Super Mario World : le jeu culte de la SNES

Super Mario World: The SNES Cult Classic

1299 words | Reading time : 6 minute(s)

GameSuper Mario WorldYoshi

96 exits to track down in a Super Nintendo launch game. Released in Japan on 21 November 1990, directed by Takashi Tezuka and produced by Miyamoto, Super Mario World took the saga into the 16-bit era. This page covers Yoshi's arrival, the Cape Feather, the exploration of Dinosaur Land and the lasting legacy of this cult title.

Super Mario World is far more than a simple platformer: released in Japan on 21 November 1990 as the launch title for the Super Nintendo (Super Famicom), it marked Mario's entry into the 16-bit era. Developed by Nintendo EAD under the direction of Takashi Tezuka and produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, it introduced a newcomer destined to become iconic: Yoshi, the dinosaur Mario can ride.

With its non-linear world map, its 96 exits to track down and its famous Cape Feather, this masterpiece sold more than 20 million copies and became the console's best-selling game. Let's dive into Dinosaur Land to find out what turned it into a legend.

Contents

A technical showcase for the Super Nintendo

In 1990, Nintendo launched its 16-bit console and needed a game capable of showing off all its power. Super Mario World shipped with the Super Famicom from its very first day in Japan, alongside F-Zero. The contrast with the NES is striking: colourful, detailed scenery, smooth animation, multidirectional scrolling and a soundtrack signed by Koji Kondo, whose main theme is rearranged to match each environment you travel through.

The game then reached North America on 23 August 1991 and Europe on 11 April 1992. Everywhere it served as a technical demonstration and became the perfect ambassador for Nintendo's new machine.

The Super Mario World box art on Super Nintendo
As a Super Nintendo launch game, it served as the console's showcase.

The arrival of Yoshi, the dinosaur companion

The great revolution of Super Mario World is Yoshi. This green dinosaur, which Mario can ride, swallows enemies with his long tongue and can gulp down certain shells to spit fire, take flight or shake the ground. Each shell colour grants him a different power.

  • An old idea: Yoshi had already been dreamed up back in the NES days, but the hardware could not bring him to life.
  • A precious ally: riding Yoshi, Mario takes a hit without losing a life; the dinosaur then runs off and can be caught again.
  • Baby Yoshis: in the Star World, you find little Yoshis that grow up after eating five enemies.

Now one of Nintendo's most popular characters, Yoshi owes his entire career to this first appearance.

The Cape Feather and the power-ups

Alongside the Super Mushroom and the Fire Flower, Super Mario World introduces a brand-new power: the Cape Feather. It turns Mario into Cape Mario, able to take off after a run-up, glide, spin to attack and reach areas that would otherwise stay out of reach. Once mastered, it even lets you cross entire levels through the air.

The game also keeps the classics: the Super Mushroom to grow, the Fire Flower to throw fireballs, and the 1-Up Mushroom to earn extra lives. This whole arsenal enriches platforming that was already finely tuned.

Table of the Super Mario World power-ups, including the Cape Feather
The Cape Feather joins the mushroom and the flower, and changes movement completely.

Dinosaur Land and the 96 exits

The adventure unfolds in Dinosaur Land (Dino-Land), where Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach are on holiday. But Peach is kidnapped by Bowser, and the brothers discover that Yoshi's dinosaur friends have been trapped inside eggs by the seven children of King Koopa, the Koopalings.

The big structural innovation is a non-linear world map that links the levels together. The game offers seven main worlds, plus two secret areas:

  • Yoshi's Island, Donut Plains, Vanilla Dome, Twin Bridges, Forest of Illusion, Chocolate Island and Valley of Bowser make up the main route.
  • Star World (Star World) and the Special Zone (Special Zone) are hidden worlds, reached through secret routes.

Plenty of levels hide a second exit. In total, the game counts 96 exits, and tracking down every last one is the ultimate challenge for completionists.

Illustration of Mario facing Ludwig von Koopa in his castle
Every castle on the island is guarded by a Koopaling — here, Ludwig.

A commercial success and a lasting legacy

With more than 20 million copies sold (around 20.6 million), Super Mario World is the best-selling game on the Super Nintendo. It is regularly listed among the greatest games of all time.

Its success earned it plenty of re-releases: the port Super Mario Advance 2 on Game Boy Advance (2002), the Virtual Console on Wii, Wii U and New Nintendo 3DS, the SNES Classic Mini, and finally the Nintendo Switch Online catalogue since 2019. That is a whole lot of ways to (re)discover a timeless classic.

Quick facts

Developer / Publisher Nintendo EAD / Nintendo
Release (Japan) 21 November 1990 (Japan)
North America / Europe release 23 August 1991 / 11 April 1992
Director / Producer Takashi Tezuka / Shigeru Miyamoto
New features Yoshi, Cape Feather, non-linear world map
Content 7 worlds + Star World + Special Zone, 96 exits
Sales More than 20 million (No. 1 SNES game)

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FAQ

  • When was Super Mario World released?
    The game was released in Japan on 21 November 1990 (Japan) as the launch title for the Super Famicom, then on 23 August 1991 in North America and on 11 April 1992 in Europe.
  • Is Super Mario World the first game with Yoshi?
    Yes. Super Mario World marks the very first appearance of Yoshi, the dinosaur Mario can ride. The character had already been dreamed up back in the NES days, but only the Super Nintendo hardware made it possible to bring him to life.
  • How many exits are there to find in the game?
    The game counts 96 exits in total. Many levels have a secret exit on top of the normal one, which opens alternative paths to Star World and the Special Zone.
  • What is the Cape Feather?
    It is a power-up introduced in Super Mario World that turns Mario into Cape Mario. After a run-up, he can take off, glide and spin to attack, which lets you reach hidden areas.
  • How many copies did Super Mario World sell?
    The game sold more than 20 million copies (around 20.6 million), which makes it the best-selling game on the Super Nintendo.
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