The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) has been a beloved console for many gamers around the world, and one of its most iconic games is Super Mario All-Stars. This compilation of classic NES titles features some of Mario's most memorable adventures, including Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3.

In this article, we will delve into the world of Super Mario All-Stars, exploring its rich history, gameplay mechanics, and technical details. We'll also examine the game's age rating, which can vary depending on the region and platform it's released on.

History of Super Mario All-Stars

Super Mario All-Stars was first released in 1993 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) in Japan, with later releases in North America and Europe. The game was developed by Nintendo, with input from Shigeru Miyamoto, one of the most renowned video game designers in the industry.

The original NES games that made up Super Mario All-Stars were released between 1985 and 1988, respectively. Super Mario Bros., the game that started it all, was released in Japan on September 13, 1985, followed by its release in North America on October 18, 1985. The Lost Levels, originally known as Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan, was later released in North America and Europe as part of the NES Classic Edition.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels is an action-adventure platformer that follows Mario's quest to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser. The game features a unique "two-player" mode where players can control either Mario or Luigi, with the second player controlling the brother who follows Mario.

Super Mario Bros. 2 was released in Japan on October 9, 1988, and is often considered one of the best games of all time. In this game, Mario must rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of Wart, a new villain in the Mario universe.

The final game in Super Mario All-Stars, Super Mario Bros. 3, was released on October 23, 1988, in Japan and November 10, 1990, in North America. This game is widely regarded as one of the best platformers of all time, featuring innovative gameplay mechanics such as the use of air currents to navigate through levels.

Gameplay Mechanics

Super Mario All-Stars features a mix of classic NES gameplay with some minor tweaks and enhancements. The games are still challenging and fun, but they lack the smooth animations and more precise controls that would be introduced later in Nintendo's 16-bit consoles.

In Super Mario Bros., players must navigate through eight worlds, each with its unique theme music and enemy types. The game features a variety of power-ups, including mushrooms, fire flowers, and stars, which allow Mario to grow bigger, shoot fireballs, or turn invisible.

In Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, the gameplay is similar to Super Mario Bros., but with some new features such as the use of pipes that can be blown through using a "pipe blast" item. This allows players to reach hidden areas and secret levels.

Super Mario Bros. 2 introduces a new gameplay mechanic where Mario must eat enemies to gain power-ups, which are then used to defeat other enemies and bosses. The game also features a unique mode called the "Vs." mode, where players can compete against each other in versus-style gameplay.

In Super Mario Bros. 3, players must navigate through nine worlds, each with its own theme music and enemy types. The game features new power-ups such as Tanooki suits, which allow Mario to fly and turn into a statue to avoid enemies.

Technical Details

Super Mario All-Stars was originally developed for the SNES, but it was later ported to other consoles, including the Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console and the Wii U Virtual Console. The game features digitized versions of the original NES games, with some minor enhancements such as improved sound quality and increased frame rates.

The game's graphics are rendered using a combination of pre-rendered backgrounds and 16-bit character sprites. The audio is taken from the original NES games, but it has been remastered for better sound quality.

Age Rating

Super Mario All-Stars is rated E (Everyone) by the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB), which means that the game is suitable for all ages, including children.

However, some of the games included in Super Mario All-Stars have different age ratings depending on the region. For example, Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels was initially released with an E+10 rating by the Japanese rating board, which indicates that the game contains "some content not suitable for all ages."

In North America, Super Mario All-Stars is rated E for Everyone by the ESRB, but some of its games are considered more challenging and may be more suitable for older children.

Conclusion

Super Mario All-Stars is a classic compilation of NES titles that has captured the hearts of gamers around the world. The game features iconic gameplay mechanics from some of the most beloved platformers of all time, including Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3.

The game's technical details have been impressive for its time, but it has not aged particularly well in terms of graphics and sound quality. However, the gameplay mechanics remain challenging and fun, making it a must-play for fans of classic platformers.

Overall, Super Mario All-Stars is an excellent collection of games that will continue to be enjoyed by gamers of all ages for years to come.