Do you like Mario? Are you a masochist? Then this is the game for you!
The premise is the same as the original SMB. Bowser kidnaps Peach. The Mario Bros. attempt to rescue her. But this time, Bowser has a few new tricks up his sleeves...
Gameplay, if you overlook the aforementioned spike in difficulty, is mostly unchanged from the original. You run, jump, and swim your way through 8 worlds in an attempt to save the fair princess. New obstacles include Poison Mushrooms (which work in a manner opposite of Super Mushrooms) and windstorms. That's right; Mother Nature is out to get you. The enemies are far more aggressive than in the original, and many appear in bizarre, new locations (Bloopers in the air? Unreal!). And to top it all off, there are reverse warp pipes.
The Lost Levels is notable for making Luigi an individual character with different abilities than Mario. Whereas Mario is an all-around adventurer, Luigi has better jumping prowess, at the expense of his traction. On an unrelated note, there are a few tweaks in the physics system, allowing the Mario Bros. to jumper higher off of the back of their enemies.
Like I've said before, the main element that'll probably alienate fans of the original is the difficulty. You know that something is wrong when you have trouble trekking through the first world. In the words of Nintendo, the game is meant for those who mastered the original. There's truth to be told in that statement. Sure, everyday gamers might find an enjoyable challenge, or even like the game on an occasional basis. However, the game is - perhaps - too much of a challenge for most. That's not to say that there isn't fun to be had; it's still the same as the original in its core, but your definition of "fun" might vary.
The graphics are almost the same as the original. The only differences are the added detail to the background and terrain. I would have preferred if this version used the updated graphics from the version found in Super Mario All-Stars, not the Famicom version.
Well....at least the music is good. Of course, it's the same familiar tunes from the first game, but that's not bad. Just expect to hear the death and game over medleys a lot.
SMB: The Lost Levels feels like a misplaced entry in the series. The Mario games aren't supposed to be overly frustrating and hard. Sure, most Mario games provide wholesome challenges, but there is a limit. The games have that enduring status because they appeal to gamers of all kinds, not just the hardcore. If you're looking for an intense challenge, or you love all things Mario, then go for it. The game only costs 600 Wii Points. If not, stay far away and gladly take our version of SMB2. Y'know, some things stay lost for a reason...