Super Mario All-Stars

 Super Mario All-Stars is a phenomenal retrospective, bringing four legendary NES platformers—Super Mario Bros., The Lost Levels, Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3—together with updated 16-bit graphics and sound. It’s a definitive collection that lets players relive the evolution of the iconic franchise, experiencing the tight controls and inventive level design that set the standard for generations of video games.

The reason to play this compilation is to experience these timeless classics with a fresh coat of SNES polish. The enhanced visuals, brighter colors, and richer soundtracks give these foundational games a welcome modernization while preserving the original challenge and level structure. For newcomers, it provides a perfect history lesson in platforming; for veterans, it offers a beautifully refined way to revisit the definitive adventures that established Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Princess Toadstool as gaming icons.

To finish Super Mario All-Stars is to successfully complete all four distinct games contained within the cartridge. The true completionist goal is beating Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels—the famously difficult, Japan-only sequel to the original—which demands the highest level of platforming skill and patience. Upon completion of each individual title, you are treated to the familiar yet gratifying conclusion: saving Princess Toadstool and receiving the well-earned congratulations from the Mushroom Kingdom citizens.