What is up, gang? I’m Dennis, a full-time gamer making money from videos, livestreams, you name them. I’m a huge Mario fan ever since 4 years old. I would occasionally beat games from series multiple times because it brings me joy. My favorite game happens to be Super Mario World. Remember the promotion for this game? Its development? Early content? This game is gold to this day.

I was thinking of the times when i used to play this game with my brother Mac. Luigi is my favorite. What happened to my brother, you may ask? He’s doing alright, he has a job, supports my decisions even if he has a different opinion. I miss him sometimes, things are just not the same when doing all of this alone. But enough talking. I was going to revisit the game to refresh my memory. Things were not as i expected, this is an entirely different story.

So i booted up the game, and then i saw a bit of a change in this:

• Mario was missing.
• The camera doesn’t move without Mario.

That didn’t stop me from trying to play the game, however. When i did, i was now playing as Luigi for some reason, instead of Mario. Not that i’m disappointed, i just find it really odd.

The gameplay was as expected, a beautiful platformer with realistic graphics with plenty of levels. Or you could just be a casual speedrunner and beat the game in just a few levels. Crazy, right? Either way i got into the map.

There really wasn’t much changes aside from the fact i’m playing as Luigi. So i thought i’d naturally just dash through these levels like i always do.

I figured i could take Yoshi for later since he’s about as powerful as people usually say. Got into the Yellow Switch Palace eventually, and then i got to this part.

I remember the boss battle being a bit difficult. At least for me. Mac did beat it on his first try.

As soon as i progressed further, i saw something i don’t think i ever encountered, even earlier. Mario was on one of those Ghost Houses, standing there with closed eyes. Naturally my instinct was to get there.

I was eventually able to do so, it wasn’t that big of a deal. As i entered the level, i was met with this specific part of the scene.

Mario was there, standing right next to these doors. He enter the Ghost House and Luigi followed.

The level didn’t really have any difference from normal gameplay, other than the fact the P-Switch door was as red as Mario.

Normally, there should be a Big Boo battle. But Big Boo wasn’t there. Instead, i was facing against Mario. Or what looked like Mario.

The battle seemed essentially the same as Big Boo’s, except the wave of Eeries would spawn every 7 seconds, making the battle a bit harder.

I was eventually able to defeat him. Instead of him falling down to the screen like Big Boo would do, he straight up just “vanished”.

I got access to Star Road seemingly, granting me a way to beat the game as quick as possible.

I got to Bowser’s Valley, or so i thought.

For some very specific reason, the castle was taken over by “Mario”. His name instead of Bowser’s, those red eyes glowing in the dark.

So i entered the castle. There’s still not much difference, so i shrugged it off.

I entered the door, expecting Bowser to appear. But my expectations blew when i saw “Mario” again.

He looks really evil, and seemingly serious about doing all of this. The battle started, and he was chasing me around. Occasionally, Grab Blocks would fall down in order to gain advantage.

I landed 2 hits on him, and he suddenly flew upwards, throwing fire in specific spots.

He looked a bit aggravated and i thought maybe that was the key to defeating him.

Two more hits landed, and it was now a bit harder.

Eeries were spawning again, with fire in the play.

It was difficult to land hits on him but it was doable. Once i did my last hit, however, something happened.

“Mario” changed colors, his face was now looking like a blackhole, as well as every other colors messed up, just like from that one battle earlier.

The lights were flashing, and “Mario” disappeared. Princess Toadstool then came. Luigi looked really sad, like he was trying to face the loss of his brother.

The credits scene was normal. Everything else was normal afterwards kinda.

That is, except for the final two shots. Instead of the screen where Bowser and his Koopalings were supposed to appear, it was “Mario” instead, albeit with a different appearance.

“The End” screen was a bit different too. Princess Toadstool looked shocked, and Luigi was just really sad.

My biggest question was however, what was the question mark doing here? Was there a way to change the outcome? Was there a way to prevent it all?

Either way i was stuck with this screen for a while, questioning everything i just saw. I had a lot of questions in mind. What happened to Bowser? What happened to Big Boo? Where was Princess Toadstool during those events if she was actually able to escape? It really just bothers me, i don’t even know how to put it.

I’ve had to lay off the copy for a while, maybe i’ll come back to it one day.

CREDITS

RapidTheHedgehog, AlexMakesYT, CyberWolfJV, PixelMarioXP - Some Mario sprites.

underskins201x/Cyril - Mario.SMC