8-Nov-2002 A classic slice of platforming genius finds a new home A classic slice of platforming genius finds a new home
Super Mario World was - is - genius. No one who experienced the joy of Miyamoto's seminal work seriously expected him to take 2D gaming any further. And then there was Yoshi's Island.
Gamers will argue until the end of time over whether Yoshi's Island is better than Super Mario World, but that's not important. All you need to know is that Super Mario Advance 3 is the best Mario game on GBA, possibly even the best game on GBA, and a title you simply must own.
DIFFERENT STROKES Though billed originally as a sequel 'proper' to Mario World, Yoshi's Island is, as you will no doubt discover, a very different beast. With Mario just a wee nipper in the game, Yoshi takes centre stage, bringing a range of new moves with him. Egg-firing is one, a crucial skill that's performed by following a rotating cursor and timing release.
Far cooler than this, though, is Yoshi's unique ability to morph into different vehicles, changing into a mole machine to cut through the environment or a helicopter to take to the skies with ease.
However, a rock-solid game mechanic is a pre-requisite for any Mario title; where Yoshi's Island really shines is in the astonishingly well-designed levels with their almost embarrassing array of inspired touches and memorable set pieces. Plus, it's a larger and far more challenging title than the fabled Super Mario World.
In relation to the original SNES version, Yoshi on GBA is a near-perfect port with every last detail reproduced with great love and attention. And mercifully, whereas SMW was 'dumbed down' for its GBA release, Yoshi's Island retains the tough yet satisfying level of difficulty of the original.
Though strangely absent in all subsequent Yoshi titles, the lovable lizards in Yoshi's Island can transform into vehicles to assist in negotiating the demanding terrain. Strange at first, this skill quickly becomes a deeply entertaining part of the game.
No crazy flying for Mario here but Yoshi is free as a bird in this chopper guise
The mole is great at churning through dense, otherwise impassable terrain
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