It's the first thing you'll notice! Mario games have always had great music (Super Mario Sunshine being a possible exception) and Super Mario Land does not disappoint. Fun, unique, bouncy themes accompany each world. They definitely have a "Mario" feel to them, while at the same time are totally new and different. The Chai Kingdom's theme in particular is the most unique theme out of the franchise, but there's no denying it's catchy rhythm. This game's music is great, and sounds even better in stereo sound via the Gameboy's earbuds. (stereo sound was a thing unique to the Gameboy back in the day. The NES was all monaural, yuck!)

Anyway, the music is great and one of the game's standout features. What else would you expect from expert Nintendo composer Hirokazu "Hip" Tanaka? Check out some samples:







There was even a remix of the Underground Theme in 2008's Super Smash Brothers Brawl on Wii. Such a treat for old-school Gameboy gamers!


(song really kicks in at around 0:23!)

This game takes you places you've not seen before, nor will you again. (probably) There is not just your normal "Ice World" or "Fire World" or "Desert World." Oh wait, there is actually a desert world. Never mind about that.

But check these places out!

Easter Island-inspired world!



The China-inspired Chai Kingdom!



UFO landing near water in the Muda Kingdom!



Sarasaland was far more varied than the original Super Mario Bros., and in some ways even gives Super Mario Bros. 2 a run for its money. And that's not even getting into the really unique stages. For those, join me over at spot #8.

Mario's a flying ace!

Man, things got taken to whole new heights when Mario hopped into the Sky Pop and started laying waste to his enemies with mid-air combat! This was a great change of pace from the usual platforming, and introduced the first time Mario was able to fly. It's just a joy to control, and Mario's flying abilities allow for some really unique level design.

It's a shame Mario apparently left the Sky Pop back in Sarasaland. I have a feeling that Bowser's flying Clown Car from Super Mario World would be no match. And at the very least, it could have been helpful against the Air Ships from Super Mario Bros. 3!

Mario's a Steel Diver!


Speaking of Mario's vehicles, I would be remiss to not mention the Marine Pop. I only make the distinction between this and the Sky Pop (despite them controlling and playing practically the same) because the Marine Pop takes a terrible truth about gaming and throws it out the window. What am I talking about? I'm talking about the underwater stages in video games. Where you're forced to stop your running, jumping and coin-collecting, and partake in some slow, awkwardly controlled swimming stages.

Maybe it's just me and my anecdotal evidence, but by and large swimming stages are like, the least fun stages out of all platforming games. The best we can hope for is great music while we paddle along (thanks DKC!), submerged in H2O, somehow without the need to come up for air. But Super Mario Land says "screw all that" and gives Mario a killer submarine that is fast, responsive, and comes with an unlimited supply of torpedoes. Awesome!

...I'm not sure where Mario got this from, though. Maybe it was Slippy's prototype for the Starfox Team's Blue Marine?

Donut Drop! Spinning discs! Fire-breathing plants! Upside-down plants! Bullet Bills in pipes!


All this stuff we first saw in Super Mario Land. Later this stuff became canon in the console games, but we were first introduced to these baddies/obstacles in Mario's Gameboy debut. We even got new enemies like gigantic jumping spiders (which I assume came from Australia), flying totem poles, exploding Koopa-Troopas, and undead fish. Not to mention nearly unkillable kung-fu ghosts. Mario games nowadays rarely introduce new enemies, and even when they do they are far and few between. But Super Mario Land was chock full of 'em. And it's kind of a shame we haven't seen a return from a lot of them.

Totally new and completely unique power-up!

Speaking of new stuff, Mario not only faced off against all-new enemies, but he also got a brand-new power-up! The Super Ball! This crazy thing bounced off the ground at 45 degree angles with such velocity that nothing could stop it. It was a great weapon against Mario's foes, but it served double-duty by being able to collect coins as well!

Careful and skilled gamers were able to not only reach otherwise unreachable coins with the Super Ball, but also were able to take out high-flying enemies with carefully thrown balls at the right angles at the right time. It was almost like a 2D, action-platformer version of pool.

Seriously, nothing feels as cool in a Mario game than taking out a pesky, high flying Bun-Bun with a well-aimed Super Ball from far below. You just feel like a genius when you pull that off. (or maybe that's just me - I don't get to feel smart all that often)

You can play it anytime, anywhere! Except at night, probably. You had to be near a lamp or something. Or have one of those light attachment dongles. But still, this was awesome. No longer were you forced to be tethered to your TV, or have to fight friends or family over what you're using the TV for. You could game on your own time. Mario, anytime, anywhere. And way better than the Game & Watch version of Super Mario Bros.

Though the Game & Watch version of Super Mario Bros. was actually pretty good, too. But it ain't no Super Mario Land!

This is a thing I owned.

Hi, I'm Daisy!

Yup, this introduces the yellow-clad Princess that eventually hooks up with Luigi. I guess? She has since become a regular member of the Mario cast, and has shown up to go golfing with the gang, as well as playing tennis, soccer and go-karting. She definitely has her fans, and they can thank this game for bringing her to them.


You don't think she's a big hit? Go do a Google Image search for "Princess Daisy." Yeah. She's popular. If you're at work, I suggest keeping "Safe Search" ON.

None of this vegetable throwing silliness introduced in Super Mario Bros. 2 on NES. Gameboy Mario brings the plumber back to his momentum-based platforming, Goomba-stomping roots. Complete with "?" Blocks, Super Mushrooms, free-floating coins and even defeating boss enemies by jumping over them and pressing a button behind them for an insta-kill. (except the last boss(es) but....quiet you)


This is one of the reasons I'm always baffled when people claim the Gameboy game as being weird for a Mario game. This is way more "Mario" than Super Mario Bros. 2 ever was (for obvious reasons we now know of) but you don't really hear people calling foul on the NES sequel. This is Mario doing what Mario does best, and they even added new stuff for him to do, too. Honestly, this is more Super Mario Bros. 2 than even The Lost Levels was.

Oh yeah I went there.

Just like the original Super Mario Bros. on NES, this game is a fantastic romp each and everytime you boot it up. And just like the NES original, gamers have been doing speed runs on this game for years. Can you beat these guys? You better bring your A-game!







Best of all, not only is it fun, and not only can you keep challenging yourself to see how quickly you can beat it... it never outstays its welcome. 12 stages, and you're done! Perfect for on-the-go gaming, and excellent for challenges against friends!