Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Super Mario All-Stars breathes new life into four classic NES titles without altering their original level design or core mechanics. From the straightforward jumps and flagpoles of Super Mario Bros. to the devilishly precise platforming of The Lost Levels, the collection preserves each game’s unique challenge. The addition of a save-and-load feature is a major quality-of-life improvement, letting players tackle trickier castles or labyrinthine worlds at their own pace rather than relying on limited lives and passwords.

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The compilation’s variety is one of its biggest strengths. Super Mario Bros. 2 introduces the ability to pick up and throw enemies, while Super Mario Bros. 3’s inventory system and power-up suits add layers of strategy and exploration. Each entry feels distinct, yet they all share that signature Mario tightness in controls and level pacing, making it easy to switch back and forth without feeling disoriented. Whether you’re a newcomer or a longtime fan, there’s a smooth difficulty curve that ramps up naturally over each game’s worlds.

Boss battles are a highlight throughout the collection—Bowser’s castles, Wart’s fortress, and the Koopalings’ varied arenas all demand different approaches. Some fights reward patience and pattern recognition, while others demand quick reflexes and clever use of items. If you’ve only ever played the original Super Mario Bros., jumping into The Lost Levels might feel brutally unforgiving at first, but the save option eases that sting and encourages experimentation. Overall, the gameplay lineup is nostalgic yet refreshed, capturing the essence of classic side-scrollers with modern convenience.

Graphics

One of Super Mario All-Stars’ most impressive features is its graphical overhaul. Bright, high-contrast colors and smooth animations replace the flickering sprites of the original NES versions, making every world pop off the screen. Whether you’re trudging through the desert levels of Super Mario Bros. 2 or navigating the cloud boards in Super Mario Bros. 3, the enhanced visuals bring out details that were barely visible on the 8-bit hardware.

Character sprites have been lovingly redrawn, giving Mario, Luigi, and the various enemies more personality and fluid movement. The backgrounds and tilesets are richer and more varied, too—lush forests, haunted houses, and underwater vistas all showcase the SNES’s superior palette. Even subtle effects, like the swirling warp zones and shimmering mushrooms, feel more alive, enhancing player immersion without changing the nostalgic feel of each game.

The sound department also receives a facelift, with fuller instrument samples and crisper sound effects. Iconic tunes like the Underground theme and Bowser’s Castle have more depth, yet they remain instantly recognizable. The combination of sharper visuals and richer audio makes revisiting these classics feel like discovering them anew, offering a compelling reason for both first-timers and series veterans to experience the games again.

Story

While Mario games have never relied heavily on narrative, Super Mario All-Stars weaves together the simple but charming tales of each title into a unified collection. The overarching goal remains the rescue of Princess Peach (and in The Lost Levels, the Mushroom Retainers), with standard damsel-in-distress motivations driving Mario and Luigi from world to world. This straightforward premise allows the gameplay to shine without getting bogged down in exposition.

Each installment adds its own whimsical twist on the series’ lore. In Super Mario Bros. 2, players explore the dreamlike land of Subcon, piloted by Wart’s bizarre minions, adding a surreal flavor to the usual Mushroom Kingdom setting. Super Mario Bros. 3 ramps up the stakes by pitting Mario against Bowser’s seven Koopalings, each guarding a different realm. Though minimal, these story elements provide enough context to keep players invested in clearing every level and uncovering hidden secrets.

Dialogue and in-game text remain concise but effective, offering occasional humor and motivation without interrupting the action. The lack of a deep narrative is part of the charm—there’s no filler, just pure platforming joy. For those seeking a quick backstory before diving into classic stage after classic stage, the packaging and manual (in its original SNES release) supply enough lore to frame each adventure neatly.

Overall Experience

Super Mario All-Stars stands as a benchmark for retro compilations, offering four foundational platformers in one polished package. The inclusion of Super Mario Bros., The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3 ensures a broad spectrum of difficulty and design philosophies, making it easy to see the series’ evolution. The save feature alone transforms formerly punishing levels into approachable challenges, striking a fine balance between nostalgia and modern convenience.

Players new to the Mario franchise will find an accessible entry point, thanks to intuitive controls and the ability to save progress anywhere. Veterans will appreciate the faithful level layouts and the chance to experience the revamped audio-visual presentation. Whether you’re aiming to speedrun a world, hunt down every hidden warp zone, or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll through pixelated landscapes, the collection caters to many playstyles.

With its blend of timeless gameplay, vibrant presentation, and thoughtful enhancements, Super Mario All-Stars remains a must-have for platforming enthusiasts. It not only preserves gaming history but revitalizes it for modern audiences, ensuring that Mario’s earliest adventures continue to delight and challenge players for years to come.

Retro Replay Score

8.8/10