It's the same classic that started the Mario franchise and revived gaming, and that's what makes this game so great.
The graphics are classic 8-bit. Every memorable part, every single thing about it will get your nostalgic juices flowing at the speed of light. However, they do look kind of squished, though, lessening it's appeal and making the screen look a little weird, but that's the only bad part.
The gameplay is something I really don't need to explain. You run through the stage, dodging hazards and jumping on enemies, and of course, you hit ? blocks to get coins, mushrooms, and fire flowers. It's so simple, yet so fun. If you hit a ? block containing a mushroom, but you are big Mario when you hit it, a fire flower replaces it instead. It gives you the ability to shoot fireballs (duh!) but you get shrunk if you get hit by a hazard or an emeny, losing that ability. A bottomless pit or a lava pit results in a instant death.
Now let's talk about other items. If you get 100 coins, yet get a 1-up. A 1-UP mushroom produces the same results. And what is Mario without Invincibility Stars? If you get the item, you are invincible for a couple of seconds unless you fall down a bottomless pit.
The controls. Do I really need to mention this? Use the D-pad to move, hold B to run, press B (if you have a fire flower) to shoot a fireball, and A is to jump. It's simple, and it works perfectly fine.
The story. It's the famous "Bowser kidnappes Peach and Mario goes saves her" story. Enough said.
Now, the difficulty level. The game itself is not that hard, but it's easy to get a game over. How is it possible? You only get three lives!!!
THE VERDICT!
Pros:
Classic Mario gameplay (+7.5)
Perfect controls (+0.5)
Reminds you of the good old days of the 1980's (+2.0)
Cons:
Only 3 lives? (-0.5)
Graphics look squished (-1.0)
Overall, this game is still the same classic that revived gaming and started the Mario franchise. Nowadays, you can find this game for $2.50, so if you see it, then get it.
Final score:
8.5 (Great)