GBA Preview: Super Mario World: SMA2
Review by: Hairball (hairball@sm128c.com)

With the release of Super Mario Advance, the first one, for Game Boy Advance just a mere few days away, we can expect the "Mario game port" bandwagon to come along...

Super Mario Advance 2 will indeed be a port of the Super NES game, Super Mario World. And once again, the Mario Bros. arcade game included with the first SMA will make its way back to the GBA, again.

It is somewhat strange that the game after SMB2 will be SMW, and not SMB3. Since SMA (SMB2) came out after Super Mario Bros. DX (SMB port on GBC). Yet, Nintendo still plans to release a port of SMB3. I mean, uhhh...

Much like Super Mario Advance, there have been little if not any graphical improvements to the feature game's graphics. Super Mario World looks exactly as it did on the SNES, but instead, part of the game view is cut off, to adjust for the different aspect ratio on the GBA.

While the game may seem great to people who haven't played SMW on the SNES, it is a rather disappointment to those who have played and enjoyed Super Mario World already. It is rather sad that the Mario Bros. arcade game is coming back too, it seems that it's more often or not used as a "filler".

Considering SMA2 will be Super Mario World, let's see what goodies Nintendo could come up with to improve the game presentation.

• Somewhat updated graphics, although the SMW graphics are already spectacular for the GBA
• Improved two-player game, the original 2-player game was practically useless, as it took turns
• Another "special" world (something else after the current SMW special world), so there is more levels to play, and it could be something similar to the Donkey Kong Country secret worlds
• Include some little "extras" in, for example mini-games, or something else fun, that will increase replay value

While only a few screenshots have been shown from Super Mario Advance 2, it does seem rather disappointing for some, but incredible for others. Judge this for yourself, same with the first SMA, depending on how high your interest is, and if the game has enough to suit your needs. Super Mario Advance 2 will also be showing in more detail at this year's Spaceworld show in Japan, so maybe we'll be in for a surprise, maybe.

-- Hairball (hairball@sm128c.com)

Bottom Line: Super Mario Advance 2 will be a great experience to players who haven't experienced or played much of Super Mario World.