The 4 games are still classics, but the overall packging is severely lacking
GRAPHICS:
The games look like they were on the SNES, and they still look very sharp, though menus and the overall presentation of the game could have been improved. 4/5
SOUND:
The music in all games is fantastic, contaning some of the best video game tunes ever, and the quality of the music is top notch. 5/5
PACKAGING:
This compilation comes with the disk contaning the 4 games plus a booklet with Mario's history and a CD with music from games from the series. To say that what has been included is dispointing is the understatment of the century. First of, the CD only has one song from all the Mario games from the consoles minus Japanese 2 and plus New Super Mario Bros (DS), and the songs that are included are the variations of the main Mario theme, plus some sound effects. While I can see that they wanted to show the evolution of the music, it still comes as lacking. Much more could have been included, and there isn't any excuse for not including another CD with more music. From the Galaxy games a CD with more than 10 songs could have been made. Second, the booklet is almost insulting, only showing pictures of the console games (plus New Super Mario Bros) and some coments from Miyamoto and others. It completely ignores the GB games and it just dosen't explain the creation of the character and the series as a whole. It is interesting the things that they say, but it is just too simple. And last, the original version of All Stars didn't include Super Mario World, but was re-released with that game, so why not include in this version?0.5/5
GAMEPLAY:
The games are 2D plataformers. Playing as Mario, your main objective is to rescue Princess Peach (minus American 2). I will be brief and say that all the games are very good, presenting great level design, fun gameplay and sharp controls. Mario 1 is a simple yet fun plataformer, Mario 2 (Jp) is insanely hard but satisfying, 2(Am) is different but still fun and 3 is a masterpiece of level design and great power ups. 5/5
OVERALL:
This is a very disapointing package. Since all the games are availiable in the Virtual Console consting less (albeit in 8 bit versions), there is no reason to get this version, since the CD and the booklet don't add much. It might be able to get for colectors, but this is it.
The good:
-4 great plataformers
-All with great soundtracks and visuals
The bad:
-Disapointing CD
-More disapointing booklet
-No update from the SNES version
-Lack of Super Mario Wolrd