Super Mario Land - 1989

Super Mario Land was a launch title for Nintendo's original Game Boy and is now available on the 3DS Virtual Console.  I decided to download it and give it a whirl.  I had never actually played this game much when it first came out.  A friend of mine had a copy and I played maybe for five minutes, but then by the time I had gotten a Game Boy of my own (I was a little late to the party with that particular system) Super Mario Land wasn't really available at most retailers as it had once been.  I played the sequel (6 Golden Coins) to death, but I really wanted to go back and check out Mario's first hand held adventure.

I found that it is actually quite good!  Classic Mario Bros. action with graphics that closely resemble the first and second (Japanese) adventures.  There are a few differences that I noticed right off the bat:  When you either get a power-up or take damage, the screen does not take a brief pause, the action continues which actually forces you to strategize a bit more when going for a power-up!  Speaking of power-up's, the flower that gave you the incendiary ball of fire in the original adventure now gives you the power of the Super Ball:  A bouncing black ball that can not only damage enemies, but also can be used to collect coins in hard to reach locations!

Super Mario Land takes place in the Realm of Sarasaland.  An alien named Tatanga invades and hypnotizes all the creatures and Princess Daisy....who he wants to marry.  Or probe.  Probably both.  Can't trust them damn aliens, ya know?  Anyway, Sarasaland is divided into four different kingdoms:  Birabuto, Muda, Easton, and Chai.  One of the things that I had always found fascinating about this Mario game is that the enemies are pretty wildly different from any other games (with of course the exception of Super Mario Bros. 2).  Even the Goombas and Koopas are different.  As a matter of fact, the Goomba is actually referred to as a Goombo.  I know, I know....they changed a vowel....ohhh ahhh, ooooh ahhh.  The koopa is also in fact a Bombshell Koopa.  Instead of stomping and kicking him, you instead stom him and then get the hell out of dodge before he blows up.  I'll admit it IS pretty fun to take out an unsuspecting enemy with an activated Bombshell Koopa. 

If I am not mistaken, Super Mario Land is also the first and only time that Mario climbed into a vehicle to complete a level.  In Level 2-3 he uses the Marin Pop (submarine) to navigate the waters and then battle Dragonzamasu.  Mario then climbs into his trusty Sky Pop (airplane) in level 4-3 and battles his way through to Biokinton and then Tatanga.  After defeating Tatanga, Mario and Daisy fly away.  Awwwwww....

There are 12 levels in all....which means three levels per each of the four kingdoms.  Each kingdom in turn is ruled over by a boss.

King Totomesu rules over Birabuto.  He's a fire breathing lion wearing an Egyptian headdress. 

Dragonzamasu and his guardian, Tamao are the rulers of Muda.  Dragonzamasu is like a giant fire breathing seahorse and Tamao is like an eyeball.....thing.

Hiyoihoi rules the Easton Kingdom.  He's a giant stone tossing Moai

Biokinton is the baddie that is the ruler of Chai.  He is very shy and hides behind a cloud.  He tosses chickens at you.  That bastard.

Tatanga is the evil alien mastermind behind the whole thing and you'll face him after defeating Biokinton.








After you complete the game, it will bring you back to the title screen and you can now play the game in "Hard Mode".  Should you complete the "Hard Mode" as well, you then will be able to pick any level to play as you wish from the title screen....which is pretty nifty!

I had a blast playing through Super Mario Land.  It wasn't the most challenging Mario game I've ever played, but it was very fun and (I think) has a lot of replay value if your a nostalgic type of person (which I assume you are if you're reading this blog!)

For only $3.99 you can once again own Super Mario Land and live the adventure of Sarasaland once again.  Download it NOW!

Now let's go Nintendo......let's Get Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins on the 3DS Virtual Console!