this game breaks my heart. it is the best digital version of a real life tcg i've ever played, only really matched by the pokemon tcg game for gbc. it's clunky to control, it's not great about explaining some of the weirder mechanics, and online is pretty dead. but i would KILL for another tcg videogame like this one. but it's just never going to happen.

i have impulse control problems. i spent an obscene amount of money that wasn't mine to spend on hearthstone packs when i was a teenager. i burned money i needed for medication on mtg arena packs while that game was still in alpha. all this to say, i am not safe playing most online versions of card games even though it's a genre i love. this game shows a much better alternative. a digitized tcg with no microtransactions and lots of singleplayer content. playing this game made me realize instantly why no company will ever produce a non-online non-microtransaction based digital tcg again. when choosing between the better experience, and bleeding vulnerable people dry a corporation will make the same choice every time.

yea, the game's not technically perfect. but if getting more cards and a better ui means being subjected to the grossest most exploitative bloodsucking monetization system ever devised, then this becomes the best one by default. also i won from gimmick puppet leo's affect while playing once and it felt awesome.

Super Mario World is an absolute masterpiece of a game that deserves every bit of its legendary status. The gameplay is simply flawless, with the controls feeling tight and responsive, and the level design offering a perfect blend of challenge and fun.

The game's mechanics are incredibly well-polished, with Mario's various abilities like running, jumping, and sliding all feeling just right. The power-ups are also a highlight, with the classic Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Cape Feather all returning, along with new additions like the power-up-granting blocks and Yoshi.

But what truly sets Super Mario World apart is its level design. Each stage feels unique, with cleverly designed obstacles and enemies that always keep you on your toes. The game's difficulty curve is also perfectly balanced, with each level gradually ramping up in challenge as you progress, but never feeling unfairly punishing.

The secret exits and hidden levels add a sense of exploration and discovery to the game, rewarding players who take the time to search every nook and cranny. And the game's multiple paths, with some levels offering two or three different exits, give the game an incredible amount of replayability.

Overall, Super Mario World is a true masterpiece of game design, offering a perfect blend of tight controls, clever mechanics, and incredible level design. It's a must-play for any fan of platformers, and it remains just as fun and engaging today as it did when it first released on the Super Nintendo over 30 years ago. I can't recommend it highly enough, and it's easily deserving of a 5-star rating.