Super Mario All-Stars - a reappraisal needed?

[Grapple Convoy]

Just pondering this lunchtime, as I did a few days ago whilst playing SMAS for the first time in years, it's rather flawed, isn't it?

At the time, in the era before Virtual Consoles and less legitimate emulation, it was a very welcome. I didn't have an NES, so beyond quick bursts of gameplay at friends' houses (and the occasional NES Playchoice machines), I didn't have a chance to really play the Super Mario Bros trilogy properly. So the idea of reviving the Mario series on one cartridge was very welcome... However, I think there's quite a few flaws in the execution.

Apart from (ironically) Super Mario Bros 2 USA, I find the controls rather stiff and unsatisfactory. The inertia of the NES originals doesn't seem as 'right' somehow - didn't notice it at the time, but having experienced the NES games, it is quite noticeable, and does affect the gameplay to a negative degree.

Additionally, perhaps more superficial but no less noticeable, the presentation is all over the place. I'm just not keen on the inconsistent nature of the new graphics... If the graphics had to be redrawn, why couldn't the new look gel together, as in a uniform look for every game on the compilation? Doesn't seem right to me that SMB3 looks like the NES version with a few more colours, kind of sparse with the black outlines on everything, yet SMB/SMB 2 J's graphics are just overdetailed and unpleasant to look at, kind of like a poor Flash copy of the Mario series.

(Just as a final thing, I didn't play the Super Mario Advance 4 remake of SMB3 - anyone verify if the controls were "fixed"?)

[Baseley09]

I didnt think it was right at the time, and i still dont.........its not bad, and it looks niceish....give me the originals everytime tho please.

[rmoxon]

Yeah I prefer the originals too, I think the graphical makeovers look cheapish, though some of the original games (SMB2 particuarly) look pretty bad these days too you could argue.

I cant remember how the GBA version of SMB 3 controled in comparison to the original to be honest, but I do know that it was so much easier that it only took me about a day to complete it. So its not worth bothering with now the original version is on/coming too the VC really

The only real reason why Super Mario All Stars was a good buy at the time was for people who didnt have the other games and couldnt play lost levels any other way. The save option was helpful too I suppose though.

[Roddie]

The controls in the updated versions of SMB and Lost Levels were certainly a lot more forgiving than the originals, plus the fact that you never get put back to the start of the world after losing all your lives eliminates at least half the challenge of them.

I have to say I'm a fan of the updated graphics, I think they did a nice job with them. Whenever I go back to the original NES versions they just seem wrong now.

[MarioMark]

I have to say I'm a fan of the updated graphics, I think they did a nice job with them. Whenever I go back to the original NES versions they just seem wrong now.

I agree. I like All-Stars better.

I can see it from other peoples point of view who would rather play the original too though. If it ain't broke don't fix it etc etc. But If I was to play SMB3 now, it would have to be the 16 bit version.

[importaku]

I still like the gba version of mario 3 as my preferred version. With the e-reader extras it adds another 30+ brand new levels & they are worth the price of admission alone.

Shame the cards were hard as hell to find.

[Max P.]

Ohh, big disagreement here. As a collection I think SMAS is one of the best things ever on the SNES. I can still remember the excitement and anticipation reading about this in Super Play.

Coming from SMW (best game ever made bar none) the games were a slight anti-climax but I really enjoyed SMB2 USA and still have weird dreams about eggs and pulling out veg. All very surreal.

[Skull Commander]

Ohh, big disagreement here. As a collection I think SMAS is one of the best things ever on the SNES. I can still remember the excitement and anticipation reading about this in Super Play.

Coming from SMW (best game ever made bar none) the games were a slight anti-climax but I really enjoyed SMB2 USA and still have weird dreams about eggs and pulling out veg. All very surreal.

I agree fully with this. Apart from the wierd veg dreams.

[S3M]

Super Mario All Stars was fantastic, anyone who said a bad word about it is nuts if you ask me!

[Grapple Convoy]

The only real reason why Super Mario All Stars was a good buy at the time was for people who didnt have the other games and couldnt play lost levels any other way. The save option was helpful too I suppose though.

The save game was pretty much essential for SMB3 I'd argue, in the same way that Super Mario World needs it. (The Super Mario Advance games are in their element with save games, for quick bursts of gameplay. Recently discovered how much fun SMA1 can be that way.)

[Ouenben]

The super mario allstars cart that also had super mario world on it was the SNES equivalent of Orange box. So many good games on one cart!
I prefer the allstars versions of the games.

[Leon Retro]

Grapple probably has some good points, but I haven't played it for years, so I can't really comment. I don't remember any negative feelings towards the compilation back in the day.

In fact.... I thought it was a brilliant collection, and the redrawn visuals and presentation were very satisfying.

As much as certain aspects of the games felt different, and the fact that the new visuals may not appeal to everyone, I think it was still one of the best titles for the SNES; if only it had been released for the GBA.

Let's hope it turns-up on the Wii.

[rmoxon]

The save game was pretty much essential for SMB3 I'd argue, in the same way that Super Mario World needs it. (The Super Mario Advance games are in their element with save games, for quick bursts of gameplay. Recently discovered how much fun SMA1 can be that way.)

Well yeah the save game was esential for SMB3, but you could save in the nes version. So it wasnt as big a deal as the save addition to the older games. Plus the "extra" saves on the GBA version make it slightly too easy, though being handheld they are pretty much required.

[k0pp0]

Grapple probably has some good points, but I haven't played it for years, so I can't really comment. I don't remember any negative feelings towards the compilation back in the day.

In fact.... I thought it was a brilliant collection, and the redrawn visuals and presentation were very satisfying.

As much as certain aspects of the games felt different, and the fact that the new visuals may not appeal to everyone, I think it was still one of the best titles for the SNES; if only it had been released for the GBA.

Let's hope it turns-up on the Wii.

Bloody hell. If that happened I'd have a Wii purchase spasm or something. I was watching the DS adverts as well last night and the missus and me both were mumbling about how good it looked.. Bloody hell. Again.

[MattyD]

You can download the originals of all the Mario All Stars games on the VC (NTSC at least). I still say you can't beat the purity and feel of the originals, especially if you can play them on the original hardware. Seeing SMB3 running on a NES is quite amazing.