This is a weird question, but what’s the level you remember best from a Mario game?
This started kicking around my head when I thought about writing about what my favourite Mario levels would be, and realized that there are some levels I remember really well, some that I remember when I see them again and some that I’m surprised by every time I see them.
I might still write that post about favourites, but the more I thought about it the more interesting the levels I remembered seemed. One thing I think is interesting about is that I don’t necessarily think there’s a link between how much I like a level and how much I remember it, although maybe when I write that other post some helpful insight will come to me.
How much you remember a level is also a bit of a squishy question, because unless I accost you in the street and ask while you’re thinking about something else, your answer is going to change. The more you think about Mario levels the more you’re going to remember. I also started playing some while I was thinking about this to get pictures and that has also warped my own “pure” memories.
So, before I totally lose the thread of my own thoughts, what Mario level do I remember the best?
I think the level I remember best is world 1-2 from Super Mario Bros. (There, short post.)
If I were to go on, which I seem to be doing, I’d say that when someone says Mario, the “Denim denim denim” of the the music starts in my mind and I think about falling into the level, trying to squish both goombas, get the fireflower, fall into that space and hit the coin block, find the star and bash trough the wall, or slide under, or get up top, go into the bonus area, ride the elevator, go into the pipe or ride up and sneak around the back to the warp zone.
I think I remember 1-2 as well as I do because as the younger brother that’s where I got to jump in. I think it’s also more memorable because it’s the first space where you can really try to do different and interesting things. Level 1-1 is noted as a great tutorial level for people who have never played games before and I think that makes it *just* that little bit less interesting, especially when you view it looking back from today.
Overall, with Mario games, I tend to remember early levels better. Those are the ones that I regularly revisited and often have interesting, or unique, spaces or actions.
If I were to go on, which I still seem to be doing, which levels do I remember the best from other Mario games (or at least the ones I remember remembering)?
- Mario Brothers: It only has one level, and I remember it. I spent quite a lot of time playing this on the Atari and a bit Super Mario Bros 3. Mostly, I remember chasing rotating squares around the edges of the world.
- Super Mario Bros: Other than 1-2 and 1-1, 2-2 is memorable as the first level which really changes how you play when it drops you in the water and its harder to handle the squids than any other enemy you’ve seen before. 2-3 is also memorable in that relief that you’re free of the fish until they start jumping up at you.
- Super Mario Bros. 2 (USA): I remember level 1-1 and getting dropped down in to the world and navigating vertically rather than horizontally for the first time. It’s the original Mario Bros game I played the least, so it’s not one I have a lot of memories of at all.
- Super Mario Bros. 3: World 1-5, sliding down that hill was pretty mind blowing the first time. The Airship was also pretty cool, but mostly from the music perspective. (Which could probably be another discussion all on its own.)
- Super Mario World: This was the game that came with my SNES and I’ve played it so much the whole game lives in my head. That being said the colours and brightness of Yoshi’s house as you start your journey sticks with me. Mechanically, The Yellow Switch Palace, Donut Ghost House and Bowser’s Castle are all things that come to my mind right away.
- Super Mario 64: Hub worlds are going to be a theme as soon as they’re introduced, so don’t be surprised that Peach’s Castle is probably the bit I remember the best. In terms of “real” levels Bob-omb Battlefield sticks in my mind as does Whomp’s Fortress. This post came to mind when I started thinking about how many levels in this game I’m surprised to see on a revisit.
- Super Mario Sunshine: Again, the world I remember the best is the hub world. Delfino Plaza is bright and fun and much like the game as a whole, really lets you explore all the weird motion that you didn’t have before. I don’t remember nearly as much about the individual levels, other than maybe the rollercoaster rocket shooting in the amusement park and the introduction to cleaning up gunk in Bianca Hills.
- Super Mario Galaxy: There’s something about the Wii that really conjures cosy nights and Galaxy certainly fit into that. I think the level that sticks with me is the intro tutorial area (Gateway Galaxy), where you play tag with the Star Bunnies and then climb a terrace to meet Rosalina. The Comet Observatory Hub also sticks with me, but again the actual levels haven’t really stayed in my head.
- Super Mario Galaxy 2: I remember something about Yoshi falling off a vertical wall because I missed getting a berry, and something about penguins in a hemisphere of water. I guess I also remember the hub world … head world? … but, for as well designed the levels are, I think this is game I remember the least about. It doesn’t help that I really struggle to remember which levels are in Galaxy and which are in Galaxy 2.
- Super Mario 3D World: The world that I remember Sprawling Savanna, partly because it’s the one time the game opens up and really gives you a feeling of space. I like 3D World, but wanted it to be more all the time and this really resonated.
- + Bowser’s Fury: Rolling Roller Isle is definitely the first thing that comes to mind for this game. Since it may be the hardest bit of the game (maybe) I guess it’s a place I returned to a lot.
- Super Mario Odyssey: The big worlds make the game feel much more memorable overall, but I think my strongest memories are of Bonneton, which is the first area you end up in and New Donk City, which really feels like the pinnacle of the game, even if it’s not near the end.
If nothing else, I’m happy that I can stop thinking about this now that I’ve written it. I might come back around and write that favourite levels piece at some point, but I’m glad I’ve recorded my most memorable Mario levels (at least as of May 2023). It’s been interesting to start playing “Tears of the Kingdom” and trying to figure which things have moved in the world and which just aren’t where I remember them being.
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