Super Mario Land (GB)

Super Mario Land is a classic side-scrolling platformer that marked Mario's debut on the portable Game Boy system. In this game, players control Mario on his quest to rescue Princess Daisy from the nefarious alien Tatanga. The core gameplay adheres to the familiar Mario formula: Mario runs, jumps, stomps on enemies, and breaks blocks to find items.

What sets Super Mario Land apart are some distinct gameplay elements. Instead of the Fire Flower, Mario can acquire the Super Ball. The Super Ball is a bouncing projectile that can ricochet off surfaces, collecting coins or damaging enemies from a distance. Other familiar power-ups like the Super Mushroom, which makes Mario larger, and the Starman, granting temporary invincibility, also make an appearance.

The game is divided into four main worlds, each consisting of three stages culminating in a boss battle. These worlds include the Egyptian-themed Birabuto Kingdom, the underwater Muda Kingdom, the Moai statue-filled Easton Kingdom, and the Chinese-inspired Chai Kingdom. Each world features unique enemies and obstacles.

Another notable highlight is the inclusion of vehicle-based stages. In certain levels, Mario pilots the Marine Pop submarine or the Sky Pop airplane in "shoot-'em-up" segments. This adds significant variety to the traditional platforming experience. Players also collect coins throughout the levels to earn extra lives. While the game lacks a save system, players can continue from the "Game Over" screen using their remaining lives. Super Mario Land successfully adapted the Mario spirit to a new platform with innovative and distinctive touches.