This is what Super Mario World should have been. Levels that are fun to play, interesting power-ups, a novel health system (protect Baby Mario if you don't want to hear him cry), and a breathtaking art style that entices the player to explore. The egg-tossing is another novel mechanic that creates a lot of possibilities for puzzle-solving, exploration, and even combat, all of which are explored to their full potential. The bosses especially stand out for the different strategies they require. No 2D platformer, let alone 2D Mario, rivals the creativity of Yoshi's Island's bosses.

The only reason I can't give this game five stars is because unlocking the special levels is very tedious. Forcing players to obtain every collectible in a single run of the level wouldn't be so bad if the levels weren't so long. Aside from that, Yoshi's Island is a masterpiece that should be considered among the greatest games ever made.