Super Mario Land – Review

Super Mario Land is Princess Daisy’s first appearance in the Mario series and as you know, she’s my favorite Mario character. The game itself is also great of course like the levels and music are cute. Anyway, in my review you can find out more!

Plus, on the published date of this post the game is exactly 37 years old! Happy Birthday Daisy and Super Mario Land!

Why Super Mario Land?

Super Mario Land for the original Game Boy is a classic Mario platforming adventure that brought the famous plumber to Nintendo’s handheld system. Although it is different from the main Super Mario Bros. games in several ways, it has a unique charm that helps it stand out. The game features its own worlds, enemies, music, gameplay ideas, and story, making it more than simply a portable version of a previous Mario adventure. One of the biggest reasons I liked Super Mario Land is that it introduced Princess Daisy to the Mario series, making it an especially important game for Daisy fans.

The story begins with Mario traveling to the mysterious land of Sarasaland. Instead of rescuing Princess Peach, Mario’s mission is to rescue Princess Daisy, who has been kidnapped by the alien ruler Tatanga. This was Daisy’s very first appearance in the Mario series, and that alone makes the game historically special. I really liked the game because Princess Daisy was introduced to the series here. She would eventually become a much more familiar character in later Mario games, but Super Mario Land is where her story began.

Playing the game today is an interesting experience because it feels different from the Mario games that came before it. The Game Boy’s black-and-white screen meant that Nintendo had to design levels around limited visuals, but the developers still managed to create a variety of environments. Players travel through different areas of Sarasaland, including locations inspired by deserts, oceans, and other unusual places. The game doesn’t feel exactly like the Mushroom Kingdom, which helps give it its own identity.

The platforming is straightforward and easy to understand. Mario runs, jumps on enemies, collects coins, avoids obstacles, and searches for the exit at the end of each stage. The levels are relatively short, making the game well suited to a handheld system. You can play a level fairly quickly, making it easy to pick up the Game Boy for a short gaming session.

One of the most interesting things about Super Mario Land is its unusual enemies. While familiar Mario enemies appear, the game also introduces creatures and obstacles that aren’t commonly seen in other entries. This makes exploring Sarasaland feel like visiting a completely different Mario world.

The game also features some unique power-ups and gameplay mechanics. The Super Mushroom allows Mario to become larger, while the Fire Flower gives him the ability to attack enemies with fireballs. There is also the Superball Flower, a special power-up unique to this game. Instead of throwing traditional fireballs, Mario throws bouncing balls that can defeat enemies and collect coins. The Superball Flower is a fun idea that gives the game some personality of its own.

Another interesting feature is the variety of vehicles. In certain stages, Mario takes control of a vehicle and moves through the level in a way that feels very different from traditional platforming. These sections provide a nice change of pace and help prevent the entire game from feeling like the same type of level repeated over and over.

The music is another memorable part of the experience. Because the Game Boy had much simpler audio capabilities than a home console, the soundtrack is quite different from the orchestral or heavily produced music found in newer Mario games. However, the tunes are catchy and fit the fast-paced platforming well. Some of the melodies can stick in your head long after you’ve finished playing.

The game’s difficulty is also worth mentioning. Super Mario Land isn’t an enormous adventure, but some sections can be challenging. Players need to learn enemy patterns, carefully time jumps, and avoid hazards. The controls are simple, but successful platforming still requires practice.

One downside is that the game’s short length can make it feel less substantial than later Mario adventures. Once you’ve completed the levels and learned their layouts, there isn’t as much additional content to keep you playing. The Game Boy’s limited hardware also means the visuals are very simple compared with later handheld Mario games.

Another drawback is that the controls can feel somewhat less precise than those in newer Mario games. This is understandable considering the age of the game, but players accustomed to modern Mario controls may need some time to adjust.

How We Test Games

For testing games we use a Nintendo Switch firmware version 2H. Hardware includes Joy-con and Pro controller on a large screen TV. Tests are done with up to 5 players. We take turns playing and evaluating games.

Whenever possible we play multiple players. We also use a Nintendo 2DS, DS XL, and for PC games we use a Ryzen 7 1700x CPU, AMD RX580, running on Win 10.

Pros

• Introduces Princess Daisy to the Mario series
• Unique Sarasaland setting
• Simple and enjoyable platforming
• Fun and unusual enemies
• The Superball Flower is a creative power-up
• Vehicle sections add gameplay variety
• Catchy and memorable music
• Short levels work well for a handheld game
• Charming classic Game Boy presentation
• Important piece of Mario history
• Great choice for fans of Princess Daisy

Cons

• Relatively short compared with later Mario adventures
• Limited replay value after completing the game
• Black-and-white graphics can be difficult for some modern players to adjust to
• Controls aren’t as polished as those in newer Mario games
• Some levels and sections can become challenging or frustrating
• Fewer power-ups and features than later Mario platformers

Summary

Super Mario Land is a fascinating piece of Mario history and a fun little Game Boy platformer. It may not be as large or polished as later games in the franchise, but its unique setting, unusual enemies, memorable music, and special gameplay ideas give it plenty of personality.

The biggest reason I liked Super Mario Land is undoubtedly Princess Daisy’s introduction. It is really cool to play the game where Daisy first appeared and see the beginning of a character who would eventually become an important part of the Mario cast. Knowing that this is where Daisy’s story in the series began gives the game an extra level of significance, especially for anyone who loves her character.

Overall, Super Mario Land is a charming classic that is worth remembering not only as an early handheld Mario game, but also as the game that introduced Princess Daisy. Its short length and dated presentation may keep it from feeling as impressive as modern Mario adventures, but its unique identity and historical importance make it a memorable part of the series. For Mario fans—and especially Princess Daisy fans—it is a game that deserves a special place in Mario history.