any video game, ever.

Great game, BTW. It was gutsy for Nintendo to try something different, but I guess they had to because of competition from Sega being some of the worst around 1995. The worlds felt alive, the challenge was a big jump from the original Super Mario World, and it had tons of variety when it came to solving puzzles to get through the levels (and to get the red coins).

But yes, baby Mario's cry is quite grating to the ears.

[Lord Dalek]

You know, I really hate this game...

[Tanooki]

it was a decent enough game. getting through the game and beating it was easy enough, but actually getting all 30 star points, 5 flowers, and all the red coins in each level was a pain >_< still never beat it 100% i did enjoy the heck out of the end theme song as the credits scrolled. *reminesces*

Falcon

[The Jinjo]

probably my favorite game of all time. great level design, character design, music, and lots of memories

[Chrono1995]

Hooking up the Super Nintendo to play it as we speak. My favorite game in the Mario series (besides RPG and Mario 3, of course).

[Dudley]

I'm have that on my SNES, and I'm getting it for my GBA so I can play it on the go.

How do you beat the last boss in the thrid world? Ya know the pirahna plant thing?

[James]

I really enjoyed it. Was a little easy maybe compared to SMW - certainly getting 100% was far more simple - but it was a good solid idea and evolution from SMW.

It was good to see Nintendo doing it's usual inovative thing and not just sticking with the same format. Colourful, fun, full of character and a pretty good learning curve.

The only downside I can think of is those who had completed SMW would just sweep through it.

[Mr. Pedro]

I've played it on the SNES and I'm still getting a kick out of it on the GBA. I'm going for 100% clear on each stage (something I skipped over the first time I played it). The secret stages are simply chewing me up right now, and I'm still looking for that fifth flower in Prince Froggy's fort, so I'm at a bit of a stand-still right now.


How do you beat the last boss in the thrid world? Ya know the pirahna plant thing? Fire your eggs at the bottom of the wall and they should ricochet and hit Narval Pirahna's weak point.

[g_UnIt_GaNsTa]

One of the best games for the SNES, in my opinion.

[Peter Paltridge]

This is my favorite platformer. You do so much more than jump....you aim, you fire, you drive, you balance, you.....there are just so many extra dimensions to the game it's amazing. And you can eat monkeys.

[Lord Dalek]

Maybe I'm a traditionalist but I prefer the long standing and long missed Mario eats mushrooms and squashes things-style of gameplay.

[UberMonkey]

Maybe I'm a traditionalist but I prefer the long standing and long missed Mario eats mushrooms and squashes things-style of gameplay. Well, then, that begs the question if this game should be judged as a Mario game, like you seem to do, or as a platformer with it's own merits. Certainly it's set in the Mario-verse, and borrows heavily that series' gameplay, but, like the WarioLand series and the upcoming Princess Peach game, the new gameplay elements and different central character should probably be judged from a more standalone viewpoint.

I really do love this game, so much that I went and bought the GBA port for my friend when he said he'd never played it (He'd heard good things, but was turned off by Yoshi's Story). But as for favorite Mario game, I'd probably say a toss up between SMB3 and SMW (leaning towards 3). I'd go as far as to say that Yoshi's Island beats them, though, when it comes to impressive boss battles. Even if they could've used a little more challenge at times. Still, Giant Baby Bowser? Awesome.

Something that I'd think would be neat, but never happen.. would be a new Mario game that blended the different types of gameplay... Think like the different characters in SMB2, and the interweaving plots in Sonic Adventure... Mario'd be your traditional mushroom eating and brick breaking (I'd love to see the suit system again, too)... Yoshi with his egg arsenal... throw in Peach with her gimmick, and maybe have Luigi use E. Gadd gadgets, from the Poltergust 3000 or the FLUDD.. I'm just rambling now. But, still, showing off all the game styles in a single adventures, if done right, could be really fun, IMO.

[ChuckRoast]

Heh...I was just thinking about this game today. This game probably has one of the greatest ending songs I've ever played on the SNES.

[G1Ravage]

Those monkeys were kawaii. :anime:

[Zero Kagayaki]

this one of my favorite game on SNES

[Master Moron]

This game was absolutely awful. This was the point at which the Mario games were no longer entertaining. Oh boy, where to start. All right first, story. All right, I know Nintendo games in general don't give a damn about the story, but how in the hell can Yoshi know Mario as a baby if they first met each other in Super Mario World? And how can King Koopa know Mario if he first met Mario in Super Mario Bros.? And do I even have to get into the fact that any story that has the stork in it makes me feel like I'm too old to be playing the game?

Okay, where next. The graphics. Ugly, ugly, ugly. They seem to be going for this style where everything's supposed to look like it's drawn by little kids. It's kind of nice for about a level or two, then I get sick of it.

And I have no idea why you're all praising the music, it was way too happy and cheery for me. And before you say, "But, it's a Mario game, it's supposed to be happy and cheery!" Well, no, that isn't necessarily the case, Mario 3 certainly had it's share of music that wasn't cheery. The ice world, the boss music, the airship music, the underground level music.

Oh, as for the gameplay. Well, it sucked. Yoshi jumps like a freakin retard. Okay, his jump starts out normal then when he reaches the peak of his jump, he FALLS, and then starts kicking in the air to slowly get a little higher. Trying to actually jump on platforms becomes a chore when he can't even jump normally. Egg throwing was a pain in the ass as well. You have to hit the hold button as the little cursor is moving around way too fast. Why can't they let you control the cursor thing? Aiming the eggs is just more trouble than it's worth. Oh, and yeah, no fireflowers, capes, etc. The power ups that make Yoshi transform are just stupid. I mean, I'm not asking for a Mario game to have logic, but a freakin dinosaur turns into a helicopter? wtf?

Oh, and what the hell happened to the map? On this game you just seem to go level to level. Mario 3 and Mario World had these awesome maps where you could find lots of secret areas and stuff. I've never found a secret area in this game, but I'd imagine you'd unlock them if you get all the items in a level, but I'd rather not play these levels more than once as getting through them once was painful enough.

Oh, yeah, there are a few good things about this game. The first one is Yoshi can trip. I'm surprised that drug use is advocated in a Nintendo game, but there is an item that gets Yoshi high on this game. I forget what it was, some sort of flower or something. While there's really no benefit in getting Yoshi high, it does make the levels somewhat more fun.

Oh yeah, and the bosses, the bosses on this game are very unique and are probably the most interesting aspect of this game. Well, I mean, most of them are just big sized versions of regular enemies, but most of them required some sort of a strategy and were rather fun to fight.

So, yeah, in conclusion, the game was rather horrible and I never want to play it again, but I wouldn't mind just playing the parts where you can trip or fight bosses again.

[Obi]

I own the game, but it's never been a favorite of mine. It was always the "other" game I would play as a kid, when I got bored of playing Super Mario Bros. 3.

[James]

I must confess what disappointed me at the time was how short it was compared to Super Mario World. I zipped through it and hit the top rating pretty soon. It looked pretty, it was playable and very enjoyable, but it didn't have the longevity I expected from Mario. That was a big shame.

[Simpler Simon]

Someone remind me again what happens when you collect 100% of everything in a level? I did it once, but it was only on the first level and I've completely forgotten.

Great game, very innovative with diverse gameplay elements. That was a great time for platform gaming as Donkey Kong Country 2 also hit stores a few weeks before or after it. Anyone know which one sold better?

[unknown hero]

If you get 100% in each level of a world a secret, super hard level is unlocked, as well as a bonus game. I have to tell ya, those secret levels are the most difficult levels to beat in the game.

This was one of the greatest platforms released by nintendo. Awesome graphics and good gameplay, definitely one of the best.

[Classic Speedy]

Okay, where next. The graphics. Ugly, ugly, ugly. They seem to be going for this style where everything's supposed to look like it's drawn by little kids. It's kind of nice for about a level or two, then I get sick of it. I read on wikipedia that the graphics in the game were created as Miyamoto's antagonistic reaction to Nintendo's evaluation committee who said that the next Mario game should look identical to Donkey Kong Country.

Granted, the graphics aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I just thought that was interesting.

[Eddy]

The first one is Yoshi can trip. I'm surprised that drug use is advocated in a Nintendo game, but there is an item that gets Yoshi high on this game. I forget what it was, some sort of flower or something.
Yeah, those were the "Fuzzy's" that would get Yoshi "dizzy." That was always fun to do.

Hmm... no has written a Gamer's Attic for quite some time.

[Lord Dalek]

Hmm... no has written a Gamer's Attic for quite some time.I have one written up for Kings Quest V but I'm not sure if I want to submit it.

[Dark Spider]

I discovered this game like 2 weeks ago, and I agree that it is one of the better platformers during the SNES era. The graphics are definitely a fresh change of pace from other Mario games and even other platformers and were a sight for extremely sore eyes. The gameplay was so simple, yet effective in bringing in a new challenge. This game was perfect. The only thing I have a gripe with is the lack of a world map like other people mentioned. Well, technically, there is a world map, but it has been made linear by the cursor only being able to go directly to a level and that's it. Also I hate the fact that Baby Mario escapes with a single hit, and you have to drop everything your doing to reclaim him. Granted, its a fresh idea, but I still disliked it. This game gets a A from me.

Oh and I'm glad to see the Gamer's Attic grow over time into such a nice specialty thread. It almost wants to make me cry how entertaining this thread has become from the days when I ran it. Great job everyone :)

[Conan-san]

"Touch fuzzy, get Dizzy" is one of video games funniest set pieces, right next to the skits in Symphonia.