Like a new view on an old painting

Super Baron Bros. is described as a Mario game with new enemies and power-ups. And that's pretty much what it is, a lot of things from there remain: blocks with ?-marks, pipes with pirahna plants, fortesses... But new things come in here, too: vulture enemies, guys that drop bombs at you, invisibility suits... making this game quite unique.

Graphics: 5/6 *****
The graphics are mostly ripped from Allstars' SMB3, and are as beautiful as they were on the SNES. The new graphics matches the old very well and makes a really beautiful screen at times. However, some small annoyments, like you can't see your lives and coins in some castles, are a bit annoying. (that's why they are annoyments!) And the vulture enemies aren't outlined in black like everything else. Feels a bit odd. Another weird thing is the dot indicating where Baron is when invisible. You can miss jumping because of not seeing exactly where he is. it would have been better to just draw an outline Baron.

Sound: 4/6 ****
Nice MIDI files, one for each level. I am so longing to download 1-1's theme because I love it. But some music, like the LOUD Bianco Hills Remix in 1-3 are simply annoying. And you grow more and more fed up at Baron's "Ga!" after every jump. When you have three or more run-buzzing enemies on the screen, your ears aches, and the same goes with too many missiles at a time.

Gameplay: 4/6 ****
You collect coins, you jump on vulture, you avoid everything else. Like most platformers, and a decent engine, too. However, some annoying things: if you press space a fraction of a seond too early when landing, you won't jump, because jump is set to 'key press' instead of 'keyboard'. And often you press to early trying to survive, so the control is a common reason to dying. And speaking of which, the game is too hard. FAR too hard. If just there was a mushroom power-up, the game would have been too easy, but now, it's nearly impossible. I've tried a million (1'000'000) times at 2-castle, without beating it, and so will most players do too.

Story: 1/6 *
Almost non-exist. And it doesn't matter.

Interface: 3/6 ***
Gigantic click buttons in the menu. Easy to understand. Map panels - just like the glorious days om SMB3. But an annoying thing is that you have problems to get out of junctions thanks to Baron's movements, and it takes forever to walk between two panels. In levels, you see your coins and lives and current level. 100 coins = 1UP. Nice. Basic. But it feels like something is missing.

Overall Rating: 4/6****
If you feel like nothing will make you angry, or feel particulary self-destructive, play it.