The best 2-D Mario game by far.
The game is set at a place called Dinosaur Land, where Mario and Luigi discover that once again the Princess is captured by Bowser. Along the way you find that the inhabitants living there, called "Yoshis" have been captured by Bowser's Koopalings. So it's up to Mario and Luigi to stop the Koopalings, recover the Yoshis, reach Bowser and save the princess.
The gameplay is set up like every other Mario platformer. All you do is run and jump to the goal before time runs out. You progress via a map system similar to the likes of Super Mario Bros. 3. However, there are alternate paths to choose from in certain levels, which can lead to new areas. As you progress you'll be going through fortresses and facing off against the Koopa Kids. The levels are very well designed and each one is unique and different from the last. The controls are spot-on and never falter for a second. There are plenty of enemies, ranging from old favorites like the Koopas to brand new enemies. Unlike Super Mario Bros. 3, there isn't as grand of a variety of power-ups. Returning items include the mushroom, fire flower, and star man. New to the series is the cape feather to help you fly (and sequence break if used properly). Mario can also do a super jump and break certain blocks when you are grown to normal size.
Another new addition is the introduction of Yoshi the dinosaur. He can be found in certain levels and can help you eat enemies and have certain abilities that can be very useful. Scattered around certain levels are different colored blocks. When you activate one of the switches you can solidify certain blocks that weren't there before and reach new areas. And as is standard for the series there are plenty of secrets to discover, ranging from new shortcuts to the ever challenging star road.
The game has aged incredibly well in terms of its graphics. The game is very cartoonish, bright, and colorful, the way a Mario game should be. The game has a wonderfully creative atmosphere that still fascinates me to this day. The sound design is incredibly memorable. All of the songs are very catchy and just fun to listen to.
PROS:
-Wonderfully creative and colorful levels that still fascinate me to this day
-Well-aged gameplay
-Plenty of secrets
-Yoshi makes his very first apearence and is highly useful throughout the game
-Perfect controls
-You gotta love those familiar Mario tunes and sounds
CONS:
This is one of the very reasons why Mario is one of the most popular video game characters of all time. As strange as it was at first playing as an Italian plumber created by a Japanese game god fighting a bunch of turtles and other weird creatures, it held itself well for 20 years and he's not going away anytime soon, and neither is this game. Super Mario World is a fantastic and amazing adventure through tons of creative levels full of interesting creatures, challenges, and plenty of secrets around every corner to keep you busy for a very long time.