4
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
System: Super Nintendo Entertainment System, GameBoy Advance, Nintendo 3DS
Genre: 2D Platformer
Year: 1995
Rank last year: 4 (=)
People always talk about Super Mario World, but that game is not the best 2D platformer. They talk about Super Mario Bros. 3 (#10) and, though I hold that game in a very high esteem as well, it isn't the best either. No, it is the prequel that is titled as if it were a sequel; Yoshi's Island. The best, when it comes to 2D platforming.
The game has such brilliant level design, that every one of them is a treat. The character Yoshi's mechanics are perfect for adding new challenges and new levels of depth to each level compared to the 'standard' run and jump mechanics of other platforming games. Not to mention, the game looks absolutely gorgious and the crayon-style is utterly timeless. It still looks good. Then there's the music, again, perfectly fitting and catchy. This game has polish, which all other games envy.
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