The big difference, of course, is that Generations and Mania were official Sega titles Flashback is being made by a bunch of indie developers for fun.

Flashback feels like a blend of the two, with its updated sprites and assorted levels inspired by Mario titles new and old. The second, more successful title celebrated Sonic's roots with remixed zones and pixel art inspired by the Genesis classics. The first was an ultra-glossy platformer that revisited almost every game in Sonic history. These moves are possible in modern Mario games, such as New Super Mario Bros., but not the original NES titles.įlashback has two obvious parallels: Sonic Generations and Sonic Mania. Mario can also jump and slide down walls, granting safe access to higher-placed platforms, stars and question-mark boxes. Mario has a three-segment health bar, similar to the pinwheel in Super Mario 64, rather than the usual mushroom system that grants a one-hit shield. The overhaul won't be for everyone (my colleague Mat Smith isn't a fan) but you can't dispute the detail and consistency across each level.įlashback doesn't just look different - it plays differently, too. Every asset, including Mario, has a fresh but recognizable look that truly pops on screen. The latest demo, presented at the Sonic Amateur Games Expo (SAGE) in August, is a brilliant blend of green pipes, Goombas and bouncing Koopa Paratroopers. Super Mario Flashback has some truly gorgeous pixel art that is both distinctive and faithful to the portly plumber's original adventures. Others will be subtly tweaked or completely revamped to surprise players or provide a different challenge. Some platform and enemy layouts will be familiar to people who have played the original games. and three-dimensional adventures such as Super Mario 64. These include the original Super Mario Bros.

The 2D platformer will reinterpret levels from many different Mario games. In the not-too-distant future, though, there might be another way to get your fix of Nintendo nostalgia: a beautiful fan game called Super Mario Flashback. There's also Super Mario Maker, legally grey emulation and, of course, the original cartridges if you own a NES, SNES or modern console equivalent like the Analogue Super NT. You can buy a tiny NES or SNES Classic, for instance, or subscribe to Nintendo's Switch Online service. If you fancy playing some classic Mario, there are plenty of ways to go about it.

Super mario flashback