where the dl trade at

I had absolutely zero expectations going into Super Mario Land 2. I struggled with the original Mario Land, but knew this game was wildly different, so I didn’t think to compare any of it to the original Mario Land. And I mean this, with no exaggeration, I was absolutely blown away by how much I loved Super Mario Land 2. While it’s not a long game, it’s ridiculously creative with what time it has, and it ended up creating a really memorable experience.

This game is surprisingly open compared to other 2D Marios. While each zone typically has between 3-4 levels, you can tackle each zone in whatever order you like, which is really fun. Each zone has its own distinct theme as well, like Halloween, Outerspace, and a Toy Factory to name a few. It allows for each level to have its own ideas and gimmicks to them that aren’t just fun, but allow each level to stand out and be memorable on their own. Each zone has a unique boss as well! While yes you fight them all the same way, elements of the zone they’re fought in, or how they attack and move changes things so that each boss is unique to themselves. Though depending on the stage, some bosses become really easy. The boss of the Space Zone can be killed in a single cycle thanks to zero gravity allowing you enough time to stay in the air for the next time the boss is vulnerable. I love how unique these zones are in comparison to the archetypical worlds of a Mario game, it’s really refreshing.

There aren’t that many power ups in comparison to other 2D Marios, but the ones we have are great. Of course the Fire Flower is just a staple power up of Mario, and it functions the same as it normally does. But the Carrot which makes Mario have a hover ability is one that I absolutely adore. While mechanically it is simple, there’s something so appealing about breezing through a whole stage by hovering.

And Mario just feels so good to play as here. The controls are perfected here, unlike how clunky they were back in Mario Land 1. I wish I had more to put here to describe what I mean, but Mario just feels so good to control here.

I never expected to have this much fun playing through Mario Land 2. Whenever I play older games, I typically find myself not liking them as much because I don’t agree with the design philosophies of older video games. It’s why I’ve never found an NES game I’ve completely loved for example (though some have come close), though I do hope to find one eventually. This is all to say that I absolutely loved Super Mario Land 2. I love how creative it lets its world be, and each level feels distinct because of it. I really think this is a game of quality over quantity, and it’s an extremely worthwhile game.

"i dont make enough art" i say. sure theres a lot of art i Want to make that im not getting around to quite yet. yet i do draw every so often. and even more often im doing things that are creative and constructive, and so, i feel, are art...

even if its. updating my picrew inclusivity webpage. sketching up a layout for artist trading cards. scaling up my digital art so i can make prints. making quick little bookmark-sized pieces to fill space in square prints. folding paper cranes to one day string across the ceiling. doing lots of little slowly-progressing projects at ceramics to stock up for an art fair... most of it is for A Purpose that is not solely Creation, more Utilitarian, but it is still absolutely art ... art comes from a need, but the need is not always the same ...

and really, here's what i think "art" entails: communication and creation. but a lot of things are communication... and a lot of things are creation. when im reading a book, i am communicating with an author and with their art; i am creating a vision and series of thoughts on the work in my head. i am building something inside myself that is built in conversation with their art and the worldview within it...

and when i have a day that is nothing but laying in the grass outside... i feel maybe that, too, can be art, as i hold myself, communicate with myself, repair the complex creation that is my body and mind

i don't post in it a lot but i DO check it pretty regularly. if you feel like nobody's seeing your post when you use it, well, uh...there's at least one guy. Hi!