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|align="center"|[[File:Iggy's Castle Gate.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:Iggy's Castle Gate.png]]
|align="center"|[[Chain-Link|Fence]]
|align="center"|[[Chain-Link|Fence]]
|Located in a variety of castle or fortress levels, fences can be climbed on by players. Players can also hit a fence to activate [[flip panel (Chain-Link)|flip panel]]s and to defeat [[climbing Koopa]]s on the other side.
|Located in a variety of castle or fortress levels, fences can be climbed on by players. Players can also hit a fence to activate [[Flip Panel (Chain-Link)|flip panel]]s and to defeat [[climbing Koopa]]s on the other side.
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|align="center"|[[File:SMW Yoshi's Island 1 Pipe Cannon.png]]
|align="center"|[[File:SMW Yoshi's Island 1 Pipe Cannon.png]]

Revision as of 19:34, June 30, 2022

This article is about the video game for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. For other uses, see Super Mario World (disambiguation).
"SMW" redirects here. For the game known as "Super Mario Wii" in South Korea, see Super Mario Galaxy.
Not to be confused with Super Mario Land or Super Mario 3D World.
Super Mario World
North American box art for Super Mario World
For alternate box art, see the game's gallery.
Developer Nintendo EAD
Publisher Nintendo
Platform(s) Super Famicom / Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Super System, Virtual Console (Wii, Wii U, New Nintendo 3DS), Super NES Classic Edition/Super Famicom Mini, Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online
Release date SNES:
Template:ReleaseNintendo Super System:
Template:ReleaseVirtual Console (Wii):
Template:ReleaseVirtual Console (Wii U):
Template:ReleaseVirtual Console (New 3DS):
Template:ReleaseSuper NES Classic Edition:
Template:Release Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online:
Template:Release Give the world a whole new look!
Template:Release
Language(s) English (United States)
Japanese
Genre Platformer, action-adventure
Rating(s)
ESRB:E - Everyone
PEGI:3 - Three years and older
CERO:A - All ages
ACB:G - General
Mode(s) Single player, multiplayer
Input
Super NES:
Wii:
Wii U:
Nintendo Switch:
Nintendo 3DS:
Super NES Classic Edition:

Super Mario World is a 2D Super Mario game and a launch title released for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990, developed by Nintendo EAD. Being a sequel to Super Mario Bros. 3, the game retains many of the elements that debuted in Super Mario Bros. 3, such as the world map and Koopaling boss fights, while introducing a large variety of new gameplay mechanics, such as an expanded and less linear world map and the ability to save the game. Introduced in Super Mario World is Mario's sidekick, Yoshi (and his species that shares his name), who serves as a playable mount for the Mario Bros. with his own unique abilities and gameplay style.

The game was released to best-selling status on the SNES, received large amounts of critical acclaim, and is commonly seen on Nintendo's best games of all time on various critic listings. Much of the game's introduced characters, game mechanics, and artistic themes influenced later titles in the Mario series, where the character Yoshi was popular enough to receive a series starring him. The game was followed in 1995 by a prequel, Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, which is set many years before the events in Super Mario World. The game has spawned various non-game media such as a cartoon series that is based on the game, which debuted on September 14, 1991, one month after the American release. Various manga adaptions of the game have sprung up, one notable series being Super Mario-kun, which has its first volumes based on Super Mario World released in 1991 and is still ongoing today.

Super Mario World is included in the Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World compilation title released in December 1994. An enhanced port of Super Mario World was later released on the Game Boy Advance as part of the Super Mario Advance series, titled Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2. The original version was also rereleased on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2006, the Wii U's Virtual Console in 2013, and the New Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console in 2016. Super Mario World is one of the included titles in the SNES Classic Edition and Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online, the latter of which also includes a version titled Super Mario World: Give the world a whole new look!, which was released on March 31, 2022, and begins in Fall with 99 lives and a Cape Feather in the Item Storage.

Story

After Bowser's previous defeat, Mario, Luigi, and Princess Toadstool decide to recuperate in Dinosaur Land. Meanwhile in Dinosaur Land, the Koopa King and his Koopalings trap Yoshi and his friends in enchanted eggs, eliminating the opposition as they secretly rebuild their forces. Shortly upon their arrival, the Mario Bros. realize that Princess Toadstool is missing. While searching, they find the Koopa Troop army. Upon the Mario Bros. freeing the friendly Yoshi, he exclaims that the Koopas have invaded, confirming that Toadstool's persistent captor has indeed returned and taken the opportunity to claim the princess.

As Mario and his friends travel through Dinosaur Land, they uncover the Valley of Bowser, where Bowser is fought on his castle roof in his Koopa Clown Car, holding Princess Toadstool hostage. Upon his defeat, he gently drops the princess and retreats. Princess Toadstool rewards Mario or Luigi with a kiss as fireworks celebrate freedom, signifying that their vacation can resume with their new good friends. The reunited team returns to Yoshi's House, where they and three other Yoshis watch the eggs hatch into babies, removing the spell.

From the instruction booklet

After saving the Mushroom Kingdom from Bowser and the rest of the Koopas in Super Mario 3, Mario and Luigi needed to recuperate from their adventures. Together they agreed that the best place to vacation was a magical place called Dinosaur Land.

But while Mario and Luigi reclined on the beach for a relaxing nap, Princess Toadstool disappeared, apparently seized by evil forces. After searching for hours for their missing friend, Mario and Luigi came upon an enormous egg in the forest.
Suddenly the egg hatched, and out popped a young dinosaur named Yoshi, who proceeded to tell Mario and Luigi a sad tale of how his dinosaur pals were sealed in similar eggs by a group of monstrous turtles.
"Monstrous turtles!" exclaimed Luigi. "Bowser and his bunch have returned!" Mario slowly nodded his head in agreement and, along with Luigi and Yoshi, set off across Dinosaur Land to find the Princess and to free Yoshi's friends. As they began their journey, Yoshi handed Mario a beautiful cape. "This may help you," Yoshi said. "Some say it has magical powers."

With a little luck (and help from a magic cape), our hearty crew can defeat the seven worlds of Bowser's Krazy Koopa Kritters. Many locations are well-hidden so explore everywhere and try everything. Not all locations have to be explored to rescue the dinosaurs and save Princess Toadstool, but there are many "starry" treasures to be found in far-reaching places. You'll need to search all areas to find what kinds of treasures are there...in Super Mario World.

Gameplay

A screenshot of Mario and Yoshi in Yoshi's Island 2.
Mario riding on the introduced mount, Yoshi, in the level Yoshi's Island 2

As the game is a 2D platformer, the object is to get to the Giant Gate to advance to the next level before the timer runs out. Mario (or Luigi) can jump over and on top of various platforms and obstacles and stomp on various enemies to defeat them. In addition to these basic moves, Mario can spin-jump to destroy certain types of blocks and enemies, whereas X Button or Y Button lets Mario dash if held down. When the player presses either of those buttons when Mario is next to some items, he can pick them up and carry them through the level as the buttons are held. Mario can now hold objects underwater; when he does, he can swim quickly using only +Control Pad without pressing the jump button. When Mario hits the Giant Gate at the end of the level, if he touches the vertically moving bar between the gate, he gets awarded Bonus Stars depending on how high the bar was when he touched it. If he collects 100 Bonus Stars, Mario can play a bonus game that helps him earn extra lives. Some levels contain a Midway Gate, which not only powers Mario up to Super Mario when touched but also serves as a checkpoint for Mario to respawn near if he gets defeated in the level.

In order to obtain most power-ups, Mario has to hit various blocks, which may contain items. The basic Super Mushroom, which turns Mario into Super Mario, causes Mario to grow bigger and allows him to sustain an extra hit. When Super Mario hits a block, usually a more powerful item spawns in the Super Mushroom's place, such as a Fire Flower or the newly introduced Cape Feather. Introduced in Super Mario World is the Item Storage system, where Mario can hold on to extra items should he find them while in powered-up forms; players can manually drop their reserve item by pressing Select Button. If Mario gets damaged and turns into regular Mario, the reserve item automatically deploys. A newly introduced character and power-up in Super Mario World, Yoshi, appears when Mario hits certain blocks. Mario can ride Yoshi when he jumps on him, and he helps Mario with his own unique traits and abilities.

If Mario gets touched by an enemy or a damaging obstacle while he is in his normal form, he loses a life. If he gets damaged by an enemy while in a power-up form, he reverts to his normal form. If Mario loses all of his lives, the player receives a Game Over and is prompted to continue from their last save with five more lives. Some obstacles defeat Mario instantly regardless of what power-up he has, such as falling into pits or lava, getting crushed, or not making it to the goal in time. Every time Mario gets defeated, he gets sent back to the world map.

Super Mario World retains the world map system from Super Mario Bros. 3 with more expanded features. Rather than having levels and worlds segmented, all worlds and levels are seamlessly connected to each other, with a heavier focus on multiple paths per level clearance, and thus creating a less linear map, with a few exceptions. Typically, prior to entering new areas, Mario has to defeat a castle boss, usually one of Bowser's seven children, the Koopalings. Once they are defeated, the castles they reside in are destroyed and cannot be replayed, though in international versions of the game, they can be replayed if players hold L Button and R Button on the castles' remains.

Two-player mode returns, where players take turns playing through the game; Player 1 controls Mario, while Player 2 controls Luigi. Players can opt to use the same controller or two controllers to play the mode. If one player fails to clear a course, the other player takes a turn, and if Midway Gates are touched, the other player starts at the Midway Gate. Players can also hand each other lives on the map screen if they press L Button or R Button.

After the player beats every special level in the Special Zone, a game aesthetic change called Fall occurs, where the world map obtains a different palette and some enemies get their sprites changed. Once Fall is activated, these changes cannot be reversed unless the save file is deleted and a new game is started.

Controls

Action(s)
SNES Wii (Classic Controller) Wii (GameCube Controller) Nintendo 3DS Wii U Switch (Dual Joy-Con / Pro Controller) Switch (Single Joy-Con)
Move +Control Pad Left/right +Control Pad left +Control Pad right / Classic Controller Left Stick Left/right +Control Pad / Control Stick Left/right +Control Pad left +Control Pad right / Circle Pad Left/right +Control Pad left +Control Pad right / Left Stick Left/right Left Right / LeftStick Left/right Stick Left/right
Crouch +Control Pad Down +Control Pad down / Classic Controller Left Stick Down +Control Pad / Control Stick Down +Control Pad down / Circle Pad Down +Control Pad down / Left Stick Down Down / LeftStick Down Stick Down
Look up +Control Pad Up +Control Pad up / Classic Controller Left Stick Up +Control Pad / Control Stick Up +Control Pad up / Circle Pad Up +Control Pad up / Left Stick Up Up / LeftStick Up Stick Up
Spin Jump A Button Classic Controller a Button A Button A Button A Button A jc-right
Jump B Button Classic Controller b Button B Button B Button B Button B jc-bottom
Dash/Interact/Special ability X Button / Y Button Classic Controller x Button / Classic Controller y Button X Button / Y Button X Button / Y Button X Button / Y Button X / Y jc-top / jc-left
Scroll camera left (does not work in auto-scrolling levels, Yoshi's House, Top Secret Area, or Boss Rooms) L Button Classic Controller L Button L Button L Button L Button L SL
Scroll camera right (does not work in auto-scrolling levels, Yoshi's House, Top Secret Area, or Boss Rooms) R Button Classic Controller R Button R Button R Button R Button R SR
Pause Start Button Plus Button START/PAUSE Button Start Button Plus Button PLUS MinusPLUS + SR
Use item/Return to map from a completed level (when paused) Select Button Minus Button Z Button Select Button Minus Button Minus MinusPLUS + SL

Worlds and levels

Yoshi's Island (location)Donut PlainsVanilla DomeTwin BridgesForest of IllusionChocolate IslandValley of BowserStar WorldDinosaur Land world map, as seen in Super Mario World.
Click an area to open the relevant article.

Super Mario World takes place on Dinosaur Land, an archipelago of themed areas, and players navigate on this world map, which visualizes traveling through the island. Unlike in Super Mario Bros. 3, the levels on the world map are marked directly on Dinosaur Land, creating a seamless, organic appearance between worlds and levels. Players first start out on Yoshi's Island at Yoshi's House, where the path immediately branches off into two levels. The order of the world themes is unique to this title: Players first start in grassy plain-like worlds while eventually venturing into a cave, onto twin bridges, into a forest, onto a rocky island, and finally into the Valley of Bowser, which takes on a subterranean wasteland appearance. Haunted Ghost Houses are introduced in Super Mario World and populate Dinosaur Land; unlike traditional level layouts, they tend to contain puzzles and traps designed to confuse the player. Cave levels and levels that primarily take place underwater or where water is prevalent are additionally marked such on the map, with most cave levels outside the Vanilla Dome and the Valley of Bowser featuring rocks around them, while Mario gets submerged in water for the water levels.

Super Mario World contains nine worlds and 73 (74 if the Back Door and Front Door are counted as separate levels, and 76 if the Top Secret Area and Yoshi's House are counted as levels) levels in total, 24 of which have secret exits for a total of 96 exits. Almost all worlds contain four regular levels and at least one secret level. Levels marked in yellow contain one exit, while levels marked in red contain an alternative, secret exit. Other points of interest include the Switch Palaces, Warp Pipes, and the star-shaped portals to Star World that are unlocked only when players find the associated secret exit. Switch Palaces activate respectively colored permeable Dotted Line Blocks and turn them into solid ! Blocks that can be stood on or hit from below. Once Switch Palace levels have been completed, they cannot be visited again. Warp Pipes warp players to different areas of the map, usually to different worlds altogether. Finally, Yoshis cannot be taken into castles, fortresses, or Ghost Houses, though Yoshi remains outside for the player if they exit the level. In castles, players have to defeat the Koopalings, while in fortresses, players need to defeat Reznors.

Star World and the Special Zone are bonus worlds that are accessed when players find secret exits throughout Dinosaur Land, and are represented by glowing stars, where the player can warp into. The Star World levels require the player to find a key and keyhole secret exit to progress through it, while the Special Zone is a linear area that is unlocked when players complete all of Star World's secret exits. The Special Zone levels are much more difficult relative to the levels in this game; none of the levels contain Midway Gates, and some can be long while others use level gimmicks.

World Image Information
World 1
Yoshi's Island
A map of Yoshi's Island from Super Mario World Yoshi's Island is mainly a grassy plains-related world that does not contain any underwater levels. The main enemies in this world include Monty Moles, Koopa Troopas, Rexes, and a few others. Iggy is found in his castle at the end of this world. Completing this world leads to Donut Plains. This world also contains the Yellow Switch Palace. This is the only world (along with the Special Zone) not to have any secret exits.
Map icon for any level that has one exit. Yoshi's Island 1 Map icon for any level that has one exit. Yoshi's Island 2 Map icon for any level that has one exit. Yoshi's Island 3 Map icon for a pond or lake level from Super Mario World Yoshi's Island 4
Map icon for Yoshi's House from Super Mario World Yoshi's House Map icon for the Yellow Switch Palace from Super Mario World Yellow Switch Palace The Castle map icon, from Super Mario World. #1 Iggy's Castle
World 2
Donut Plains
The world Donut Plains as it appears in the game Super Mario World. Donut Plains is the second world in the game. It is known for featuring the first Ghost House and for being the first to have a course with multiple exits. The Cape Feather is utilized frequently. The name of this world is a reference to its unusual shape. It has two Ghost Houses, the Green Switch Palace, and Castle #2.
Map icon for any level that has two exits. Donut Plains 1 Map icon for the cave level with a secret exit from Super Mario World Donut Plains 2 Map icon for any level that has one exit. Donut Plains 3 Map icon for any level that has one exit. Donut Plains 4
Map icon for the Ghost Houses from Super Mario World Donut Ghost House Map icon for the Green Switch Palace from Super Mario World Green Switch Palace Map icon for any level that has one exit. Top Secret Area The Castle map icon, from Super Mario World. #2 Morton's Castle
Map icon for a pond or lake level with a secret exit from Super Mario World Donut Secret 1 Map icon for any level that has one exit. Donut Secret 2 Map icon for the Ghost Houses from Super Mario World Donut Secret House
World 3
Vanilla Dome
Vanilla Dome The Vanilla Dome is a big cavern full of sparkling diamonds and contains a Ghost House, a large lake, the Red Switch Palace, and Castle #3. It also contains lava pools with the large Blarggs living within them.
Map icon for any long level that has two exits. Vanilla Dome 1 Map icon for a pond or lake level with a secret exit from Super Mario World Vanilla Dome 2 Map icon for any long level that has one exit. Vanilla Dome 3 Map icon for any level that has one exit. Vanilla Dome 4
Map icon for the Ghost Houses from Super Mario World Vanilla Ghost House Map icon for the Red Switch Palace from Super Mario World Red Switch Palace The Fortress map icon, from Super Mario World. Vanilla Fortress The Castle map icon, from Super Mario World. #3 Lemmy's Castle
Map icon for any level that has two exits. Vanilla Secret 1 Map icon for any level that has one exit. Vanilla Secret 2 Map icon for a pond or lake level from Super Mario World Vanilla Secret 3
World 4
Twin Bridges
Twin Bridges The Twin Bridges are semi-sky-based, as they have sky and land levels. This world contains one underwater level and the third portal to Star World.
Map icon for any level that has one exit. Butter Bridge 1 Map icon for any level that has one exit. Butter Bridge 2 The Castle map icon, from Super Mario World. #4 Ludwig's Castle
Map icon for any level that has two exits. Cheese Bridge Area Map icon for a pond or lake level from Super Mario World Soda Lake Map icon for any level that has one exit. Cookie Mountain
World 5
Forest of Illusion
The world Forest of Illusion as it appears in the game Super Mario World. The Forest of Illusion is a maze-like forest, where Mario or Luigi may sometimes have to find the secret exit on a level in order to progress, as the normal exits create a circle leading nowhere. This world contains the Blue Switch Palace, a fortress, and Castle #5.
Map icon for any long level that has two exits. Forest of Illusion 1 Map icon for a pond or lake level with a secret exit from Super Mario World Forest of Illusion 2 Map icon for any level that has two exits. Forest of Illusion 3 Map icon for any level that has two exits. Forest of Illusion 4
Map icon for the Ghost Houses from Super Mario World Forest Ghost House Map icon for the Blue Switch Palace from Super Mario World Blue Switch Palace The Fortress map icon, from Super Mario World. Forest Fortress The Castle map icon, from Super Mario World. #5 Roy's Castle
Map icon for any level that has one exit. Forest Secret Area
World 6
Chocolate Island
The world Chocolate Island in the game Super Mario World. Chocolate Island is an island on the southeastern side of Dinosaur Land. The boss here is Wendy O. Koopa. This is the only world where Mario and Luigi can find Dino-Rhinos and Dino-Torches.
Map icon for any level that has one exit. Chocolate Island 1 Map icon for any level that has two exits. Chocolate Island 2 Map icon for any level that has two exits. Chocolate Island 3 Map icon for the cave level from Super Mario World Chocolate Island 4
Map icon for any level that has one exit. Chocolate Island 5 Map icon for the Ghost Houses from Super Mario World Choco-Ghost House The Fortress map icon, from Super Mario World. Chocolate Fortress The Castle map icon, from Super Mario World. #6 Wendy's Castle
Map icon for any level that has one exit. Chocolate Secret
World 7
Valley of Bowser
The world Valley of Bowser as it appears in Super Mario World. The Valley of Bowser is, as the name implies, Bowser's base of operations. The entrance to the Valley of Bowser appears after the player passes through the Sunken Ghost Ship. This world is mostly cave-themed and contains a fortress, Castle #7, and Bowser's Castle.
Map icon for any level that has one exit. Valley of Bowser 1 Map icon for any long level that has two exits. Valley of Bowser 2 Map icon for any level that has one exit. Valley of Bowser 3 Map icon for any level that has two exits. Valley of Bowser 4
Map icon for the Ghost Houses from Super Mario World Valley Ghost House The Fortress map icon, from Super Mario World. Valley Fortress The Castle map icon, from Super Mario World. #7 Larry's Castle Map icon for the Front Door and Back Door of Bowser's Castle from Super Mario World Front Door and Back Door
Map icon for a pond or lake level from Super Mario World Sunken Ghost Ship
World 8
Star World
StarWorld SMW.png Star World is a mystical road far above the Mushroom World, and it is linked to various locations around the world. It consists of five stars, each of which serves as a warp point.
Map icon for any level that has two exits. Star World 1 Map icon for any level that has two exits. Star World 2 Map icon for any level that has two exits. Star World 3 Map icon for any level that has two exits. Star World 4
Map icon for any level that has two exits. Star World 5
World 9
Special Zone
SpecialZone SMW.png The Special Zone is the final and most secret world. It can be accessed after the player completes Star World and takes the secret exit from Star World 5. This world is known for containing the most difficult levels in the game, and each level has its own unique gimmick.
Map icon for any level that has one exit. Gnarly Map icon for any level that has one exit. Tubular Map icon for any level that has one exit. Way Cool Map icon for any level that has one exit. Awesome
Map icon for any level that has one exit. Groovy Map icon for any level that has one exit. Mondo Map icon for any level that has one exit. Outrageous Map icon for any level that has one exit. Funky

Characters

Playable characters

A sprite of Mario from Super Mario World. Luigi
Sprites of the playable characters, Mario and Luigi

Mario and Luigi are the main playable characters. In two-player mode, Mario is controlled by Player 1 and Luigi is controlled by Player 2. If Mario loses a life or completes a level in two-player mode, Luigi comes into play until he does the same. The two may also share extra lives on the world map. The two have identical mechanics.

Supporting characters

Image Name Description
Dolphin.png Dolphin A sea creature that gives Mario or Luigi a ride in certain water levels. Dolphins move in jumping arcs or can jump up and down. In Japanese versions of the game, they can be eaten by a Yoshi, while they are unable to be eaten in international versions. They appear in Vanilla Secret 3 and a small section at the end of Chocolate Island 1.
Princess Peach in Super Mario World. Princess Toadstool The princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, who is kidnapped by Bowser during the vacation. The main objective of the game is to rescue her from Bowser.
Green Yoshi.png Yoshi Mario's sidekick who requests for Mario's assistance. After he is freed from his egg, he can give rides for Mario or Luigi and eat intrusive enemies.

Yoshis

In addition to Mario and Luigi, Yoshis of four different colors appear in the game, and they may be controlled once acquired and help the Mario Bros. in many levels of the game. Green Yoshis hatch out of eggs, usually found in various blocks throughout the game. If an egg is found but the player already has a Yoshi, the egg instead provides a 1-Up Mushroom. If a Yoshi gets hurt, it runs off, requiring the Mario Bros. to chase it down if they want to ride it again. Yoshis can additionally provide an extra jump boost to Mario and Luigi if they jump off the Yoshi. Some levels contain berries, and Yoshis can eat them and produce eggs from them if enough are eaten. Yoshis can eat most enemies, though they cannot immediately swallow most shells, requiring them to spit the shells out before they eventually swallow them.

Red, Blue, and Yellow Yoshis are uncommon in Super Mario World. They are first encountered in Star World, which is accessible by using the five Star Roads found throughout the game. Red, Blue, and Yellow Yoshis are found as Baby Yoshis, small and unable to be ridden. However, through carrying them, the Baby Yoshis eat the enemies and items they touch. When they eat either five enemies, shells, coins, or active Grab Blocks, or a single power-up, they transform into adult Yoshis and can be used normally. Baby Yoshis of all colors hatch from the eggs rescued from the castles during the end credits of the game.

Image Name Description
Green Yoshi.png Yoshi Green Yoshis are able to eat enemies by using their long tongues and jump on spiked foes without taking harm as well as walk across Munchers. They can use a Koopa Shell's power depending on the color of the shell.
Red Yoshi.png Red Yoshi Red Yoshis can spit out any Koopa Shell in the form of three fireballs. These fireballs turn a variety of enemies into coins. Red Yoshis are found as Baby Yoshis in Star World 1 or Star World 4.
Blue Yoshi.png Blue Yoshi Blue Yoshis can fly regardless of what color the Koopa Shell is in their mouths. Additionally, a Yoshi can become a Blue Yoshi if he touches Yoshi's Wings, which appear in some levels and act as shortcuts to the end of the stage. Blue Yoshis are found as Baby Yoshis in Star World 2.
Yellow Yoshi.png Yellow Yoshi Yellow Yoshis can create small sand clouds when they hit the ground while they carry a Koopa Shell in their mouths, defeating enemies within the range of the cloud. They are found as Baby Yoshis in Star World 3 and Star World 5.

Enemies and obstacles

Super Mario World retains some of the enemies from Super Mario Bros. 3, such as the common Koopa Troopas and their varieties, Ghost House-dwelling Boos, Buzzy Beetles in a cave environment, and Cheep Cheeps underwater, while introducing more species that would regularly appear in later entries in the Super Mario series, such as Magikoopas, Fishbones, Swoopers, and Wigglers. Goombas are featured less prominently in this title and function differently than in prior Super Mario titles; they are later localized as Galoombas. Some of the new enemies introduced are variants of other species, such as the cape-wielding and flying Super Koopas, the large Banzai Bills that are encountered before regular Bullet Bills, the spike-donning Spike Tops, and the pipe-inhabiting Lakitus. Included with the introduced enemies are various new obstacles, most of which populate the castle and fortress levels in the game, and several of these obstacles would make later appearances in the Super Mario series, namely Grinders and Skewers.

When Fall is unlocked, some of these enemies have their graphics changed; however, they do not have their behaviors altered.

Image Name Description
Amazing Flyin' Hammer Brother from Super Mario World Amazing Flyin' Hammer Brother This enemy tosses hammers from its swooping platform, attempting to attack Mario or Luigi. It can be defeated by hitting the platform it sits on.
A Ball 'N' Chain from Super Mario World Ball 'N' Chain A large spiked ball on a chain that cannot be defeated. The chain is harmless; it swings behind Mario or Luigi. A Ball 'N' Chain cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Banzai Bill Banzai Bill A giant slow-moving bullet. The cannons Banzai Bills are fired from are not seen anywhere in the game.
BigBoo SMW.png Big Boo A giant Boo Buddy. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Big Bubble from Super Mario World Big Bubble A slow-moving green bubble. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Super Mario World: Big Steely sprite Big Steely A giant metal ball thrown by Bowser. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Blargg sprite from Super Mario World. Blargg A lava dinosaur. Only its eyes are visible before it dips back into the lava and lunges at Mario or Luigi. It cannot be stomped on.
A Blurp from Super Mario World Blurp A fish wearing goggles. It swims in only one direction.
Bob-omb from Super Mario World Bob-omb A walking bomb with a short fuse. Bob-ombs are portable once Mario or Luigi stomps them. They also appear in bubbles.
Bony Beetle SMW.png Bony Beetle A mummified Buzzy Beetle that periodically ducks and bears spikes.
Boo Buddy from Super Mario World Boo Buddy A shy ghost that stops moving when Mario or Luigi looks at it. It is impervious to fireballs and capes. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
A Boo Buddy Block Boo Buddy Block A shy ghost that turns into a block when Mario or Luigi looks at it. While in Boo form, it cannot be stomped on.
BooBuddySnake.png Boo Buddy Snake A chain of Boo Buddies that bounce around the room nonstop. They are impervious to fireballs and capes. They cannot be stomped on.
Screenshot showing a Boo Crew from Super Mario World. Boo Crew Boo Buddies in a cloud are usually transparent, which is when they are harmless, but periodically will turn opaque, which is when they are dangerous, to dive at Mario or Luigi.
Bowser Statue Gold Bowser Statue Bowser Statue A small invincible statue of Bowser. The gray Bowser Statues spit fire, while the gold ones hop around.
Bullet Bill Pidgit Bill SMW.png Bullet Bill / Pidgit Bill A slow-moving bullet. It is impervious to fireballs.
Buzzy Beetle from Super Mario World Buzzy Beetle A small turtle that behaves just like a green Koopa Troopa, except fireballs have no effect on it and it never leaves its shell.
Chainsaw SMW.png Chainsaw An invincible saw blade that follows a designated path. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Chargin' Chuck from Super Mario World Chargin' Chuck

A turtle dressed in football gear who charges at Mario or Luigi. All types of Chargin' Chucks take three stomps to defeat.

  • Clappin' Chuck: Jumps straight upwards and claps when Mario or Luigi approaches.
  • Splittin' Chuck: Splits into three Chargin' Chucks.
  • Passin' Chuck: Has an endless supply of footballs to kick at Mario or Luigi.
  • Lookout Chuck: Charges directly at Mario or Luigi once it appears onscreen, and can jump up vertical walls. Other Chucks revert to this after one stomp.
  • Confused Chuck: Has an endless supply of baseballs to throw at Mario or Luigi.
  • Diggin' Chuck: Uses his shovel to dig up rocks that roll towards Mario or Luigi.
  • Additionally, a diagonally traveling Clappin' Chuck and a whistle-blowing Chuck exist.
Cheep Cheep from Super Mario World Cheep Cheep A small fish that slowly swims back and forth. Cheep Cheeps also are found in bubbles; once popped from them, they flop across the level.
Screenshot showing Circling Boo Buddies, from Super Mario World. Circling Boo Buddies Boo Buddies flying in a circle formation. They are impervious to nearly all attacks.
Climbing Koopa from Super Mario World Climbing Koopa from Super Mario World Climbing Koopa The green variety moves slowly, while the red variety is as fast as Mario and Luigi.
DinoRhino SMW.png Dino-Rhino A slow-moving ceratopsian dinosaur. When jumped on, it turns into a Dino-Torch.
Sprite of a Dino-Torch from Super Mario World.Sprite of a Dino-Torch breathing fire in Super Mario World. Dino-Torch A tiny Dino-Rhino that breathes fire.
Screenshot showing Disappearing Boo Buddies from Super Mario World. Disappearing Boo Buddy A Boo Buddy found in a group that disappears and reappears.
SMWDB.png Dry Bones A Koopa Troopa skeleton. It falls apart when Mario or Luigi stomps on it, and after a short time, it will reform its body. It can also throw bones at Mario or Luigi. It is impervious to fireballs.
Eerie Eerie A dinosaur-like ghost that floats in zigzag patterns. Eeries are impervious to most attacks.
Falling spike Falling spike A spiked obstacle that falls from the ceiling.
A Jumping Fire Piranha Plant from Super Mario World. Fire P-Pakkun This rare Jumping Piranha Plant spits fireballs.
Fire Snake in Super Mario World Fire Snake A jumping ball of fire that leaves fire behind as it jumps. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
A Fish Bone as it appears in Super Mario World. Fishbone A darting fish skeleton. It is impervious to fireballs.
Fishing Boo SMW sprite.png Fishin' Boo A Lakitu-like ghost in a cloud, fishing with a blue flame.
Fishin' Lakitu's sprite for Super Mario World Fishin' Lakitu A Lakitu fishing with a 1-Up Mushroom. If Mario or Luigi takes the bait, the enemy turns into a normal Lakitu.
Flashing Shell Flashing Shell After its transformation, the flashing Shell attempts to hit Mario or Luigi by spinning around and dashing towards him.
Floating Mine Floating Mine A floating spiked mine. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Flying Goomba from Super Mario World Flying Goomba A hopping winged Goomba.
A Fuzzy sprite from Super Mario World Fuzzy A black fur ball that follows a set path. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
SMW Goomba Sprite.png Goomba A round, chestnut-like creature. After stomping a Goomba, Mario or Luigi can carry it for a short distance and throw it. Some Goombas come floating in bubbles.
Sprite of a Grinder in Super Mario World. Grinder A spinning saw blade. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Hothead SMW.png Hothead A giant spark that slowly circles a platform. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump. The only way to defeat this enemy is with a Super Star.
Jumping Piranha Plant from Super Mario World JumpPumpkinPlant SMW.png Jumping Piranha Plant A carnivorous plant that jumps out of a pipe. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Sprite of a Green Koopa Paratroopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a Red Koopa Paratroopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a Yellow Koopa Paratroopa from Super Mario World
Sprite of a Green Koopa Paratroopa with a mask from Super Mario World Sprite of a Red Koopa Paratroopa with a mask from Super Mario World Sprite of a Yellow Koopa Paratroopa with a mask from Super Mario World
Koopa Paratroopa
  • Green Koopa Paratroopa: A green Koopa Troopa with wings. Jumps around aimlessly.
  • Red Koopa Paratroopa: A red Koopa Troopa with wings. Flies around in a set area.
  • Yellow Koopa Paratroopa: A yellow Koopa Troopa with wings. It never flies, but it hops over shells that are kicked at it.
Sprite of a Green Koopa Troopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a Red Koopa Troopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a Blue Koopa Troopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a Yellow Koopa Troopa from Super Mario World
Sprite of a Green Mask Koopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a Red Mask Koopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a Blue Mask Koopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a Yellow Mask Koopa from Super Mario World
Koopa Troopa / Mask Koopa
  • Green Koopa Troopa: A turtle that will walk off edges.
  • Red Koopa Troopa: A turtle that paces steadily back and forth on a platform. When it reaches an edge, it turns around.
  • Blue Koopa Troopa: This turtle is faster than other Koopa Troopas. It walks back and forth on its platform. When not in a shell, the turtle kicks an empty shell at Mario or Luigi.
  • Yellow Koopa Troopa: This turtle walks towards Mario or Luigi and drops a coin if stomped.
Sprite of a green unshelled Koopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a red unshelled Koopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a yellow unshelled Koopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a blue unshelled Koopa from Super Mario World Koopa without a Shell A shell-less Koopa Troopa. The blue ones will kick a shell if they come in contact with one. If a shell-less Koopa Troopa jumps into a yellow shell, it becomes a lethal flashing Shell.
Lakitu Lakitu A turtle that rides in a cloud and throws Spiny Eggs down at Mario or Luigi. If Mario or Luigi hits him with a throwable object or spinning cape, he can ride in his cloud for a limited time. However, if a Lakitu is stomped on, the cloud will disappear.
PipeLakitu.png Lakitu in a Pipe A Lakitu that lives in a pipe and throws Spiny Eggs at Mario or Luigi.
Lava Bubble from Super Mario World Sprite of a diagonal Lava Bubble from Super Mario World Lava Bubble An invincible ball of lava found in castles. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump. The diagonal type is always in the air, bouncing off any walls they run into in an attempt to hurt Mario or Luigi.
Li'lSparky SMW.png Lil Sparky A little spark that circles a platform.
Sprite of a Magikoopa from Super Mario World Magikoopa A Koopa sorcerer in a blue robe. It changes Rotating Blocks into various enemies and items and teleports.
Mechakoopa.png Mechakoopa A mechanical version of Bowser. After stomping it, Mario or Luigi can pick it up and use it as a weapon.
Sprite of a Mega Mole from Super Mario World Mega Mole A giant Monty Mole that lives underground. It can be ridden on.
Monty Mole SMW sprite Monty Mole A mole that pops out of mountains and the ground and gives chase.
Sprite of a Muncher from Super Mario World Muncher An invincible black plant.
Ninji Ninji A black, star-like devil that jumps up and down.
Sprite of a Para-bomb from Super Mario World Para-bomb A parachuting Bob-omb.
Sprite of a Para-Goomba from Super Mario World Para-Goomba A parachuting Goomba.
Pillar Pillar This obstacle moves slowly for some seconds, revealing itself, before suddenly smashing almost anything on its way. After some seconds later, it moves slowly back up.
Sprite of a Piranha Plant from Super Mario World Piranha Plant in Fall Piranha Plant A carnivorous plant that lives in a pipe. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump. It can be defeated with fireballs, capes, or Yoshi.
Sprite of a Pokey from Super Mario World Pokey A mobile cactus with a spiked head. If Mario or Luigi is riding Yoshi, a Pokey will have five sections instead of three. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Sprite of a Porcu-Puffer from Super Mario World Porcu-Puffer A fat spiny fish that swims in the water. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Sprite of a Rex from Super Mario World Rex A blue dinosaur that becomes smaller and faster when stomped on. When stomped on after that, it is defeated.
Sprite of a Rip Van Fish from Super Mario World Rip Van Fish A sleeping fish that will chase after Mario or Luigi if it is awakened.
Skewer Skewer This obstacle moves up and down, blocking the path.
The Spike from Super Mario World. Spike This obstacle comes down from the ceiling or up from the floor. Most spikes do not retract all the way, leaving their points exposed.
Sprite of a Spike Top from Super Mario World Spike Top A single-spiked red turtle that climbs around walls and platforms. Just like Buzzy Beetles, Spike Tops are immune to fireballs. They cannot be stomped on, but they can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Sprite of a Spiny from Super Mario World Spiny A spiked turtle that cannot be jumped on. Spinies are born from Spiny Eggs, which are thrown by Lakitus.
Sprite of a Spiny Egg Spiny Egg A Lakitu throws this. When it hits the ground, it hatches into a Spiny.
Sprite of a Sumo Brother from Super Mario World Sumo Brother A fat turtle that stomps the ground and sets fire to everything below him.
Sprite of a green Super Koopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a red Super Koopa from Super Mario World Sprite of a blue Super Koopa from Super Mario World Super Koopa Super Koopa A flying shell-less Koopa Troopa.
  • Green Super Koopa: It swoops down when Mario or Luigi approaches, then rises back up. Green Super Koopas can be generated by whistling Chargin' Chucks.
  • Red Super Koopa: It swoops down when Mario or Luigi approaches, then rises back up.
  • Blue Super Koopa: It starts on the ground and takes off, flying forward. Some blue Super Koopas have flashing capes and drop a Cape Feather when stomped.
Sprite of a Swooper from Super Mario World Swooper A green bat that lives in a cave and swoops downwards.
Thwimp.png Thwimp A tiny stone that hops around. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Angry Thwomp Thwomp A large stone that drops as Mario or Luigi approaches. It cannot be stomped on, but it can be bounced off with a Spin Jump.
Sprite of a torpedo tube in Super Mario World. Torpedo Base It fires Torpedo Teds that are invincible to all available forms of attack.
Sprite of a Torpedo Ted in Super Mario World Torpedo Ted A slow-moving torpedo.
Bill Blaster from Super Mario World Turtle Cannon An indestructible cannon. It shoots an endless number of Bullet Bills; however, it does nothing if the player is near it.
Urchin SMW.png Urchin A spiked urchin that circles a block underwater.
A Volcano Lotus in Super Mario World. Volcano Lotus A fire-spitting lotus plant. It cannot be jumped on, though fireballs, capes, or Yoshi can defeat it.
Sprite of a Wiggler from Super Mario World Wiggler A yellow caterpillar. When Mario or Luigi jumps on its head, it turns red and moves faster. It is impervious to fireballs.

Bosses

The bosses of the game are comprised of Bowser's seven children, the Koopalings, all who guard a castle at the end of every world, and Reznors, the guardians of the fortresses. The Koopalings share the same boss patterns with another Koopaling pair, with the exception of Ludwig, though the later-encountered Koopaling of the shared boss fight has a more difficult variant of the fight. Reznor boss fights are all the same, regardless of which fortress is played on. Once the Koopalings are beaten, a small cutscene plays where Mario rescues a trapped Yoshi inside an egg and destroys the Koopalings' fortifications through various means, unique for each Koopaling. For example, Iggy's Castle crumbles in a typical fashion when Mario hits a TNT switch; Ludwig's Castle rockets off and crashes into a nearby hill, causing a bandage to appear where it impacted; while Roy's Castle causes an accidental explosion to Mario instead. The levels cannot be normally played again once cleared, though in international versions, they can be replayed if the player holds L Button and R Button on the castle's remains. Bowser, the primary antagonist of the game, can be fought at both the Front Door and Back Door, though the Back Door is a far shorter level that provides almost direct access to the boss.

The Big Boo is the game's sole secret boss, encountered in the Donut Secret House, and the only boss not encountered in a castle or fortress. He can also be fought again in all versions of the game by accessing the level normally.

Image Name Description
Reznor Reznor A fire-spitting triceratops that comes in a set of four. Reznors guard the exits of all fortresses.
BigBoo SMW.png The Big Boo The boss of the Donut Secret House. He moves around the room while invisible, then suddenly reappears.
Iggy Koopa in Super Mario World. Iggy Koopa Boss of castle #1, located on Yoshi's Island. He tries to push Mario or Luigi into a pool of lava while spitting fireballs.
Sprite of a Morton Koopa Jr. from Super Mario World Morton Koopa Jr. Boss of castle #2, located in Donut Plains. He runs up the walls of his room, trying to drop onto Mario or Luigi.
Sprite of a Lemmy Koopa from Super Mario World Lemmy Koopa Boss of castle #3, located in the Vanilla Dome. He pops randomly out of seven pipes along with two fake versions of himself.
Ludwig von Koopa in Super Mario World. Ludwig von Koopa Boss of castle #4, located on the Twin Bridges. He spins around the room in his shell, stopping to shoot fireballs.
Roy Koopa in Super Mario World. Roy Koopa Boss of castle #5, located in the Forest of Illusion. Like Morton, he runs up the walls of his room, trying to drop onto Mario or Luigi.
Wendy O. Koopa in Super Mario World. Wendy O. Koopa Boss of castle #6, located on Chocolate Island. Like Lemmy, she pops randomly out of seven pipes along with two fake versions of herself.
Larry Koopa in Super Mario World. Larry Koopa Boss of castle #7, located in the Valley of Bowser. Like Iggy, he tries to push Mario or Luigi into a pool of lava while spitting fireballs.
BowserSMW.png Bowser The final boss. He hovers above in his Koopa Clown Car, dropping Mechakoopas, Big Steelies, and Flames.

Items and objects

The Power-Up flow chart found in the manual of Super Mario World
A chart illustrating Mario's power-ups in this game

There is a total of six power-ups that provide transformations in the game, with one being exclusive to Yoshi. Most power-ups emerge from the blocks populated in levels, and players are able to carry an extra item in their reserve slot if they are already powered up. While the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Super Star return, Super Mario World introduces the Cape Feather, which gently floats down when it appears onscreen as well as being able to be spawned from defeating a Super Koopa with a flashing cape. The new Power Balloon is a rare item used in a few levels and serves as a temporary transformation for Mario and Luigi.

In addition to the power-up items, Mario and Luigi can encounter other level features that help them progress through the level, such as 1-Up Mushrooms granting them extra lives or keys and keyholes granting them access to secret levels.

Power-ups and transformations

Image Transformation Name Description
N/A Small Mario from Super Mario WorldLuigi N/A Small Mario/Luigi is default and the weakest form Mario or Luigi starts with. If he touches an enemy from damaging areas, such as their sides, as well as damaging obstacles, he loses a life.
MushroomSMW.png A sprite of Mario from Super Mario World.Luigi Super Mushroom Super Mushrooms turn Mario or Luigi into Super Mario/Luigi. He can sustain a hit from most obstacles and reverts to Small Mario/Luigi if he gets hit. When Super Mario or Luigi hits blocks, they spawn with more powerful items, such as Fire Flowers or Cape Feathers. 1,000 points are awarded.
FlowerSMW.png Fire Mario from Super Mario WorldFire Luigi from Super Mario World Fire Flower Fire Flowers turn Mario or Luigi into Fire Mario/Luigi, enabling him to launch small fireballs that defeat enemies and give out coins when defeated. 1,000 points are awarded.
Feather.png Cape Mario from Super Mario WorldCape Luigi from Super Mario World Cape Feather Cape Feathers turn Mario or Luigi into Caped Mario/Luigi. He can spin his cape to defeat enemies as well as slow his descent while the jump button is held down. Caped Mario/Luigi can fly if he is given a running start. 1,000 points are awarded.
P-Balloon SMW.png Super Balloon Mario from Super Mario WorldSuper Balloon Luigi from Super Mario World Power Balloon Power Balloons turn Mario or Luigi into Balloon Mario/Luigi. He can float for a limited time, and extra Power Balloons replenish the time spent in the air. No points are awarded upon him collecting the item.
SMW Star.gif Invincible Mario Super Star Super Stars make Mario or Luigi become Invincible Mario/Luigi temporarily, allowing Mario or Luigi to defeat most enemies by running into them. If the player collects more Super Stars in blocks while invincible, the duration of the invincibility is extended. 1,000 points are awarded. Enemies defeated while the player is invincible count towards points eventually becoming 1-Ups or 2-Ups, depending on the enemy.
Yoshi's Wings Mario on Blue Yoshi in Super Mario World. Yoshi's Wings Yoshi's Wings grant Yoshi the ability to fly and enter Coin Heaven. They turn any Yoshi blue after completion, making this the only way to get a Blue Yoshi outside the Star World.

Items

Image Name Description
Sprite of a 1-Up Mushroom 1-Up Mushroom If Mario or Luigi collects one, he will get an extra life. These mushrooms may also come from eggs if Mario or Luigi is already riding Yoshi as either brother finds them from a block/passes them by.
A sprite of a 3-Up Moon from Super Mario World. 3-Up Moon If Mario or Luigi collects one of these very rare items, they both get three extra lives.
Green Mini-Yoshi from Super Mario World Red Mini-Yoshi from Super Mario World Blue Mini-Yoshi from Super Mario World Yellow Mini-Yoshi from Super Mario World Baby Yoshi If Mario or Luigi passes nearby a lone egg, it will hatch into a Baby Yoshi. The player must feed the Baby Yoshi either five enemies, shells, coins, or active Grab Blocks, or a single power-up for it to grow into an adult Yoshi. Every time a Baby Yoshi eats something other than a power-up, the player will receive a coin and 200 points.
Red Berry Pink Berry Green Berry from Super Mario World Berries Eating ten Red Berries in one stage will cause Yoshi to lay an egg with a Super Mushroom. Two Pink Berries will produce a Yoshi Cloud. Green Berries add 20 seconds to the time limit. A berry is also worth the same as a coin.
Sprite of a Coin from Super Mario World Coin When Mario or Luigi collects 100 coins, he will get a 1-Up.
A Bonus Coin thrown by a Yoshi Cloud after eating two Pink Berries. Bonus Coin If Mario or Luigi collects all ten Bonus Coins thrown by the Yoshi Cloud, it will throw a 1-Up Mushroom.
YoshiCoin SMW.png Dragon Coin If Mario or Luigi collects all five Dragon Coins or more on one stage, he will get a 1-Up. 1,000 points are awarded, then double for each one collected.
Silver Coin.png Gray Coin Pressing a Gray P Switch turns basic enemies into Gray Coins for a limited time. If enough are collected, they create extra lives.
SMW and SMM SMW style Trampoline.png Jumping Board Jumping on one will allow Mario or Luigi to jump much higher than normal.
SMW Key Sprite.png Sprite of a keyhole from Super Mario World Key and keyhole If Mario or Luigi grabs a key and puts it in a keyhole (which is hidden in a level), a secret level will be unlocked.
Lakitu's Cloud from Super Mario World Lakitu's Cloud If a Lakitu is defeated without being stomped on, his cloud can be ridden for a short time until it disintegrates.
A magic ball from Super Mario World Magic Ball An item that ends the current stage when touched. It appears only in the Sunken Ghost Ship.
A Switch Block in Super Mario World.A Gray P Switch in Super Mario World Switch Block and Gray P Switch When the blue Switch Block is pressed, blocks transform into coins and vice versa. If a Gray P Switch is pressed, most basic enemies, such as Spinies, transform into Gray Coins. After a short period of time, the changes made by either switch revert to normal.

Blocks and other objects

Image Name Description
A Yellow Block from Super Mario World A Green Block from Super Mario World A Red Block from Super Mario World A Blue Block from Super Mario World ! Block A block that starts out as a Dotted Line Block prior to the player hitting the ! Switch at the block's corresponding Switch Palace. After the ! Switch is activated, ! Blocks turn solid, behaving as platforms or as Prize Blocks. Yellow and green ! Blocks contain a Super Mushroom and a Cape Feather, respectively.
Sprite of a Beanstalk from Super Mario World Beanstalk Found hidden in blocks, Beanstalks grow out of blocks and give players access to upper parts of a level, including new areas that can lead to secret exits. Players cannot climb them while riding on Yoshi.
SMW Bonusblock.png Bonus Block A block that gives out a 1-Up Mushroom if the player has 30 coins. If the player has fewer than 30 coins, the block gives out one coin.
A Cheep Cheep encased in a Bubble A Galoomba encased in a Bubble A Super Mushroom encased in a Bubble A Bob-omb encased in a Bubble Bubble Bubbles float around and can contain power-ups or various enemies.
Count-Lift from Super Mario World Count-Lift A lift that moves in a straight line to the right and counts down. When its timer reaches zero, the lift drops off.
A green Dotted Line Block from Super Mario World. A yellow Dotted Line Block in Super Mario World A blue Dotted Line Block in Super Mario World A red Dotted Line Block in Super Mario World Dotted Line Block A permeable block that indicates the presence of a ! Block. Dotted Line Blocks turn solid once the ! Switch of the corresponding Switch Palace is activated.
Brown Block Empty Block A Prize Block that no longer has an item in it. Some Empty Blocks form snakes that carry players through the level.
SMWPlatform.png Flimsy Lift A stationary platform that drops when the player lands on it.
Flying Platform sprite from Super Mario World Flying Platform A platform composed of three non-spinning gray Rotating Blocks with wings. Amazing Flyin' Hammer Brothers also ride on Flying Platforms, but theirs have only two Rotating Blocks.
Sprite of a Flying ? Block from Super Mario World Flying Prize Block A Prize Block with wings that moves about. Once hit, it turns into a static Empty Block.
Sprite of a Giant Gate from Super Mario World Giant Gate Marks the end of the level. Players who hit the moving bar get awarded Bonus Stars depending on the position it is hit in; players who get 100 Bonus Stars have the opportunity to play a bonus game.
Grab Block.png Grab Block A dark-blue block that can be picked up and carried. Once grabbed, it can be kicked away to defeat enemies.
Jump Block from Super Mario World Jump Block A block that causes the players to automatically jump. When the jumping is timed right, players can jump even higher, acting similarly to a Jumping Board. Some Jump Blocks contain power-ups within them, which can be activated by hitting them as normal blocks or by touching them.
SMW Messblock.png Message Block A block that gives out Tourist Tips, which are designed to help players learn the game.
A normal Midway Gate and a passed one from Super Mario World. Midway Gate A striped gate that serves as the level's checkpoint when touched. When players lose a life, they spawn near the checkpoint rather than at the beginning of the level. If Small Mario/Luigi touches the Midway Gate, he powers up to Super Mario/Luigi.
Sprite of the diagonal platform Naname Lift An angled carrot-like platform facing either top left or top right. It slowly moves to one side, stops, and then moves back repeatedly.
On Off Switch SMW.png ON/OFF Switch Super Mario World Off Switch ON/OFF Switch A block that can change the path a Pulley Lift travels on or can toggle the direction of a falling ceiling in #4 Ludwig's Castle.
A Blue Door in Super Mario World P Warp Door A Warp Door that is visible only if a P Switch is active.
Piston Lift from Super Mario World Piston Lift A lift that acts as a balancing scale. Landing on one causes it to sink while another lift rises. Piston Lifts are shaped as mushrooms.
Block Super Mario World.png Prize Block Gives a variety of items when hit, such as coins, power-ups, and other items. Once depleted, it turns into a brown Empty Block. Some Prize Blocks are Coin Blocks that contain a total of 10 coins. Some Prize Blocks are hidden and are revealed either if the player hits them or if they are activated by a Switch Block.
Pulley Lift from Super Mario World Pulley Lift A lift that travels along a track.
Red ? Block in Super Mario World that activates the spotlight in Bowser's Castle Red ? Block A block that activates a floating spotlight found near the end of Bowser's Castle.
Sprite of a Rope from Super Mario World Rope An object players can climb on, similar to a Beanstalk and a fence. Ropes are used to travel through a level. Players cannot climb them while riding on Yoshi.
Sprite of a Rotating Block from Super Mario World Rotating Block A block that flips when it is hit from below or by Caped Mario/Luigi, causing it to be unable to be landed on. Super Mario/Luigi can destroy Rotating Blocks by spin-jumping on them. Chargin' Chucks can destroy them, and some enemies are hidden in them.
Roulette Block Roulette Block A block that contains power-ups that swap between the available types. Items that are released from the blocks still change form when they are out.
Semisolid Platform from Super Mario World Semisolid Platform A variety of platforms that can be jumped through.
Brown Single Swing Lift from Super Mario World Single Swing Lift A platform attached to a pivot point. The brown version is stationary until stood on, while the gray version perpetually rotates in a certain direction.
Skull Raft from Super Mario World Skull Raft A platform composed of four segmented skulls that appears on lava. When landed on, it automatically moves.
Snake platform from Super Mario World Snake platform A platform composed of Empty Blocks that, when stood on, travels through a level.
SMW StretchBlock Animated.gif Stretch Block A platform composed of five blocks that stretch or compress in a set pattern, either vertically or horizontally, sometimes alternating between the two.
Sprite of a Triangular Block from Super Mario World Triangular Block A block that allows Mario or Luigi to run up walls. Yoshi cannot run up walls, though he can bounce off Triangular Blocks.
Triple Swing Lift from Super Mario World Triple Swing Lift A set of three platforms that perpetually spin around their pivot point.
Sprite of a Yellow Door in Super Mario World. Warp Door A door found in Ghost Houses, fortresses, and castles. Warp Doors take the player to another portion of the level. Large Warp Doors serve as entry points to a boss.
Sprite of a Warp Pipe from Super Mario World Warp Pipe A pipe that can lead players to another area of the level if they either duck or jump into one. Some Warp Pipes contain varieties of Piranha Plants or Lakitus. Some large, diagonal Warp Pipes launch players.
An animated sprite of the Yoshi Cloud Yoshi Cloud A cloud that hatches from an egg after Yoshi eats two Pink Berries. If Mario or Luigi catches all ten Bonus Coins that it drops, it will release a 1-Up Mushroom.

Level features

Image Name Description
Mario winning 1-Up Mushrooms after completing the minigame. Bonus game At the end of levels that are not castles or fortresses, if players receive 100 Bonus Stars at the Giant Gates, they play a minigame that gives them the opportunity to earn bonus lives.
Coin Heaven from Super Mario World Coin Heaven A bonus, sky-themed area accessed by using pipes, Beanstalks, and Yoshi's Wings, where players are typically awarded many coins. Unlike in other areas of the level, if the player falls, they do not lose a life and resume the main level. The variant that requires Yoshi's Wings auto-scrolls and contains five Dragon Coins; if players drop down, they finish the level.
Coin Snake.png Control Coin When hit from certain Prize Blocks, Control Coins are coins players can control the direction of with +Control Pad.
Iggy's Castle Gate.png Fence Located in a variety of castle or fortress levels, fences can be climbed on by players. Players can also hit a fence to activate flip panels and to defeat climbing Koopas on the other side.
SMW Yoshi's Island 1 Pipe Cannon.png Pipe Cannon A diagonal-facing Warp Pipe that shoots Mario or Luigi out of the cannon. Pipe Cannons are exit points, usually from an underground area.
Mario falling into a pit. Pit Falling into a pit causes the player to lose a life regardless of the form Mario or Luigi has.
Mario and Yoshi collecting coins in the Yellow Switch Palace of Super Mario World. Switch Palace A bonus level that contains a ! Switch that turns the respectively colored Dotted Line Blocks into solid ! Blocks. Once completed, Switch Palaces cannot be accessed again. There are four Switch Palaces in the game, and all except the Yellow Switch Palace require players to take secret exits to access them.

Soundtrack

Japanese box artwork
Album art for the Super Mario World compilation album

While composer Koji Kondo had created many different melodies for Super Mario Bros. 3, he decided to use the same melody in Super Mario World, albeit in an arranged form, assuming that the player would be able to recognize the melody while being exposed to new variations of music throughout the game.[1] The melody was believed to be inspired by "Green, Green," a folk song recorded in the 1960s that was very popular in Japan.[2] This being the first game developed for the SNES, Kondo felt "overjoyed" about being able to take advantage of the increased technological capability, which allowed eight instruments to be used at once. To express the technological novelty of the new console, he used samples of several different instruments (as named below), implementing them all, one after the other, in the game's title song.[1] As development progressed, Kondo grew concerned over how people would react to his unusual combinations of instruments as he noted the use of the NES's traditional square waves and triangle waves had "gained acceptance" with consumers. For the game's sound effects, Kondo decided to use a variety of musical instruments to emphasize that the game used traditional technology with a hybrid of new materials;[1] for example, Mario's jumping sound is a reappropriation of a pan flute sample. The music took around a year and a half for Kondo to compose.[3]

A compilation soundtrack for Super Mario World was released in Japan on February 25, 1991, and it contains original jazz arrangements composed by musician Soichi Noriki and performed by the "Mario Club Band"; the album additionally contains music from Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 3. The arrangements are recorded on the album's first disc, while the second disc contains the original compositions. The music was also included on Nintendo Super Famicom Game Music, another Japan-only album released in 1992 that contains music from various games released for the SNES. Super Mario Compact Disco, a compilation soundtrack released originally in Japan on August 1, 1993, contains pieces that remixes and rearranges music sampling sound effects from the game into a funk and hip-hop-oriented genre with lyrics. Super Mario World music has been featured in several of the Nintendo Sound Selection series, namely Nintendo Sound Selection Vol.2: Loud Music and Nintendo Sound Selection: Endings & Credits, and in several Mario anniversary soundtracks, such as Happy! Mario 20th - Super Mario Sound Collection and The 30th Anniversary Super Mario Bros. Music.

The soundfont used for the Super Mario World soundtrack consists of the following instrument samples: the piano, pan flute, brass, and clarinet from the Kawai K1R module; the fantasia synth, arco strings, bass marimba, and slap bass from the Roland D-550 synthesizer; the honky-tonk, steel drum, and oud from the Roland L-CD1; and the dry kick, impact snare, reverb snare, closed hi-hat, and open low conga from the Roland R-8 drum machine. An orchestra hit sample from unknown equipment by E-mu Systems is also present, and it was used to construct Yoshi's record-scratching voice effect. The cannon sound used for the thunder effects is of unknown origin, but is currently part of the Soundstorm Sound Effects Library; it is the first professional film sound effect to be sampled in a Nintendo game. The origins of the fretless bass used in the overworld theme and the heavy guitar used in the final boss theme are currently unknown.[4]

Media

For a complete list of media for this subject, see List of Super Mario World media.
Video.svg Super Mario World - Gameplay of Yoshi's Island 2
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Audio.svg Valley of Bowser - BGM
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Staff

Main article: List of Super Mario World staff

23 people were listed in the credits of Super Mario World, including notable Nintendo composer Koji Kondo for the sound programming and Shigeru Miyamoto as the producer. Takashi Tezuka was the overall director of the game, listed as the "Total Director" in the original Japanese version of the credits.[5]

Development

The game was produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, featuring music composed by Koji Kondo and graphics designed by Shigefumi Hino, and it was the first game designed for the SNES. As an experiment, the team ported Super Mario Bros. 3 to the console, and it felt like the same game to them despite the enhanced graphics, so they wanted to create something new for the console. Miyamoto has stated that ever since they finished Super Mario Bros., the design staff wanted to have Mario ride a horse. It was believed to be impossible technically until the SNES was developed, and it was changed to a dinosaur due to the team working with a dinosaur land.[6] They first came up with a crocodile, which the team felt did not fit in Mario's world, so the design was altered to eventually evolve into Yoshi. According to Miyamoto, sixteen people were involved in the creation of the game, and it took about three years to make.[7]

At some point during the game's development, it was meant to be released in North America and Europe under the full Super Mario Bros. 4 title, but it was later shortened to simply Super Mario World.[8][9] Miyamoto has stated that this is his favorite Mario game.[10][11]

Pre-release and unused content

Main article: List of Super Mario World pre-release and unused content
An early version of Yoshi's Island 1.
An early version of a level, likely Yoshi's Island 1.

Dinosaur Land was drastically different from the final version, possessing an appearance similar to the various kingdoms of Super Mario Bros. 3. Specifically, it was to feature things such as Toad Houses (which could possibly mean that Toads were once considered to populate Dinosaur Land) and more Super Mario Bros. 3-style fortresses. In addition to this, the game originally had the subtitle "Super Mario Bros. 4" on the Title Screen.

Glitches

Main article: List of Super Mario World glitches
Image of the miscolored overworld glitch.

Glitchy graphics from defeated enemies

The balls on Iggy's and Larry's platforms can be destroyed by the sliding attack, as can the Grinders (using a triangular block). This results in glitchy graphics, most likely because the developers did not intend for these enemies to be defeated. The same thing happens if Mario does a nosedive in the second level of the Bowser battle. The Big Steely is defeated as a red sprite of Princess Toadstool's head.

Miscolored Overworld

In order to do this glitch, the player must go to the end of Chocolate Island 3. Under the goal, the player must jump off Yoshi to the Giant Gate so that the screen does not scroll up. If this is done correctly, Mario is barely seen when he finishes the level, and because Mario is not present on the bottom of the screen, the screen begins to flicker in many colors as the stage begins to fade out. When he comes back to the overworld map, the entire world is glitchy and colored with red and blue. If Mario visits the Forest of Illusion or the Valley of Bowser and comes back to the main overworld, the entire world will be ivory-colored instead. The glitch ends if the player completes a level or visits Star Road.

Regional differences

See also: tcrf:Super Mario World (SNES)/Version Differences

A number of changes were made to Super Mario World when it was released internationally following its initial Japanese version. This included translating the Japanese names and words and tweaking various levels to make the game easier for international audiences.[5]

Gameplay changes

Yoshi eating a Dolphin in the Japanese version of Super Mario World.
Yoshi can eat the Dolphins in the Japanese version.
  • Yoshis can eat the Dolphins as if they were regular enemies in the Japanese version of Super Mario World but not in the international versions of the game, likely due to them not being enemies. However, this change was later reversed in the remake, Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, allowing Yoshis to eat the Dolphins in the non-Japanese versions of the game as well.

Level design changes

  • Donut Plains 2 has an added ! Block after the three Prize Blocks near the beginning of the level. Similarly, Vanilla Dome 1 has an added Cape Feather in one of the Rotating Blocks in the structure found early in the level in the international version.
  • The secret exit to Chocolate Island 3 was made more conspicuous through the use of two additional arrow signs, rather than one sign found in the Japanese version.
  • In Donut Secret House, the walls at the end of the two main rooms were extended a bit to fill the whole screen.
  • In the Sunken Ghost Ship, the three 1-Up Mushrooms at the bottom of the Ghost Ship are absent in the Japanese version.
  • #3 Lemmy's Castle has a time limit of 400 seconds instead of 300 seconds. Funky also provided the players more time in the international versions of the game via the presence of nine green berries instead of the original three in the Japanese version; as having Yoshi eat green berries adds 20 seconds to the timer, this meant the international players could accumulate triple the extra time than in the Japanese version of the game.
  • In the Japanese version, the coins at the end of Funky spell out "YOU ARE SUPER PLAYER!!" while in international versions of the game, more coins were added to correctly say, "YOU ARE A SUPER PLAYER!!"

Graphical changes

  • Both the file-selection and mode-selection title screens change between the different versions. On the file-selection screen, the Japanese text was changed to English for international releases, and in both cases, "1991" was added to the original's 1990 copyright date to reflect when the North American and PAL versions were released. The logo was also changed to make the shadowing of the letters less pronounced, and the "TM" was rewritten in the same lettering style as the title itself. In the Japanese version, the logo uses the same font as Super Mario Bros. 3. As shown in the comparison of the file-selection screens below, the PAL version differed from both the Japanese and North American releases in height. Each version also has its own marker to denote whether all 96 exits were found or not.
File-selection screen
Japanese version
File-selection screen
North American version
File-selection screen
PAL version
File-selection screen
Mode-selection screen
Japanese version
Mode-selection screen
North American and PAL versions
Mode-selection screen
The sign at Yoshi's House was originally written in Japanese script.
Japanese
The sign at Yoshi's House was originally written in Japanese script.
International
The sign at Yoshi's House was originally written in Japanese script.
  • All instances of Japanese names occurring in-game were changed to English.
    • The sign at Yoshi's House was changed from katakana (Japanese script) to the English alphabet. Also, the sign has some shade in the international versions.
    • The enemy names were all translated as well, although rather than Japanese script, they were written in romaji (English letters) in the Japanese version itself. This includes the credits, the writing on the Reznor wheel, and the sign on Bowser's Castle.
The signs on the Reznor spinning wheel and on Bowser's Castle were changed from their Japanese names to their English names.
Japanese
The signs on the Reznor spinning wheel and on Bowser's Castle were changed from their Japanese names to their English names.
International
The signs on the Reznor spinning wheel and on Bowser's Castle were changed from their Japanese names to their English names.
Japanese
The signs on the Reznor spinning wheel and on Bowser's Castle were changed from their Japanese names to their English names.
International
The signs on the Reznor spinning wheel and on Bowser's Castle were changed from their Japanese names to their English names.

Textual changes

  • In addition to being translated, various other changes are made to the level names.[5]
    • While block numbers are used in the original Japanese names, the numbers in the international version match the font style used in the lettering.
    • In the Japanese version, all level names are followed by 「コースx」, "Course X," but in the international version, the names are simply numbered (i.e., 「ヨースターとう コース1」, "Yōsutā tō Cōsu 1," changes to "Yoshi's Island 1" instead of "Yoshi's Island Course 1").
    • Cheese Bridge Area's, Cookie Mountain's, Forest Secret Area's, and Chocolate Secret's Japanese names are all followed by 「コース1」, "Course 1," but as there are no additional levels sharing these names, the numerical designation is dropped for the international versions.
      • However, the Special Zone levels are not numbered. Gnarly and Tubular are both 「おたのしみ コース」 (Fun Course), Way Cool and Awesome are both 「マリオスタッフもビックリ コース」 (Even the Mario Staff is Shocked Course), Groovy and Mondo are both 「スペシャリストのための コース」 (Specialists' Course), and Outrageous and Funky are 「チャンピオンシップの コース」 (Championship Course).[12]
  • The flavor text after defeating a Koopaling and destroying their castle is a generic text for every Koopaling in the Japanese version. In international versions, each Koopaling is given their own flavor text.
  • While various enemies change designs after the game is changed to the Fall setting, in the credits, the replacements are given new monikers in the SNES version; in the Super Famicom and Game Boy Advance versions, their names remain the same.
  • Like the enemy names, the staff credits are also written in romaji in the Japanese version, but various small changes are still made:[5]
    • The title of "Total Director" is changed to "Main Director," "Back Ground" is corrected to "Background," and all instances of "Programer" are changed to the "Programmer" spelling for the international release. "C.G. Designer" is elaborated upon as "Character Graphic Designer" outside Japan, and various other titles are tweaked, with "Course Director" becoming "Area Director," "Course Editor" changing to "Area Data Input," and "Player and System Programer" becoming "Mario and System Programmer."
    • The spacing of certain words is also tweaked, and a colon is added to "Special Thanks" in the international version.
    • Dayv Brooks is added to the "Special Thanks" list for his translation work on Super Mario World.[13]

Notable mistakes and errors

Graphical

  • Several graphical errors are present in the game. Of note is that the Magikoopas' unique palette has their colors ordered incorrectly, resulting in the area that should be occupied by the lightest shade of blue instead having the darkest. This is fixed in the Game Boy Advance version by giving them the normal blue palette.
  • The Koopa bosses are all depicted with three fingers on each hand. This is fixed in the GBA version. Most of the Koopalings' sprites are made to resemble their Super Mario Bros. 3 counterparts (likely to be more easy to recognize), even when the result would be off-model from their artwork, such as with Iggy having only one tooth and Wendy having a white bow with red spots.
  • Morton, Roy, and Ludwig are given green, blue, and yellow palettes, respectively, in gameplay. In the credits, they are given turquoise, gray, and pink palettes, respectively. However, in order to match up with their Super Mario Bros. 3 palettes, they should be given the gray, pink, and turquoise palettes, respectively. The credits also give Ludwig Morton's teeth.
  • Lemmy is depicted as being yellow and has large fangs and spikeless arm cuffs, likely owing to having the same body as Wendy to conserve graphic space.
  • Iggy is accidentally given Larry's hair, leaving Iggy's unused except for in the credits. This error remains in the GBA version. Iggy is also incorrectly blue.
  • Bowser is depicted as being primarily green. This is fixed in the GBA version to make him primarily orange. In addition, he lacks the spiked cuffs on his arms. This error is kept in the GBA version. Bowser's sprite was redesigned in the Super Mario World theme of Super Mario Maker.
  • Yoshi's arms are orange, as are those of the rest of his species.
  • Due to how Chargin' Chucks' graphics are assembled, their graphics have many errors. Most conspicuously, their heads come off for a frame when they are hit. Other errors include their facemasks going behind the rim of their plastrons in certain poses, and the facemasks also being visible in front of the clapping effect. They are also assigned a green palette in-game despite being colored with blue highlights in their artwork and being given a blue palette in the credits. However, when running, their shoulders have a blue palette very briefly. They also have a star in their artwork, which is absent in their sprites.
  • Despite Dry Bones being skeletal Koopa Troopas, they are depicted as being far larger than their living counterparts. They also have neck and arm bones in their sprites but not their artwork.
  • The two lower tiles on the back-facing climbing Koopas appear to be switched, as the lower part of the shell moves in the opposite direction as the upper part of it, and the limbs are not oriented as they are in the front-facing sprites.
  • Spike Tops are seemingly depicted with six legs in the game, despite seemingly having four in their artwork. This is retained in the Super Mario Maker games.
  • Despite being given green feet in their artwork, Goombas are assigned the yellow palette in-game, with the yellow only affecting their feet anyway.
  • Monty Moles have incompatible designs between their jumping and running sprites, with the former having a split lip and the latter having a smooth curve for a mouth. The GBA remake continues this with Mega Mole's unique defeat sprite seen by having Yoshi eat one while playing as Luigi.
  • Due to how Mechakoopas' tiles are assembled, the sprite of one getting up from being stunned appears to have half of an extra lower jaw under its full jaw and half of an extra foot over its full foot.
  • Big Boos have lower fangs and white eyes in their sprites, but they have the same faces as normal Boos in their artwork.
  • Bony Beetles have the same falling-apart animation as Dry Bones, with Dry Bones' heads being particularly conspicuous.

Miscellaneous

  • In the Japanese version, the message spelled out with coins in Funky reads "YOU ARE SUPER PLAYER!!" in a typical case of Engrish. The Western versions fix the grammar to "YOU ARE A SUPER PLAYER!!" thus adding more coins to the level.
  • The English localization refers to the enemy known as Kuribon in Japan as "Goomba," either in an accidental mistranslation or a deliberate attempt to group the two creatures together, possibly to seem more familiar to players. This led to confusion in Western depictions as to whether or not the two creatures were the same thing until Super Mario 3D World retranslated them as "Galoombas," though Mario Party Advance seemingly made an earlier attempt with "Goombob."

Reception

Critical reception

Super Mario World received universal critical acclaim, and it is held as among Nintendo's best games with a strong legacy. The game ranks with an average of 94.44% aggregate score in GameRankings before it was merged with Metacritic. Although Metacritic does not have an official aggregate score on the game, due to it being released before Metacritic's inception, the user review is shown to be mostly positive.[14] Much of the game's general praise is directed to the game's visuals, gameplay, level design, secrets, and music, while retrospective reviews often opine that the game is still very playable today and that new players should play it.

Alex Navarro of GameSpot scored the game an 8.5 out of 10 in his review for the Virtual Console version of the game on the Wii, recommended players to play the game if they have not already.[15] He has praised the game as a "well-crafted adventure", stating that nothing in the game feels "superfluous", and that while he pointed out that it was rather short for modern game standards, the secrets are easy to overlook on a first playthrough of the game. He has praised the graphics, describing them as "colorful" and "cute" and stands out as one of the best-looking games of the system, saying that the visuals still hold to the modern era; he has praised that the game's music is some of the best the Mario series has ever seen, calling the tunes "supercatchy". The only bad listed in the review of the game is the distinct lack of Kuribo's Shoe. Lucas M. Thomas of IGN also scored the game an 8.5 out of 10 for the Virtual Console version of the game,[16] noting the game's successful history and how the game still feels good to play today despite the age. However, Thomas felt that Super Mario World does feel lacking, and he pointed out how Miyamoto felt he could have done more to the game to distinguish it from being a graphically-upgraded continuation of Super Mario Bros. 3 and that during the time, Nintendo's competitor, Sega, took advantage of it and introduced Sonic the Hedgehog.

Jamie O' Neill of Nintendo Life gave the game a 10/10, writing about the game's legacy and history when it was first released and that the game is still playable today; he has written that while many games can be considered "classics", only a few can be considered "masterpieces" which O' Neill has referred to as.[17] He has stated that while the game isn't the flashiest showcase of the SNES's graphical effects, but has praised the game's bright and colorful aesthetics. He has praised Koji Kondo's efforts on the soundtrack, where the themes are diverse and they carry on various moods, such as the atmospheric Ghost Houses and the energized credits tune that settles into a "beautiful melancholy" when the characters reach Yoshi's House to conclude their adventure. He has called the game's controls "perfect" and that the game's meticulous secrets lend it a long-lasting appeal. O' Neill has then mentioned that the game scored number 2 on Nintendo Life's 20 debut SNES games from the Nintendo Switch Online.

Dan Whitehead of Eurogamer gave the game a 10/10 on his brief overview of various Virtual Console games, stating that the column nearly missed its deadline because he "ended up losing the best part of an afternoon to rediscovering its impeccable design."[18]

The game was placed 16th in the 100th issue of Nintendo Power's "100 best Nintendo games of all time" in 1997.[19] The game placed 47th in the 200th issue of GameInformer's "Top 200 Games of All Time."

Reviews
Release Reviewer, Publication Score Comment
Wii Lucas M. Thomas, IGN 8.5/10 "Super Mario World could be argued to take the crown for greatest 2D Mario platformer, and as such earns almost immediate recommendation for download to your Wii. The recommendation is tentatively withheld, however, pending examination of your history of ownership with the game, its ported Game Boy Advance iteration, Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World, has become one of the best-selling games of all time on Nintendo's handheld systems since its release five years ago. The portable package is perfectly playable, meaning you should save your Points if you're one of the millions of gamers to own it there, in cartridge form. Otherwise, download away. Especially you, stalwart Sonic supporters; the white flag is waving, the war now at an end. Come experience Mario's adventures, and the debut of his dinosaur friend."
Wii Alex Navarro, GameSpot 8.5/10 "Of course, odds are that many have experienced this game in one way or another over the years, be it with a copy of the original SNES release, or with 2002's fabulous GBA remake. If you own either of those and still have the required systems to play them, this VC version becomes significantly less necessary. However, if you're too young to have played the original game back in the day (or just spent most of the '90s in the era's equivalent of a disco haze) and never got around to picking up the GBA version, there's no excuse not to give Super Mario World a try now."
Wii Dan Whitehead, Eurogamer 10/10 "SMW pretty much invented the platform game as we know it today. It may have been one small step for Nintendo, but it was an evolutionary leap for gaming."
Wii U Jamie O'Neill, Nintendo Life 10/10 "While many retro games can claim to be a classic, not many are a solid gold masterpiece. Super Mario World is a masterclass in side-scrolling platforming design, to the point that modern 2D game developers should be encouraged to study it as a pre-requisite of mastering their craft. The artistry on display here is not just the way Koji Kondo's tunes fit perfectly with Dinosaur Land's locations in its creative world map – with courses that were presented with subtle 16-bit graphical flair for the November 1990 launch of the Super Famicom – but its success as an outstanding video game is predominantly due to stellar course design and its tantalising 96 level exits. It's the hidden gameplay surprises that keep you playing and returning for more, so it's the secrets that are ultimately Super Mario World's 'special' sauce."
Aggregators
Compiler Platform / Score
GameRankings 94.44%

Sales

Super Mario World was bundled with the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, making it the most sold game for the SNES, selling 20 million copies.[20]

Remakes and ports

File:Box NA - Super Mario World Super Mario Advance 2.png
Box for Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2, the Game Boy Advance remake for Super Mario World.

Nintendo Super System

The game was ported to the Nintendo Super System, an arcade machine, in 1991. It is the only Mario title released on this system. There are a few differences such as a message on the title screen letting the player know what version it is. Players can choose one of seven zones to start in. There is no way to save progress and a timer counts down on the bottom right corner when play begins, which reappears when time is almost up. Afterwards, a screen will appear asking if the player wants to continue by inserting coins.

Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World

Main article: Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World

The Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World version gives Luigi a more distinctive sprite where he is taller and thinner and animates differently, while in the original, he is simply a palette swap of Mario, and his moves are identical to Mario's.

Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2

Main article: Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2

Super Mario World was remade for the Game Boy Advance as the second installment in the Super Mario Advance series, Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2. Some of the more notable changes include new sprites for Luigi, the maximum number of lives being 999 that can now be saved, and a list of levels showing whether the secret exit and the Dragon Coins have been found.

SNES Classic Edition

Super Mario World is one of the 21 titles included on the Super NES Classic Edition.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online

Super Mario World is one of the 20 launch titles for Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online, along with Super Mario Kart and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.

Adaptations

4koma Manga Kingdom

4koma Manga Kingdom
Book one of the Super Mario portion of the 4koma Manga Kingdom series.

The Japanese manga series 4koma Manga Kingdom has a series called Super Mario, in which its seven entries have stories and gags based off Super Mario World.

Super Mario 4koma Manga Theater

The Super Mario 4koma Manga Theater is another Japanese 4koma series that features many 4-panel visual gags based off Super Mario World. For example, one comic has Mario running out of time just as he was about to face Iggy Koopa, as Iggy Koopa dives into Mario: the mometum causes Iggy Koopa to fall into the lava and get defeated as well.

Super Mario-kun

The first volume of Super Mario-kun

Super Mario-kun's first six volumes are all based on Super Mario World, kick-starting the series and being the game with the most arcs associated with it. While the first four arcs follow the games closely, with each arc having the characters travel through the game's locations, the fifth and sixth arcs have their own storylines that feature content from other Mario titles released at the time such as Yoshi and Super Mario Kart.

Super Mario Kodansha manga

Seven entries based on Super Mario World were released for the Super Mario manga series by Kazuki Motoyama.

Super Mario World television series

The title intro for the Super Mario World television series
Title card for the Super Mario World television series.

Super Mario World has an animated television series produced by DIC, being the last of the Mario cartoons DIC has produced. It has aired from September 14, 1991 to December 7, 1991, featuring 13 episodes, the least amount of the Mario cartoons. While it has faithful elements to the original series, the cartoon has a focus on common prehistoric stereotypes and themes such as the Mario characters living with cavepeople and relying on anachronistic themes to introduce to the cavepeople such as cars, television, and telephones.

Arcade games

The game's success led to five games being released for Japanese and North American arcades.

Merchandise

Due to the game's overwhelming popularity and success, much merchandise has been released using the Super Mario World theme.

References to other games

References in later games

  • Mario Roulette – Most sounds, music, and graphics from here appear in this game.
  • Mario Paint – Many sounds and graphics from here appear in this game.
  • Super Mario Kart – Lakitu is nearly identical in appearance in this game, and many tracks in this game are based on levels here. The music that plays in the Ghost Valley and Bowser Castle courses are remixes of the music from the Ghost Houses and the final boss theme, respectively, from Super Mario World.
  • Būbū Mario – Yoshi returns, and Bowser kidnaps Peach in a similar way.
  • Mario Undōkai – The goal of the marathon is to race on Yoshis.
  • Super Mario World (arcade) – The game is named after and themed around Super Mario World.
  • Mario's Time Machine – Many sounds and graphics from Super Mario World appear in this game.
  • Mario is Missing! – Many sounds and graphics from here appear in this game.
  • Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island – This game is a prequel to Super Mario World, though the stories are practically unrelated in sharing some settings, and it uses Yoshi as the main character, although there are nine Yoshis (or ten in the Game Boy Advance remake) for each stage for each zone. Also, Yoshi's sound effects from here were reused in this game.
  • Super Mario Attack – The game plays almost exactly like one of the early levels of the game.
  • Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars – The Star Road found here is destroyed by Exor, and it is revealed that Geno is from here. Yoshi's Island also returns as Yo'ster Isle, and a rendition of the overworld theme from this game plays upon first meeting Gaz. Also, the overworld theme can be heard while singing a character to sleep.
  • Super Mario 64 – The idea of Switch Palaces is, in a way, carried over into this game. Also, Yoshi references this game when he says, "It has been so long since our last adventure!" when speaking to Mario at the end of the game.
  • Super Mario Bros. Deluxe – The first part of the background music heard in the Special Zone was arranged as the "Mystery Room" theme. In addition, if the player beats World 8-4 as small Mario, Princess Toadstool will kneel down and kiss Mario in a similar manner to her actions in the ending of Super Mario World.
  • Super Smash Bros. – Mario's and Luigi's down specials, Mario Tornado and Luigi Cyclone, are similar and could be based on the Spin Jump that originated in Super Mario World.
  • Paper Mario – The first few notes of the Super Mario World overworld theme can be heard in this game's title screen music. Also, one of the tracks played by the radio in Koopa Village is the ending theme of the same game. The switch theme from this game can be heard in the music during the battle with Bowser???
  • Luigi's Mansion – One of Melody Pianissima's musical quizzes names this game as an optional response.
  • Super Smash Bros. Melee – There is a Super Mario World-themed level called Yoshi's Island. Banzai Bill also returns, and Mario can use his Cape as his side special move. Trophies of the Koopa Clown Car and Mario riding Yoshi are collectible.
  • Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga – In a room in Woohoo Hooniversity, four question blocks from the previous games (the names of which are even stated in their descriptions) can be seen; one of them is the question block from Super Mario World. A cover of the overworld theme from Super Mario World is used for some of the minigames. The Koopalings are also fought in the same order as in Super Mario World.
  • Super Mario Sunshine – When F.L.U.D.D. scans Mario, a video of Mario battling Iggy in this game can be seen.
  • Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door – Riding Yoshi came from this game. Also, if Mario gets an email from the RDM, a tone that is a cover of the music that plays when Mario destroys a castle in this game plays. If Mario gets an email from Peach, the Title Screen music from this game plays.
  • Super Mario 64 DS - Winged Yoshi returns in the multiplayer mode of this game.
  • Mario Party Advance – The results-screen music after the player runs out of Mushrooms in this game is a cover of the overworld theme from Super Mario World. Goombas also appeared in the form they appeared in the game as well.
  • Super Smash Bros. Brawl – A short demo of Super Mario World is playable, and the Yoshi's Island stage returns. Mario's Cape move returns from Melee as well. Also, Bowser uses his Koopa Clown Car in The Subspace Emissary. Finally, the title theme and ending theme are covers and play on the Delfino Plaza stage, as well as the castle theme on the Luigi's Mansion stage. Yoshi's Final Smash, Super Dragon, is based on the powers he can obtain from a Koopa shell, specifically the powers from a Red Koopa Troopa and Blue Koopa Troopa. Hot Head makes an appearance as an item in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, as well as a trophy. Blargg appears as a sticker in this game.
  • Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games — In the Wii version, an arrangement of the ending theme is used as the music for the third segment of the Mario World routine in Dream Figure Skating. In the Nintendo DS version, an arrangement of the Ground Theme is used as the first part of the Mario Medley in Ultimate Figure Skating.
  • New Super Mario Bros. Wii – Yoshi reappears in this game, behaving exactly as he did in Super Mario World. The Spin Jump also makes a return. Part of the music that plays in the castles/fortresses in this game is used for the castle levels in New Super Mario Bros. Wii.
  • Super Mario Galaxy 2 – A cover of the music from the Ghost House levels is used for Haunty Halls Galaxy and Boo Moon Galaxy. A cover of the Athletic Theme is used for Hightail Falls Galaxy (and also the music that plays during the mission for Starshine Beach Galaxy, "Purple Coin Beach Dash"). Sound effects from Super Mario World are reused, such as the sound when Yoshi is mounted, when a door is opened, and when the P Switch time limit (the Teleporter time limit in this game) is about to run out. Yoshi reappears in the game. Yoshi's House also returns in the Sky Station Galaxy. The bonus game theme from this game is used as the music that plays when touching the notes in the Puzzle Plank Galaxy.
  • Mario Sports Mix – A remix of the athletic theme from this game is available as one of the songs in Harmony Hustle.
  • Super Mario 3D Land – The sound heard when Mario exits a level after beating it in Super Mario World is present in this game after Luigi's letter is seen. Certain note sets play the bonus game theme.
  • New Super Mario Bros. 2Reznors return in this game, as well as the cover of the battle theme. Also, the chime that can be heard while the game loads sometimes plays a small part of the Super Mario World overworld theme, and in World 4, Super Mario World's snow level background is reused.
  • New Super Mario Bros. U – This game seems to be based on Super Mario World, with similar backgrounds and level styles. A Sumo Bro returns as the boss for the level Screwtop Tower. Baby Yoshis reappear as well. This game also uses a single, continuous world map, similar to Super Mario World.
  • Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games – A remix of the main theme appears as one of the selectable songs for Figure Skating Singles.
  • Super Mario 3D World – Along with having a similar name, this game features Chargin' Chucks and Goombas (renamed Galoombas), both of which have not been seen in a Super Mario platform game since Super Mario World. At the beginning of The Great Tower of Bowser Land is the Koopa Chase Lv2 that, upon hitting, occasionally causes Super Mario World sound effects to play. The artwork of Beach Koopa for this game is reused as a stamp.
  • Super Smash Bros. for Wii U – Like in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, a demo of Super Mario World can be found under Masterpieces. Two new songs based on ones from Super Mario World's music, namely "Fortress Boss" and "Super Mario World Medley" (Overworld Theme, portions of the bonus game theme, Star World, and Super Star) appear as the selectable songs in the "My Music" section. Yoshi's Island (Melee) returns as a playable stage in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
  • Super Mario Maker / Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS / Super Mario Maker 2 – One of the level styles is Super Mario World, and part of the ending theme is used in the credits. A cover of the music that plays in the Donut Plains, Twin Bridges, and Chocolate Island parts of the world map can be heard on the map screen for 10 Mario Challenge (Super Mario Challenge in the 3DS port).
  • Mario Sports Superstars - The blue and yellow Koopa Troopas return as teammates in Baseball. The yellow Paratroopa also returns as a teammate.
  • Super Mario Odyssey – A piano remix of the overworld and underwater themes from Super Mario World can be heard on radios in New Donk City. When controlled by Mario, Moe-Eyes sometimes hum the ending theme of Super Mario World while walking around with their sunglasses on. A remix of the final boss theme from this game plays when Mario captures Bowser. The music that plays in the bonus areas and bonus game was remixed as the music that plays during some of the challenge areas in this game.
  • WarioWare Gold – This game contains a microgame that is based on Super Mario World, which involves Cape Mario collecting a certain number of coins.
  • Super Mario Party - Luigi's, Boo's, Koopa Troopa's, Monty Mole's, Dry Bones', Kamek's, Sumo Bro.'s, Chargin' Chuck's, Mario with Baby Yoshi, and Cape Mario's sprites appear in Puzzle Hustle.
  • Super Smash Bros. Ultimate – The Yoshi's Island stage returns in this game. Chargin' Chuck appears as a spirit using his artwork from Super Mario World.
  • Paper Mario: The Origami King - The fireball and spin jump sounds are reused.
  • Super Mario 3D All-Stars - Selecting any track in the main menu plays the coin sound effect.
  • Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. - Yoshis appear in the time counter using their Super Mario World sprites.

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Super Mario World.

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese スーパーマリオワールド[?]
Sūpā Mario Wārudo
Super Mario World (subtitled "Super Mario Bros. 4" on the logo[25])
Chinese (simplified) 超级马力欧世界[26]
Chāojí Mǎlìōu Shìjiè
Super Mario World
Chinese (traditional) 超級瑪利歐世界[?]
Chāojí Mǎlìōu Shìjiè
Super Mario World
Korean 슈퍼 마리오 월드[?]
Syupeo Mario Weoldeu
Super Mario World

Give the world a whole new look!

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese スーパーマリオワールド:気分一新! イメチェンバージョン[?]
Sūpā Mario Wārudo: Kibun isshin! Imechen Bājon
Super Mario World: Complete Mood Change! Makeover Version
Chinese (simplified) 超级马力欧世界: 焕然一新! 感 觉大不同的版本[?]
Chāojí Mǎlìōu Shìjiè: Huànrányīxīn! Gǎn jué dà bùtóng de bǎnběn
-
Chinese (traditional) 超級瑪利歐世界: 別有不同的形象改變版本[?]
Chāojí Mǎlìōu Shìjiè: Bié yǒu bùtóng de xíngxiàng gǎibiàn bǎnběn
-
Dutch Super Mario World: Geef de wereld een nieuw uiterlijk![?] -
German Super Mario World: Wie sieht es denn hier plötzlich aus?[?] -
Italian Super Mario World: Il gioco ha un nuovo look![?] -
Korean 슈퍼 마리오 월드: 월드 전체를 완전히 새롭게 바꾸자![?]
Syupeo Mario Weoldeu: Woldeu jeoncheleul wanjeonhi saelobge bakkuja!
-
Portuguese Super Mario World: Um mundo de aparência diferente![?] -
Russian Super Mario World: Пусть мир выглядит совсем по-другому![?]
Super Mario World: Pust' mir bygliadit sovsem po-drugomu!
-
Spanish Super Mario World: ¡Un mundo de apariencia diferente![?] -

References

  1. ^ a b c Iwata Asks: Music Commentary by Koji Kondo. Nintendo. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  2. ^ Thomas Game Docs (June 15, 2021). The pop song that Nintendo copied. YouTube. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  3. ^ Kawasaki, Hondai (January 1991). "1990 Developer Interview". Nintendo Official Guidebook for Super Mario World: Super Mario Bros. 4 (Japanese). Tokyo: Shogakkan: 167.
  4. ^ https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JJBlHHDc65fhZmKUGLrDTLCm6rfUU83-kbuD8Y0zU0o/edit?pli=1#gid=717751203
  5. ^ a b c d The Cutting Room Floor, Super Mario World article. (Retrieved July 8, 2013)
  6. ^ Takashi Tezuka, Shigefumi Hino and Hisashi Nogami. Super Mario World and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. Nintendo. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  7. ^ Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto in Mario Mania Player's Guide, p. 32.
  8. ^ This local news segment displays the Super Mario World title screen with the typo'd "Super Mario Bros." subtitle., retrieved 8/11/2011
  9. ^ This local news segment displays the Super Mario World title screen with the "Super Mario Bros. 4" subtitle., retrieved 8/11/2011
  10. ^ Super Mario World is Miyamoto's favorite Mario game, retrieved 6/22/2018
  11. ^ This is Shigeru Miyamoto's Favorite Mario Game, retrieved 6/22/2018
  12. ^ [1] "SUPER MARIO WORLD’S RADICAL SPECIAL COURSES… IN JAPANESE!" Article.
  13. ^ As explained by Dayvv Brooks, formerly credited as "Dayv Brooks", on July 18, 2012.
  14. ^ Metacritic page for Super Mario World. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  15. ^ Navarro, Alex. (February 6, 2007). Super Mario World Review. GameSpot. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  16. ^ Thomas, Lucas M. (February 5, 2007). Super Mario World VC Review. IGN. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  17. ^ O' Neill. (September 21, 2019). Super Mario World Review. Nintendo Life. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  18. ^ Whitehead, Dan. (June 9, 2007). Virtual Console Roundup. Eurogamer. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  19. ^ http://www.gamekult.com/communaute/forum/voirmessage.html?foid=13000909, retrieved 6/4/2009
  20. ^ Edge Staff. (June 25, 2007). THE NINTENDO YEARS. Edge.com (archive). Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  21. ^ [2] [IRL]|Using the Super Mario Twin Cooker (DISCORD REQUEST) (YouTube channel Cabbusses's Retro Obscurities) Retrieved October 7th, 2019.
  22. ^ X-Entertainment: Super Mario Ice Cream?, dated 7/28/03; retrieved 7/1/10
  23. ^ User:smbcollector, YouTube: Super Mario Bros Cookie Boxes, posted 9/24/09; retrieved 4/24/10
  24. ^ [3]
  25. ^ Japanese boxart
  26. ^ From the official translated name in Super Mario Maker 2

External links

Template:Mario games