The 16-bit era brought many wonders, but few cartridges held as much pure joy and value for retro gamers as Super Mario All-Stars on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. For many of us, this wasn't just a compilation; it was the definitive way to experience Mario's foundational adventures, polished up for a new generation.
Released in 1993, this collection felt like a revelation. It took four of the most iconic games from the 8-bit NES/Famicom era and gave them a dazzling, colorful makeover. It was like seeing old friends dressed in their finest new clothes, ready for a grand ball.
What Made Super Mario All-Stars Special?
At its heart, Super Mario All-Stars was a love letter to the early days of the Mushroom Kingdom. It bundled four complete games onto one cartridge, offering hours upon hours of platforming perfection.
The included titles were:
- Super Mario Bros.: The one that started it all.
- Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels: The challenging original Japanese Super Mario Bros. 2, finally released officially in the West.
- Super Mario Bros. 2: The unique, character-swapping adventure we got in North America and Europe.
- Super Mario Bros. 3: Widely considered one of the greatest games ever made, packed with power-ups and secrets.
Having all these classics in one place was incredibly convenient, but the real magic was in the presentation.
The Glow-Up: All-Stars vs. NES Originals
Stepping from the NES versions to Super Mario All-Stars was like getting glasses after years of squinting. The most obvious change was the graphics. Everything was redrawn with the SNES's expanded color palette and higher resolution.
- Visuals: Sprites were larger, more detailed, and far more expressive. Backgrounds were richer, featuring parallax scrolling that added depth. Levels felt more vibrant and alive.
- Sound: The iconic melodies were rearranged to take advantage of the SNES's superior sound chip. While some purists prefer the raw beeps of the NES, the All-Stars soundtrack felt fuller and more dynamic.
- Subtle Tweaks: Beyond the aesthetics, there were minor gameplay adjustments. Things like physics felt slightly refined in some cases, and quality-of-life features like a save system (a huge deal back then!) were added.
Playing Super Mario Bros. 3 with SNES graphics and sound was a particular highlight for many. The sheer scale and variety of that game felt even grander with the graphical facelift.
Why This Collection Mattered
Super Mario All-Stars wasn't just an upgrade; it was a bridge. For players who got into Nintendo with the SNES, this was often their first exposure to the games that built the Mario legacy. It allowed a new generation to appreciate the evolution of level design, power-ups, and platforming mechanics that defined the series.
It also introduced Western players to The Lost Levels officially, a notoriously difficult game that tested the skills of even seasoned Mario veterans.
Playing All-Stars Today
The original SNES cartridge is still a prized possession for collectors and retro enthusiasts. But thankfully, Nintendo has made Super Mario All-Stars accessible on newer platforms:
- Wii: A limited physical release in 2010 celebrated Mario's 25th anniversary, bundling the SNES game on a Wii disc.
- Nintendo Switch Online: Subscribers can play the SNES version of Super Mario All-Stars as part of the SNES library. This is arguably the easiest way to experience the collection legally today.
Whether you play it on original hardware or via emulation/subscription services, the core experience holds up beautifully.
Remembering the Cartridge
Beyond the games themselves, there's a strong sense of nostalgia tied to the physical Super Mario All-Stars cartridge and its packaging. The vibrant box art, the detailed manual showcasing the upgraded visuals – it all contributed to the feeling of owning something special. It was a chunky gray cart packed with history.
Super Mario All-Stars remains a landmark release in Nintendo's history. It preserved essential classics, introduced them to a wider audience with a stunning visual overhaul, and solidified its place as one of the best retro game compilations ever made. If you've never played it, or haven't revisited it in years, it's absolutely worth diving back into this timeless collection.
Quick Questions About Super Mario All-Stars
Q: Which Super Mario games are included in All-Stars? A: The original SNES version includes Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2 (USA), and Super Mario Bros. 3.
Q: What's the main difference between All-Stars and the NES originals? A: The most significant difference is the completely redrawn 16-bit graphics and updated soundscapes optimized for the SNES hardware.
Q: Can I play Super Mario All-Stars on modern consoles? A: Yes, the SNES version is available to play for subscribers of Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.
Q: Was there a version with Super Mario World? A: Yes, later bundles of the SNES hardware included a cartridge titled "Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World," which added the fifth game to the collection.
