Lately, I’ve been feeling nostalgic and playing classic Nintendo games. Perhaps no franchise (outside of Zelda) had a bigger impact on my childhood than the Super Mario Bros. games. The original game on the Nintendo Entertainment System practically taught me how to play video games. I was absolutely obsessed with the 1989 television series, too. (I’m rewatching it as I write this!)
But the moment that Super Mario Bros. became forever impressed upon my heart was my first time playing Super Mario Bros. 3. The transformations beyond the Fire Flower and Super Star blew my mind. That first time I took to the skies with the Super Leaf power-up is a core memory–I couldn’t believe how far video games had advanced.
Of course, Super Mario Bros. 3 also introduced the overworld concept, something that would forever change the franchise. The worlds felt so immersive, gave purpose to the individual levels. Discovering shortcuts and secrets was peak gaming in the late 80s / early 90s. Add to that the lore building and challenge of regional bosses, and I knew I was playing something special.
I never expected anything to top my Super Mario Bros. 3 experience; but opening my Super Nintendo Entertainment System at Christmas and playing the launch title Super Mario World was better than I could have imagined. The game masterfully built upon the overworld concept, linking these maps to a larger continent that truly lived up to the game’s title.
The Cape Feather took flying Mario to new heights and really emphasized exploration of the skies as part of the level design. The game also introduced special areas like Ghost Houses, Star World, and the Special Zone, which made my seven-year-old self feel like a gaming god.
But NOTHING will top that first moment I discovered Yoshi. I became obsessed with the little green dinosaur and haven’t lost that feeling even in adulthood. Super Mario World added so many essential elements to the franchise, that years later, I still believe it had a larger impact than Super Mario Bros. 3, which is obviously a giant in the franchise’s history.
Tell us what you think! Did Super Mario Bros. 3 or Super Mario World have the bigger impact on the Mario franchise? Share your reactions in the comments below or join the conversation on Boss Rush Network’s Discord, Facebook, and Twitter.
Featured Image: Nintendo
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