Super Mario Bros. Deluxe

Synopsis

by Skyler Miller

Super Mario Bros. Deluxe contains four separate modes of gameplay: Original 1985, Challenge, Versus and The Lost Levels. In addition, there is a picture album and a "toy box" that contains a calendar, a fortune teller and a banner printer.

Original 1985 is Super Mario Bros., plain and simple. The only concession made in the conversion from the NES to the Game Boy Color is that entire height of the playfield doesn't fit on the screen all at once due to differences between the aspect ratios of the two systems. In certain cases, you have to scroll up and down to view objects above and below you. The most welcome addition to this Deluxe version is the ability to save your game after each level.

Mario's goal is to rescue Princess Toadstool from the clutches of the evil Bowser. Along the way, you'll face a variety of nasty enemies, including Goombas, Koopas, Bullet Bills and Hammer Brothers. Mario's main method of attack is to jump on top of enemies, but much needed power-ups will aid you in your quest. Mushrooms make you grow to more than double your normal size, giving you extra strength and the ability get hit once by an enemy without dying. Fireflowers give you the power to shoot fireballs, and stars make you invincible for a limited amount of time. The game is divided into eight worlds, and each of these worlds is divided into four stages, for a grand total of 32 different levels.

Challenge mode adds new goals to each of the original levels. In order to fully complete each level in Challenge mode, you have to find five red coins, a Yoshi egg and reach a certain point total.

Versus mode lets you link up with a buddy in a race between Mario and Luigi. Your goal is to make it to the end of the level as quickly as possible while trying to stop your opponent. Both players will need a copy of Super Mario Bros. Deluxe and a Game Boy Color to participate, but there is also a one-player version than can be unlocked.

The Lost Levels is a special bonus game than can be unlocked. Released as Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan, the game features the same gameplay as Super Mario Bros. with new worlds, a higher level of difficulty and an "anti-mushroom" that hurts you if you touch it. This game also appeared as "The Lost Levels" in Super Mario All-Stars for the Super NES.

The picture album contains artwork that is revealed when you perform specific tasks in the game, such as when you find a bonus stage or first stomp on a Koopa. The calendar acts as a basic scheduler, the fortune teller provides your with your future, and the banner printer allows you to print various Nintendo and Mario-related pictures. If you have a Game Boy Printer, that is.