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Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island SNES Gameplay Review

Why this game still hits different and how Yoshi's New Island tries to recreate that classic SNES feeling

Yoshi’s Island on the SNES is one of those games you “test for five minutes” and suddenly you are still playing an hour later.

It is an old game, but it still plays smoother and feels more polished than a lot of modern platformers.

Then there is Yoshi’s New Island on the Nintendo 3DS. A modern attempt to recapture that classic SNES feel, but it does not quite land the same way.

So the question is simple: what made the original so special, and why does the newer version feel different?

What Yoshi's Island is really about

In Yoshi's Island SNES gameplay, you step into a bright, crayon-style world that still stands out today. It feels hand-drawn and playful, almost like a moving children’s book.

The idea is simple. You guide Yoshi while carrying baby Mario through large, dangerous levels filled with enemies and traps set by Kamek and his forces.

That sounds easy at first, but it quickly becomes more intense. One hit can send baby Mario floating away, and suddenly you are under pressure to recover him fast.

Use flutter jump to reach higher platforms and stay in the air longer
Ground pound to break through obstacles and uncover paths
Throw eggs to defeat enemies and solve platform puzzles
Eat enemies and turn them into eggs for attacks

The game constantly keeps things fresh by changing the gameplay style. One moment you are moving through a normal platforming section, and the next you are using vehicles like submarines or helicopters.

Kamek stays in the background as the main threat, constantly sending enemies and traps your way. It creates pressure, but in a way that still feels fun and fair.

Quick facts about the game

Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Release: August 5, 1995
Genre: Platformer
Metascore: 91
Platform: SNES
Age rating: Everyone

This is one of those games that aged extremely well. It does not rely on realism or modern systems. It focuses on pure gameplay, and that is exactly why it still gets talked about today.

More background on the original game here: Yoshi’s Island Wikipedia

My gameplay (check this out)

I played the original SNES version again recently. And yeah… you sit down for “a quick session” and suddenly time disappears.

Here’s a look at it in action:

I also uploaded my save file, so you can continue the game right where I stopped playing. Pretty handy if you just want to skip ahead a bit and explore further.

Download save file: Yoshi's Island save file

A lot of people still search for Yoshi’s Island SNES gameplay, and honestly, you can see why instantly.

Yoshi’s New Island: modern, but something is missing

Then we have Yoshi’s New Island on the Nintendo 3DS. It released in 2014 and tries to recreate that classic feel. But you feel the difference pretty quickly.

It adds new mechanics like Mega Eggdozers, which let you smash through parts of the environment and open new paths. Cool idea, sometimes fun in practice.

New power-ups like Mega Eggdozers
New levels and environments
More focus on collectibles
Extra puzzle-style platforming

You go through icy levels, water areas, and all kinds of themed stages. It looks fine. But it doesn’t hit the same way.

Yoshi’s New Island info

Release: 14 March 2014
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Publisher: Nintendo
Rating: 3.17 (RAWG)

More info here: Yoshi’s New Island Wikipedia

The difference you feel immediately

This is the part that’s hard to explain until you play both.

The SNES version feels natural. Tight controls, clean design, no noise. The New Island version feels like it’s trying a bit harder to be fun.

It’s not bad. Just different.

SNES version feels tighter and more direct
New Island feels slower in pacing
Original has more charm
New version adds gimmicks

It’s a bit like original music vs remixes. Sometimes the original just wins.

Is Yoshi’s Island still worth playing?

Short answer: yes. No doubt.

Perfect for retro fans
Still challenging enough
Just genuinely fun to play

Yoshi’s New Island is fine. But if you really want to understand why this series is loved, the SNES version is the one.

Final thoughts

Yoshi’s Island is one of those games you don’t just “finish”. You keep playing it. One more level turns into an hour without you noticing.

It’s simple, colorful, sometimes frustrating, but always fun. And that’s kind of the whole point.

Yoshi’s Island SNES is still the best version because of its pure gameplay and charm. Yoshi’s New Island tries, but doesn’t fully capture that same feeling.

If you only try one, you already know which one it should be.