Super Mario Land
Mario's handheld debut
Super Mario Land brought the plumber to Game Boy, adapting the formula for portable play with unique vehicles and Gunpei Yokoi's design sensibility.
Overview
Super Mario Land launched alongside the Game Boy, proving Nintendo’s mascot worked on portable hardware. Gunpei Yokoi’s team created something different from Miyamoto’s console Mario: smaller sprites, auto-scrolling shooter sections, and a new princess to rescue. It sold over 18 million copies, making it one of the best-selling Game Boy games ever.
Fast facts
- Developer: Nintendo R&D1.
- Producer: Gunpei Yokoi.
- Release: 1989 (Japan and North America).
- Sales: 18+ million copies.
- Length: Approximately 30 minutes.
Different design team
Not Miyamoto’s Mario:
- R&D1 instead of EAD.
- Gunpei Yokoi’s sensibility.
- Smaller, different Mario sprite.
- Unique enemies and settings.
- More arcade-like pacing.
Setting and story
Away from Mushroom Kingdom:
- Location: Sarasaland.
- Princess: Daisy (first appearance).
- Villain: Tatanga the alien.
- Worlds: Four themed kingdoms.
World structure
| World | Theme | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| Birabuto | Egypt-inspired | None |
| Muda | Ocean/Easter Island | Marine Pop submarine |
| Easton | Moai statues | None |
| Chai | China-inspired | Sky Pop aeroplane |
Shooter sections
Unique to this entry:
- Side-scrolling shooter levels.
- Marine Pop (underwater).
- Sky Pop (aerial).
- Boss battles in vehicles.
- Different gameplay feel entirely.
Power-ups
Modified classic items:
| Item | Effect |
|---|---|
| Super Mushroom | Grow large |
| Superball | Bouncing projectile (not fireball) |
| Invincibility Star | Temporary invulnerability |
Superball bounces at angles, can collect coins.
Technical adaptation
Fitting Mario to Game Boy:
- Smaller screen, smaller sprites.
- No colour, careful contrast design.
- Shorter levels for portable play.
- Simpler enemy patterns.
- Responsive despite limitations.
Differences from NES Mario
| Console | Game Boy |
|---|---|
| Large sprites | Tiny Mario |
| Fire flower | Superball |
| Scroll control | Auto-scroll sections |
| Bowser | Tatanga |
| Peach | Daisy |
Commercial success
Launch title advantage:
- Bundled with Game Boy in some regions.
- Demonstrated handheld viability.
- 18 million copies sold.
- Third best-selling Game Boy game.
Sequel
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992):
- Larger sprites.
- Battery save.
- Introduced Wario.
- More ambitious scope.
Daisy’s debut
Princess Daisy:
- Created for this game.
- Tomboy characterisation.
- Sports game regular later.
- Distinct from Princess Peach.
Legacy
Super Mario Land proved Mario worked anywhere Nintendo put him. While not Miyamoto’s vision, Yokoi’s portable interpretation sold millions and established handheld Mario as viable. Its quirks became charming distinctiveness.