Why Super Mario Run?

Super Mario Run is Nintendo’s first original Mario platforming game designed specifically for mobile devices, and it does an excellent job of bringing the classic Mario experience to phones and tablets. Instead of trying to copy the controls of traditional console Mario games, it introduces a one-handed control scheme where Mario runs automatically while the player focuses on timing jumps and performing stylish moves. This makes the game easy to learn while still offering plenty of challenge as you progress. I like this game a lot, and it has become one of my favorite mobile games because it captures the charm of the Mario series while feeling perfectly suited for short play sessions.

One of the game’s greatest strengths is its accessibility. Whether you have five minutes or an hour to play, it’s easy to jump into a level and have fun. The controls are incredibly simple—a tap makes Mario jump, while holding your finger longer makes him jump higher. Although this sounds basic, the game gradually introduces more advanced mechanics, including wall jumps, vaults, spins, and other acrobatic moves that reward careful timing and practice.

The main mode, World Tour, serves as the game’s story mode. Players travel through a series of colorful worlds to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. The levels are creative and filled with familiar Mario enemies, moving platforms, hidden coins, and secret paths. Completing each stage feels satisfying, and replaying levels to collect all the special colored coins provides an extra challenge for players who enjoy completing everything.

Another enjoyable mode is Toad Rally. Instead of simply racing against another player in real time, you compete against recordings of other players’ performances. The goal is to finish with the highest score by collecting coins, performing stylish tricks, and impressing the watching Toads. I really enjoy this mode because every run feels a little different, and trying to improve your performance keeps the gameplay exciting. Winning rallies also allows you to recruit more Toads to your kingdom.

The third major mode is Kingdom Builder. As you earn coins and recruit Toads, you can build and decorate your own Mushroom Kingdom. While this isn’t as deep as a dedicated city-building game, it’s a fun feature that gives players a sense of progression outside the platforming levels. Unlocking new decorations and expanding your kingdom adds another reason to keep playing.

One of my favorite parts of Super Mario Run is unlocking different playable characters. Each character has their own unique abilities, giving players a reason to experiment with different play styles. My favorite character is Princess Daisy. I love playing as her because her double jump provides extra flexibility during difficult sections and makes certain levels feel easier to navigate. Daisy has always been one of my favorite Mario characters, so being able to play as her makes the game even more enjoyable for me.

Visually, Super Mario Run is bright, colorful, and polished. The graphics capture the cheerful personality of the Mario series, with smooth animations and detailed environments. The music is equally enjoyable, featuring energetic themes that fit the fast-paced gameplay without becoming distracting.

Despite all of its strengths, the game isn’t perfect. One of the biggest criticisms is that the automatic running mechanic limits player control compared to traditional Mario games. Some players may prefer having full control over movement rather than focusing mainly on jumping. While the simplified controls work well for mobile devices, they do change the feel of the gameplay.

Another downside is that the story mode is relatively short once you’ve learned the levels. Although collecting all the colored coins and improving your scores adds replay value, players looking for a lengthy adventure may finish the main content fairly quickly.

The game also requires an internet connection for many features, which can be disappointing for players who want to enjoy it completely offline.

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. This game is up to 1-player with online match making on one Android or IOS device, or 4-player on multiple Android or IOS devices.

Pros

• Easy-to-learn one-handed controls
• Excellent adaptation of Mario gameplay for mobile devices
• Three enjoyable game modes: World Tour, Toad Rally, and Kingdom Builder
• Beautiful graphics and cheerful music
• Plenty of replay value through coin collecting and score chasing
• Unlockable characters with unique abilities
• Daisy is my favorite character, and her double jump makes the game even more fun to play
• Great for both short and long play sessions

Cons

• Automatic running may not appeal to every player
• Story mode is fairly short
• Some levels become repetitive after many replays
• Internet connection is required for several features
• Less exploration than traditional console Mario platformers

Summary

Overall, Super Mario Run proves that Mario can successfully make the jump to mobile gaming without losing the charm that has made the series so beloved. Its simple controls, polished presentation, and multiple gameplay modes make it a fun experience for players of all ages. I like this game a lot because it’s easy to pick up whenever I have a few free minutes, and there’s always something to work toward, whether it’s collecting special coins, improving my Toad Rally scores, or expanding my kingdom.

My favorite part of the game is playing as Daisy. Her unique abilities make her enjoyable to use, and having one of my favorite Mario characters available adds even more personality to an already charming game. While it isn’t a replacement for a full console Mario adventure, Super Mario Run is an excellent mobile game that offers plenty of fun, replayability, and classic Nintendo charm.

Super Mario Run – Review brought to you by Gaming Chickadee

Chickadee loves to have family gaming days. She loves birds, unicorns, ponies She also likes the Nancy Drew Games. She loves to play as Princess Daisy in the Super Mario Games, Her favorite games change a lot but right they are: Mario Party Superstars, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pretty Princess Party.

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.

Super Mario Land – Review brought to you by Gaming Chickadee

Chickadee loves to have family gaming days. She loves birds, unicorns, ponies She also likes the Nancy Drew Games. She loves to play as Princess Daisy in the Super Mario Games, Her favorite games change a lot but right they are: Mario Party Superstars, Super Mario Bros. Wonder and Pretty Princess Party.

Super Mario Bros Wonder was added to our collection of multiplayer Nintendo Switch games. We just couldn’t resist getting another Mario game.

This version of Mario goes back to it’s roots as a classic side scrolling game. While I love all the 3D worlds to explore in most newer games. It’s refreshing to see Nintendo put out a side scroller.

In Super Mario Bros Wonder Bowser shows up uninvited and takes over a kingdom. Which seems to be a common theme with many Mario games. It’s up to you to take down Bowser’s defenses then defeat him to free the kingdom.

If you’ve played any Mario game then you’ll recognize much of the gameplay. Jumping, running, collecting coins, and reaching the goal pole are essential elements of most Mario games. A few new power ups are added. Some familiar enemies and many new ones are added too.

Mario is joined by Luigi, Toad, Toadette, Daisy, Peach, Yoshi, and ette. While he faces off against Bowser, Bowser jr, and many more enemies.

Super Mario Bros Wonder is a fresh face on a classic game. We enjoyed playing it from beginning to end. We’ll go over what we liked, what we didn’t, and whether we think it was worth it.

If you’re a fan of Mario Bros games then there’s no reason to pass on this game. It’s a fun game solo or multiplayer. There was plenty of content to keep us occupied.

If you like games with a lot of running and jumping then this is the game for you. It captures the gameplay from he original Super Mario Brothers and improves upon it.

There’s plenty of achievements and hidden content in this game. If you like checking off boxes or discovering hidden features, then Mario Wonder won’t disappoint.

We tested Super Mario Bros Wonder with 1 player, 2 players, 3 players, and 4 players. In my experience, it’s a great game for playing solo or multiplayer.

It didn’t feel cluttered with 4 players. We couldn’t bump into or hit each other which I liked. It was easy to track your character and keep up since everyone had the same speed and jump height.

Going too far off screen resulted in a loss of life, unless your ghost could tag another player within 5 seconds. Most of the time we could respawn without losing a life. Still, I prefer the Mario 3d world method of respawning.

Playing with 3 characters wasn’t much different than 4 in our test results. It was slightly easier tracking our characters. Playing with 2 players seemed much better. We could easily track our character and help each other.

Playing solo was fun too. yet, my test revealed it’s much harder playing solo. There’s no second chance. If you get hit or miss a jump it’s a loss of a life. Whereas in multiplayer there’s always an opportunity to respawn.

Super Mario Bros Wonder is similar to Sonic Superstars. They were released within a week of each other. Both games are great side scrollers.

Each game has it’s share of stages, bonus levels, and boss fights. Both have you running and jumping through stages while collecting items and fighting enemies.

The main difference between Super Mario Bros Wonder and Sonic Superstars is the difficulty. The levels are hard in Mario, while the boss fights are easier. Compared to Sonic where the levels are relatively easy compared to the boss fights.

I found myself struggling in many of the advanced levels in Mario. It took me several attempts to complete many levels. Once we made it to the final boss, we defeated Bowser on the fist try.

Sonic was the opposite. While the Sonic levels weren’t easy. They didn’t require the precise aim and excruciatingly timed jumps found in Mario. The boss fights with Dr Eggman did take some skill and patience.

My skills aren’t the greatest, so I found Mario Wonder the more challenging of the two. Both were great fun to play in my opinion. However, Mario Wonder is more appealing if a challenge is what you’re looking for.

The best parts about Super Mario Bros Wonder is the side scrolling gameplay. I liked that the side scrolling didn’t require aiming my jumps like in 3D Worlds. Nintendo definitely made the jumps in Mario Wonder precise. But I found gauging my distance is easier than aiming a jump in a 3d world.

The graphics and sounds are top notch. The snow course was everyone’s favorite. The piranha plants singing during their parade was especially good. Bowser dancing in the final fight was mesmerizing.

The new content was terrific. We loved the Wonder Flower power up transformations. Turning into a new character to play a portion of the stage was a great way to mix it up. Definitely a benefit.

The new power ups were awesome as well. We enjoyed the elephant’s ability to bash through walls and enemies. Shooting water with it’s trunk was a nice touch. I liked the drill’s ability to burrow and move along the floors and ceiling. Others liked the bubbles more.

The talking flower throughout the game was good too. It gave some clues and laughs everywhere it appeared.

The main drawback to Super Mario Bros Wonder is their method of respawning. If you go off screen or get killed then you have 5 seconds to reach another player to respawn. Otherwise you lose a life.

I didn’t like the potential loss of life for merely trailing off screen or bubbling to get to another player. It was particularly brutal during long falling or running sequences. Dashing barely kept up with a falling player.

When you respawned there was a cloud animation which was extremely confusing. Plus the character dropped in so I couldn’t run or jump if necessary. Many times I’d respawn only to immediately fall back into lava, a pit, or trail off screen.

While you can buy or earn extra lives, it’s capped at 99. Which was a tad annoying when buying 99 lives at the store. We had 35 lives, bought the 99 option and only got 64 lives for our purchase.

Coins and fruit are the currency of this game. There were no points to earn extra lives. Getting rid of the point system is another drawback.

Our Super Mario Bros. Wonder review gives it 9 out of 10 stars. It exceeded my expectations. We liked it more than Mario 3d World, which has remained high on our play list.

While I don’t think any new game should cost $60. This game offered a lot more than Mario Strikers so shelling out the money didn’t sting as much.

Overall, Mario Wonder delivers on the fun factor. We had a great time playing through to the end and I look forward to many more hours playing this game. If you enjoy other Mario Brothers games then Super Mario Bros Wonder is definitely worth getting in my opinion.

Super Mario Bros Wonder review brought to you by David M.

I’m David M. I’ve been playing video games a long time, my pong game was fire. Now, my kids run circles around me but we always have a good time. We mostly play party and family games. Strategy and battle games are still among my favorites. I like writing about games almost as much as I do playing them. My favorite games are: Moving Out 2, Out of Space and Overcooked All You Can Eat.

We added Sonic Superstars to our library of multiplayer Nintendo Switch games. Since we love everything Sonic, we had to try out this game.

It’s a classic side scrolling game but with a new twist: it supports 4 players! Since they added the capability to play as Tails in Sonic the Hedgehog II. Playing Sonic with two players has provided us with hours of fun.

Four player games are our favorites, so combining two of our favorite things sounded very appealing. We were a bit shocked by the price but couldn’t resist the appeal of this multiplayer action.

If you love the classic Sonic the Hedgehog games then Sonic Superstars is an ideal choice. This game won’t disappoint. As we played we noticed many elements of previous Sonic games make an n appearance in Superstars.

The stages had similar themes and layouts as most Sonic games, albeit fewer speed runs. Which helped with having multiple players on screen. Depth was added to this side scroller by sprinkling in some foreground and background paths. But it was a traditional Sonic game plus 4 players.

We played as Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Amy. Running our way through the stage collecting rings and fighting enemies along the way. There were also plenty of boss fights with Dr Eggman.

If you enjoyed the bonus stages from the original Sonic game, then Superstars is the game for you. The rotating bonus levels are accessed at every checkpoint, as long as you have 50 rings.

These new and improved rotating worlds were one of my favorite parts of the game. I was glad the checkered globe or half pipe from previous versions did not make an appearance in this game.

If you like classic Sonic games mixed with a lot of new content, then this is the game for you.

We tested Sonic Superstars with 1 player, 2 players, 3 players, and 4 players.

Having 4 controllable players on the screen takes some getting used to. At first it was awkward. But after 10 minutes we adjusted to the respawning from going off screen.

Having 4 players on screen didn’t feel too busy to me. While Sonic II was impossible to stay on screen, Sonic Superstars made it much more forgiving. It was easy to track each character with a few exceptions.

We really enjoyed having each character’s abilities available. It actually plays like a Sonic co-op game should be. I liked that they give you the choice to respawn, similar to Mario 3D world.

We also tested it solo, double, and triple players. Whether it was 2, 3, or 4 players didn’t change much. We still respawned from time to time. The only advantage of 2 or 3 players is the camera tracking was a bit more predictable.

Solo playing was fun too. I missed having the abilities of the other characters available but I was able to go faster.

Sonic Superstars is similar to Super Mario Bros Wonder. I preferred Sonic Superstars, but both games are great side scrollers.

It’s odd but Super Mario Wonder seemed faster, or at least seemed to have more speed runs. In my opinion the levels were hard in Mario while the bosses were easy. But the levels in Sonic were easy compared to the bosses.

The levels in Sonic didn’t require the precise aim or excruciating timed jumps found in Mario Wonder. Bowser was a milk run compared to the mid or final boss in Sonic.

I liked that Sonic just gave you unlimited lives. I didn’t care for the way Mario Wonder leeched away lives just for going off screen. While Mario gave you 5 seconds to recover. An entire level jumping across blink blocks resulted in a brutal loss of lives.

Both games had players transform into different characters, floating through zero gravity, and finding secret paths. They both added new and interesting abilities. Sonic in the form of chaos emerald abilities, compared to Mario’s power ups.

In my opinion, Sonic Superstars is geared for casual gamers while Mario is for hardcore gamers. Sonic is a game anyone can join in and have fun. While Mario just left me speechless at times. Were the game developers trying to make it impossible?

After 10,000 hours of practice I could do some of these levels without Yooshi. Yes, I admit it, I needed to play as Yooshi to make it easier.

The best parts about Sonic Superstars was the new features. Swinging like Spiderman through space after a chaos emerald was fire. Rotating the level and running on the ceiling was great. Playing as a squid, mouse, and rocket was unexpected fun.

I can’t say enough about the graphics and sounds. It just kept getting better and better the further we progressed. The final levels were captivating. We loved the graphics and sounds throughout the game.

The cons were they nerfed Sonic. I missed the super peel out and insta shield. Still, Sonic’s drop dash came in handy many times. But Sonic struggled to get to higher places or have much defense solo. Having multiple players really helped.

Tails could fly. Knuckles could glide and climb. Amy has a double jump and hammer. Trip has climb and double jump. But Sonic just had drop dash.

Then there were the glitches. This game was full of them. I think it has to do with releasing it before Super Mario Wonder. So hopefully they will fix them soon.

Drowning while out of water was weird. Occasionally falling through the floor when it shook was annoying. This only happened once but it was infuriating when the camera glitched and we were all off screen fighting a boss.

Our Sonic Superstars review gives it 9 out of 10 stars. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would. Some may not like the simplicity and find it boring. Still, there’s something about remodeling I found appealing.

It isn’t the most expensive or challenging game. But it offers simple multiplayer fun. It’s not diverse enough to play for hours on end. But we enjoyed playing it for an hour at a time here and there.

Sonic Superstars review brought to you by David M.

I’m David M. I’ve been playing video games a long time, my pong game was fire. Now, my kids run circles around me but we always have a good time. We mostly play party and family games. Strategy and battle games are still among my favorites. I like writing about games almost as much as I do playing them. My favorite games are: Moving Out 2, Out of Space and Overcooked All You Can Eat.