Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island Overview
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island is a side-scrolling platform game for a single player. Its visual presentation is defined by a bright, hand-drawn aesthetic that resembles crayon art, differentiating it from previous entries in the series. The narrative is set in the past of the Mario universe, where the infant Mario brothers are targeted by the magician Kamek. While Luigi is captured, Mario ends up on an island inhabited by Yoshis, a group of dinosaurs who take on the task of carrying him to safety.
Players control Yoshi, who must protect the helpless Baby Mario. If Yoshi is hit, Mario floats in a protective bubble, initiating a timer; if it reaches zero, enemies will seize him. This timer can be extended by collecting stars found in the levels. Yoshi's primary abilities include swallowing foes to create throwable eggs, a flutter jump for greater height, and a ground pound attack. The eggs serve as both weapons and tools for interacting with the environment to solve puzzles.
Levels feature a variety of themes, from caves to castles, and are punctuated by boss encounters, often with foes enhanced by Kamek's magic. A distinctive gameplay element involves Yoshi transforming into vehicles like helicopters or submarines, which grant access to new areas and alter control schemes. Completion is influenced by gathering collectibles such as flowers, red coins, and stars, which contribute to a stage's percentage score.
The game was later ported to the Game Boy Advance with the subtitle Super Mario Advance 3, featuring enhanced audio and additional levels. A digital version was also made available for the Nintendo Switch Online service in 2019.
