Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition--Official Thread

[ultimateemail5000]

So I just read that Nintendo will be re-releasing Super Mario All Stars for the Wii, and it includes a history book, and a soundtrack from the first game up to Galaxy 2....in Japan...So let's all hope that we can get this thing in the states!

[Phlibbit]

There's no way they won't release this in the states. If they didn't, it'd be a big mistake. Off the top of my head there isn't really anything for Wii this holiday that I HAVE to have (DKCR excluded).

I just wonder if the history book will mention the SMB film...

[Redstar]

Really cool. My brothers and I used to play the first three Super Mario Bros. games on the NES but I didn't really get into them until I found Super Mario All-Stars. Since I was born in '90 the SNES was always my system of choice, but All-Stars gave me the chance to get into the NES titles on a system that worked for me. I still have that game as well as the Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World cart. I have like 100% completion on both cartridges for most of the games.

When I was younger I used to imagine an updated re-release of every Mario game (at the time up until Super Mario 64) that could be played through a world "map". You'd start in the Mushroom Kingdom in Super Mario Bros. and work your way around the world to the new lands and new games. Every game would have a cohesive story and cutscenes to tie them together. Wishful fantasies.

[ultimateemail5000]

There's no way they won't release this in the states. If they didn't, it'd be a big mistake. Off the top of my head there isn't really anything for Wii this holiday that I HAVE to have (DKCR excluded).

I just wonder if the history book will mention the SMB film...

I could list all the games on my reserve list this year...actually I wlil...Goldeneye, Fable 3, DKCR, and I heard it's really early but the new Zelda in 2011...plus if 3DS comes out this year, there's games on that system that I really want...Star Fox, Zelda, Paper Mario... if this all comes out at once, I am truly screwed because there is so much coming out at once and I dunno what to do.

Really cool. My brothers and I used to play the first three Super Mario Bros. games on the NES but I didn't really get into them until I found Super Mario All-Stars. Since I was born in '90 the SNES was always my system of choice, but All-Stars gave me the chance to get into the NES titles on a system that worked for me. I still have that game as well as the Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World cart. I have like 100% completion on both cartridges for most of the games.

When I was younger I used to imagine an updated re-release of every Mario game (at the time up until Super Mario 64) that could be played through a world "map". You'd start in the Mushroom Kingdom in Super Mario Bros. and work your way around the world to the new lands and new games. Every game would have a cohesive story and cutscenes to tie them together. Wishful fantasies.

I'm sorry you grew up in the 16-bit era, the 8-bit is really where everything stands. I could probably write a booka bout how that era was great, compared to what we have now. They can throw all the graphics they want at us, but deep down it's not about graphics, it's gameplay. They can make the crappiest looking game as long as it has good controls, and a fun story, it will be a great game. People today just over look gameplay and care about graphics and I think it's finally hitting htem because all of a sudden the old 8-bit retro style is what some gamers want. Look at Mega Man 9 and 10. Even for part 10 Capcom had to create an easy mode, because people who bought 9 probably complained for it being too difficult. But if that was the 80's, it would have been 3 lives, perhaps a couple continues, and that's it. No saving at all. I'm going to stop now before I go even further.

[Redstar]

I'm sorry you grew up in the 16-bit era, the 8-bit is really where everything stands. I could probably write a booka bout how that era was great, compared to what we have now. They can throw all the graphics they want at us, but deep down it's not about graphics, it's gameplay. They can make the crappiest looking game as long as it has good controls, and a fun story, it will be a great game. People today just over look gameplay and care about graphics and I think it's finally hitting htem because all of a sudden the old 8-bit retro style is what some gamers want. Look at Mega Man 9 and 10. Even for part 10 Capcom had to create an easy mode, because people who bought 9 probably complained for it being too difficult. But if that was the 80's, it would have been 3 lives, perhaps a couple continues, and that's it. No saving at all. I'm going to stop now before I go even further.

I love how you think the 16-bit era was so bad compared to the 8-bit... Now that's some deep nostalgia!

I actually feel much the same way and do appreciate earlier games more. Nintendo is different from the other gaming companies as they've never focused on graphics and as far as I can tell never even tried. Miyamoto actually hated Donkey Kong Country for years because of the graphics and purposefully made cutesy and pastel when higher-ups asked him to follow suit.

Now, Super Mario World actually isn't the first Mario game I played. My brothers and I had a NES before a SNES and played Super Mario Bros. 2 all the time. We also got some time in with Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt. However, I just never got into it until the All-Stars compilation (which I think can hardly be considered an extreme graphical enhancement/bastardization, especially compared to the later GBA remakes).

[ultimateemail5000]

Redstar I litterly told my friend that yesterday about the Wii. Nintendo wasn't trying to push graphic limits on it, all they worried about was the motion control. But now I think that they have the motion control down graphics and HD might be their next target on the new system. I know I said graphics aren't the best part of a game, but I can tell you how many times I've played Xbox and was like, man I wish Mario was on this system...

[Phlibbit]

Although I had been exposed to the NES Mario games beforehand, what really got me into them was Super Mario All-Stars.

I'm incredibly nostalgic for many eras in gaming--but it's odd because I went about things in a slightly backwards fashion. The first game system of any kind that I had was a Game Boy Pocket. I wanted a Game Boy for Christmas, and I really wanted the original Game Boy, but that was the year that they stopped making those and the Pockets first came out--I got the first, original GB pocket that was silver and had the mirrored border. And that thing was awesome. That first Christmas I got Batman '89 and Super Mario Land and they were amazing. I later followed up with Super Mario Land 2, which in my opinion rivals some of the best console Mario games out there. Wario Land was also a wonderful gem.

And then I wanted an N64 but they were a tad expensive at the time so I begged my mom to get me an SNES from a pawn shop. It had a penny stuck in the internal compartments and you could shake it and it would jiggle around and stuff. Anyways, that's when I finally picked up the Super Mario All-Stars cart and played the crap out of it. One of the most amazing game compilations ever. And if you were lucky enough to have the pack-in cart with Super Mario World--you might as well have just died and gone to gamers' heaven. I mean, me and my best friend would pick out differences between versions all day long--like how Luigi in the All-Stars Super Mario World actually looked like Luigi (slimmer, different mustache, etc.) and he would move slicker and jump higher as compared to the original version.

And then I got an N64 in the Christmas of 1998 and got both Super Mario 64 and Zelda: Ocarina of Time Collector's Edition and that was one of the best days ever, no doubt.

After getting into the bulk of the modern systems out there, I then started going back and exploring older systems and games--and believe me, there's a lot to be learned and enjoyed by some of these older titles. Not just for nostalgic sake, but because they're damn fun and good games. Unfortunately--you just have to look really hard and explore. This is the problem with game archiving--when a new system comes along, the old systems and games become obsolete and harder to find, and could potentially get lost to time and become more and more obscure and have less and less exposure. It's not like a book where you can just get a digital version or go to a library or find it on Amazon. It's not like a movie where you can just rent the DVD or Blu-Ray or even at a worst-case scenario find an old VHS. This problem is something I hope to rectify in the future...

But anyways--to get slightly back on-topic--here's the thing that bothers me about Nintendo today, and you can see this trend with a lot of the new systems they're putting out--they'll come up with a new console or hand-held system with some new game-changing amazing gimmick, but all they end up doing with it (especially initially) is release REMAKES OF GAMES from their previous systems with the most subtle hint of the new functionality of their new system. And since Nintendo has been cutting back dramatically in recent years with creating original titles with their own franchises, hardcore fans are happy just to take what they can get--although I have seen Nintendo kind of start to rectify this issue. However, if Nintendo comes out of the gate like that, with a remake or unoriginal port to showcase a new system, how do you expect other publishers to come up with anything original? And now, Nintendo releases some new version of their handheld every year or two with some new thing that they don't even really utilize fully.

Let's take a look here:

Game Boy Color. Launch titles: Tetris DX. Game and Watch Gallery 2.

Comments: Every system should have Tetris on it. But seriously, Game and Watch, for crissakes. And those are the only Nintendo launch titles?

Game Boy Advance. Launch titles: Super Mario Advance. F-Zero Maximum Velocity.

Comments: So we have a remake of an SNES remake of the NES SMB 2. And a remake of the SNES F-Zero. Good games, yes--but those are the only Nintendo launch titles?

Nintendo DS. Launch title: Super Mario 64 DS.

Comments: Again, a remake of an N64 game. Sure, it's a decent game--but original and unique to the DS it isn't.

Nintendo Wii. Launch title: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.

Comments: Yes, it's technically a new Zelda title. However, it's one that was meant for the Gamecube that had motion controls shoehorned in and slapped in a Wii box just so the system would actually have a launch title.

And it looks like history may be repeating itself yet again with the 3DS. It seems like the Zelda: OoT remake may be the launch title there. Huh? What?

Isn't it funny how there used to be a new Mario game on day one with a new Nintendo console and we'd get the Zelda game later...and now it's almost totally switched where we're gonna get a Zelda remake or port on day one and wait a whole year for a Mario game?

Why is it "new system--new hardware--new features--game remake that doesn't utilize the full technology" instead of "new system--new hardware--awesome new game that shows you exactly what this system can do on day one," like it used to be?

[ultimateemail5000]

It hasn't been said if the Zelda Remake will have new material or not. The Mario 64 DS had a few new levels, and many more stars to collects, 150 actually. And to me, that game did show off what the DS could handle in graphics. They were even showing 8-bit and 16-bit games on the 3DS, to show off what it can do. Nintendo knows what they are doing and whatever they're doing it sells to an audience, that's all that matters.

[Phlibbit]

Exactly--they're aiming what they're doing at an audience and it's making them a TON of money right now. It just sucks that the primary, original Nintendo character franchises are being largely ignored in favor of these new things that are making them all this money.

[Azions]

Yes, it's technically a new Zelda title. However, it's one that was meant for the Gamecube that had motion controls shoehorned in and slapped in a Wii box just so the system would actually have a launch title.

[Phlibbit]

Anyone else getting this tomorrow? I know I am.

And two copies, too. One to open, one to keep sealed. I have a feeling that this one'll be quite hard to find. At the moment, Gamestop.com, Walmart.com, and Amazon.com have all stopped taking preorders and you can't even buy the game on those sites anymore.

[ultimateemail5000]

I have my copy preordered and I'm picking it up tomorrow before work. If only I could save up for the special edition Mario Wii as well, but I don't feel like owning two wii's.

[Redstar]

I would like to own it but don't personally have a Wii nor the funds to look into it. I'll be doing a lot of backtrack-ordering at some point. As I have the original All-Stars and All-Stars + Super Mario World I would love to add this to my collection. It's just a classic compilation.

[ultimateemail5000]

That is probably my biggest beef with this release. They could have added Super Mario World. But in an interview Miyamoto says the game didnt turn out what he wanted it to be, so he felt it wasnt really a Super Mario BROS type of game. It's kind of a shame really. Hopefully the booklet and CD make up for it. But according to some reviews, the CD is nothing but a few songs and a lot of sound effects.

Does anyone know where to get the Nintendo Power 25th Anniversary Mario edition? I read about it in a thread on TMK, and have searched up and down for it but found nothing.

[Phlibbit]

You can go to Nintendo Power's website and request to purchase back-issues.

Are you sure it was a Mario anniversary issue? A few months ago, they had a 25th anniversary of the NES issue. Maybe that's what they're talking about?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Nintendo-Power-260- ... 2eb1d079e7

It was flat awesome, too. NP has really improved lately--what with the subscriber-exclusive covers and improved coverage. They're also not ignoring old/retro games either, with sections for that kind of stuff.

[ultimateemail5000]

Okay I'm not gonna be the first to say this, but Nintendo really let us Mario fans down with this one. I'll start with the game itself.

The game is litterly just a port from the SNES on a disc for the Wii. Nothing has been upgraded, even SNES controlers are still on the menu for controls. No press + or 2 to start the game. Figure it out on your own, even though it's not that hard. What they could have done was remade the first 3 games +lost levels, into the style of New Super Mario Bros Wii. 3D 2D sidescrolling. That would have been our chance to finally see raccoon Mario in 3D, but that won't happen now I guess.

The bonus material doesn't really get any better either. For a bonus we all konw there's a book, and a soundtrack. About 10 9 tracks on that CD are songs from the game, while the last half is nothing but sound effects from the game that can be easily downloaded online at any time.

The book is good for showcasing some stuff, but why not show more concept art? Mario's original designs, his original 8-bit version, I know at one time Mario was never supposed to go small, which makes me think if they were going to use the sprite they used for the Mario Bros game. We'll nevre know becuase Nintendo will not share this stuff, they should give us hardcore Mario fans what we want. Not some kind of rushed project. The book itself isn't that great, IMO, the only thing I found interesting was concept art for Mario 3 which shows Mario in red overalls. Mario Mania, a 32 page magazine (that includes the official SMW players guide) that came out in 1991, is way better then this book. It actually showed Mario's cameos in other games, had back story. This book just ignores anything about Mario selling out to cartoon series, movie, merchandise. Oh wait the new book has a collage picture of Mario merchandise....that was in Mario Mania! Were they just that lazy to photoshop the old picture from Mario Mania into this one? Why couldnt they have added more to it? What is your deal Nintendo?!

All in all, All-Stars itself is a fun game, if your like me and dont feel like hooking up your SNES to play All-Stars, this is a good buy, 30 bucks, good price, with some "ok" bonus material. Let's just hope that Nintendo can do better for Mario's 30th Anniversary.

[ultimateemail5000]

I think it was this thread I brought up a Nintendo Power Mario magazine I saw online. Well I found the link to it, here it is.
http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=120100

I need to track this down and get my hands on it.

[Phlibbit]

From the Nintendo Power website:

Q – Can I purchase back issues?
A – Of course. You may purchase back issues at a rate of $4.99 each ($6.99US for Canadian Orders, prepaid in US funds, GST included) while supplies last by calling 1-800-865-7240* with your credit card. You may also send away for your favorite issue by mail. Include a check or money order made payable to:. Include a check or money order made payable to:

Nintendo Power Magazine
P.O. Box 7205
Clinton, IA 52736-7205

Other than that, I'd try eBay. Walmart also seems to have these "collector's specials," but only around the time of their initial release.

[oldskoolplayer86]

I clocked out of work today and went to Gamestop right next door to buy Mario All-Stars, they were sold out. The guy told me its gonna be very hard to find.

I went on home and ordered it through Amazon. Done.

[Mono41]

I clocked out of work today and went to Gamestop right next door to buy Mario All-Stars, they were sold out. The guy told me its gonna be very hard to find.

I went on home and ordered it through Amazon. Done.

The same thing happened to me...ended up spending about $27 more than the MSRP...

[KoopaBro64]

I was gonna buy this, I saw it at various Game stores, but I just had to wait till' after Christmas, and now..they're all gone! Ah well..at least I still have my SNES Mario All-Stars

But still...I missed out on a great collectors item..