[ Retro Scan of the Week ] Super Mario World 2
August 31st, 2009 by Benj Edwards
“He goes all over the place (and we don’t mean Number Two.)”
Here’s a classic advertisement for Super Mario World 2 from the “Play it Loud” era. Baby Mario looks quite destructive.
In the mid-1990s, Nintendo tried to downplay its kiddie image and appeal to the “I’m-awesome-because-I-huff-Easy-Cheese” teenage set. The company’s American branch formulated a new “Play it Loud” ad campaign to directly counter aggressive advertising from Sega.
Nintendo’s new marketing theme focused on the stereotypical angsty “attitude” of youth in transition, which, in print, mostly translated to grungy fonts, eye-gougingly garish design, and scatological humor. Surprisingly to some, the campaign actually worked — Nintendo regained the lead in the 16-bit market right as that era was ending.
On another note, Super Mario World 2 is one of the best Super NES games, and definitely one of the most underrated. If you haven’t played it yet, you’re missing out on a platforming masterpiece. Drop everything and get yourself a copy. And don’t forget to play it loud(ly).
Discussion topic of the week: What’s the most underrated Super NES game?
August 31st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
You guys will stone me to death, but I really, honestly like the gameplay in Cool Spot. I must be a corporate shill of some sort.
And this is neither here nor there, but do you guys have any SNES emulation problems using gamepads? I use a Nyko Airflo and it works perfectly in any PC games except emulation, where the D-pad (which I think is pretty high quality) frequently gets confused between DOWN and DOWN-RIGHT. This is a nightmare for a lot of games. What do you guys use for gamepads if not the RetroUSB originals?
August 31st, 2009 at 5:59 pm
It’s all about Super Double Dragon for me. I absolutely loved that game and still own it to this day.
@Matt – I personally love the logitech usb pads. The Gravis pads aren’t too bad either.
September 1st, 2009 at 1:24 am
I’m going with “The Firemen”
http://www.gamespot.com/snes/action/thefiremen/player_review.html?id=496604
Not only is it underrated, but I’m guessing most gamers from the Nintendo era have never even heard of it.
September 8th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
@Matt – Sure, Cool Spot was a 7-Up advertisement-game, but dangit it was a fun platformer! I have a lot of fond memories of that one.