Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (GBA)
	Developer Nintendo Publisher Nintendo Reviewed by Erik "Bondo" Bondurant [Feedback] [Author Bio] Review Date February 11, 2002

Rating (out of 5.0) 4.0 out of 5.0*

Strengths Simple but deep controls Deep, challenging gameplay It’s Super Mario World Weaknesses Nothing unique to the title Maddening at times with difficulty It’s only Super Mario World

* Notes Gaming Voice ratings are based on the technical and/or gameplay merits of a given product as well as the developer's choice of features and delivery of same. Our rating is not an endorsement of the thematic content of a given title. Gamers and parents are cautioned to determine if such content conflicts or coincides with their values and beliefs.

Too many gamers might be put off by the difficulty to enjoy it.

Like it’s GBA predecessor (Super Mario Advance 1), the graphics have been upgraded, slightly less this time as it had less room to grow. Also added was the classic Mario Bros. Arcade game. Unfortunately nothing beyond what was available in SMA1 is present. One new benefit is that you can play a multiplayer, multi-pack game where each player can use his or her own copy of the gamepack. In addition you can still play with only one gamepack as well, it is, however, slower. Nothing has been added to extend the single player game, although it could be argued that it is long enough already.

This game is nasty as only the old games can be.

When it comes to difficulty, this game is nasty as only the old games can be. So many levels push your resolve, making you consider becoming Amish so as to never be faced with it again. The only complaint I have is that there needs to be more checkpoints as they are just too few and far between sometimes, requiring minutes of precise jumping. Thankfully the controls are done well; if they had been botched in any way the game would be unbearably hard. The controls are so deep that it takes 10 pages in the manual to describe them, yet they are placed so well it isn’t a burden.

Playing the game is fairly simple. You play through all the levels in a world, and then beat a sub-boss at the castle to advance to the next world. Also thrown in are ghost houses that take much more thinking than the normal levels as they tend not to progress straight from one side to the other. As you can go and replay any levels -- except the castles until the end -- you will always be able to restock on lives in the easy levels.

Thankfully the controls are done well.

Besides the linear gameplay there are further challenges to complete. Each level holds 5 Yoshi coins strategically placed about the level that, upon successful collection, gives you an extra life. Additionally, upon completion of the level will give you a mark on the status screen. Some levels also have secondary goals that can be completed by taking an alternate route, likely opened up later in the game.

All this adds up to at least 45 hours of gameplay to complete. The only reasons not to buy this game -- aside from not owning a GBA -- are if you have already played Super Mario World and don’t wish to again, or if you are not an exceptional 2D platform gamer. I would recommend this game more strongly but I just think that too many gamers might be put off by the difficulty to enjoy it.