After completing Super Mario Land twice, I can clearly see why I've never picked this game up beforehand. Like Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Land differentiates itself from the traditional Mario experience. With its quirky enemies, unusual bosses, and overall terrible level design, Super Mario Land is difficult to recommend.

First thing you'll notice after starting up the game, is the utterly clunky controls. It feels as if I was sliding on ice the entire way through this game and ultimately felt like a step back from Super Mario Bros. The hit detection is a little off where a few instances I barely even came into contact with an enemy and it killed me. Enemy placement is another thing. Some levels nail it on the head whereas others make you want to rip your hair out.



The difficulty as a whole got quite tedious the further I progressed. From off screen enemies rushing me, to platforms I narrowly missed landing on. Specifically the last boss was a pain.

The new element Super Mario Land introduces is the sidescrolling shoot'em up levels. Whether you're in a submarine or an airplane, (only a few levels do this), you navigate through a Gradius-like level, overcoming walls and waves of enemies.

The music is also a step back from previous installments. While the soundtrack is limited, the few tunes that play, are utterly repetitive.



Conclusion-

With only twelve levels, no multiplayer and no replay value to be found, Super Mario Land fails to surpass its predecessors. Level design feels like a step back. The controls are out of this world clunky with unfair hit detection and repetitive music, puts Super Mario Land in a tough situation even for fans of the series.

5/10

5- Average The game either has many flaws or the game is simply meh, purchase with caution.