Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

The Good
Super Mario World 2: yoshi's island is the follow up to the very popular Super Mario World game. When I first got my hands on this game I was expecting something along the lines of the first game, but this one is completely different. In fact, it's usually considered to be the first game in the Yoshi series, and is a different part of the Mario franchise.

The story is nothing spectacular, as with all Mario titles: This game actually takes place before the other Mario games: Baby Mario and Baby Luigi are being taken by a stork to their parents. However, the evil Magikoopa Kamek, leader of the Koopa Troop (as Bowser is still too young to lead the army) foresees that these two babies will give endless problems to the koopas if they aren't taken care of. Thus, Kamek sends some of his Toadies minions to intercept the stork and capture the two babies. Unfortunately for him (and fortunately for us), the toadies only manage to capture baby luigi, while baby Mario falls in middle of the ocean, on an island. Upon reaching the island, Mario falls right on top of one of the Yoshis, friendly inhabitants of the island. The Yoshis realize Mario wants to go to Kamek's Castle to save his brother, and Kamek proceeds to flood yoshi's island with koopa troops to prevent them from reaching his hideout.

Gameplay: As mentioned, the gameplay in this game is very different from its predecessor. Instead of controlling Mario you actually control Yoshi who has already appeared as a "mount" in the first Super Mario World game. Yoshi has many moves and powerups that he can use, and when he gets hit, instead of dying he loses the baby Mario he has on his top: there is then a set timer for him to rescue Mario before a band of toadies appear out of nowhere and kidnap him, leading to the game over screen. Yoshi may however still be instantly killed by some hazards, such as lava or spikes, without losing baby Mario at all. (Ironic, as Yoshi was invulnerable to spikes in SMW). Yoshi's main abilities include swallowing enemies with his tongue, which can be either spit at other enemies, or turned into eggs, projectiles that yoshi may fire in all directions and that bounce on walls. Eggs are often a vital part in the various puzzles of the levels, and using them isn't so hard. They also come in various types although I have never figured out their difference. Other abilities include stomping enemies (as opposed to jumping over them, stomping is a "charged" jump that will damage otherwise invulnerable enemies), watermelons that have various powers (normal ones that allow Yoshi to spit seeds, and fire/ice ones that are a flamethrower and an ice-statue-maker respectively).

All levels are full of coins and various hidden items and powerups that are either used to access secret levels or to gain new abilities. A lot of the enemies in this game are brand-new, having never appeared in any Mario game before, however the most common enemies in this game are Shy Guys from SMB2 who appear on almost every level. Koopa troopas are rarer but still somewhat common, while Goombas only appear in one level. Items include Flowers that act almost exactly like the dragon coins in the first SMW game, red coins and stars. Flowers and red coins are required to get a 100% score at the end of the level (do this in each level and you'll get to a secret one), and while stars also are, their mechanic is a bit different: As I mentioned, whenever Yoshi gets hit by an enemy or a projectile, Yoshi gets temporarily stunned and loses Baby Mario and has to rescue him by either touching him or throwing an egg/enemy at him. Whenever Yoshi loses Mario a countdown starts before Toadies can get him, with said countdown being usually 10 seconds. However, it can be increased by collecting the aforementioned stars found in the levels. In order to get 100% score on a level you need to exit it with the Mario countdown set to 30.

All levels are varied enough, with caves, valleys, gardens, mountains, clouds, castles, ghost houses, and so on. There are more puzzles in this game than in SMW, and there are even more secret areas, and in some of them you even get to control Mario himself. There are also various minigames accessible if you find a key in a level and find the respective door, and they only help make the game even more enjoyable.

Graphics: The graphics are beautiful, although they look significantly different than previous games. About nothing feels out of place and every level you visit will be interesting and visually appealing (and of course fun to play). The only issue with the graphics is that at times they appear to be excessively childish, with smiling flowers everywhere especially on the first levels. However this is mostly toned down in later levels, and it's just a matter of getting used to them anyway.

Sounds: The music is pretty nice (I absolutely love the cave theme). The only track I really don't like is the mid-boss one, which is way too... "happy" for a boss theme. The castle theme is excellent, however I liked SMW's way more.

The Bad
So far I only mentioned good things about this game yet there are just a few small problems. The biggest of them is that I hate being forced to find every single special item in a level to be able to access the secret ones. Sometimes I just didn't have enough motivation to look for them and even when I did I couldn't find all of them (sometimes they're placed in ridiculous spots). I still have no idea where some of the red coins are located in one of the lakitu levels. :(

The Bottom Line
Overall, this is a great game that is also actually pretty longer than many other platformers I've played. You can see that it's a lot more refined than the original Super Mario World (but that game was, after all, a launch title.) There is a lot to do in this game so it's hard to get bored, and even if you're skeptical regarding Yoshi's Island's different feel at first, you'll soon relax and enjoy a beautiful trip to Yoshi's Island, a trip that is unlike any other.

The Good
Of all the games I've ever played, this to me is the first that felt like the creation of an author, mindful both of his artistic vision and his audience. The game is a success in every sense:

• The introduction introduces the gamer to a compelling story, and that story is told successfully by the characters and gameplay. By the end of the game, you've felt like you've participated in a narrative due to the simplicity of the story and the manner in which it was told.

• The graphics are the first I've seen that intentionally avoided using the "State of the Art" to create its game. You'll find the latest and greatest graphics in terms of technology only in the menu screen. The levels are drawn in a crayon/pastel look that enhances the "feel" of the game. The look is a testament to the creator's intent to remain true to the idea of the game and story. The graphics are to me the element that truly immerse the gamer in the story and surroundings.

• The gameplay is very involving and adds a new idea to the platformer: you're no longer worried about losing lives, you're worried about losing your baby. It's a simple idea that gives the game the feeling of "something new." Also added to augment the typical jumping of a platformer is Yoshi's egg throwing, which fits surprisingly well.

• The music is some of the best I've heard in the Mario series, which includes the largest selection of hummable songs you'll hear. The Cave and Jungle ditties are outstanding level music, and the sonata from the introduction and ending is a fantastic piece.

• Game control is sharp, and that's saying a lot seeing as how there's so much that could be off, but isn't. From egg tossing to tongue spitting to jumping and "hanging" in midair, everything about the game control is on spot.

• The replay value is outstanding with the addition of red coins, stars, and flowers to challenge the gamer to truly complete each level. A great idea, and a great addition to the platformer.
  
  The Bad
  The graphic design and feel of the game prompt "kiddy" comments from many of the more superficial, less critical gamers. I don't know what Nintendo could have done to market this game differently so more gamers were willing to try it. I think part of the problem is that the game came around right when the PS showed up and so many gamers were concerned about so-called mature titles instead of honest-to-goodness gameplay.

I guess "the bad" of the game is its timing: had it been released two years earlier, I think far more people would recognize the artistry and outstanding gameplay of Yoshi's Island.

The Bottom Line
Among the many games I've played, from great "old school" arcade shooters to console/PC platformers, RPGs, etc, Yoshi's Island is easily my favorite game of all-time.

I see this game as a truly exceptional accomplishment in gaming, and one that should be remembered as being the first game to recognize that "pushing the graphical envelope" isn't necessarily the only way to craft a graphically compelling game. In an industry obsessed with so-called innovation, Yoshi's Island's use of graphics is truly innovative.

If you have a chance to own this game, whether in its SNES or GBA format, own it. Give this game a chance and it will reward you in so many ways for having done so.

The Good
Imagine Super Mario World with better graphic's. Okay, so that's all this game has on the original. You play as Yoshi and must take baby Mario back to his parents. You must fight through tons of levels, including cool castles, and make your way to baby Bower. Yoshi gets a lot of cool attacks and the levels are really challenging!

The Bad
When Yoshi gets hurt and baby Mario cries it's super annoying, but I guess then at least you realize Mario fell off. And what's up with turning into a train, that's super annoying and the music sucks!

The Bottom Line
Well, the train's annoying but still, it's worth it to get this game!