This snazzy package released in celebration of gaming's greatest franchise's 25th birthday could have been so much more.
Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. series turned twenty-five years old in 2010. No other game series even comes close to being as influential in gaming. So it would only be fitting (as well as being a good marketing move by Nintendo) to release something in celebration of Nintendo's famed series turning a quarter of a century old. Super Mario All-Stars for the Nintendo Wii is essentially a port of the original Super Mario All-Stars compilation released for the Super Nintendo.
To make the package a little more sweeter, Nintendo included a soundtrack that contains ten tracks and ten random sound effects from the Super Mario series, dating all the way back to the original Super Mario Bros. released in 1985 up to this year's Super Mario Galaxy 2. A semi-thick booklet containing photos and commentary of the series' history is also included. Overall, it is a very snazzy package, but it could have been so much more.
There is really no point in criticizing the gameplay that is offered in Super Mario All-Stars. Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3 are three of Nintendo's most exquisite masterpieces. And The Lost Levels is a must play for Mario enthusiasts who enjoy their tough platforming. The gaming sprites have not been updated from the Super Nintendo's 16-bit original. This is largely disappointing when you consider all of the possibilities that Nintendo could have taken advantage of. How about enhancing the graphics even more? How about having the option to choose between 8-bit, 16 bit, or even newer, flashier graphics to play your Mario?
Throughout the years, The Super Mario Bros. series' musical scores have been almost as impressive as its consistently refined and enjoyable gameplay. The soundtrack contains only ten tracks. There are dozens and dozens of masterful tracks contained within this legendary series, and the soundtrack, though good, simply does not do the series justice. You get one track from each core Super Mario game from Super Mario Bros. to Super Mario Galaxy 2. The soundtrack is basically a chronicling of the Super Mario Bros. theme songs. The final ten tracks on the soundtrack are ten random sound effects, which feels like unnecessary filler. Had the soundtrack contained more from Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2's grand orchestrated musical scores, it would have been much more diverse.
It feels as if Nintendo put forth a lackadaisical effort in compiling a commemorative package for their greatest franchise. The soundtrack is nice, but could have been a meatier, diverse offering. The games themselves hold up very well, but Nintendo could have included a game or two more. The addition of Super Mario World, Yoshi's Island, and Super Mario 64 would have been icing on the cake. The lack of extra content on the gaming disc itself is a mistake that even the least of gameplay compilations do not make.The disc contains no artwork galleries, timelines chronicling the series' history, nor any ability to unlock music tracks.
This package really feels more like a novelty item for Super Mario enthusiasts and collectors alike. If you are a huge Super Mario fan like me (It's by far my favorite series), then you will find this compilation to be a cool and nostalgic addition to your Wii library. Anyone who has not experienced the old Super Mario classics could buy the originals on the Virtual Console for five bucks each, unless playing the 16-bit versions and owning a collectible package is vital to them.