Together Retro: Super Mario Bros 2 / Doki Doki Panic

[rlrunyon]

I'll start off with Super Mario Bros. 2 on Super Mario All-stars on SNES. After playing it a while, I might play Doki Doki Panic. Dunno yet. =)

[Flake]

I'll do my usual thing where I do the write-up for the month and then forget to play the game.

[ExedExes]

I'll do my usual thing where I do the write-up for the month and then forget to play the game.

It was a good write-up. I enjoy doing them for TR shmup of the month myself.

For such a legendary game, I'll offer up some of my memories.

I first saw this game on the PlayChoice-10 arcade machine. I couldn't see it well due to the throngs of people around it. I then got this game shortly before the summer of 1990 at Woolworth's (remember those?) for about $45 and I was glued to the TV for the next few months. I also remember reaching World 7-1 for the first time and leaving the NES on PAUSE all day because I was doing something away from the house. (remember THAT?)

I am happy to say Super Mario Advance is a great choice for those wanting *MORE* from the original. Despite the overused voices for EACH CHARACTER (thanks Zing), there is a ton more. More potions, more hits (5!), the ability to BET more coins on each Bonus Chance spin, huge enemies and vegetables, lots more pots scattered throughout with more stuff, a POINTS system and chances to get more extra lives, hearts found in the ground, and the A-coin system which I love much as I like to find extra stuff well hidden in the stages. I am blown away, and transported back to 1990. What a great game! For a launch title, Nintendo really wanted to make the GBA something special.

As much as I was disappointed when I found out that our SMB2 was radically different, after playing some today, I am GLAD we got what we got. Something that was graphically, mechanically, and memorably different. (and I'm glad we eventually got the SMB2 "fan mod"). You also can't deny the influence it had on future Super Mario games worldwide, something that was also pointed out in the write-up.

It's going to be a great month!!!!!

[Xeogred]

The second world or the second level? Do you keep falling off the carpet?

I like to do this game with no warps. It's the only way to play. It also has one of the best endings of any NES game.

I tried to play through doki doki, but the game wants you to play through every level with every character.

Ditto! It's really rewarding getting through the whole thing legit.

[Valkyrie-Favor]

I played Super Mario Advance earlier this year. It's super awesome. I just love the general weirdness and the huge levels to explore. And the music! Only thing that bothered me was the constant pausing and scrolling whenever you ascend or descend. That isn't needed, not on Game Boy Advance.

BTW, there's one level where you can get 99 lives in a two or three minutes - it involves the gigantic POW in a room with lots of enemies and doors. Do it, you will be thankful on the last few stages.

[rlrunyon]

Anyone ever notice when you enter a jar, it looks like the kool-aid man. At least in the NES and All-stars versions. Ya'll got me playing the Game Boy Advance version now. =)

[ExedExes]

For me, playing this again not only takes me back to 1990, but a simpler time of games. All the game collecting I've been doing today and all the new consoles I've been experiencing with their crazy controls and graphics and mechanics just has me happy for a game we're doing that has near universal appeal and many people remember. I've been into the WWII FPS lately, but it's NICE to take a break and return to SMB2. Seriously.

[foxhound1022]

Just played for awhile; got to World 4 legit, before I decided to take a break. I'm just amazed at how timeless some things really are.

[harper]

I might join in for SMB2. Only problem is, I only have it for the NES right now, so the lack of a save function will require me to sit down and actually invest a good amount of time/effort which I'm not so sure I'm ready to do just yet.

Awesome game though.

[foxhound1022]

Just use the warps; you can beat the game in about an hour.