Super Mario Bros: Hammer Bros. Revenge!

Super Mario Bros. is one of the oldest video game franchises out there, yet it still receives sequels and spin offs even now. There are countless remakes of the original titles, which aim to keep the graphics and the atmosphere exactly as they were back then, but with different levels and a slightly changed storyline to explain the events.

Super Mario Bros: Hammer Bros. Revenge! is a retro platformer designed by a loving fan, in an attempt to continue the original saga and provide everyone with a challenge. Most of the mechanics are the same as they were back then, but the levels are unique and they feature a couple of interesting new dangers to watch out for, especially when it comes to the enemies.

The story appears to resume at the end of the first official episode, with Mario returning from his victory over the evil Bowser. The princess is safe in her castle and the rest of the folk have organized a meal for the hero. Naturally, the feast is interrupted by a couple of angry enemies, so Mario must pick up his things and go on yet another adventure, to find the bad guy behind this invasion.

Since this version appears to be dedicated to slightly more hardcore players, newcomers might have some trouble navigating the enemy-infested levels. Not only that, but some of these foes seem to be smart as well, because they can follow you around and get you into trouble when you least expect it. The rest are still programmed using repetitive patterns, which makes them a lot more predictable.

Visually, everyone who played the original should feel right at home in this version as well, given the 8-bit graphics and the MIDI sound output. Even if they lack color depth, the environments are quite detailed and well made, thanks to the exquisite level design. There might be some sections that don’t look as good, but the overall visual quality is satisfactory.

In the end, even if it is not an official release from Nintendo, Super Mario Bros: Hammer Bros. Revenge! is quite good and it is challenging enough to keep the players distracted for a while. However, you should expect a mistake or two along the way, especially when it comes to level design and the AI.