Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

This game serves as the single-player sequel to Mario Bros. While later ports such as the Super Mario Advance titles would revisit the original with new visuals, Mario Clash pushes the concept further by overhauling the central combat mechanic. Instead of flipping enemies from beneath and kicking them off-screen, players now pick up and hurl Koopa shells in any direction, introducing a fresh strategic layer to every encounter.

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Leveraging the Virtual Boy’s stereoscopic display, levels unfold across two planes: a foreground and a background. Pipes connect these layers, allowing Mario to transition between depths on the fly. This front/back dynamic isn’t just cosmetic—it fundamentally alters how you manage space, anticipate enemy movement, and plan shell throws at foes across both planes. Timing a throw through a pipe or baiting a Goomba into switching layers becomes an essential skill.

Animations are crisp and responsive, with Mario’s run, jump, and shell-throw actions feeling satisfyingly weighty. The controls remain true to the series’ platforming roots: a directional pad for movement, A to pick up or drop shells, and B to throw. Mastering the angle and power of your throws is key to clearing more complex enemy formations, which often require ricocheting shells off walls or ping‐ponging them between depths.

Graphics

Mario Clash utilizes the Virtual Boy’s red-and-black palette to craft a visually striking world. The limited color scheme might seem austere at first, but developers turned it into a strength by emphasizing clean silhouettes and bold stage layouts. Enemies and environmental hazards pop against the background, ensuring clarity even when the screen grows busy.

The stereoscopic effect is more than a novelty—it enhances gameplay by making depth perception intuitive. Foreground and background pipes feel genuinely separate, and tossing shells between them delivers a satisfying sense of spatial awareness. Occasional flickering and scan‐line artifacts are present, as with many Virtual Boy titles, but they rarely interfere with your ability to track on-screen action.

Level design employs a variety of motifs—icy caves, sunken ships, and volcanic chambers—each distinguished by distinct enemy palettes and pipe configurations. While the core graphical assets are simple, subtle animations (like Koopas peeking before moving or shells bouncing off walls) bring life to each stage. In the absence of full color, these motion flourishes keep the presentation fresh throughout the campaign.

Story

True to its arcade lineage, Mario Clash offers a minimal narrative framework: classic Mushroom Kingdom mischief sees Koopa Troopas running amok, and it’s up to Mario to restore order one screen at a time. There’s no extensive cutscene drama—just brief text prompts that set up the next gauntlet of enemies and environmental twists.

Each world feels lightly themed, suggesting different Koopa strongholds rather than telling a continuous tale. As Mario advances, the difficulty ramps up and new shell‐based foes appear, hinting at Bowser’s escalating schemes. Though there’s no Princess Peach capture storyline here, the game’s context is clear: navigate treacherous pipes, outsmart enemies, and claim victory across increasingly elaborate arenas.

While story-driven players may find the narrative thin, Mario Clash never pretends to be an epic adventure. Its focus remains squarely on gameplay challenge and spatial puzzles. For fans of classic arcade simplicity, that’s entirely appropriate—a lean plot that keeps the action front and center.

Overall Experience

Mario Clash delivers an inventive twist on the time-honored Mario formula, taking advantage of the Virtual Boy’s unique hardware to offer a two‐plane battleground. Shell‐throwing mechanics feel fresh yet accessible, turning each level into a compact puzzle where spatial reasoning is as important as quick reflexes. For veteran platformer fans, the game’s escalating complexity provides a steady, engaging challenge.

That said, the Virtual Boy’s ergonomic quirks—its head-mounted display and monochrome visuals—may not suit everyone. Eye strain can set in after extended sessions, and the limited color range might feel restricting compared to Game Boy or SNES titles. Yet if you’re curious about the system’s overlooked library or simply want to experience a novel Mario outing, Mario Clash stands out as one of the console’s best.

In the end, Mario Clash is a compact, replayable gem. Levels are short but densely packed with strategic possibilities, and hidden bonuses reward players who master shell trajectories and depth transitions. Whether you’re a completionist chasing every secret or a casual Mario fan seeking a fresh spin on a familiar formula, this Virtual Boy exclusive offers satisfying gameplay that holds up surprisingly well decades after its release.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10