Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins

The Good
The Nintendo Gameboy was not a very good gaming machine. Sure it had good games. But for the most part it just could not compare to the Snes and Genesis. Fortunately, Super Mario Land 2: Six Golden Coins, is one of the best games for the Gameboy if not the best.

In Mario Land 2, Mario’s evil twin, aptly named Wario. Has taken over Mario Land! He has barricaded himself in Mario’s Castle( Who would have thought Mario would have a castle?), to gain entry and thrash his nefarious twin Mario must collect 6 Golden Coins. Which just happen to be scattered across 6 areas, all with there own theme and stages, and end boss.

From a house in which Mario has been shrunk down, even more. To the Moon. And my personal favorite, The Pumpkin Zone, which is of course Halloween themed. Each Zone has levels usually 3-4. The end has a boss, that must be trashed to collect the corresponding coin.

The Mario gameplay we have come to know and love is intact here on the small screen. Mario begins the quest tiny, eats a mushroom and becomes Super Mario. Fireflower, and Star Man, also return. New to Mario is the Rabbit power up. Mario eats a magic carrot and sprouts rabbit ears with enable flight.(What no tail?)

Instead of a 1-UP at 100 coins. Mario can spend his coins on a minigame, that can earn him powerups, as well as extra lives. Ending a stage also gives Mario a chance to earn goodies. All of this makes earning 100 or more lives almost too easy. There are also secret stages to be unlocked and conquered.

The Graphics are good for a Gameboy game. Color would have been nice though. Even on a Gameboy Color or Gameboy Advance, the colors are not all that good.

The sound is typical Mario, not that that’s a bad thing.

The Bad
This game is way too easy, and too short. Even with all the secrets, and gaining hundreds of lives!

The only real challenge here is Wario’s Castle.

If you can find this game, it is a a little pricey.

The Bottom Line
This is honestly one of the best Mario games. Seeing a different villain is nice. And not having to save the Princess for once is refreshing.