Leave Luck to Heaven #10: Classic Games with Semi-Old Graphics in Fancy New Packaging
Super Mario All-Stars was released in 1993, and then to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mario, Nintendo released the game again for the Wii in December. Well apparently since the game sold so readily, Nintendo decided that instead of making it collectible they would print more copies and released a new batch earlier this week.
Super Mario All-Stars is a direct port of the SNES version. The game contains Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. the Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3. At the time of the SNES this was pretty cool especially since the graphics for all four games were updated to the same standard as Super Mario World. On top of this, the game comes packaged with a small history book capturing all of Mario’s exploits. Well not all of them because the sports games are left out, but that’s okay. Also packaged is a CD that contains original Mario music including the second half of the CD is just soundbites from the games.
While nostalgic of the games, I feel like the only real value is derived from the history book and CD. Realistically, the games that come with it and then Super Mario World on top of that can be downloaded for right around the same price via the Wii’s Virtual Console. This leads me to wonder why Super Mario World was left out. In 1994, SNES began
shipping with Super Mario All-Stars that also had Super Mario World. Now given this game functioned a lot like the Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt cartridges of the NES, but I think it would validate the purchase much more.
The only reason I can think of is that, by excluding the SNES game, the controls could be simplified to just using the Wii Remote turned sideways. Also I suppose if you for some reason don’t have the Wii connected to the internet this is a good method to get some classic games.
Overall, the package ends up not really being worth it. The book adds nothing to the history you can’t find in other places, the CD you can most likely [legally acquire], and the games you can just get original graphic versions on Virtual Console. If you want the SNES graphics just use the money you saved and pick up Super Mario World.