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Tag Archives: Mario series

Gaming History, Nintendo

The Legacy of Super Mario Land: Nintendo’s Unsung Game Boy Hero

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The Super Mario Land series holds a special place in gaming history. These Game Boy classics were Nintendo’s first foray into adapting their legendary Super Mario Bros. franchise for a handheld console. Spanning just three games, the series introduced new characters, mechanics, and worlds that still resonate with fans today. Yet, these gems often remain overlooked in favour of Mario’s larger console adventures.

A Game Boy Launch Essential

Released in 1989 as a launch title for the Game Boy, Super Mario Land showcased the console’s potential. The game introduced Sarasaland, a new setting filled with unique kingdoms inspired by real-world locations, such as the Egyptian-style Birabuto and the mysterious Easter Island-inspired Easton. Princess Daisy also made her debut here, adding a fresh face to the Mario universe.

Super Mario Land managed to condense the magic of Mario’s NES adventures into a 12-level portable experience. Despite its brevity and slightly “off” physics, the game sold over 18 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling Game Boy titles of all time.

The Original Box from Japan

Innovating the Mario Formula

In 1992, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins took the series to new heights. With richer graphics, an overworld map, and new power-ups like bunny ears for hovering, the game felt closer to the console-based Mario games fans knew and loved. This sequel also introduced Wario, the greedy anti-hero who would later star in his own successful series.

Unlike its predecessor, Super Mario Land 2 gave players more freedom to explore non-linear worlds, including the eerie Pumpkin Zone and the whimsical Mario Zone, a giant mechanical version of Mario himself. The game sold over 11 million copies, cementing its place as a Game Boy classic.

Wario’s debut from the game, Super Mario Land 2

Wario Takes the Spotlight

The third instalment, Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, shifted the spotlight entirely to Wario. Released in 1994, this game introduced slower, treasure-focused gameplay and unique mechanics like Wario’s hat power-ups. It marked the start of the Wario Land series and was a fitting end to the Super Mario Land saga, which had now sold over 34 million units across all three titles.

Not a Mario in sight

Why It Matters

The Super Mario Land series demonstrated Nintendo’s ability to innovate while staying true to their beloved franchise. It introduced enduring characters like Daisy and Wario, while pushing the boundaries of what the humble Game Boy could achieve. Despite their underappreciated status today, these games were instrumental in the Game Boy’s early success.

For collectors and fans, preserving these pieces of gaming history is essential. Protect your treasured Super Mario Land cartridges with a RetroShell premium game protector. And if you’re as passionate about retro gaming as we are, subscribe to our newsletter at Retro Gaming Substack for more nostalgic deep dives.

Gaming History, Nintendo

Super Mario Bros. 3: A Legacy That Redefined Gaming Forever

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February 1990 – A pivotal month in gaming history. Nintendo of America was about to launch what would become one of the most iconic titles in video game history: Super Mario Bros. 3. The excitement was palpable. A game that had already been a sensation in Japan was finally arriving on North American shores. And it wasn’t just a sequel – it was a statement.

Even without the internet, the buzz around Super Mario Bros. 3 had crossed oceans. Magazines were ablaze with previews. A Hollywood movie, The Wizard, showcased its gameplay, introducing millions of kids to a game they’d soon beg their parents to buy. Some shops even sold bootleg copies, a testament to the hunger for Mario’s next adventure.

The Wizard poster

But why did this game matter so much? It wasn’t just another Mario title; it was proof that Nintendo was more than a fad. It solidified Mario as the undisputed king of video games and cemented Nintendo’s dominance during a time when competitors like Sega and NEC were itching to dethrone them.

The Creation of a Masterpiece

Behind the magic of Super Mario Bros. 3 was a team of visionaries led by Shigeru Miyamoto. By the late 1980s, Miyamoto had already redefined gaming with titles like The Legend of Zelda and Super Mario Bros., but he wasn’t ready to rest. This time, he wanted to craft the ultimate Mario experience – a game that would push the limits of the NES and introduce innovations never seen before.

The development team, known as Research & Development 4 (R&D4), was a mix of veterans and fresh talent. With their combined genius, they created a game packed with new mechanics like diagonal scrolling, flight, and themed worlds. The graphics? Bright, colourful, and whimsical. Every detail felt alive, from dancing trees to mischievous enemies like Boos and Chain Chomps.

A fresh-faced Miyamoto in his 30’s working on SMB3

A Whole New Mario World

Gone were the linear levels of the past. Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced the overworld map, letting players choose their path. This added depth to the gameplay, making every playthrough feel unique. And the power-ups? Legendary. The raccoon suit gave Mario the ability to fly, while the frog and hammer suits added entirely new dimensions to the game.

Every element of the game had a purpose. The music, composed by Koji Kondo, was a genre-blending masterpiece that perfectly complemented the gameplay. From its upbeat reggae influences to its iconic jingles, the soundtrack remains unforgettable.

The Marketing Juggernaut

Nintendo didn’t just release Super Mario Bros. 3 – they turned it into an event. The marketing campaign was colossal, costing $25 million. Commercials dominated TV screens. McDonald’s sold Mario-themed Happy Meals. Even The Wizard, a movie many dismissed as a Nintendo commercial, helped fuel the hype.

When the game finally launched in North America in February 1990, it was chaos. Stores couldn’t keep up with demand. Within two days, 250,000 copies were sold. By the end of the year, Nintendo had sold over eight million units in North America alone.

I still remember this advert.

A Legacy That Endures

Super Mario Bros. 3 wasn’t just a game; it was a cultural phenomenon. It proved that video games could be sprawling adventures filled with secrets, challenges, and joy. Its influence stretched far beyond Nintendo, inspiring competitors like Sega to create their flagship franchises (hello, Sonic the Hedgehog!).

Even decades later, Super Mario Bros. 3 remains a beloved classic. It’s a game that defined a generation and continues to be a touchstone for gamers worldwide. Whether you grew up with it or discovered it later, one thing is certain: Mario’s third adventure is a testament to what video games can achieve.

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