Which version of the Mario NES trilogy should I play?

[YoshiFlutterJump]

Why did Nintendo make so many versions of these games...?

I've been wanting to get the early Mario games for a while now, but the question stands as to what versions of the games I should get. I’ve played SMB1 and SMB2J via amiibo tap, and both were very fun games. SMB3, while I haven’t played it, is commonly referred to as one of the top Mario games. I played Mario USA through amiibo tap, and I didn’t enjoy it too much; that said, I’m still including it here because it’s part of the group.

Spoiler: long analysis of versions

The NES versions were the originals and make sense to play first, but the graphics are kind of glitchy (the double-item glitch, for instance) and SMB3 lacks replayable levels. They also weren’t designed for saving, which may mean restarting the game pretty often (I can still save through VC, though). SMB1 has also pretty much been outdone by SMBDX, but this way I at least get to try the secret worlds in Lost Levels.

The SNES versions all come in one package, so convenience is certainly in its favor. However, I've heard complaints about the SMB1 and SMB2J physics here, and SMB2J has been dummied down a whole lot. I've also heard complaints about the art style basically being the same throughout the games. At least the SMB3 levels are replayable here. I generally hear that the NES is better for SMB1 and SMB2J, while SNES is better for SMUSA and SMB3; and that doesn’t really help considering that they all come in one package.

Then there’s the GBC and GBA versions, including SMBDX, SMA1, and SMA4. In the case of SMBDX, it seems like the optimal option for SMB1 but not as good for SMB2J (due to the lack of secret worlds). That said, it’s only a dollar more than SMB1 and I could probably get Lost Levels separately on my Wii U (having it on two consoles makes it more worth it anyway). SMA4 comes with World-e, a set of 38 bonus levels. That sounds interesting, and I’ll be getting this on VC anyway for ease of access. SMA4 also retains the replayability of SMAS. I also hear that SMA1 is the superior version of SMUSA. I also hear that there’s a GBA version of SMB1, but that’s virtually identical to the NES version and won’t be considered here. The downsides? I hear that the audio is inferior, some rooms have been scaled down to accommodate the smaller screen, and the aforementioned lack of Lost Levels secret worlds. None of those are that major, though, and I'm leaning toward this option at the moment. It lacks multiplayer on VC, but that’s not saying much considering that the multiplayer was mostly turn-based (SMB3 Battle Mode being an exception).

So my pick? Probably GBC/GBA. But I want to hear what you guys think. I’ve also included options for "get them all" and "they're all bad" just in case. And just to be ultra-clear, this is a comparison between versions, not consoles or games.

 

[Alex95]

You should definitely play all four in some way when you can, they are all great games in their own right.

 

[Ray Trace]

voted for the option with advance in it

 

[Noct]

I'd recommend starting with All Stars or the Advance series + SMBDX, but really any version is fine. If you're collecting them all, it doesn't really matter which one you start with.

I have all of the Advance games, three separate copies of All Stars (The original SNES cart, the slightly rarer variant that also has Super Mario World on it and the 25th anniversary edition on the Wii), NES Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt cart and most recently the NES Super Mario Bros. 2 cart.

I still need the NES Super Mario Bros. 3 cart, Super Mario Bros. Deluxe, Super Mario Bros. without Duck Hunt, Super Mario Bros. the Lost Levels and Classic NES Series: Super Mario Bros. for my collection.

 

[Toka Hebizuka]

Super Mario Bros. 1 feels much better on the SNES to me, so I recommend that version. I've also heard some good things about Deluxe, but I've never played it so I don't know what it's like.

Super Mario Bros. 2 feels the same no matter which version you play, so just play any version.

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 on the Wii U virtual console is definitely the way to go, all the E-Reader stages are accessible which means you can actually play them.

All versions of Super Mario World are essentially the same, so it doesn't matter which version you play.

 

[Dr. Peach]

I would say Super Mario All-Stars. That's my favorite remaster compilation.

 

[fantanoice]

Any version of SMB3. The game is a must.

SMB1 is worth seeing for the history of it all. SMBJ and SMBUS aren't 'necessary' but they're both solid in their own right.

All Stars will get you access to all of them so it's the best bang for your buck if you want to play them all. Otherwise I think either GBA SMB3 cartridge or the VC versions of NES SMB1 and 3 will be your best choice.