View source for Super Mario World

{{short description|1990 video game}}
{{other uses}}
{{Distinguish|Super Mario 3D World{{!}}''Super Mario 3D World''|Super Nintendo World}}
{{featured article}}
{{use Oxford spelling|date=June 2018}}
{{use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox video game
| image = Super Mario World Coverart.png
| caption = North American box art
| alt = Mario is wearing a yellow cape and is riding the green dinosaur Yoshi, who looks back at Mario. The multicoloured logo is above the two characters, all of which is behind a blue background.
| developer = [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development|Nintendo EAD]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| director = [[Takashi Tezuka]]
| producer = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
| designer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Katsuya Eguchi]]|[[Hideki Konno]]}}
| programmer = Toshihiko Nakago
| artist = [[Shigefumi Hino]]
| composer = [[Koji Kondo]]
| series = ''[[Super Mario]]''
| platforms = [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Game Boy Advance]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title={{nobold|21 November 1990}}|'''Super NES'''{{vgrelease|JP|21 November 1990|NA|23 August 1991<ref>{{Cite journal|date=August 22, 1991|title=Nintendo's Super NES arrives|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/311378033/?terms=SUPER%20MARIO%20WORLD&match=1|journal=The Press Democrat|location=Santa Rosa, California|pages=36|access-date=19 April 2021|archive-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419064217/https://www.newspapers.com/image/311378033/?terms=SUPER%20MARIO%20WORLD&match=1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=GR /><ref name="NLife" />|EU|11 April 1992<ref>{{cite web|last1=Phillips|first1=Tom|title=How does the Wii U launch line-up compare to the SNES, N64 and GameCube's?|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-29-how-does-the-wii-u-launch-line-up-compare-to-the-snes-n64-and-gamecubes|website=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=Eurogamer Network|access-date=18 November 2017|date=29 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201041105/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-11-29-how-does-the-wii-u-launch-line-up-compare-to-the-snes-n64-and-gamecubes|archive-date=1 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>|AU|1 July 1992|BR|30 August 1993<ref name="brazil_date">{{Cite web|publisher=O Estado de S. Paulo|title=Nintendo chega hoje ao mercado|date=2 September 1992|access-date=4 February 2025|url=http://acervo.estadao.com.br/publicados/1993/08/30/g/19930830-36475-nac-0064-inf-30-not-qhksphk.jpg|archive-date=2014-02-20|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6NX6RziKm?url=http://acervo.estadao.com.br/publicados/1993/08/30/g/19930830-36475-nac-0064-inf-30-not-qhksphk.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref>}}'''Game Boy Advance'''{{vgrelease|JP|14 December 2001{{sfn|Famitsu staff|2001|p=151}}|NA|11 February 2002<ref>{{Cite web |date=2002-03-27 |title=GameSpot: Game Boy Advance News: Super Mario Advance 2 ships |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2846916,00.html |access-date=2023-04-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020327153407/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2846916,00.html |archive-date=27 March 2002 }}</ref>|AU|2 April 2002|EU|12 April 2002<ref>{{Cite news |date=2002-02-06 |title=Mario Advance 2 set for April release |language=en-gb |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-45472 |access-date=2023-04-19 |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920032446/https://www.eurogamer.net/article-45472 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}}}
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Super Mario World'''''{{efn| Known in Japan as '''''Super Mario World: Super Mario Bros. 4''''' ([[Japanese_language|Japanese]]: スーパーマリオワールド: スーパーマリオブラザーズ4, [[Hepburn_romanization|Hepburn]]: Sūpā Mario Wārudo: Sūpā Mario Burazāzu fō)|lead=yes}} is a [[Platformer|platform game]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES). It was initially released in Japan in 1990, followed by releases in North America in 1991 and [[PAL]] territories in 1992. The player controls [[Mario]] on his quest to save [[Princess Peach]] and Dinosaur Land from the series' antagonist [[Bowser]] and the [[Characters in the Mario franchise#Koopalings|Koopalings]]. The [[gameplay]] is similar to that of earlier ''[[Super Mario]]'' games; players control Mario through a series of [[Level (gaming)|levels]] in which the goal is to reach the goalpost at the end. ''Super Mario World'' introduces [[Yoshi]], a ridable dinosaur who can eat enemies and spit some of them out as projectiles.

[[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development]] developed the game, led by director [[Takashi Tezuka]] and producer and series creator [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]. It is the first ''Mario'' game for the SNES and was designed to make the most of the console's technical features. The development team had more freedom compared to the series installments for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES). Yoshi was conceptualised during the development of the NES games but was not used until ''Super Mario World'' due to [[Computer hardware|hardware]] limitations.

''Super Mario World'' is often considered one of the best games in the series and is cited as one of the [[greatest video games ever made]]. It sold more than twenty million copies worldwide, making it the [[best-selling SNES game]]. It also led to [[Super Mario World (TV series)|an animated television series]] and a 1995 prequel, ''[[Yoshi's Island]]''. The game has been re-released on multiple occasions: It was part of the 1994 compilation ''[[Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World]]'' for the SNES and was re-released for the [[Game Boy Advance]] as ''Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2'' in 2001, on the [[Virtual Console]] for the [[Wii]], [[Wii U]], and [[New Nintendo 3DS]] consoles, and as part of the [[Super NES Classic Edition]]. Both the SNES and GBA versions were rereleased for [[Nintendo Switch]] as part of the [[Nintendo Classics]] service.

== Gameplay ==
[[File:Super Mario World.png|thumb|left|[[Mario]] riding [[Yoshi]] during the game's second [[Level (video games)|course]]. From left to right, the [[Heads-up display (video games)|HUD]] displays the number of [[Life (gaming)|lives]], how many Dragon Coins the player has collected, a point multiplier, the item box storing a [[power-up]], the time remaining in the level, the player's number of coins, and the total score.|alt=This screenshot shows Mario riding Yoshi during the first level of the game. The scenery shows a jungle environment with floating blocks scattered in the air. The interface displayed around the corners shows the number of lives the player has, the Dragon Coins collected, the player's stored power-up, the level's remaining time, the player's number of coins, and the total score of the player.]]

''Super Mario World'' is a 2D [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] [[platform game]] in which the player controls [[Mario]] or [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]], the protagonists of the game. The game has similar [[gameplay]] to earlier games in the ''[[Super Mario]]'' series{{snd}}''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''[[Super Mario Bros.&nbsp;2]]'', and ''[[Super Mario Bros.&nbsp;3]]''{{snd}}but introduces new elements. As well as dashing and jumping, the player can also fly or float with the aid of the Cape Feather and P-Balloon and can execute the new Spin Jump move,<ref name="allgame" /> which allows the player to crush enemies, bounce off normally-invulnerable ones safely or break certain blocks, with the latter only being possible if the player has a power-up active. The game has 96 [[Level (gaming)|level]] exits in total.<ref name="SMW">{{Cite video game|title=Super Mario World|developer=[[Nintendo EAD]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=21 November 1990|platform=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]|language=en}}</ref><ref name="manual">{{cite book|title=Super Mario World Instruction Booklet|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/common/pdf/CLV-P-SAAAE.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615195341/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/common/pdf/CLV-P-SAAAE.pdf|publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]|date=31 August 1991|archive-date=15 June 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

The player navigates through the game via two game screens: an [[overworld]] map and a [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] course (some of which scroll automatically). The overworld map displays an overhead representation of the current world and has several paths leading from the world's entrance to a castle. Paths connect to action panels, fortresses, ghost houses, castles, and other map icons, allowing players to take different routes to reach the world's goal. Moving the on-screen character to an action panel or castle grants access to that course. The majority of the game takes place in 2D linear levels, populated with obstacles and enemies, which involves the player traversing the stage by dashing, jumping, and dodging or defeating enemies.<ref name=jeux /> The player is given a number of lives, which are lost if Mario comes into contact with an enemy while Small Mario, falls off the screen, gets crushed, touches lava, or runs out of time.{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=11}} The game ends when the player runs out of lives, although the player can continue from the most recent save point (a successfully completed castle, fortress or haunted house) by selecting "[[Glossary of video game terms#C|Continue]]".{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=7}} Each world features a final stage with a [[Boss (gaming)|boss]] to defeat; each of the seven worlds features fortresses controlled by one of the [[Koopalings]],{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=19}} and the player also battles [[Bowser]] in his castle in the seventh and final world.{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=20}} ''Super Mario World'' includes a [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]] option which allows two players to play the game by alternating turns at navigating the overworld map and accessing stage levels; the first player controls Mario, while the second player controls his brother, Luigi.<ref name="SMW" /><ref name="manual" />{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=9}}

In addition to the [[power-up]]s from previous games, such as the [[Super Mushroom]] and [[Fire Flower]], ''Super Mario World'' has a new power-up named the Cape Feather, which gives Mario a cape and the ability to fly, glide in the air, and use the cape as a sail.{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|pp=15–16}} The game also introduces the ability to "store" an extra power-up in a box at the top centre of the screen. For example, if the player obtains a Fire Flower or a Cape Feather, then a Super Mushroom will appear in the box. Collecting a star grants Mario temporary invincibility from minor dangers. However, it does not protect the player from falling into lava or off the screen, nor if the player runs out of time. If Mario gets hit by an enemy, the stored item in the box will automatically drop. Alternatively, the player can manually release the stored item at any time.<ref name="SMW" /><ref name="manual" />{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=7}}

The game introduces [[Yoshi]], a dinosaur companion Mario can ride who is able to eat most enemies.{{sfn|Nutter|2006|p=119}} If Yoshi attempts to eat a [[Koopa Troopa|Koopa]] or its shell, he can spit it out and fire it at enemies. If the player fails to spit the shell out within a certain amount of time, Yoshi will swallow it, rendering it useless. When holding any Koopa shell in his mouth, Yoshi gains the ability that corresponds to its color: a blue shell enables Yoshi to fly, a yellow shell causes him to emit dust clouds that defeat nearby enemies, and a red shell allows him to produce three fireballs that defeat enemies. Flashing Koopa shells produce all three abilities, while green shells produce none. The default Yoshi is green, but the game also has hidden blue, yellow, and red Yoshis; the player can obtain each colored Yoshi by finding its egg in the Star World areas and feeding it either five enemies, a Super Mushroom, a Fire Flower, a Cape Feather, or a Starman causing the baby Yoshi to mature.<ref name="SMW" /><ref name="manual" />{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=18}}

Although the main objective is to navigate through seven worlds to reach the end of the game, the player can beat the game much faster by using secret Star Road routes. To access a hidden world, the player needs to find keys scattered throughout the game's levels.<ref name=usgamer /> When a key is found, it must be brought to a keyhole to unlock either a new level or a Star Road.{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=21}} Exploring these secret stages can lead to other stages, such as the Special World. Completion of the Special Zone permanently changes some of the enemies' [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] and alters the overworld map's color scheme.<ref name="SMW" /><ref name="manual" />{{sfn|Dale|2014|p=101}}

== Plot ==

The plot of ''Super Mario World'' is detailed in the instruction booklet.{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=2}} After bringing peace to the [[Mushroom World]] in ''Super Mario Bros.{{spaces}}3'', the brothers Mario and Luigi decide to go on vacation with Princess Toadstool to a place called Dinosaur Land, a prehistoric-themed world swarming with dinosaurs and other enemies. While resting on the beach, the princess is captured by Bowser. When Mario and Luigi wake up, they try to find her and, after hours of searching, come across a giant egg in the forest. It suddenly hatches and out of it comes a young dinosaur named Yoshi, who tells them his dinosaur friends have also been imprisoned in eggs by Bowser's kids, the evil Koopalings.{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=20}} Mario and Luigi soon realise that Bowser's forces must have captured Toadstool as well. Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi set out to rescue the princess and Yoshi's dinosaur friends, traversing through Dinosaur Land for Bowser and his Koopalings. To aid him, Yoshi gives Mario a cape as they begin their journey.{{sfn|Nintendo|1991|p=2}}

Bowser receives news of Mario and Luigi's approach and dispatches his Koopalings to dispose of them. After the brothers defeat the children and rescue Yoshi's friends, they eventually reach Bowser's Castle, where they fight him in a final battle. They send Bowser flying into the sky and save Princess Toadstool, restoring peace to Dinosaur Land.<ref name="SMW" />

== Development ==
[[File:Takashi Tezuka, Shigeru Miyamoto and Kōji Kondō (cropped 3).jpg|thumb|right|250px|''From left'': director [[Takashi Tezuka]], producer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], and composer [[Koji Kondo]], pictured in 2015|alt=]]
The game was directed by [[Takashi Tezuka]], while [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], the creator of both ''[[Super Mario]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', served as producer. [[Shigefumi Hino]] took the role of graphics designer. [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development]] handled development with a team of fifteen people, including three main programmers and a character designer, most of whom had worked on past ''Super Mario'' titles. In a retrospective interview, the core team said Miyamoto wielded the most authority during development.{{sfn|Kawasaki|1991|p=28}}

In an interview with ''TOUCH Magazine'', then-Nintendo president [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]] pointed out that sales of the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|Famicom]] were slowing dropping ever since it hit its peak about two years earlier, and that if they continued supporting it, players would eventually "get bored" and move on in favor of better-quality games, which would be "a dangerous situation" for them.<ref name="CMSFAug88">{{cite web|url=https://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/SFC_1988Q3.html|title=Super Famicom: August 1988|last=Covell|first=Chris|access-date=March 13, 2021|archive-date=May 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501033349/https://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/SFC_1988Q3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Super Mario World'' was the first ''Mario'' series game developed for the then-upcoming [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES). As such, the team anticipated some difficulty in working with new and more advanced hardware. According to Tezuka, the software tools were not yet fully developed, and the team had to "go along with starting something new".{{sfn|Kawasaki|1991|p=29}} Miyamoto acknowledged the team no longer had restrictions on certain [[game mechanics|mechanics]] such as scrolling and the number of colours they could implement. As a hardware experiment, the team ported ''Super Mario Bros.{{spaces}}3'' to the SNES. However, it felt like the same game to them, despite the improved colours and sprites. After that, Miyamoto realised the team's goal would be to use the new hardware to create something "totally new".{{sfn|Kawasaki|1991|pp=29–30}} Seeing the potential of the new capabilities present on the SNES, development of a fourth ''Super Mario'' installment began in October 1988, shortly after the release of ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. About a month later, the team began to implement and test ideas that were impossible for the third installment due to hardware limitations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/SFC_1988Q4.html|title=The First Super Famicom Demonstration|last=Covell|first=Chris|access-date=March 13, 2021|archive-date=April 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421203041/https://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/SFC_1988Q4.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Miyamoto said he had wanted Mario to have a dinosaur companion ever since ''Super Mario Bros.'', but Nintendo engineers could not add such a character into the game due to the limitations of the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES).<ref name="history">{{cite web |last1=Sao |first1=Akinori |title=Developer Interview: Super Mario World & Yoshi's Island – Super Nintendo Entertainment System: Super NES Classic Edition |url=https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-super-mario-world |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=23 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003014426/https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-super-mario-world |archive-date=3 October 2017}}</ref>{{sfn|Kawasaki|1991|p=31}} The inspiration for Yoshi can be traced back even further; Miyamoto designed a green dragon for the 1984 game ''[[Devil World]]'' which shared many similarities with Yoshi.{{sfn|Nutter|2006|p=118}} During the development of ''Super Mario Bros.{{spaces}}3'', Miyamoto had a number of sketches around his desk, including an image of Mario riding a horse.{{sfn|''Nintendo Power'' staff|1991|p=32}} As development of ''Super Mario World'' progressed, the team opted to set the game in a "dinosaur land", so Tezuka asked designer Shigefumi Hino to draw a reptile-like creature based on Miyamoto's sketches.<ref name="yoshi">{{cite web |last1=Corrigan |first1=Hope |title=Super Mario World: Mario Was Originally Punching Yoshi in The Head |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/28/super-mario-world-mario-was-originally-punching-yoshi-in-the-head |website=[[IGN]]|access-date=12 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930194553/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/28/super-mario-world-mario-was-originally-punching-yoshi-in-the-head |archive-date=30 September 2017 |date=28 September 2017}}</ref> Hino originally produced a design that Tezuka deemed too reptilian, and "didn't really fit into the Mario world", so he encouraged the designer to create a "cuter" character.<ref name=yoshi /> Tezuka speculated that Miyamoto's love of horse riding, as well as [[Country music|country and western]] themes, influenced Yoshi's creation.{{sfn|East|2012|p=52}}

Reflecting on how he had created different melodies for ''Super Mario Bros.{{spaces}}3'', composer [[Koji Kondo]] decided to reuse the same themes for ''Super Mario World'', albeit in a [[Arrangement|rearranged]] form. By doing this, he assumed players would be able to recognise the same melodies, while exposing them to new variations of music as they progressed through the game. As ''Super Mario World'' was the first game developed for the SNES, Kondo felt "overjoyed" at being able to compose music by using eight sounds at once. To express the technological novelty of the new console, he used several different instruments, implementing them all one after the other in the game's title song.<ref name="kondo5">{{cite web |title=Iwata Asks: Music Commentary by Koji Kondo (2) |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-Super-Mario-All-Stars/Vol-1-Super-Mario-History-Soundtrack-CD/5-Music-Commentary-by-Koji-Kondo-2-/5-Music-Commentary-by-Koji-Kondo-2--220040.html |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=12 October 2017 |page=5}}</ref> As development progressed, Kondo grew concerned over how people would react to his unusual combinations of instruments as he noted the use of more traditional [[Square wave (waveform)|square wave]]s and [[triangle wave]]s had "gained acceptance" with consumers. For the game's sound effects, Kondo decided to use a variety of musical instruments, as opposed to square waves, to emphasise that the game used traditional technology with a hybrid of new materials.<ref name=kondo5 /> It took Kondo around a year and a half to write all the music for the game.{{sfn|Kawasaki|1991|p=36}}

''Super Mario World'' was officially unveiled in the first [[Nintendo Space World|Shoshinka]] event on July 28, 1989, during a press release. While the technological advancements were found impressive, it was still too similar to previous ''Super Mario'' installments in terms of gameplay and graphics.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/SFC_1989Q3.html|title=The Second SFC Demonstration|last=Covell|first=Chris|access-date=March 13, 2021|archive-date=February 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224160941/https://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/SFC_1989Q3.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Nintendo also announced that they were forced to delay the release of the game to the fall of 1990 since the team struggled with the new console and its software tools – which were still under development at the time, refine their planned concepts so their controls would be more player-friendly, and the global chip shortage slowing down the Super Famicom's production schedule.<ref name="Shortage of Memory">{{cite news | newspaper=[[The New York Times]] | title=Shortage of Memory Chips Has Industry Scrambling | first=Andrew | last=Pollack | date=March 12, 1988 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/12/us/shortage-of-memory-chips-has-industry-scrambling.html | access-date=July 19, 2019 | archive-date=March 23, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323122612/https://www.nytimes.com/1988/03/12/us/shortage-of-memory-chips-has-industry-scrambling.html | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite video|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zgtYV41yXbU|date=November 12, 2020|title=The Story of Super Mario World and the Launch of the Super Famicom and SNES Way Back in the 1990s!|author=GTV Japan|work=[[YouTube]]|access-date=July 7, 2025}}</ref> The game was exhibited again in the second Shoshinka event between August 28–29, 1990. The demonstration garnered positive results by the public in terms of gameplay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/OTH_1990Q3.html|title=Japanese Secrets!|work=chrismcovell.com|access-date=January 9, 2017| url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221041017/http://www.chrismcovell.com/secret/OTH_1990Q3.html | archive-date=February 21, 2020}}</ref>

''Super Mario World'' was produced during the [[Console war#Sega versus Nintendo|console wars]]{{snd}}a result of the rivalry between Nintendo's SNES and [[Sega]]'s two-year-old [[Sega Genesis|Mega Drive]] system{{snd}}which outsold the console and led to intense competition between the two, being the first time since December 1985 Nintendo did not lead the market though it eventually overtook Sega. Sega's mascot, [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], was seen by many as a faster and "cooler" alternative to Mario.{{sfn|Kent|2001|p=431}}

== Release ==

''Super Mario World'' was first released in Japan on 21 November 1990<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/stream/bi-weekly-famitsu-no.-115-november-23rd-1990/Bi-Weekly%20Famitsu%20-%20No.%20115%20November%2023rd%2C%201990%20%28Compressed%29#page/n9/mode/1up|title=スーパーマリオワールド [スーパーファミコン]|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|issue=115|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]]|date=23 November 1990|page=10}}</ref> under the name of ''Super Mario World: Super Mario Bros. 4''.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/ja/pdf/CLV-P-VAAAJ.pdf |title=Super Mario World: Super Mario Bros. 4 — 取扱説明書 (Instruction Manual) |publisher=Nintendo |year=1990 |pages=1 |language=ja |access-date=18 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010212847/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/ja/pdf/CLV-P-VAAAJ.pdf |archive-date=10 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was one of two launch games for the SNES in Japan, along with ''[[F-Zero (video game)|F-Zero]]''.{{sfn|Sheff|1993|p=361}} The game was released in North America on 23 August 1991.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com:80/consumer/gameslist/manuals/snes_games.pdf|title=Super NES Games|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920223937/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/snes_games.pdf|archive-date=20 September 2008|url-status=live|access-date=31 July 2018}}</ref> Nintendo also issued a version for [[arcade cabinet]]s so players could try the game before buying it.<ref>{{cite web|title=Super Mario World – Videogame by Nintendo|url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9916|website=The International Arcade Museum|publisher=Killer List of Video Games|access-date=18 December 2017|date=1995–2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014070725/https://www.arcade-museum.com/game_detail.php?game_id=9916|archive-date=14 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Re-releases ===

[[File:SupermarioworldGBA.png|thumb|right|[[Luigi (character)|Luigi]] riding [[Yoshi]] during one of the game's early stages in the GBA re-release ''Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2''. This version of the game features unique sprites for Luigi.|alt=This screenshot shows Luigi riding Yoshi during one of the game's early stages in the Game Boy Advance version. The scenery shows a jungle environment with floating blocks scattered in the air. The interface displayed along the top of the image shows the number of lives, point multiplier, special item, time remaining, number of coins and total score.]]

The game was re-released in a special version of ''[[Super Mario All-Stars]]'', ''Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World'', as a [[Glossary of video game terms#P|pack-in game]] for the SNES in December 1994.<ref name=":1" /> ''All-Stars'' contains [[video game remake|enhanced remakes]] of the first four ''Super Mario'' games released for the NES: ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2|Super Mario Bros.{{spaces}}2]]'', ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3|Super Mario Bros.{{spaces}}3]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Bros.:&nbsp;The Lost Levels]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/27422/the-snes-20-super-mario-all-stars--world |title=Super Mario All-Stars + World |work=Nintendo World Report |first=Andrew |last=Brown |date=18 August 2011 |access-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206105502/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/27422/the-snes-20-super-mario-all-stars--world |archive-date=6 February 2017}}</ref> In contrast to the other games in the collection, ''Super Mario World'' is largely identical to the original version, but Luigi's [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] were updated to make him a distinctive character rather than a [[palette swap]] of Mario.<ref name="NWR: World">{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Andrew|title=Super Mario All-Stars + World|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/27422/the-snes-20-super-mario-all-stars--world|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=13 April 2019|date=18 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206105502/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/27422/the-snes-20-super-mario-all-stars--world|archive-date=6 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Super Mario World'' was ported to the [[Game Boy Advance]] as ''Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2'' between 2001 and 2002.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Super-Mario-Bros-25th-Anniversary/Vol-3-The-Developers-1-/1-Joining-Nintendo-After-Super-Mario/1-Joining-Nintendo-After-Super-Mario-222028.html |title=Joining Nintendo After Super Mario |date=13 September 2010 |work=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=19 January 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217171556/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/mario25th/vol3_page1.jsp |archive-date=17 February 2011}}</ref> It features the same number of levels as the original, Luigi as a playable character in single player with his characteristic behaviour and appearance from ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', [[Game Link Cable]] support for four players in the ''[[Mario Bros.|Mario Bros. Classic]]'' mode, and the ability to save anywhere, rather than just after beating Ghost houses or Castles. Difficulty is lowered as being hit by an enemy no longer makes him lose all current power ups. Additionally, the alternate overworld map and enemy sprites that was normally unlocked by beating the Special World is now instead unlocked by finding every exit in each level.<ref name="gba">{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/11/super-mario-world-super-mario-advance-2 |website=[[IGN]]|access-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825064639/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/02/11/super-mario-world-super-mario-advance-2 |archive-date=25 August 2017 |date=11 February 2002}}</ref><ref name="multiple">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-world-super-mario-advance-2-review/1900-2847297/ |title=Super Mario Advance 2 Review |last=Gerstmann |first=Jeff |date=12 February 2002 |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=[[GameSpot]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622203745/http://www.gamespot.com/super-mario-world-super-mario-advance-2/reviews/super-mario-world-super-mario-advance-2-review-2847297/?tag=summary|archive-date=22 June 2013}}</ref> It received positive reviews; critics enjoyed its new inclusions and retention of the SNES original's "feel".<ref name="gba" /><ref name="multiple" />{{sfn|Famitsu staff|2001|p=151}} ''[[GameSpot]]'' named it the best video game of February 2002.<ref name=gotm>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031016055453/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/gotm/030102/ | url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/gotm/030102/ | title=Video Game of the Month, February 2002 |website=GameSpot | date=1 March 2002 | archive-date=16 October 2003 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The SNES version was released on the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] in Japan on 2{{spaces}}December 2006, in the United States on 5{{spaces}}February 2007, and in Europe on 9{{spaces}}February 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=March 2007|title=Virtual Console|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|volume=213|page=40}}</ref> It was released for the [[Wii U]] in North America and Japan on 26 April 2013, and in Europe on 27 April 2013, along with the full launch of the Wii U Virtual Console.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/4/23/4258334/wii-u-virtual-console-launch-lineup-includes-kirbys-adventure-super|title=Wii U Virtual Console launch lineup includes Kirby's Adventure, Super Mario World|last=Corriea|first=Alexa Ray|date=23 April 2013|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media|Vox]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206104517/http://www.polygon.com/2013/4/23/4258334/wii-u-virtual-console-launch-lineup-includes-kirbys-adventure-super|archive-date=6 February 2017|url-status=live|access-date=5 February 2017}}</ref> On March 3, 2016, the game was released for the Virtual Console service of the [[New Nintendo 3DS]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-03 |title=Super Mario World And Other SNES Games Coming To New 3DS |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/03/super-mario-world-and-other-snes-games-coming-to-new-3ds/ |access-date=2023-03-19 |website=Kotaku Australia |language=en-AU |archive-date=22 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922131102/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2016/03/super-mario-world-and-other-snes-games-coming-to-new-3ds/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Super Mario World'' was also one of the 21 SNES games included in the [[Super NES Classic Edition]] released in September 2017.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/snes-classic-mini-nintendo-uk-10692426|title=Nintendo Classic Mini SNES games list including Super Mario, Zelda and Donkey Kong|last1=Brown|first1=Ryan|date=29 June 2017|newspaper=[[The Daily Mirror]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012203015/http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/snes-classic-mini-nintendo-uk-10692426|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=live|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref> On 5{{spaces}}September 2019, Nintendo released ''Super Mario World'' on their [[Nintendo Classics]] service as a launch title, followed by the ''Super Mario Advance 2'' version on 25 May 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Super Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Switch Online|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Super-Nintendo-Entertainment-System-Nintendo-Switch-Online-1632515.html|access-date=21 November 2020|website=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|language=en-GB|archive-date=10 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010212850/https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Nintendo-Switch-download-software/Super-Nintendo-Entertainment-System-Nintendo-Switch-Online-1632515.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Clear}}

== Reception ==

{{Video game reviews
| SNES = true
| GBA = true
| WII = true
| WIIU = true
| GR_SNES = 94%<ref name=GR>{{cite web
|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/snes/519824-super-mario-world/index.html |title=Super Mario World for SNES |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=11 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209013845/https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/519824-super-mario-world/index.html |archive-date=9 December 2019}}</ref>
| MC_GBA = 92/100<ref name=MC>{{cite web
|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mario-world-super-mario-advance-2/
|title=Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[Fandom (website)|Fandom, Inc.]] |access-date= 15 May 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240515035936/https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mario-world-super-mario-advance-2/ |archive-date=15 May 2024}}</ref>
| Allgame_SNES = 5/5<ref name="allgame">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2630&tab=review |title=Super Mario World review|last=Miller |first=Skyler |website=[[Allgame]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |access-date=13 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216083507/http://allgame.com/game.php?id=2630&tab=review |archive-date=16 February 2010}}</ref>
| Allgame_GBA = 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web |last1=Miller |first1=Skyler |title=Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 – Review |url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=37645&tab=review |website=[[AllGame]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216005407/http://allgame.com/game.php?id=37645&tab=review |archive-date=16 February 2010 |access-date=15 September 2021 }}</ref>
| Allgame_WII = 4/5<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Mario World (Virtual Console) |url=http://allgame.com/game.php?id=51911 |website=[[AllGame]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102120930/http://allgame.com/game.php?id=51911 |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=15 September 2021 }}</ref>
| CVG_SNES = 96%{{sfn|Glancey|1991|p=50}}
| EGM_GBA = 9/10, 9/10, 9/10<ref name="egm">{{cite magazine |last1=MacDonald|first1=Mark |last2=Johnston |first2=Chris |last3=Ricciardi|first3=John |title=Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=152 |date=March 2002 |page=145 }}</ref>
| EGM_SNES = 9/10, 9/10, 9/10, 9/10{{sfn|Harris|1991|p=18}}
| EuroG_WII = 10/10<ref name="EuroG">{{cite web |last1=Whitehead |first1=Dan |title=Virtual Console roundup |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_virtualconsole_080607?page=2 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network |access-date=12 September 2017 |page=2 |date=9 June 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912191634/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_virtualconsole_080607?page=2 |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref>
| Fam_SNES = 
9/10, 9/10, 8/10, 6/10<ref name="famitsuReview">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Famitsu|Famicom Tsūshin]]|issue=115|date=November 23, 1990|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]] | page=10 | language=Japanese | title=新作ゲームクロスレビュー|trans-title=New Game Cross-Review|author1=浜村通信|author2=スタパ斉藤|author3=渡辺美紀|author4=澁谷一}}</ref><br/>8/10, 9/10, 9/10, 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Famitsu|Famicom Tsūshin]]|title=新作ゲーム「クロス」レビュー Part 1|trans-title=New Game Cross Review Part 1|date=December 21, 1990|publisher=ASCII|last1=Famibo|first1=Tofuya|last2=Mizuno|first2=Bucho|last3=Morishita|first3=Mariko|author4=Taco X|p=22}}</ref>
| Fam_GBA = 9/10, 9/10, 7/10, 9/10{{sfn|Famitsu staff|2001|p=151}}
| GI_SNES = 10/10<ref name="GI">{{cite magazine |last1=Hilliard |first1=Kyle |title=Here Are Our Review Scores For (Almost) All Of Mario's Core Releases |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/09/12/here-are-our-review-scores-for-almost-all-of-mario-39-s-core-releases.aspx |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=Gamestop Network |access-date=12 September 2017 |date=12 September 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912192331/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/09/12/here-are-our-review-scores-for-almost-all-of-mario-39-s-core-releases.aspx |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref>
| GI_GBA = 9.5/10<ref name="GI" />
| GSpot_WII = 8.5/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last1=Navarro |first1=Alex |title=Super Mario World review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-world-review/1900-6165471/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=3 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070209054507/https://www.gamespot.com/wii/action/supermarioworldsnes/review.html/ |archive-date=9 February 2007 |date=6 February 2007}}</ref>
| IGN_GBA = 9.3/10<ref name=gba />
| IGN_WII = 8.5/10<ref name=IGN>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/06/super-mario-world-vc-review |title=Super Mario World Virtual Console review |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |first=Lucas |last=Thomas |date=5 February 2007 |access-date=14 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100420072200/http://wii.ign.com/articles/761/761605p1.html |archive-date=20 April 2010}}</ref>
| JXV_SNES = 18/20<ref name="jeux">{{cite web |last1=Goyon |first1=Frédéric |title=Test Super Mario World sur SNES |url=http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00010736-super-mario-world-test.htm |website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]] |publisher=Webedia |access-date=12 September 2017 |language=fr |date=30 April 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912192253/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00010736-super-mario-world-test.htm |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref>
| MM_SNES = 98%<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=[[Julian Rignall]]|author2=Richard Leadbetter|url=https://archive.org/details/mean-machines-17/page/82/mode/2up|title=Super Mario Bros. 4|magazine=[[Mean Machines]]|issue=17|date=February 1992|pages=80–84|access-date=December 9, 2024}}</ref>
| NLife_WIIU = 10/10<ref name="NLife">{{cite web |last1=Sleeper |first1=Morgan |title=Review: Super Mario World (Wii U eShop / SNES) |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu-eshop/super_mario_world_snes |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=12 September 2017 |date=4 May 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912233715/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu-eshop/super_mario_world_snes |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref>
| SP_SNES = 94%{{sfn|Brookes|1992|p=84}}
| USG_SNES = 5/5<ref name="usgamer">{{cite web |last1=Oxford |first1=Nadia |title=Super NES Classic Reviews Game by Game #1: Super Mario World |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-mario-world-review |website=[[USgamer]] |publisher=Eurogamer Network |access-date=12 September 2017 |date=7 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912234328/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-mario-world-review |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''Cubed3''
| rev1_SNES = 9/10<ref name="cubed">{{cite web |last1=Bianco |first1=Karn |title=Super Mario World (Super Nintendo) review |url=http://www.cubed3.com/review/195/1/super-mario-world-snes.html |website=Cubed3|access-date=12 September 2017 |date=15 October 2003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912192244/http://www.cubed3.com/review/195/1/super-mario-world-snes.html |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref>

|rev2 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
|rev2_SNES = B<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425084130/https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,20273031,00.html|url=https://ew.com/ew/article/0,,20273031,00.html|first=Bob|last=Strauss|accessdate=October 9, 2025|date=September 27, 1991 |title=What's So Super?|work=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|archivedate=April 25, 2009}}</ref>

| rev3 = ''[[Kotaku]]''
| rev3_SNES = 10/10<ref name="kotaku">{{cite web |last1=Schreier |first1=Jason |author-link=Jason Schreier|title=Super Mario World: The Kotaku Review |url=https://kotaku.com/super-mario-world-the-kotaku-review-498569344 |work=[[Kotaku]] |access-date=12 September 2017 |date=5 September 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912191933/https://kotaku.com/super-mario-world-the-kotaku-review-498569344 |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[SNES Force]]''
| rev4_SNES = 96%<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Super League |magazine=[[SNES Force]] |date=23 December 1993 |issue=8 (January 1994) |page=30 |url=https://archive.org/details/SNESForce04Oct93/SNESForce08-Jan94/page/n29}}</ref>
| award1Pub = ''[[Nintendo Power]]'',{{sfn|Nintendo Power staff|1992|p=72}} ''Power Play''{{sfn|Power Play staff|1992|p=84}}
| award1 = [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]]
}}

Nintendo has sold 20.61&nbsp;million copies of the game worldwide, making it the [[List of best-selling Super Nintendo Entertainment System video games|best-selling game for the SNES]].<ref name="supermariotitles">{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/09/30-best-selling-super-mario-games-of-all-time-on-the-plumbers-30th-birthday/|title=30 Best-Selling Super Mario Games of All Time on the Plumber's 30th Birthday|last=O'Malley|first=James|date=11 September 2015|work=[[Gizmodo]]|publisher=[[Univision Communications]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228130418/http://www.gizmodo.co.uk/2015/09/30-best-selling-super-mario-games-of-all-time-on-the-plumbers-30th-birthday/|archive-date=28 February 2017|url-status=live|access-date=23 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.edge-online.com/features/nintendo-years|title=The Nintendo Years: 1990|date=25 June 2007|magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]|publisher=[[Future plc]]|page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820031228/http://www.edge-online.com/features/nintendo-years|archive-date=20 August 2012|access-date=27 June 2007}}</ref> In the United States, ''Super Mario Advance{{spaces}}2'' for the Game Boy Advance sold 2.5&nbsp;million copies and earned $74{{spaces}}million in revenue by August 2006. During the period between January 2000 and August 2006, it became the second highest-selling portable game in the United States.<ref name="nextgensales">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010052300/http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3557&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=0 |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3557&Itemid=2&pop=1&page=0 |title=The Century's Top 50 Handheld Games |author=Keiser, Joe |date=2 August 2006 |work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |archive-date=10 October 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Super Mario World'' received critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2015-09-12 |title=See How Super Mario Bros. Changed Over 30 Years |url=https://time.com/4020798/super-mario-bros-evolution/ |access-date=2023-10-16 |magazine=Time |language=en |archive-date=16 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816151314/https://time.com/4020798/super-mario-bros-evolution/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2019, review aggregator [[GameRankings]] ranked ''Super Mario World'' as the 78th highest-rated game of all time, with an aggregate score of 94% based on nine reviews.<ref name=GR />

The visuals and presentation were two of the most praised aspects of the game.{{sfn|Glancey|1991|p=50}}<ref name=GSpot /><ref name=NLife /> After its release, Rob Swan of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' noted that the graphics were an excellent example of what the then-new SNES was capable of, while in the same review, Paul Glancey similarly remarked that the visuals were stunning, and he was grateful the game came free with the console.{{sfn|Glancey|1991|p=50}} Four reviewers echoed this in ''Electronic Gaming Monthly,'' but commented that the game took little advantage of the SNES's capabilities compared to other games available for the system.{{sfn|Harris|1991|p=18}} Retrospective reviewers agreed the game's visuals were still of a high quality. Karn Bianco from ''Cubed3'' enjoyed the game's relaxed visual style, and praised Nintendo for keeping everything "nice and simple" designing a game perfect for children.<ref name="cubed" /> ''[[IGN]]'''s Lucas Thomas heralded the game as a significant leap over the visuals of the [[Third generation of video game consoles|8-bit era]], but in retrospect felt it did not distinguish itself from being a graphically-upgraded continuation of its predecessor, ''Super Mario Bros.{{spaces}}3''.<ref name=IGN /> In contrast, Frédéric Goyon of ''[[Jeuxvideo.com]]'' thought the game brought out the full potential of the SNES (albeit less so than ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]''),<ref name="jeux" /> and Nadia Oxford from ''[[Eurogamer#Subsidiaries|USGamer]]'' also felt the game was a less rigid version of its predecessor.<ref name=usgamer /> ''[[All Media Network#AllGame|AllGame]]''{{'}}s Skyler Miller and Alex Navarro of ''[[GameSpot]]'' both praised the game's well-drawn characters, colourful visuals and pleasing animation.<ref name=allgame /><ref name=GSpot /> Morgan Sleeper of ''[[Nintendo Life]]'' said ''Super Mario World'' was the "graphical holy grail" that retro-styled games aspire to, and he insisted that its design holds up well today.<ref name=NLife />

Critics commended the game's [[replay value]] and unique gameplay in comparison to older ''Super Mario'' games.<ref name=EuroG /><ref name=IGN /><ref name=NLife /> Four reviewers in ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' praised the game's number of secrets and diversity among its levels, expressing appreciation that Nintendo did not recycle assets from ''Super Mario Bros.{{spaces}}3''.{{sfn|Harris|1991|p=18}} Swan and Glancey enjoyed the addictive gameplay and the vast number of levels,{{sfn|Glancey|1991|pp=49–50}} while Dan Whitehead of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' lauded the game's divergence from linear platforming and asserted that ''Super Mario World'' was an evolutionary leap for gaming in general.<ref name=EuroG /> Likewise, Goyon appreciated the option of being able to finish the game by using alternative routes.<ref name=jeux /> Bianco opined that the game was "one of the smoothest platformers in existence" while Thomas thought its "masterful" and innovative level design enhanced the overall experience.<ref name=IGN /><ref name=cubed /> Navarro similarly felt the game featured some of the best and most challenging levels the series has offered thus far, saying "nothing about the game feels out of place or superfluous".<ref name=GSpot /> Miller considered the game's overall length to be its strongest aspect,<ref name=allgame /> while Oxford thought ''Super Mario World''{{'}}s gameplay could be both straightforward and complex, owing to the myriad of secrets the game contained.<ref name=usgamer /> In retrospect, Sleeper believed the game's biggest achievement was its [[Level (video games)|level design]], calling it an "unrivalled master class" with a constant sense of momentum.<ref name=NLife />

The game's audio was also well received by critics.<ref name=IGN /><ref name=NLife /><ref name=kotaku /> Swan believed the game utilised the SNES' [[Pulse-code modulation|PCM chip]] to its fullest potential, and both he and Glancey agreed that the game's sound effects were "mindblowing".{{sfn|Glancey|1991|pp=49–50}} Thomas labelled the soundtrack "another one of Koji Kondo's classics," but in hindsight remarked that it was not as memorable as his earlier work.<ref name=IGN /> Goyon praised the originality of the game's soundtrack, and thought the technical contribution of the SNES allowed players to enjoy a "globally magnificent" composition. Both Goyon and [[Jason Schreier]] of ''[[Kotaku]]'' felt its rhythmic sound effects were important and helped to reinforce the game's atmosphere.<ref name=jeux /><ref name=kotaku /> Miller liked ''Super Mario World''{{'}}s upbeat music, and particularly enjoyed the echoing sound effects heard when Mario was underground{{snd}}a sentiment shared by other reviewers.<ref name=IGN /><ref name=NLife /> Both Sleeper and Navarro wrote that the game featured the best music in the entire ''Super Mario'' series,<ref name=GSpot /> with Sleeper praising Kondo's "timeless" soundtrack and memorable melodies.<ref name=NLife />

=== Awards ===

The game received 1991 [[List of Game of the Year awards|Game of the Year]] awards from ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' and ''Power Play''.{{sfn|Nintendo Power staff|1992|p=72}}{{sfn|Power Play staff|1992|p=84}} Many retrospective critics declared ''Super Mario World'' one of the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest video games of all time]]. In 2009, a poll conducted by ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'' voted it "the greatest game of all time".<ref>{{cite web |title=The 100 Greatest Games Of All Time |url=http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/default.asp?p=1 |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|publisher=Bauer Consumer Media |access-date=30 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706095032/http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/default.asp?p=1 |archive-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2009, ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' placed the game 7th on a list of the greatest Nintendo games of all time.<ref name="100-ONM">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/7327/features/100-best-nintendo-games-part-6/ |title=100 Best Nintendo Games – Part Six |work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |first=Tom |last=East |access-date=September 9, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110220232113/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/7327/features/100-best-nintendo-games-part-6 |archive-date=February 20, 2011 }}</ref> In its final issue in October 2014, ''Official Nintendo Magazine'' ranked ''Super Mario World'' the third-greatest Nintendo game of all time, behind ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''.{{sfn|Castle|2014|p=69}} In 2012, ''Nintendo Power'' similarly named ''Super Mario World'' the fifth-greatest game of all time,<ref>{{cite magazine|editor1-last=Thomason|editor1-first=Steve|editor2-last=Hoffman|editor2-first=Chris |title=New Super Mario Bros. U |magazine=Nintendo Power |date=December 2012 |volume=285 |page=27 |publisher=Future plc}}</ref> a step up from its eighth-best ranking in their 2006 poll.{{sfn|Nintendo Power staff|2006|p=62}} The game has appeared on several "best video games of all time" lists such as those from ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'',<ref>{{cite magazine|title=100 Best Games of All Time|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=100|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=November 1997|page=152}} Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article (on page 100) explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.</ref>{{sfn|Harris|2006|p=98}} ''[[Game Informer]]'',{{sfn|Game Informer staff|2001|p=59}} ''[[Retro Gamer]]''{{sfn|Retro Gamer staff|2004|p=62}} and ''GameSpot''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-10.html |title=The Greatest Games Of All Time|website=GameSpot|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=20 March 2012 |last1=Navarro |first1=Alex |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124063627/http://uk.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/greatestgames/p-10.html |archive-date=24 November 2011}}</ref> In 2007, ''Retro Gamer'' ranked it as the best platform game of all time,{{sfn|Jones|2007|p=63}} while ''USgamer'' listed it as the best ''Super Mario'' platform game ever in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Parish |first1=Jeremy |title=Page 3: What's the Greatest Mario Game Ever? We Ranked Them All, and You Can Too! |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-definitive-super-mario-rankings-30-years-35-games/page-3 |website=[[USgamer]] |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=11 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910222034/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-definitive-super-mario-rankings-30-years-35-games/page-3 |archive-date=10 September 2015 |date=9 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, ''[[GamesMaster (magazine)|GamesMaster]]'' ranked ''Super Mario World'' 3rd on their "The ''GamesMaster'' SNES Top 10" list.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=July 1996 |title=The GamesMaster SNES Top 10 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |journal=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=75 |access-date=6 July 2022 |archive-date=5 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705151248/https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1995, ''[[Total!]]'' listed the game 11th on its Top 100 SNES Games, at the time they opined ''Super Mario World'' is "a contender for the best game ever".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=July 1995 |title=Top 100 SNES Games |url=https://archive.org/details/total-43/page/n39/mode/2up |magazine=Total! |issue=43 |pages=41}}</ref>

== Legacy ==

As a pack-in game for the SNES, ''Super Mario World'' helped popularise the console, and became the best-selling game of its generation.<ref name=IGN /><ref name="fact">{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Andy |title=101 game facts that will rock your world |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/101-game-facts-that-will-rock-your-world/4/ |website=[[GamesRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=17 September 2017 |page=4 |date=14 November 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918021110/http://www.gamesradar.com/101-game-facts-that-will-rock-your-world/4/ |archive-date=18 September 2017}}</ref> Shigeru Miyamoto has said that ''Super Mario World'' is his favourite ''Mario'' game.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Richard |title=Super Mario World is Miyamoto's favorite Mario game |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-11-09-super-mario-world-is-miyamotos-favorite-mario-game.html |website=[[Engadget]] |date=15 July 2016 |access-date=3 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622060230/https://www.engadget.com/2010/11/09/super-mario-world-is-miyamotos-favorite-mario-game/ |archive-date=22 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Claiborn |first1=Samuel |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/15/this-is-shigeru-miyamotos-favorite-mario-game |title=This is Shigeru Miyamoto's Favorite Mario Game |website=[[IGN]] |date=15 June 2012 |access-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150524105015/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/15/this-is-shigeru-miyamotos-favorite-mario-game |archive-date=24 May 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Yoshi became one of the most important characters in the ''Mario'' franchise, re-appearing in later ''Super Mario'' games and in nearly all ''Mario'' sports and [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] games. Yoshi appears as the main [[playable character]] in ''Super Mario World''{{'}}s 1995 prequel ''[[Yoshi's Island|Super Mario World{{spaces}}2: Yoshi's Island]]'', which helped lead to multiple [[List of Yoshi video games|video games focused on the character]]. A ''Super Mario World'' [[video game clone|clone]], ''[[Super Mario's Wacky Worlds]]'', was in development for the [[Philips CD-i]] device by [[NovaLogic]] from 1992 to 1993, but was cancelled because of the console's commercial failure.<ref>{{cite web|title=Super Mario's Wacky Worlds|url=http://www.ign.com/games/super-marios-wacky-worlds/cd-i-14217666|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=8 December 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222095511/http://www.ign.com/games/super-marios-wacky-worlds/cd-i-14217666|archive-date=22 February 2014}}</ref> In a poll conducted in 2008, Yoshi was voted as the third-favourite video game character in Japan, with [[Cloud Strife]] and Mario placing second and first.<ref>{{cite web |title=And Japan's Favorite Video Game Characters Are ...? |url=http://kotaku.com/5035884/and-japans-favorite-video-game-characters-are |publisher=Kotaku |first=Brian |last=Ashcraft |access-date=12 September 2009 |date=12 August 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120726181420/http://m.kotaku.com/5035884/and-japans-favorite-video-game-characters-are |archive-date=26 July 2012}}</ref>

[[DIC Entertainment]] produced an [[Super Mario World (TV series)|animated series of the same name]], consisting of thirteen episodes, which ran on [[NBC]] from September to December 1991.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/retro-gaming/a315958/retro-corner-super-mario-world/ |title=Retro Corner: Super Mario World |work=[[Digital Spy]] |first=Mark |last=Langshaw |date=23 April 2011 |access-date=5 February 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206122334/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/retro-gaming/news/a315958/retro-corner-super-mario-world/ |archive-date=6 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fernando |first1=Kelvin |title=15 Awesome Things You Didn't Know About Super Mario World |url=http://www.thegamer.com/15-awesome-things-you-didnt-know-about-super-mario-world/ |website=The Gamer |publisher=Valnet Inc. |access-date=13 June 2017 |date=10 April 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912192559/http://www.thegamer.com/15-awesome-things-you-didnt-know-about-super-mario-world/ |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref> ''Super Mario World'' has a large [[ROM hacking]] scene, with fans using applications such as [[Lunar Magic]] to create levels and insert new graphics, music, and mechanics; ''[[Kaizo Mario World]]'' is notable for being featured in many [[Let's Play]] videos and popularizing the word ''[[Kaizo]]'' to signify hacks of extreme difficulty.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Justin |title=Inside the World of Brutally Hard Mario ROM Hacks |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/07/14/inside-the-world-of-brutally-hard-mario-rom-hacks |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507104646/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/07/14/inside-the-world-of-brutally-hard-mario-rom-hacks |archive-date=7 May 2016 |date=14 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/super-mario-world-rom-hacks-beginners/|title=11 Super Mario World ROM Hacks For Beginners|website=Game Rant|date=7 October 2021|access-date=12 November 2021|last=Parker|first=Gregg|archive-date=12 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211112231928/https://gamerant.com/super-mario-world-rom-hacks-beginners/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160706093150/http://www.1up.com/features/super-mario-world-turns-20?pager.offset=2|url=http://www.1up.com/features/super-mario-world-turns-20?pager.offset=2|title=Super Mario World Turns 20|website=[[1UP.com]]|archive-date=6 July 2016|access-date=12 November 2021|page=3|last=Gowan|first=Evan}}</ref> In a similar way, ''Super Mario World'' is one of the four games whose assets are available in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'', a [[game creation system|custom level creator]] released for the Wii U in 2015,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Otero |first1=Jose |title=E3 2015: 9 Exciting Things You Need to Know About Super Mario Maker |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/16/e3-2015-9-exciting-things-you-need-to-know-about-super-mario-maker |website=[[IGN]]|access-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912192702/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/06/16/e3-2015-9-exciting-things-you-need-to-know-about-super-mario-maker |archive-date=12 September 2017 |date=16 June 2015}}</ref> in its [[Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS|port]] to [[Nintendo 3DS]] in 2016, and its [[Super Mario Maker 2|2019 sequel]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Keven |first1=Knezevic |title=Super Mario Maker 2 Gets Release Date |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/super-mario-maker-2-gets-release-date/1100-6466462/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=23 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425032554/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/super-mario-maker-2-gets-release-date/1100-6466462/ |archive-date=25 April 2019 |date=25 April 2019}}</ref> The latter adds new snow and nighttime themes for ''Super Mario World'' levels accompanied by new music composed by Kondo.

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
{{refbegin|}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Brookes|first1=Jason|title=Super Mario World review|journal=[[Super Play]]|date=December 1992|issue=2|page=84|url=https://archive.org/stream/Superplay_Issue_02_1992-12_Future_Publishing_GB#page/n83/mode/2up|access-date=24 October 2017|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Castle|first1=Matthew|title=100 Greatest Nintendo Games|journal=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]|date=December 2014|issue=114|page=69|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Dale|first1=Alex|title=Rewind: Super Mario World|journal=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]|date=July 2014|issue=109|pages=100–101|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]}}
* {{cite journal|last1=East|first1=Thomas|title=A brief history of ... Yoshi|journal=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]|date=March 2012|issue=49|page=42|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]}}
* {{cite magazine|year=2001|title=ファミ通クロスレビュー2001パーフェクトガイド|trans-title=Weekly Famitsu Cross Review 2001 Perfect Guide|p=150|publisher=[[Enterbrain]]|language=Japanese|magazine=[[Famicom Tsūshin]]|last1=''Famitsu'' staff|location=[[Tokyo]]}}
* {{cite magazine|last1=''Game Informer'' staff|title=Top 100 Games of All Time|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=August 2001|issue=100|pages=59|publisher=[[GameStop]]|location=[[Grapevine, Texas|Grapevine]]}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Glancey|first1=Paul|title=Super Mario World review|journal=[[Computer and Video Games]]|date=March 1991|issue=112|pages=48–50|url=https://archive.org/stream/computer-video-games-magazine-112/CVG112_Mar_1991#page/n47/mode/2up|access-date=12 September 2017|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]}}
* {{cite magazine|last1=Harris|first1=Steve|title=Reviews crew: Super Mario Bros 4|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|date=August 1991|issue=25|page=18|url=https://archive.org/stream/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_Issue_025_August_1991#page/n17/mode/2up|access-date=12 September 2017|publisher=EGM Media|location=[[Lombard, Illinois|Lombard]]}}
* {{cite magazine|last1=Harris|first1=Steve|title=Greatest Games of Their Time|url=https://archive.org/details/electronicgamingmonthlyissue200feb2006600dpi/page/n95/mode/2up|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|date=February 2006|issue=200|page=97|publisher=EGM Media|location=[[Lombard, Illinois|Lombard]]}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Jones|first1=Darran|title=Top 25 Platformers of All Time|url=https://archive.org/stream/retro_gamer/RetroGamer_037#page/62/mode/2up|journal=[[Retro Gamer]]|date=April 2007|issue=37|page=63|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Kawasaki|first1=Hondai|title=1990 developer interview|script-journal=ja:任天堂公式ガイドブックスーパーマリオワールド―Super Mario bros.4 (ワンダーライフスペシャル 任天堂公式ガイドブック) (English translation)|date=January 1991|pages=167|publisher=Shogakkan|location=[[Tokyo]]|language=ja}}
* {{cite book|last1=Kent|first1=Steven|author-link=Steven L. Kent|title=[[The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story Behind the Craze that Touched our Lives and Changed the World]]|year=2001|publisher=[[Prima Publishing]]|location=[[Roseville, California|Roseville]]|isbn=0-7615-3643-4}}
* {{cite journal|last1=''Power Play'' staff|title=Spiel des Jahres Awards 1991|url=https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1992-01/mode/2up|journal=Power Play|date=January 1992|issue=21|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]|language=de}}
* {{cite book|last1=Nintendo|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/common/pdf/CLV-P-SAAAE.pdf|title=Super Mario World ''instruction manual''|date=1991|publisher=[[Nintendo EAD]]|pages=2–27|access-date=15 June 2018|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615195341/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/clvs/manuals/common/pdf/CLV-P-SAAAE.pdf|url-status=live}}
* {{cite book|title=Mario Mania|date=August 1991|last1=''Nintendo Power'' staff|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]|page=32}}
* {{cite magazine|last1=''Nintendo Power'' staff|title=1991 Nintendo Power Awards|url=https://archive.org/stream/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20036%20%28May%201992%29#page/n59/mode/2up|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|date=May 1992|volume=36|pages=58–61|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]}}
* {{cite magazine|last1=''Nintendo Power'' staff|title=Nintendo Power's Top 200|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|date=February 2006|volume=200|pages=58–66|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Nutter|first1=Lee|title=Retro: Yoshi|journal=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]|date=December 2006|issue=10|pages=118–119|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]}}
* {{cite journal|last1=''Retro Gamer'' staff|title=Your Top 100 Games (part two)|journal=[[Retro Gamer]]|date=October 2004|issue=4|page=62|publisher=[[Future plc]]|location=[[Bath, Somerset|Bath]]}}
* {{cite book|last1=Sheff|first1=David|title=[[Game Over: How Nintendo Zapped an American Industry, Captured Your Dollars, and Enslaved Your Children]]|year=1993|edition=First|publisher=[[Random House]]|location=New York|isbn=0-679-40469-4}}
{{refend}}
{{div col end}}

== External links ==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|En-Super Mario World-Article.ogg|date=18 November 2020}}
* {{Official website}} {{in lang|ja}}

{{Super Mario}}
{{Yoshi series}}
{{Portal bar|1990s|Video games}}
{{authority control}}

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