Mario
The first Mario adventure on SNES where you save Princess Peach and Yoshi's dinosaur friends with Yoshi by your side.
Super Mario World is a 1990 platform game developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Released in Japan in 1990, followed by North America in 1991 and PAL territories in 1992, it serves as the first Mario title for the console. The player controls Mario on a quest to save Princess Peach and the dinosaur friends of Yoshi from Bowser and his seven Koopalings. Designed to maximize the SNES's technical features under director Takashi Tezuka and producer Shigeru Miyamoto, the game introduces Yoshi, a rideable dinosaur who can consume enemies and spit shells as projectiles. It is widely considered one of the greatest video games ever made, selling over twenty million copies worldwide to become the best-selling SNES game.
- Role
- Protagonist
- Occupation
- Adventurer
- Affiliation
- Mario Bros., Toad Army
- First Appearance (Super Mario World)
- 1990 (Japan)
- Status
- Active
- Signature Move
- N/A (Spin Jump is not a standard ability in this game)
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
In the narrative detailed in the instruction booklet, Mario and Luigi travel to Dinosaur Land for a vacation after bringing peace to the Mushroom World in Super Mario Bros. 3. While resting on a beach, Princess Toadstool is captured by Bowser. Upon waking, the brothers search for her and discover a giant white egg with green spots in a forest. It hatches to reveal Yoshi, who explains that his dinosaur friends are imprisoned in eggs by the Koopalings. Realizing Toadstool has also been taken, Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi set out to rescue them. The journey involves traversing seven worlds, each featuring fortresses controlled by a Koopaling. After defeating these minions and freeing the dinosaurs, the trio reaches Bowser's Castle in the seventh world for a final battle, sending Bowser flying into the sky and restoring peace.
In Their Own Story
Super Mario World features 96 level exits across seven worlds, navigated via an overworld map connecting paths to castles, fortresses, ghost houses, and action panels. Players control Mario or Luigi in 2D linear levels, utilizing dashing, jumping, and the new Spin Jump move to crush enemies or break blocks, provided a power-up is active. The game introduces the Cape Feather for flying and gliding, as well as a box to store an extra power-up like a Super Mushroom if a Fire Flower or Cape is collected. A key discovery mechanic involves finding keys in levels to unlock secret Star Road routes or new areas, including the Special World. Completing the Special Zone permanently alters enemy sprites and the overworld map's color scheme. The game supports two-player turn-based navigation on the map, with Player 1 as Mario and Player 2 as Luigi.
Reader's Guide
Yoshi is a central mechanic in Super Mario World, capable of eating most enemies. If Yoshi eats a Koopa or its shell, he can spit it out as a projectile; failing to do so within a time limit causes him to swallow it uselessly. Different shell colors grant Yoshi specific abilities: blue allows flight, yellow emits dust clouds to defeat nearby foes, and red produces three fireballs. Flashing shells provide all three abilities, while green shells grant none. While the default Yoshi is green, players can find hidden blue, yellow, or red Yoshis by locating their eggs in Star World areas. Feeding a baby Yoshi five enemies or specific power-ups like a Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, Cape Feather, or Starman causes it to mature into the corresponding colored adult. Collecting a star grants temporary invincibility from minor dangers but does not protect against lava, falling off-screen, or running out of time.
Did You Know?
- Super Mario World sold more than twenty million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling SNES game.
- The development team consisted of fifteen people and had more creative freedom compared to previous NES installments.
- Yoshi was conceptualized during NES games but could not be implemented until Super Mario World due to hardware limitations.
- Completing the Special Zone in Super Mario World permanently changes some enemy sprites and alters the overworld map's color scheme.
- The game includes a multiplayer option where two players take turns navigating the overworld map, controlling Mario and Luigi respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mario in the Super Mario series?
Mario is a plumber from the Mushroom Kingdom who serves as the primary protagonist across most Nintendo games. He is widely recognized by his red hat, blue overalls, and distinctive mustache.
What is Mario's role in Super Mario World?
In this 1990 title, he travels to Dinosaur Land to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser and his seven Koopalings. His goal is to defeat the antagonist while exploring new environments with Yoshi.
What signature move does Mario perform?
While known for jumping early on, he utilizes a signature Spin Jump attack to damage enemies or reach higher platforms. This mechanic became standard for his platforming gameplay.
Who assists Mario during his adventures?
He is frequently aided by allies like Toad and the Toad Army, as well as rideable dinosaurs such as Yoshi in Super Mario World. These companions help him overcome obstacles that he cannot handle alone.
Is Mario still active in current games?
Yes, his status remains active as he continues to lead new adventures and team up with the Mario Bros. He is a central figure in Nintendo's ongoing franchise history.
More in Characters & Allies
Related in Super Mario
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Elsewhere in the Super Mario universe
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