View source for Yoshi's Safari

{{short description|1993 video game}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Yoshi's Safari
| image = Yoshis Safari Box Art.jpeg
| caption = North American box art
| developer = [[Nintendo R&D1]]
| publisher = [[Nintendo]]
| director = 
| producer = 
| series = ''[[List of Yoshi video games|Yoshi]]'', <!--IT IS PART OF THE MARIO FRANCHISE, DO NOT REMOVE-->''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]''<!--IT IS PART OF THE MARIO FRANCHISE, DO NOT REMOVE-->
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|July 14, 1993|NA|September 17, 1993|PAL|November 19, 1993|BR|December 1993<ref name="brazil_date">{{Cite web|publisher=O Estado de S. Paulo|title=Playtronic lança 20 títulos para Supernintendo|date=22 November 1993|access-date=29 July 2025|url=https://acervo.estadao.com.br/pagina/#!/19931122-36559-nac-0064-inf-g20-not}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Light gun shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[Super NES]]
}}
'''''Yoshi's Safari'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Yoshi's Road Hunting'''''|ヨッシーのロードハンティング|Yosshī no Rōdo Hantingu|lead=yes}}}} is a 1993 [[light gun shooter]] developed and published by [[Nintendo]] for its [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES). It is the only ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise game to feature [[first-person shooter]] gameplay and requires the SNES's [[Super Scope]] [[light gun]]. As [[Mario]] and his pet dinosaur [[Yoshi]], the player embarks on a quest to save the kingdom of Jewelry Land from [[Bowser]] and his [[Koopalings]], who have kidnapped its rulers and stolen 12 gems. The game features 12 [[level (video gaming)|level]]s in which the player shoots enemies like [[Goomba]]s and [[Koopas]], and collects [[power-up]]s and coins. At the end of each level, the player engages in a [[boss fight]] with an enemy, a Koopaling, or Bowser. Nintendo commissioned its [[R&D1]] department to develop ''Yoshi's Safari'' in response to the waning popularity of the Super Scope. ''Yoshi's Safari'' was the first Super Scope title to use the SNES's [[Mode 7]] [[graphics mode]], and the future of the peripheral depended on the game's performance.

Nintendo released ''Yoshi's Safari'' in Japan and North America in late 1993, and in [[PAL region]]s the following year. The game received positive reviews from [[video game journalist]]s, who commended its presentation—particularly the visuals—and gameplay; some labelled it the best Super Scope title. However, it received criticism for its short length and low [[difficulty level]]. The game garnered little attention and failed commercially, attributed to its launch coinciding with a [[Controversies surrounding Mortal Kombat|controversy]] surrounding the SNES rerelease of the popular [[arcade game]] ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' (1992). Most of ''Yoshi's Safari''{{'s}} additions to the ''Mario'' lore were ignored in subsequent games, and it has never been rereleased.

==Gameplay==
[[File:YoshisSafariGameplay.png|thumb|left|The player (from the perspective of [[Mario]]) and [[Yoshi]] fight a [[Koopa Troopa]] piloting a [[mech]].]]
''Yoshi's Safari'' is a [[light gun shooter]]<ref name="NLife: Light" /> viewed from a [[First-person (gaming)|first-person]] perspective.<ref name="IGN: FPS" /><ref name="IGN: Evolution" /> The game features 12 [[level (video gaming)|level]]s<ref name="IGN: FPS" /> and requires the [[Super Scope]], a [[light gun]] peripheral for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES), to be played.<ref name="IGN: Evolution" /> The player views gameplay from the perspective of [[Mario]] riding on his pet dinosaur [[Yoshi]]'s back and uses the Super Scope to shoot enemies, which include the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise's traditional [[Goomba]]s, [[Koopa Troopa|Koopa]]s, and Cheep-Cheeps.<ref name="IGN: FPS" /> As the player fires the Super Scope, a power gauge will drop; firing too rapidly will deplete it and cause long pauses between shots, making players more vulnerable to enemy attacks.<ref name="LA: OC" /> The game features a [[multiplayer]] mode in which one player controls Mario using the Super Scope and another controls Yoshi using an [[SNES controller]]. In the [[single-player]] mode, Yoshi is controlled automatically.<ref name="LA: OC" /><ref name="Joypad" />

After selecting a level from the [[overworld]], the player must clear it within a time limit. In addition to enemies, the player shoots blocks with question marks to earn coins,<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://www.gamesdatabase.org/Media/SYSTEM/Nintendo_SNES/Manual/formated/Yoshi-s_Safari_-_1993_-_Nintendo.pdf|title=Yoshi's Safari ''(instruction manual)''|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|year=1993|pages=1–22}}</ref> and will earn an extra [[Life (gaming)|life]] by collecting 60.<ref name="LA: OC" /> The player loses lives if enemies deplete their [[health bar]], if they fall down a pit with less than three coins, or if they fail to complete the level within the allotted time. Losing all lives results in a [[game over]], forcing the player to restart.<ref name="LA: OC" /><ref name=":0" /> The levels feature branching paths leading to different enemies and prizes, though they always end on the same path, which leads to a [[boss fight]].<ref name="ONM" /> Bosses include the [[Koopalings]] piloting giant [[mech]]s, bigger versions of normal enemies, and [[Bowser]].<ref name="IGN: FPS" /><ref name="ONM" /> [[Power-up]]s, such as [[Mushroom (Mario)|mushrooms]], [[Fire Flower|flowers]], and [[Starman (Mario)|stars]], provide the player with extra health, firepower, and [[invincibility]]. Some power-ups can only be used during boss battles.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="ONM" />

''Yoshi's Safari'' is set in Jewelry Land—a location similar to the [[Mushroom Kingdom]]<ref name="IGN: FPS" />—and features a simple story.<ref name="ONM" /> Series antagonist Bowser and his Koopalings kidnap Jewelry Land rulers King Fret and Prince Pine, and steal the 12 magic gems that protect the kingdom from harm, causing an earthquake that splits it in two.<ref name="IGN: FPS" /><ref name=":0" /> One of the Koopalings, Iggy, designs powerful mechs that aid Bowser's army in their invasion.<ref name="ONM" /> [[Princess Peach]] sends Mario and Yoshi on a quest to defeat Bowser, retrieve the gems, and set the two rulers free.<ref name="IGN: FPS" /> When the player completes the game, they will be given a [[cheat code]] that, when input at the [[title screen]], increases the [[difficulty level]].<ref>{{cite video game|title=Yoshi's Safari|developer=[[Nintendo Research & Development 1]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|platform=[[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]]|date=July 14, 1993|quote='''Yoshi''': Congratulations! I know a secret. Press the L, R, X, Y & Start Buttons simultaneously on the Title Screen for a new quest!}}</ref> The game also has a [[Score (game)#High score|leaderboard]] to encourage multiple playthroughs and so players can keep track of their [[score (game)|scores]].<ref name="IGN: FPS"/>

==Development==
[[File:Nintendo-SNES-Super-Scope-L.jpg|right|thumb|A [[Super Scope]]]]
In February 1992, [[Nintendo]] released the Super Scope, a successor to its popular [[NES Zapper]] for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]]. At the time, Nintendo was in fierce competition with [[Sega]], a company known for its "[[Cool (aesthetic)|cool]]" games and advertising, and needed an edge over this new rival. Unlike its predecessor, the Super Scope was only a moderate success and by 1993 risked fading into obscurity. Nintendo management realized the peripheral's relevance was waning and commissioned the company's [[R&D1]] department to develop a Super Scope game featuring Mario. The future of the Super Scope depended on the performance of this game.<ref name="IGN: FPS">{{cite web |last1=Bertoli |first1=Ben |title=Remembering the First and Only ''Mario'' FPS |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/13/mario-fps-yoshis-safari |website=[[IGN]] |date=March 13, 2019 |access-date=March 18, 2019 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019012443/https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/03/13/mario-fps-yoshis-safari |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Yoshi's Safari'' was the first Super Scope game to use the SNES's [[Mode 7]] [[graphics mode]], which created an impression of [[3D computer graphics]] and made the gameplay more realistic.<ref name="LA: OC">{{cite web |last1=Schiffmann |first1=William |title=OC High / Student News & Views : video game review : ''Yoshi's Safari'' : From Nintendo for SNES, $39.95 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-23-vw-4658-story.html |website=[[The Los Angeles Times]] |date=December 23, 1993 |access-date=2024-08-15 |archive-date=2023-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106010313/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-12-23-vw-4658-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nintendo released ''Yoshi's Safari'' in Japan on July 14, 1993<ref name="NLife"/> under the title ''Yoshi's Road Hunting'', and in North America the following September.<ref name="IGN: FPS"/> It was released in [[PAL region]]s in 1994.<ref name="NLife">{{cite web |title=''Yoshi's Safari'' (SNES / Super Nintendo) News, Reviews, Trailer & Screenshots |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/games/snes/yoshis_safari |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |access-date=March 15, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180909005850/http://www.nintendolife.com/games/snes/yoshis_safari |archive-date=September 9, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The title did not garner much attention upon release.<ref name="IGN: FPS"/><ref name="NLife: Light">{{cite web |last1=Barker |first1=Sammy |title=A Brief History Of The Light Gun On Nintendo |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2007/11/a_brief_history_of_the_light_gun_on_nintendo |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=November 2, 2007 |access-date=March 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818065226/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2007/11/a_brief_history_of_the_light_gun_on_nintendo |archive-date=August 18, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Its North American launch coincided with the rerelease of the popular [[arcade game]] ''[[Mortal Kombat (1992 video game)|Mortal Kombat]]'' (1992), a game [[Controversies surrounding Mortal Kombat|controversial for its violence]], for the SNES and Sega's [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]]. According to ''[[IGN]]'', Nintendo's decision to soften the blood and gore in the SNES version drew public attention away from ''Yoshi's Safari''.<ref name="IGN: FPS"/>

==Reception and legacy==
{{Video game reviews
| EGM = 6/10, 6/10, 7/10, 7/10, 4/10<ref name="EGM"/>{{efn|''Electronic Gaming Monthly''{{'s}} five reviewers provided scores out of ten.<ref name="EGM"/>}}
| Fam = 7/10, 7/10, 7/10, 5/10<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Famitsu|Weekly Famicom Tsūshin]]|title=New Games Cross Review|last1=Noda|first1=Minoru|last2=Doitsu|first2=Suzuki|last3=Nagano|first3=Isabella|author4=TACOX|date=August 6, 1993|publisher=ASCII Corporation|language=Japanese|issue=242|page=38}}</ref>
| ONM = 77/100<ref name="ONM"/>
| rev1 = {{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=''Joypad''|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}
| rev1Score = 83%<ref name="Joypad"/>
| rev2 = [[Power Unlimited]]
| rev2Score = 80/100<ref>{{Cite web |title=Power Unlimited Game Database |url=http://www.powerweb.nl/database/img/index.php?page=database&&query%5border%5d=datum&ending=ASC&query%5bstart%5d=140 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031021212640/http://www.powerweb.nl/database/img/index.php?page=database&&query%5border%5d=datum&ending=ASC&query%5bstart%5d=140 |archive-date=October 21, 2003 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=Power Unlimited }}</ref>
}}
While ''Yoshi's Safari'' failed commercially, which ''IGN'' attributed to its reliance on the Super Scope and the ''Mortal Kombat'' debacle,<ref name="IGN: FPS"/><ref name="IGN: Evolution"/> it did receive praise from [[video game journalist]]s.<ref name="Joypad"/><ref name="ONM"/><ref name="NP"/> The presentation—particularly the visuals—were well received. {{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=''Joypad''|fr|Joypad (magazine)}},<ref name="Joypad">{{cite journal|date=September 1993|title=''Yoshi's Safari''|url=https://archive.org/details/joypad-magazine-023/page/n95/mode/2up|journal={{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=Joypad|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}|language=fr|issue=23|page=97}}</ref> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' (''EGM''),<ref name="EGM">{{cite magazine|date=November 1993|title=Review Crew: Major Mike's Roundup|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_52/page/n45/mode/2up|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=52|page=46}}</ref> and ''[[Official Nintendo Magazine|Nintendo Magazine System]]'' considered the graphics and smooth scrolling among the game's highlights.<ref name="ONM">{{cite journal |title=''Yoshi's Safari'' |journal=[[Official Nintendo Magazine|Nintendo Magazine System]] |date=September 1993 |issue=12 |pages=80–82}}</ref> ''Joypad'' wrote the animation was fluid<ref name="Joypad"/> and ''Nintendo Magazine System'' wrote the graphics suited the ''Mario'' theme,<ref name="ONM"/> while ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' called the characters colorful and bright.<ref name="NP">{{cite magazine|date=December 1993|title=Super Scope Roundup|url=https://archive.org/stream/NintendoPower1988-2004/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20055%20%28December%201993%29#page/n49/mode/2up|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|issue=55|pages=42–43}}</ref> ''[[The Los Angeles Times]]'' praised the game's use of Mode 7, describing the graphics as excellent and colorful.<ref name="LA: OC"/> ''Joypad'' and ''Nintendo Magazine System'' both praised the music,<ref name="Joypad"/><ref name="ONM"/> with ''Joypad'' writing it was simple but still sounded good.<ref name="Joypad"/> 

Critics also commended the gameplay, with ''Joypad'' and ''Nintendo Magazine System'' calling ''Yoshi's Safari'' the best Super Scope title.<ref name="Joypad"/><ref name="ONM"/> ''Joypad'' praised the multiplayer mode and wrote that while the game was somewhat expensive, it was worth buying for Super Scope owners.<ref name="Joypad"/> The game had more depth than other Super Scope titles, ''Nintendo Magazine System'' wrote, because of its variety and branching level paths.<ref name="ONM"/> ''Joypad'' and ''Nintendo Power'' respectively praised the controls as responsive and easy to use.<ref name="Joypad"/><ref name="NP"/> However, the game's short length and low difficulty were primary aspects of criticism.<ref name="Joypad"/><ref name="ONM"/><ref name="EGM"/> ''Nintendo Magazine System''{{'s}} reviewers said they finished the entire game in one sitting and estimated it would provide at most a week of entertainment,<ref name="ONM"/> while ''EGM'' wrote players "may be tempted to turn your SuperScope {{sic}} on yourself and end it all!"<ref name="EGM"/> ''Nintendo Magazine System'' and ''Nintendo Power'' suggested the game was geared toward a younger audience,<ref name="ONM"/><ref name="NP"/> with the former stating beginning players would find enjoyment but experienced ones would be left wanting more.<ref name="ONM"/> [[Power Unlimited]] gave the game a score of 80%, they found the gameplay to be "original, looks good and is fun to play. Very easy."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Power Unlimited Game Database |url=http://www.powerweb.nl/database/img/index.php?page=database&&query%5border%5d=datum&ending=ASC&query%5bstart%5d=140 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031021212640/http://www.powerweb.nl/database/img/index.php?page=database&&query%5border%5d=datum&ending=ASC&query%5bstart%5d=140 |archive-date=October 21, 2003 |access-date=December 13, 2024 |website=Power Unlimited }}</ref>

''Yoshi's Safari''{{'s}} failure signified that the Super Scope was commercially nonviable for Nintendo.<ref name="IGN: FPS"/> Mario and Yoshi creator [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], who was working on ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'' (1995) at the time, disliked ''Yoshi's Safari'' and strove to make his game feel more authentic.<ref name=Kent>{{cite book |last=Kent |first=Steven L. | authorlink = Steven L. Kent |title=[[The Ultimate History of Video Games]] |date=2001 |page=518 |publisher=[[Three Rivers Press]] |location=New York |isbn=0-7615-3643-4 }}</ref> [[List of Yoshi video games|Games starring Yoshi]] did not gain much popularity until ''Yoshi's Island'',<ref name="NLife: Month">{{cite web |last1=Calvert |first1=Darren |title=Month of Yoshi: The Brightly Coloured History of Yoshi |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/03/month_of_yoshi_the_brightly_coloured_history_of_yoshi |website=[[Nintendo Life]] |date=March 11, 2014 |access-date=March 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180419083622/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/03/month_of_yoshi_the_brightly_coloured_history_of_yoshi |archive-date=April 19, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and ''Yoshi's Safari'' remains relatively obscure.<ref name="IGN: Evolution">{{cite web |last1=M. Thomas |first1=Lucas |title=Yoshi: Evolution of a Dinosaur |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/yoshi-evolution-of-a-dinosaur?page=3 |website=[[IGN]] |page=3 |date=May 24, 2010 |access-date=March 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023120429/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/24/yoshi-evolution-of-a-dinosaur?page=3 |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The title's additions to the ''Mario'' lore, such as Jewelry Land, were ignored in subsequent games. ''Yoshi's Safari'' is notable for being the first ''Mario'' game to refer to the Princess as "Peach" instead of "Toadstool" in Western territories, although this did not stick until ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' (1996). Nintendo would later revive old games from its back catalog through its [[Virtual Console]] service, but ''Yoshi's Safari'' has never been rereleased, and ''IGN'' noted its 25th anniversary passed in 2018 with little fanfare.<ref name="IGN: FPS"/> The game remains the sole [[first-person shooter]] in the ''Mario'' franchise.<ref name="IGN: FPS"/><ref name="IGN: Evolution"/>

''IGN'' lamented the obscurity of ''Yoshi's Safari'' in a 2019 retrospective and felt it deserved more recognition, writing the game was and still is a standout in the ''Mario'' franchise. The title's "quirky aspects", ''IGN'' wrote—such as its [[science fiction]] theme (in contrast to previous ''Mario'' games' fantasy one), upbeat music, and use of the Super Scope—paved way for the franchise's more experimental games such as ''[[Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle]]'' (2017): "while far from perfect, [''Yoshi's Safari''] was still ahead of its time in certain regards." The writer also called it "a shame" the game has never been rereleased.<ref name="IGN: FPS"/>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official|https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n02/shvc/rh/index.html}} {{in lang|ja}}
*{{IMDb title|3501984}}
*{{moby game|id=/yoshis-safari|name=''Yoshi's Safari''}}
*[https://www.mariowiki.com/Yoshi%27s_Safari ''Yoshi's Safari''] on the Super Mario Wiki

{{Yoshi series}}
{{Portal bar|Video games|1990s}}

[[Category:1993 video games]]
[[Category:Light gun games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Rail shooters]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games]]
[[Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System-only games]]
[[Category:Yoshi video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Miyuki Uemura]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Yasushi Tokunaga]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Yoshiki Nishimura]]