Just as the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) revolutionized the console gaming market, Game Boy did the same for handhelds. Prior to the release of this new phenom in 1989, the handheld market was limited to those Game & Watch games; Nintendo changed all that with the Game Boy. It was like a miniature NES, and although its graphics and sound were surely inferior to its larger counterpart, it still made "gaming on the go" possible. By today's standards, the GameBoy is rather large and bulky, but then, it was a marvel. It's flagship game was Super Mario Land, and just like the original Super Mario Bros. before it, Mario Land ushered in a new era of gaming.

     Super Mario Land plays a lot like the aforementioned Super Mario Bros. It is that classic side-scrolling fare with its unique brand of supreme gameplay and memorable characters. However, unlike SMB, Mario Land offers up some different challenges and new faces. Yes, you'll see such classic enemies as goombas and koopa troopas, but, this time, once you stomp on a koopa troopa, there shells explode after a few seconds - an interesting twist! When you are Fire Mario, your fireballs richochet off the walls rather than bounce along the ground like in other Mario games. Also, you are not out to save Princess Toadstool, but rather, Princess Daisy. Additionally, there are new enemies to face as well, including stone faced Easter Island-like statues and lions - making for a pretty darn diverse group of foes.

     This game is defintiely one of GameBoy's best games, but isn't without its own little flaws. The gameplay, while for the most part is tight, can often be a little unresponsive. Sometimes there is too much "give" when Mario runs, and if too close to the edge, you will plummet to your demise - so, be careful to time your jumps just right when leaping from one platform to the other. This minor issue doesn't plague the gameplay, but only hampers it on seldom occaissions; essentially, the control is very good, but just not as flawless as Super Mario Bros. was.

     The music in this game is just wonderful. The tunes are endlessly catchy, and you'll find yourself humming them for years to come (I know I do!). Combine that with some solid 8-bit monochrome graphics, and this game is a total winner. If you really want this game to shine though, I would suggest playing it on a Super GameBoy peripherial for the SNES, or a GameBoy Player (for Nintendo Gamecube), and you'll see a big difference.

     In any case, Super Mario Land is a Game Boy classic. Like I said, it's one of the handheld's best games, and arguably its own memorable. If you can track down a copy of this gem, I'd say go for it, because you will not be disappointed. How could you be? It's Super Mario!

-Kurt L.

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