View source for Yoshi's Island

{{short description|1995 video game}}
{{For|the Glass Beach song|Yoshi's Island (song)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}

{{Infobox video game
| title = Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
| image = Yoshi's Island (Super Mario World 2) box art.jpg
| caption = North American cover art
| developer = [[Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development|Nintendo EAD]]<br />[[Nintendo Research & Development 2|Nintendo R&D2]] (GBA)
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| director = {{Unbulleted list|[[Takashi Tezuka]]|Toshihiko Nakago|[[Shigefumi Hino]]|[[Hideki Konno]]}}
| designer = [[Yasuhisa Yamamura]]
| programmer = Toshio Iwawaki
| producer = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
| composer = [[Koji Kondo]]
| artist = {{Unbulleted list|[[Yoshiaki Koizumi]]|[[Hisashi Nogami]]}}
| series = {{Unbulleted list|''[[Super Mario]]''|''[[List of Yoshi video games|Yoshi]]''}}
| platforms = [[Super NES]], [[Game Boy Advance]]
| released = {{collapsible list|title=August 5, 1995|'''Super NES'''{{vgrelease new|JP|August 5, 1995|NA|October 4, 1995|EU|October 5, 1995|AU|December 1995<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Super NES review|date=December 1995|magazine=[[Nintendo Magazine System (Australia)|Nintendo Magazine System]]|location=Australia|url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-magazine-system-au-33-december-1995/page/26/|page=26|issue=33}}</ref>}}'''Game Boy Advance'''{{vgrelease|JP|September 20, 2002|NA|September 23, 2002|AU|October 4, 2002|EU|October 11, 2002}}}}
| genre = [[Platform game|Platform]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{Nihongo|'''''Super Mario: Yoshi Island'''''|スーパーマリオ ヨッシーアイランド|Sūpā Mario: Yosshī Airando|lead=yes}}}} is a 1995 [[platform game]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES). The player controls various [[Yoshis]] on their quest to reunite baby [[Mario]] with his brother [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]], who has been kidnapped by [[Kamek]]. Yoshi runs and jumps to reach the end of the level while solving puzzles and collecting items with Mario's help.

Having introduced the character in the previous ''[[Super Mario]]'' game, ''[[Super Mario World]]'' (1990), Nintendo decided to develop a game starring Yoshi, with the aim of making it more accessible. ''Yoshi's Island'' introduced his signature flutter jump and egg-spawning abilities. The marker-drawn art style was created by scanning hand-drawn pictures and approximating them pixel-by-pixel. Some special effects were powered by a new [[Super FX2]] microchip. 

After four years of development, ''Yoshi's Island'' was released in Japan in August 1995 and worldwide two months later. It sold more than four million copies. Critics described it as one of the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest video games of all time]], praising the art, sound, level design and gameplay. The art style and Yoshi's signature characteristics established the [[Yoshi series|''Yoshi'' series]] of spin-offs and sequels. 

''Yoshi's Island'' was the last ''Super Mario'' platformer before the series' transition to 3D gameplay, with no further 2D entries for over a decade. It was ported to the [[Game Boy Advance]] as ''Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3'' in 2002; this version was rereleased for the [[Nintendo 3DS]] and the [[Wii U]]'s [[Virtual Console]]. The original version was also released for the [[Super NES Classic Edition]], and both versions for the [[Nintendo Classics]] service.

==Plot==
A long time ago, [[Kamek]], a Magikoopa,<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev"/> attacks [[White stork#Storks and delivery of babies|a stork delivering]] baby brothers [[Mario]] and [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]]. He succeeds in kidnapping Baby Luigi, but Baby Mario falls out of the sky and onto the back of [[Yoshi]],<ref name="IGN: review1"/> the friendly dinosaur, on Yoshi's Island.<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> Yoshi and his friends relay Mario across the island to reach Luigi and rescue him from Kamek, who is in the service of the young [[Bowser]]. Bowser wanted to abduct the brothers when Kamek foresaw that they would foil his plans in the future.<ref>{{cite book|title=''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island'' Instruction Booklet|publisher=Nintendo|year=1995|page=5|quote='''''INTRODUCTION:''' The kidnapper is Kamek, an evil Magikoopa from the Koopa Kingdom. Having divined last night that twin babies born this morning will bring disaster to the Koopa family, he arranged for an early morning ambush.''}}</ref> Yoshi defeats Bowser, saves Luigi, and the stork successfully delivers the brothers to their parents in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]].

==Gameplay==
[[File:Yoshi's Island - Gameplay.png|thumb|left|[[Yoshi]] aims an egg at a Piranha Plant. The timer in the top right corner will count down if Mario falls off his back. The game has a hand-drawn, paper-and-crayon aesthetic.|alt=]]
''Yoshi's Island'' is a 2D [[side-scrolling]] [[platform game]].<ref name="IGN: Yoshi4"/><ref name="IGN: review1"/> In the ''[[Super Mario]]'' series platform game tradition, the player controls [[Yoshi]] in run-and-jump gameplay. The player navigates between platforms and atop some foes en route to the end of the increasingly difficult levels. The [[player character]]s are Yoshis who take turns traveling through 48 [[Level (video gaming)|levels]] across six worlds<ref name="IGN: review2"/> to rescue Baby Luigi and reunite the brothers.<ref name="IGN: review1"/> Yoshi also collects coins to earn [[extra lives]]<ref name="Edge: SNES"/> and retains his long tongue from ''[[Super Mario World]]''.<ref name="IGN: Yoshi4"/> The game centers more on "puzzle-solving and [[Item (game terminology)|item]]-collecting" than other platformers,<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> with hidden flowers and red coins to find.<ref name="IGN: review2"/> Levels include mines, ski jumps, and "the requisite fiery dungeons".<ref name=Mott-285/> Every fourth level (two in each world<ref name="IGN: review2"/>) is a [[Boss (video gaming)|boss fight]] against a large version of a previous foe.<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/>

In a style new to the series,<ref name=Mott-285/> the game has a [[coloring book]] aesthetic with "scribbled crayon" backgrounds. Expanding on his "trademark tongue" ability to swallow enemies,<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev"/> Yoshi, as the focus of the game, is given a new move set: the ability to "flutter jump", throw eggs, and transform. The flutter jump gives Yoshi a secondary boost when the player holds the jump button.<ref name="IGN: review1"/> It became his new "trademark move", similar to that of Luigi in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]''. Yoshi can also pound the ground from mid-air to bury objects or break through soft earth, and use his long tongue to grab enemies at a distance.<ref name="Edge: SNES"/> Swallowed enemies can be spat as projectiles immediately or stored for later use as an egg.<ref name="IGN: review1"/> The player individually aims and fires the eggs at obstacles via a new targeting system. The eggs also bounce off of surfaces in the environment. Up to six eggs can be stored this way, and will trail behind the character.<ref name="IGN: Yoshi4"/> Yoshi can also eat certain items for [[power-up]] abilities. For instance, watermelons let Yoshi shoot seeds from his mouth like a machine gun, and fire enemies turn his mouth into a flamethrower. Other power-ups transform Yoshi into vehicles including cars, drills, helicopters, and submarines. A star power-up makes Baby Mario invulnerable and extra fast.<ref name="Edge: SNES"/>

While Yoshi is "virtually invincible", if hit by an enemy, Baby Mario will float off his back in a bubble while a timer counts down to zero. When the timer expires, Koopas arrive to take Baby Mario<ref name="IGN: review1"/> and Yoshi loses a life.<ref name="IGN: E3 Impressions"/> The player can replenish the timer by collecting small stars<ref name="IGN: review1"/> and power-ups.<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> However, Yoshi can also lose a life instantly if he comes into contact with obstacles such as pits, spikes, lava, and thorns.  Similar to ''[[Super Mario World]]'', the player can hold a power-up in reserve, such as a "+10 star" (which adds ten seconds to the Baby Mario timer) or a "magnifying glass" (which reveals all hidden red coins in a level).<ref name="IGN: review2"/> These power-ups are acquired in several [[minigames]].<ref name="IGN: review2"/> At the end of each level, the Yoshi relays Baby Mario to the successive Yoshi.<ref name="IGN: review1"/> If the player perfects all eight levels in each world by finishing with all flowers, red coins, and full 30 seconds on the timer, two hidden levels will unlock.<ref name="Edge: SNES"/> There are three save slots on the cartridge.<ref name="IGN: review1"/>

The SNES version includes hidden 2-player minigames that can be accessed via a button combination.<ref>{{cite web |last=Thielenhaus |first=Kevin |url=https://gameranx.com/features/id/122688/article/snes-classic-unlock-2-player-in-earthbound-yoshis-island-secrets-guide/ | title=SNES Classic: Unlock 2-Player in Earthbound & Yoshi's Island {{!}} Secrets Guide | date=October 3, 2017 | access-date=July 8, 2023 | archive-date=February 12, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212195926/https://gameranx.com/features/id/122688/article/snes-classic-unlock-2-player-in-earthbound-yoshis-island-secrets-guide/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Game Boy Advance]] version adds an exclusive bonus level for each world with 100% level completion.<ref name="IGN: review2" /> It also includes four-player support via link cable,<ref name="IGN: review1" /> but only to play ''[[Mario Bros.]]'', a [[pack-in]] feature also included on the other ''[[Super Mario Advance]]'' games.<ref name="IGN: review2" />

==Development==
Following his introduction in ''[[Super Mario World]]'' (1990), the character of Yoshi gained popularity and starred in puzzle game spin-offs such as ''[[Yoshi (game)|Yoshi]]'' and ''[[Yoshi's Cookie]]''. ''Mario'' creator [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] asked Yoshi's designer, [[Shigefumi Hino]], to develop an original project. Hino felt that the ''Mario'' team had already explored every possible avenue with 2D ''Mario'' platformers (Miyamoto would soon begin work on the 3D ''[[Super Mario 64]]''). After brainstorming, he landed on the idea of using Yoshi as the main character of a platform game, with the goal of being more accessible than previous ''Mario'' games.<ref name="SNES Classic Interview"/> According to Hino, the developers then decided that Yoshi's goal in the game should be to carry Mario across the world map. The team originally chose to feature infant Mario as a justification for him not being able to walk independently.<ref name=BeforeYouDie/>{{rp|96}}

To give the gameplay a more "gentle and relaxed pacing", the levels lack time limits and feature more exploration elements than previous games; Yoshi's flutter jump also makes him easier to control in the air than Mario.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thorpe|first=Nick|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/making-of-super-mario-world-2-yoshis-island/|title=The making of Yoshi's Island – How Nintendo delivered a sensational successor to Super Mario World|date=August 5, 2020|website=[[GamesRadar]]|access-date=July 8, 2023|archive-date=October 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001084510/https://www.gamesradar.com/making-of-super-mario-world-2-yoshis-island/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=BeforeYouDie>{{cite book|chapter=The Making of: Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island|title=100 Nintendo Games to Play Before You Die – Nintendo Consoles Edition|edition=3rd|editor-last=Jones|editor-first=Darran|publisher=[[Future plc]]|date=2021}}</ref>{{rp|95}} Yoshi's ability to lay and throw eggs was added to distinguish ''Yoshi's Island'' further from previous ''Mario'' games, none of which had prominently featured a throwing mechanic.<ref name=BeforeYouDie/>{{rp|94}} Progression between levels was made linear so that players would improve their skills by replaying levels, as opposed to letting players avoid difficult levels on a world map.<ref name=BeforeYouDie/>{{rp|96}}

In 2020, a prototype for a platform game with similar graphics to ''Yoshi's Island'' was discovered, featuring a new protagonist wearing a pilot suit. The name, ''Super Donkey'', suggests it may have been considered as a new ''[[Donkey Kong]]'' game before being repurposed for Yoshi.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Leah J.|date=July 27, 2020|title=Everything Revealed In Nintendo's Largest Gigaleak Ever|url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/07/nintendo-leak-yoshis-island-super-mario-64-rumours-secrets/|access-date=July 8, 2023|website=Kotaku Australia|language=en-AU|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727231911/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2020/07/nintendo-leak-yoshis-island-super-mario-64-rumours-secrets/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<!--[[File:Shigeru Miyamoto at E3 2013 1 (cropped).JPG|thumb|right| [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] produced the game.]]-->

''Yoshi's Island'' was developed by [[Nintendo EAD]] and published by Nintendo for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES)<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> as part of the core ''Super Mario'' series.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Hilliard |first1=Kyle |title=Is Yoshi's Island A Super Mario World Game? |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |date=2015-10-04 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/10/04/is-yoshi-39-s-island-a-super-mario-world-game.aspx |language=en |access-date=2022-11-24 |df=mdy-all |archive-date=June 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627224006/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/10/04/is-yoshi-39-s-island-a-super-mario-world-game.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Production of ''Yoshi's Island'' began on February 1, 1992, and concluded on June 29, 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nintendo Co., Ltd. |date=2021-05-11 |title=The Nintendo Gigaleak |url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo_gigaleak |access-date=2023-07-09 |website=Internet Archive |language=en}}</ref>{{full citation needed|reason=The cited source is a directory of dozens of files with a combined size of over 20 gigabytes. Impossibly vague.|date=August 2023}} Development was spearheaded by Hino, [[Takashi Tezuka]], [[Hideki Konno]] and Toshihiko Nakago. It was Nakago's only directing role after an 11-year apprenticeship, with Miyamoto as producer. Newly hired artist [[Hisashi Nogami]] created the unique marker-drawn style. The graphics were achieved by drawing them by hand, digitally scanning them, and then approximating them pixel-by-pixel.<ref name="SNES Classic Interview"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/how-yoshi-s-island-got-its-beautiful-hand-drawn-look-1826849563|title=How Yoshi's Island Got Its Beautiful, Hand-Drawn Look|last=Kohler|first=Chris|date=June 15, 2018|work=Kotaku|access-date=July 8, 2023|language=en-US|archive-date=June 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616153847/https://kotaku.com/how-yoshi-s-island-got-its-beautiful-hand-drawn-look-1826849563|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]] animated the opening and ending, while series composer [[Koji Kondo]] wrote the game's music.

Partway into the development of ''Yoshi's Island'', ''[[Donkey Kong Country]]'' was released, which resulted in its computer-generated graphics becoming the norm for contemporary SNES games. It was too late for the graphic designers to incorporate such a style into ''Yoshi's Island''; instead, they pushed the hand-drawn style further as a way to "fight back".<ref name="SNES Classic Interview"/> As a compromise, the introductory and ending cutscenes feature a pre-rendered style, contrasting with the rest of the game. According to Miyamoto, ''Yoshi's Island'' was in development for four years, which let the team add "lots of magic tricks".<ref name="NEXT: spread"/> The game cartridge used an extra microchip to support the game's rotation, scaling<ref name="IGN: E3 Impressions"/> and other sprite-changing special effects.<ref name="IGN: review1"/> ''Yoshi's Island'' was designed to use the [[Super FX]] chip,<ref name="IGN: E3 Impressions"/> but when Nintendo stopped supporting the chip, the game became the first to use [[Argonaut Games]]'s Super FX2 microchip.<ref name="NEXT: spread"/> Examples of chip-powered effects include 3D walls falling into the background, objects that are able to dynamically rotate and change size, and a psychedelic undulating effect when Yoshi touches floating fungi.<ref name="Edge: SNES"/>

==Release==
''Yoshi's Island'' was released in Japan in August 1995, and two months later in North America and Europe.<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev" /><ref name=BeforeYouDie/>{{rp|99}} In advertising, Nintendo referred to some of the visual effects made possible by the Super FX2 chip as "Morphmation".<ref name=BeforeYouDie/>{{rp|98}} At the time of release, the SNES was at the end of its lifecycle,<ref name="IGN: 125" /> with Nintendo's next console, the [[Nintendo 64]], due the following year.<ref name="NEXT: spread" />

''Yoshi's Island'' was ported to the Game Boy Advance (GBA) as ''Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3'' in North America on September 23, 2002.<ref name="IGN: review1" /> When it was previewed at [[E3 2002]], ''IGN'' named ''Yoshi's Island'' "Best Platformer" on a handheld console.<ref name="IGN: E3 2002" /> The GBA version adds [[Kazumi Totaka]]'s voice as Yoshi<ref name="IGN: E3 Impressions" /> and six new levels. The visible area was also reduced to fit the handheld's lower resolution.<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev" /> The new cartridge did not need an extra microchip to support the special effects.<ref name="IGN: E3 Impressions" /> The GBA version was released for 3DS on December 16, 2011<ref name="IGN: 3DS" /> as an exclusive reward for [[early adopter]]s<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev" /> and for [[Wii U]] on April 24, 2014.<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev" /> The multiplayer modes are inaccessible in these rereleases.<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev" />

At [[E3 2010]], Nintendo demonstrated "classic" 2D games, including ''Yoshi's Island'', on Nintendo 3DS as remastered 3D games with a "[[pop-up book]] feel".<ref name="Kotaku: sorta remakes" /> The SNES version was included as a part of the [[Super NES Classic Edition]] micro-console in 2017.<ref name="WP: SNES Classic" /> The SNES and GBA versions were released on the [[Nintendo Classics]] service on September 5, 2019 and May 25, 2023, with local and online multiplayer.<ref name="snes">{{cite web |last=Sarkar |first=Samit |date=2019-09-04 |title=SNES games coming to Nintendo Switch Online |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/4/20850054/nintendo-switch-online-snes-games-controller-nintendo-direct |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420115109/https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/4/20850054/nintendo-switch-online-snes-games-controller-nintendo-direct |archive-date=2025-04-20 |access-date=2025-04-20 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Welsh |first=Oli |date=2023-05-19 |title=Two all-time greats are coming to Switch Online's GBA collection |url=https://www.polygon.com/2023/5/19/23729634/switch-online-may-2023-gba-super-mario-advance |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250420120503/https://www.polygon.com/2023/5/19/23729634/switch-online-may-2023-gba-super-mario-advance |archive-date=2025-04-20 |access-date=2025-04-20 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| Edge = 9/10<ref name="Edge: SNES"/>
| Fam = 9/10, 9/10, 8/10, 7/10<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Famitsu|Famicom Tsūshin]]|date=August 11, 1995|language=Japanese|publisher=[[ASCII Corporation]]|title=New Games Cross Review|first1=Sawadhi|last1=Noda|last2=Pin|first2=Mizu|last3=Nagano|first3=Isabella|last4=Masuda|first4=Ninja|issue=347|location=Japan|p=32}}</ref>
| GI = 9.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Legacy Review Archives |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/legacyreviews |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=3 October 2021 |archive-date=April 15, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415212407/https://www.gameinformer.com/legacyreviews |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| GameFan = 100/100, 99/100, 100/100<ref name="GF Viewpoint"/>
| GamePro = 4.5/5<ref name="GamePro">{{cite magazine |last=Mike |first=Major |date=November 1995 |title=Issue 76 ProReview: Super Mario 2: Yoshi's Island |magazine=[[GamePro]] |location= |publisher=IDG }}</ref>
| NGen = 5/5<ref name="NEXT: review"/>
| GR = 96%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588740-super-mario-world-2-yoshis-island/index.html|title=Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island Review Score|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504090406/https://www.gamerankings.com/snes/588740-super-mario-world-2-yoshis-island/index.html|archive-date=May 4, 2019}}</ref>
}}

''Yoshi's Island'' sold over {{nowrap|1 million}} copies in Japan by late 1995,<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Virtual Boy in the Red? |magazine=[[Game Players]] |date=December 1995 |volume=8 |issue=12 |page=21 |url=https://archive.org/details/Game_Players_Issue_59_December_1995/page/n19}}</ref> and went on to sell {{nowrap|1.77 million}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Japan Platinum Chart Games |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |website=The Magic Box |access-date=21 February 2021 |archive-date=August 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801030711/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> It has sold over four million copies worldwide,<ref name="Edge: sales"/> selling {{nowrap|4.12 million}} copies for the SNES.<ref name="guinness2016">{{cite book |date=September 10, 2015 |title=Guinness World Records 2016: Gamer's Edition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7s96CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA43 |location=Vancouver, British Columbia |publisher=[[Jim Pattison Group]] |page=43 |isbn=978-1-9105610-8-9 |access-date=April 23, 2017 |archive-date=February 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207162558/https://books.google.com/books?id=7s96CgAAQBAJ&pg=PA43 |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Yoshi's Island'' received critical acclaim. At the time of its 1995 release, Matt Taylor of ''[[Diehard GameFan]]'' thought ''Yoshi's Island'' could be "possibly the best platform game of all time".<ref name="GF Viewpoint"/> ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' also said that the game was "one of the biggest, most beautiful games ever made".<ref name="NP77 rev"/> ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' was also most impressed by the game's "size and playability".<ref name="NEXT: review"/> ''Diehard GameFan''{{'s}} three reviewers gave the game a near-perfect score. To wit, Nicholas Dean Des Barres said it was "one of the handful of truly perfect games ever produced", and lamented that the magazine had given ''Donkey Kong Country'', which he felt was a lackluster game in comparison, the extra single point for a perfect score.<ref name="GF Viewpoint"/> Casey Loe removed that one point for Baby Mario's "annoying screech".<ref name="GF Viewpoint"/> ''Nintendo Power'' and ''Nintendo Life'' also found Baby Mario's crying sounds annoying.<ref name="NP77 rev"/><ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> Reviewing the SNES release over a decade later, Kaes Delgrego of ''Nintendo Life'' said the crying and some easy boss battles, while both minor, were the only shortcomings. Delgrego credited ''Yoshi's Island'' with perfecting the genre, calling it "perhaps the greatest platformer of all time".<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/>

Both contemporary and retrospective reviewers praised the art,<ref name="ONM: best"/><ref name="NP77 rev"/><ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> level design, and gameplay,<ref name="IGN: review1"/><ref name="ONM: best"/><ref name="NP77 rev"/><ref name="Edge: SNES"/><ref name="GF Viewpoint"/> which became legacies of the game.<ref name="IGN: 125"/><ref name="IGN: Yoshi4"/><ref name="IGN: Bad"/> Some called it "charm".<ref name="IGN: 125"/><ref name="NEXT: review"/><ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> Delgrego of ''Nintendo Life'' would stop mid-game just to watch what enemies would do.<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> Martin Watts of the same publication called it "an absolute pleasure on the eyes and unlike any other SNES game".<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev"/> Others praised the control scheme, technical effects,<ref name="IGN: review1"/> and sound design.<ref name="IGN: 125"/><ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/><ref name="NP263 rev"/> ''Nintendo Life''{{'s}} Delgrego felt "goosebumps and tingles" during the ending theme, and marked the soundtrack's range from the lighthearted intro to the "epic grandeur of the final boss battle".<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> ''[[GamePro]]'' writer Major Mike noted, "[Yoshi's Island] doesn't rely on flashy graphics or jazzy effects to cover an empty game. This is one of the last of a dying breed: a 16-bit game that shows real heart and creativity."<ref name="GamePro" />

''Edge'' praised the game's balance of challenge and accessibility. The magazine thought that the new power-ups of ''Yoshi's Island'' gave its gameplay and level design great range, and that the powers were significant additions to the series on par with the suits of ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' or Yoshi's own debut in ''Super Mario World''.<ref name="Edge: SNES"/> ''Diehard GameFan''{{'s}} Taylor wrote that there was enough gameplay innovation to make him cry and listed his favorites as the Baby Mario cape invincibility power-up, the machine gun-style seed spitting, and the snowball hill level.<ref name="GF Viewpoint"/> ''Nintendo Life''{{'s}} Watts called the egg stockpiling system "clever" for the way it encourages experimentation with the environment.<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev"/> ''Edge'' thought of ''Yoshi's Island'' as a "fusion of technology and creativity, each enhancing the other".<ref name="Edge: SNES"/> The magazine considered the game's special effects expertly integrated into the gameplay, and described the developer's handicraft as having an "attention to detail that few games can match".<ref name="Edge: SNES"/>

{{Video game reviews
| title = Game Boy Advance reviews
| MC = 91/100<ref name=Metacritic/>
| Edge = 8/10<ref name="Edge: GBA"/>
| EuroG = 9/10<ref name="Eurogamer review"/>
| GSpot = 9.2/10<ref name="GS review"/>
| IGN = 9.4/10<ref name="IGN: review2"/>
| NP = 4/5, 4/5, 4/5, 4/5, 4.5/5<ref name="NPReviewGCN">{{Cite magazine |date=October 2002 |title=Now Playing |magazine=Nintendo Power |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] |volume=161 |page=195 }}</ref>
}}

The Game Boy Advance version received similar praise. Reviewing the Game Boy Advance release in 2002, Craig Harris of ''IGN'' wrote that ''Yoshi's Island'' was "the best damn platformer ever developed".<ref name="IGN: review1"/> While acknowledging the game's roots in the ''Super Mario'' series, he said the game created enough gameplay ideas to constitute its own franchise.<ref name="IGN: review1"/> ''IGN''{{'}}s Lucas M. Thomas wrote that the game's story was also interesting as the origin story for the Mario brothers.<ref name="IGN: Yoshi4"/> Harris felt that the FX2 sprite-changing effects gave the game "life" and that the Game Boy Advance cartridge could handle the effects just as well. He added that Yoshi's morphing abilities<ref name="IGN: review1"/> and sound effects were designed well.<ref name="IGN: review2"/> Levi Buchanan of ''IGN'' said the game struck the right balance of tutorial by trial and error.<ref name="IGN: Bad"/> ''IGN''{{'}}s Harris also noted a few Game Boy Advance-specific issues: [[framerate]] drop in areas where a lot is happening onscreen, camera panning problems due to the screen's lower resolution, and a "poor" implementation of the "dizzy" special effect on the handheld release.<ref name="IGN: review2"/> Critics wrote that the "coloring book"-style graphics held up well.<ref name="IGN: review2"/> ''IGN''{{'}}s Harris felt it was the best of the ''Super Mario Advance'' games.<ref name="IGN: review2"/> Of the similar version for the Wii U, Watts of ''Nintendo Life'' also noticed the framerate issues and problems resulting from the screen's closer crop, which were "not enough to ruin the game, but ... noticeable".<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev"/> ''Edge'' felt that game's only disappointment was the linearity of its [[overworld]] following the exploratory ''Super Mario World'' and that the sequel would "inevitably ... have less impact".<ref name="Edge: SNES"/><ref name="Edge: GBA"/> It won for ''GameSpot''{{'}}s annual "Best Graphics on Game Boy Advance" award.<ref name=bestworst2002>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2002 | author=''GameSpot'' Staff | date=December 30, 2002 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=February 7, 2003 | url-status=dead}}</ref> During the [[6th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], it received a nomination for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Mobile Game of the Year|Handheld Game of the Year]]" by the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/games/video_game_details.asp?idAward=2003&idGame=457 |title=D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Yoshi's Island |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |website=interactive.org |access-date=1 August 2023}}</ref>

==Legacy==
{{Video game reviews
| title = Retrospective reviews
| NLife = GBA: 9/10<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev"/><br />SNES: 10/10<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/>
}}

Retrospective reviews by ''IGN'' and ''NintendoLife'' declared ''Yoshi's Island'' a "masterpiece".<ref name="IGN: Yoshi9"/><ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> ''IGN'' recalled it as "one of the most loved SNES adventures of all time".<ref name="IGN: Yoshi5"/>  ''IGN''{{'}}s Lucas M. Thomas wrote it marked where Yoshi "came into his own" and developed many of his definitive characteristics: the "signature" flutter jump, and ability to throw eggs and transform shape.<ref name="IGN: Yoshi4"/> Baby Mario, who debuted in the game, featured in a number of sports-related games.<ref name="NP263 rev"/> The Nintendo producer [[Takashi Tezuka]] maintained the "handicraft feel" in later ''Yoshi'' games, which later included yarn and similar variations.<ref name="IGN: New Island"/> ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]'' called the art style "a bold step ... that paid off handsomely".<ref name="ONM: best"/> Delgrego of ''Nintendo Life'' wrote that the game marked a new era of art in video games that prioritized creativity over graphics technology.<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/>

Delgrego continued that the countdown-based [[Health (gaming)|life]] was a "revolutionary" mechanic that became ubiquitous in games like the [[Halo (series)|''Halo'' series]].<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev"/> Martin Watts also of ''Nintendo Life'' considered ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' to be a more momentous event in gaming history, but felt that ''Yoshi's Island'' was the "most significant" event in the "''Mario Bros.'' timeline".<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev"/> In a retrospective, ''IGN'' wrote that SNES owners embraced the game alongside ''Donkey Kong Country''.<ref name="IGN: Yoshi4"/>

''IGN''{{'}}s Jared Petty wrote that ''Yoshi's Island'' bested "the test of time far better than many of its contemporaries".<ref name="IGN: 125"/> Levi Buchanan of ''IGN'' thought Nintendo took a risk with ''Yoshi's Island'' by making Mario passive and giving Yoshi new abilities.<ref name="IGN: Bad"/> Christian Donlan of ''[[1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die]]'' wrote that the game was a testament to the Mario team's "staggering confidence" in its development ability. He said the game was "perhaps the most imaginative platformer" of its time.<ref name=Mott-285/> In 1997 ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' ranked it the 7th best console game of all time, saying it "is as much a piece of art as a game" and "is the epitome of platform gaming, falling only inches behind ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' as the best 2-D platformer of all time."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=100 Best Games of All Time |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=100 |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=November 1997|page=154}} 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> ''Yoshi's Island'' ranked 22nd on ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]''{{'s}} 2009 top 100 Nintendo games as a "bone fide classic",<ref name="ONM: best"/> 15th on ''IGN''{{'}}s 2014 top 125 Nintendo games of all time,<ref name="IGN: 125"/> and second on ''USgamer''{{'}}s 2015 best ''Mario'' platformers list.<ref name="USG: Best Platformers"/> In 2018, ''[[Complex Networks|Complex]]'' listed the game 14th on its "The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Knight|first=Rich|date=April 30, 2018|title=The Best Super Nintendo Games of All Time|url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-100-best-super-nintendo-games/|access-date=2022-02-12|website=Complex|language=en|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109005057/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/the-100-best-super-nintendo-games/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1996, [[GamesMaster (magazine)|''GamesMaster'']] ranked Yoshi's Island number 1 on their "The ''GamesMaster'' SNES Top 10."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=July 1996 |title=The GamesMaster SNES Top 10 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |magazine=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=75 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705151248/https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> In the same issue, ''GamesMaster'' rated the game 45th in its "Top 100 Games of All Time."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=July 1996 |title=Top 100 Games of All Time |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |magazine=GamesMaster |issue=44 |pages=76 |access-date=July 6, 2022 |archive-date=July 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705151248/https://retrocdn.net/images/c/cf/GamesMaster_UK_044.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

In July 2020, [[2020 Nintendo data leak|a large amount of Nintendo data was leaked]], including ''Yoshi's Island'' source data and several prototypes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/an-alleged-nintendo-leak-has-reportedly-unearthed-early-game-prototypes/|title=An alleged Nintendo leak has unearthed early game prototypes|date=2020-07-24|access-date=2020-07-25|website=Video Games Chronicle|last=Robinson|first=Andy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725043756/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/an-alleged-nintendo-leak-has-reportedly-unearthed-early-game-prototypes/|archive-date=2020-07-25|url-status=live}}</ref> A track based on the game was released for ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]''{{'}}s [[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|Booster Course Pass]] on March 9, 2023 and for ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'' the following month.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nintendo of America on Twitter |url=https://twitter.com/nintendoamerica/status/1623472056183537665?s=46&t=857jh-hcAvLDlEpjCqKrQw |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209030040/https://twitter.com/nintendoamerica/status/1623472056183537665?s=46&t=857jh-hcAvLDlEpjCqKrQw |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>

===Sequels and spin-offs===
''Yoshi's Island'' led to a strong year for Yoshi as a character.<ref name="IGN: Yoshi5"/> ''IGN''{{'}}s Thomas wrote that the hand-drawn style of ''Yoshi's Island'' made the computer-generated ''Donkey Kong Country'' appear outdated, though both games sold well. [[Rareware]] included a Yoshi cameo in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'', released that year. ''Yoshi's Island'' graphics and characters were also incorporated into the 1996 SNES puzzle game ''[[Tetris Attack]]''.<ref name="IGN: Yoshi4"/>

Following ''Yoshi's Island''{{'s}} success, Nintendo developed ''[[Yoshi's Story]]'', a 1998 platformer for the [[Nintendo 64]]. It was highly anticipated but received weaker reviews, with fetch quests and the 3D style Miyamoto eschewed in its predecessor.<ref name="IGN: Yoshi5"/> It expanded on Yoshi's character voice as introduced in ''Yoshi's Island'',<ref name="IGN: review2"/> but also "dumbed down Yoshi's character".<ref name="IGN: Yoshi5"/> In 2004, Nintendo released the [[tilt sensor]]-controlled ''[[Yoshi Topsy Turvy]]'' for Game Boy Advance,<ref name="NWR: director"/> which was developed by [[Artoon]]<ref name="NWR: director"/><ref name="IGN: DS rev"/> and received mixed reviews.<ref name="IGN: DS rev"/> The Nintendo-developed minigame ''[[Yoshi Touch & Go]]'' was released in 2005 for Nintendo DS.<ref name="IGN: T&G prev"/><ref name="IGN: T&G rev"/> 

In 2006, Nintendo published ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]'',<ref name="IGN: Yoshi9" /> also developed by Artoon.<ref name="NWR: director" /> Titled ''Yoshi's Island 2'' until just before it shipped, it retained the core concept of transporting baby Nintendo characters, and added the babies [[Princess Peach]], [[Bowser]], and [[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]], each with a special ability. Yoshi had a similar moveset to ''Yoshi's Island'' and added dash and float abilities, but was more passive a character compared to the babies on his back.<ref name="IGN: Yoshi9" /> It received generally positive reviews.<ref name="gamerankings DS">{{cite web |url= http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/933006-yoshis-island-ds/index.html |title=''Yoshi's Island DS'' |website=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=CBS Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806062355/http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/933006-yoshis-island-ds/index.html |access-date=2024-08-01|archive-date=2017-08-06}}</ref> It was given high scores by ''[[IGN]]'' and ''[[GameSpot]]'', who gave it 8/10 and 9.1/10 respectively.<ref name="gamespot DS">{{cite web|last=Provo |first=Frank |date=2006-11-14 |title=''Yoshi's Island DS'' Review |url=http://www.gamespot.com/yoshis-island-ds/reviews/yoshis-island-ds-review-6161583/ |publisher=GameSpot |access-date=2024-08-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130907003151/http://www.gamespot.com/yoshis-island-ds/reviews/yoshis-island-ds-review-6161583/ |archive-date=September 7, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="ign">{{cite web | url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/745/745698p1.html | title=''Yoshi's Island DS'' Review | publisher=IGN | date=2006-11-13 | access-date=2024-08-01 | last=Harris | first=Craig | archive-date=January 7, 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107152849/http://ds.ign.com/articles/745/745698p1.html | url-status=live }}</ref> ''GameSpot'' commented that the developers have "produced a sequel that seems fresh and new while remaining every bit as awesome as the original" and ''IGN'' called it "a solid recreation of the ''Yoshi's Island'' elements in a two-screen-high format". In 2014, Nintendo released ''[[Yoshi's New Island]]'' for Nintendo 3DS.<ref name="IGN: New Island"/> It was developed by former Artoon employees at their new company, [[Arzest]].<ref name="NWR: director"/> As in the original, Yoshi carries Baby Mario and throws eggs, and can now swallow large foes, which become large eggs that can destroy large obstacles.<ref name="IGN: New Island"/> It received mixed reviews, with criticism for its graphics, art-style, soundtrack and similarity to the SNES original; though the level design and overall charm did attract some praise.<ref name="gamerankings: New Island">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/711405-yoshis-new-island/index.html |title=Yoshi's New Island for 3DS |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=March 14, 2014 |archive-date=December 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209014611/https://www.gamerankings.com/3ds/711405-yoshis-new-island/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="metacritic: New Island">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/yoshis-new-island/critic-reviews/?platform=3ds |title=Yoshi's New Island Critic Reviews for 3DS |access-date=2024-08-08 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |archive-date=January 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115222624/https://www.metacritic.com/game/3ds/yoshis-new-island |url-status=live }}</ref>

In ''[[1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die]]'' (2010), Christian Donlan wrote that despite the "streamlined" ''Yoshi's Story'' and "brilliant" ''Yoshi's Touch and Go'', "the original was never bettered and never truly advanced upon".<ref name="Mott-285" /> In ''Eurogamer''{{'s}} 2015 preview of ''[[Yoshi's Woolly World]]'', Tom Phillips wrote that it had "been 20 years since the last truly great ''Yoshi's Island''{{-"}}.<ref name="Eurogamer: Wooly" /> ''Yoshi's Woolly World'' received higher review scores than ''Yoshi's New Island'' but worse than ''Yoshi's Island DS'' and the original game, with reviewers praising the art style, gameplay, and innovation, but critiquing the easy difficulty.<ref name="MC: Woolly">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/yoshis-woolly-world/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u |title=Yoshi's Woolly World (Wii U) Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2024-08-08 |archive-date=January 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111014022/https://www.metacritic.com/game/wii-u/yoshis-woolly-world |url-status=live }}</ref> The next ''Mario'' 2D side-scroller, ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', was released in 2006.<ref name="IGN: history5" />

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Edge: GBA">{{cite magazine |title=Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future]] |issue=117 |date=December 2002 }}</ref>

<ref name="Edge: SNES">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/yoshis-island-review/ |access-date=April 18, 2015 |title=Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island Review |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future]] |issue=26 |date=November 1995 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404181146/http://www.edge-online.com/review/yoshis-island-review/ |archive-date=April 4, 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Edge: sales">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/the-nintendo-years?page=0,1 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=The Nintendo Years |date=June 25, 2007 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc|Future]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090705172908/http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/the-nintendo-years?page=0,1 |archive-date=July 5, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer review">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-yoshisisland-gba |access-date=May 3, 2022 |work=[[Eurogamer]]|title=Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 |last1=Bramwell |first1=Tom |date=July 7, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220064805/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_yoshisisland_gba |archive-date=December 20, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer: Wooly">{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/what-lies-beneath-the-charming-exterior-of-yoshis-woolly-world |access-date=May 3, 2022|work=[[Eurogamer]] |title=What lies beneath the charming exterior of Yoshi's Woolly World? |last1=Phillips |first1=Tom |date=April 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430150327/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-04-28-what-lies-beneath-the-charming-exterior-of-yoshis-woolly-world |archive-date=April 30, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<!--unused
<ref name=game>{{cite video game |title=Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island |developer=[[Nintendo EAD]] |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |year=1995 |platform=[[Super Nintendo]] |scene=staff credits}}</ref>-->

<ref name="GF Viewpoint">{{cite magazine |title=Viewpoint: Yoshi's Island |date=October 1995 |page=18 |magazine=[[Diehard GameFan]] |issue=34 |issn=1092-7212 |url=https://archive.org/details/GamefanVolume3Issue10October1995ALT/page/n17}}</ref>

<ref name="GS review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/yoshis-island-super-mario-advance-3-review/1900-2882007/ |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 Review |last1=Kasavin |first1=Greg |date=September 30, 2002 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131109155345/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/yoshis-island-super-mario-advance-3-review/1900-2882007/ |archive-date=November 9, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: 125">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/24/the-top-125-nintendo-games-of-all-time?page=8 |page=8 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |title=The Top 125 Nintendo Games of All Time |date=September 24, 2014 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926072035/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/24/the-top-125-nintendo-games-of-all-time?page=8 |archive-date=September 26, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: 3DS">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/16/nintendo-3ds-ambassadors-behold-your-10-gba-games |access-date=April 3, 2015 |title=Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors, Behold Your 10 GBA Games |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=December 16, 2011 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227050052/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/12/16/nintendo-3ds-ambassadors-behold-your-10-gba-games |archive-date=February 27, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: Bad">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/13/is-there-a-bad-mario-game?page=2 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Is There a Bad Mario Game? |page=2 |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=February 13, 2009 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412002254/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/13/is-there-a-bad-mario-game?page=2 |archive-date=April 12, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: DS rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/14/yoshis-island-ds-review |access-date=April 3, 2015 |title=Yoshi's Island DS Review |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=November 13, 2006 |work=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021194550/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/14/yoshis-island-ds-review |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: E3 2002">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/29/ignpockets-best-of-e3-2002-awards |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=IGNpocket's Best of E3 2002 Awards |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=May 29, 2002 |work=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921020252/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/29/ignpockets-best-of-e3-2002-awards |archive-date=September 21, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: E3 Impressions">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/24/e3-2002-hands-on-impressions-yoshis-island |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=E3 2002: Hands-on Impressions: Yoshi's Island |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=May 24, 2002 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820155003/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/05/24/e3-2002-hands-on-impressions-yoshis-island |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: history5">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros?page=5 |page=5 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=IGN Presents: The History of Super Mario Bros. |last=McLaughlin |first=Rus |date=September 13, 2010 |work=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904014101/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros?page=5 |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: New Island">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/13/e3-2013-discovering-yoshis-island-again |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=E3 2013: Discovering Yoshi's Island (Again) |last=George |first=Richard |date=June 12, 2013 |work=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613135031/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/13/e3-2013-discovering-yoshis-island-again |archive-date=June 13, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: review1">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/24/yoshis-island-super-mario-advance-3 |page=1 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |title=Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=September 24, 2002 |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220051303/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/24/yoshis-island-super-mario-advance-3 |archive-date=February 20, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: review2">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/24/yoshis-island-super-mario-advance-3?page=2 |page=2 |access-date=April 1, 2015 |title=Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=September 24, 2002 |work=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026040421/http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/09/24/yoshis-island-super-mario-advance-3?page=2 |archive-date=October 26, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: T&G prev">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/31/yoshi-touch-go-2 |access-date=April 3, 2015 |title=Yoshi Touch & Go |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=January 31, 2005 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328174628/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/01/31/yoshi-touch-go-2 |archive-date=March 28, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: T&G rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/12/yoshi-touch-go?page=2 |page=2 |access-date=April 3, 2015 |title=Yoshi Touch & Go |last=Harris |first=Craig |date=March 11, 2005 |work=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416013555/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/03/12/yoshi-touch-go?page=2 |archive-date=April 16, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: Yoshi4">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/yoshi-evolution-of-a-dinosaur?page=4 |page=4 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Yoshi: Evolution of a Dinosaur |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=May 24, 2010 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319014536/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/yoshi-evolution-of-a-dinosaur?page=4 |archive-date=March 19, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: Yoshi5">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/yoshi-evolution-of-a-dinosaur?page=5 |page=5 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Yoshi: Evolution of a Dinosaur |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=May 24, 2010 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826135238/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/yoshi-evolution-of-a-dinosaur?page=5 |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="IGN: Yoshi9">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/yoshi-evolution-of-a-dinosaur?page=9 |page=9 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Yoshi: Evolution of a Dinosaur |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=May 24, 2010 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820171958/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/yoshi-evolution-of-a-dinosaur?page=9 |archive-date=August 20, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="SNES Classic Interview">{{cite interview|last1=Tezuka|first1=Takashi|subject-link1=Takashi Tezuka|last2=Hino|first2=Shigefumi|subject-link2=Shigefumi Hino|last3=Nogami|first3=Hisashi|subject-link3=Hisashi Nogami|interviewer-last=Sao|interviewer-first=Akinori|title=Developer Interview, Volume 5: Super Mario World and Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island|url=https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-super-mario-world/|website=Nintendo|access-date=December 7, 2019|archive-date=June 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609090516/https://www.nintendo.com/super-nes-classic/interview-super-mario-world/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Kotaku: sorta remakes">{{cite web |url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/06/mega-man-2-yoshis-island-among-teased-3ds-sorta-remakes/ |access-date=April 3, 2015 |work=[[Kotaku]]|title=Mega Man 2, Yoshi's Island Among Teased 3DS Sorta-Remakes |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=June 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623014626/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/06/mega-man-2-yoshis-island-among-teased-3ds-sorta-remakes/ |archive-date=June 23, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name=Metacritic>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/yoshis-island-super-mario-advance-3/critic-reviews/?platform=game-boy-advance |title=Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 Critic Reviews for Game Boy Advance |website=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=April 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128140241/http://www.metacritic.com/game/game-boy-advance/yoshis-island-super-mario-advance-3/critic-reviews |archive-date=January 28, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name=Mott-285>{{cite book |last=Donlan |first=Christian |chapter=Yoshi's Island |editor-last=Mott|editor-first=Tony|title=1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=olpPoAswgHoC|year=2010|location=New York|publisher=[[RCS MediaGroup|Universe]]|isbn=978-0-7893-2090-2 |page=285}}</ref>

<ref name="NEXT: spread">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-009/Next_Generation_Issue_009_September_1995#page/n79/mode/2up/ |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Yoshi's Island: Super Mario World 2 |date=September 1995 |pages=78–79 |work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=9 |publisher=Imagine Media }}</ref>

<ref name="NEXT: review">{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/nextgen-issue-014/Next_Generation_Issue_014_February_1996#page/n177/mode/1up/ |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Mario'd with Children |date=February 1996 |page=176 |work=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=14 |publisher=Imagine Media }}</ref>

<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMA3 rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu-eshop/super_mario_advance_3_yoshis_island_gba |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island (Wii U eShop / Game Boy Advance) Review |last1=Watts |first1=Martin |date=May 2, 2014 |work=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504055353/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu-eshop/super_mario_advance_3_yoshis_island_gba |archive-date=May 4, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="Nintendo Life: SMW2 rev">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/07/super_mario_world_2_yoshis_island_retro |access-date=April 2, 2015 |title=Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (Super Nintendo) Review |last1=Delgrego |first1=Kaes |date=July 23, 2009 |work=Nintendo Life |publisher=Gamer Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413200401/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/2009/07/super_mario_world_2_yoshis_island_retro |archive-date=April 13, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="NP263 rev">{{cite magazine |title=Play Back: Revisiting the Classics |date=November 2011 |page=66 |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |issue=263 |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] }}</ref>

<ref name="NP77 rev">{{cite magazine |title=Now Playing |date=October 1995 |page=80 |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |issue=77 |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] }}</ref>

<ref name="NWR: director">{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/36822/from-shinobi-to-yoshi-the-story-of-yoshis-new-islands-director |access-date=April 3, 2015 |title=From Shinobi to Yoshi: The Story of Yoshi's New Island's Director |last1=Ronaghan |first1=Neal |date=March 12, 2014 |work=Nintendo World Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140313080857/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/feature/36822/from-shinobi-to-yoshi-the-story-of-yoshis-new-islands-director |archive-date=March 13, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="ONM: best">{{cite web |url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7276 |access-date=April 2, 2015 |last=East |first=Tom |title=100 Best Nintendo Games - Part Four |date=February 24, 2009  |work=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831160037/http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=7276 |archive-date=August 31, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<ref name="USG: Best Platformers">{{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=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/the-definitive-super-mario-rankings-30-years-35-games/page-3|website=USgamer|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=September 11, 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=September 10, 2015 |date=September 9, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="WP: SNES Classic">{{cite news|last=Shaban|first=Hamza|date=June 26, 2017|title=Nintendo's SNES Classic will be released with 20 vintage games|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/06/26/nintendos-snes-classic-will-be-re-released-with-20-classic-games/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=June 27, 2017|archive-date=June 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627215205/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2017/06/26/nintendos-snes-classic-will-be-re-released-with-20-classic-games/|url-status=live}}</ref>

}}

==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |editor-last1=Jones |editor-first1=Darran |chapter=The Making Of: Yoshi's Island |pages=92–99 |title=100 Games to Play Before You Die: Nintendo Consoles Edition |date=2022 |language=en |isbn=978-1-80023-759-9 |edition=4th |publisher=Future |location=Bath |series=Retro Gamer Bookazine Series |oclc=1295113018 |url=http://mos.futureplc.com/Games/100NintendoGamestoPlayBeforeYouDie22.pdf |access-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-date=November 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124054040/http://mos.futureplc.com/Games/100NintendoGamestoPlayBeforeYouDie22.pdf |url-status=live}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{Official website}} {{in lang|ja}}

{{Yoshi}}
{{Super Mario}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|1990s|border=yes}}

[[Category:1995 video games]]
[[Category:Game Boy Advance games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development games]]
[[Category:Nintendo Classics games]]
[[Category:Side-scrolling platformers]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Super FX games]]
[[Category:Super Mario]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Video game prequels]]
[[Category:Sequel video games]]
[[Category:Video games about children]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Yoshi video games]]
[[Category:Video games directed by Takashi Tezuka]]
[[Category:Video games produced by Shigeru Miyamoto]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Koji Kondo]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional islands]]
[[Category:Video games with pre-rendered 3D graphics]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games]]
[[Category:Virtual Console games for Wii U]]