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The entire graphical style of Mario World is better here than I've ever seen it - this includes many past hacks that change the look of this game (like Redrawn), fan games, or Mario Maker 2. Of course all of this is 100% subjective, but anyone who doesn't like these changes can still appreciate the effort that went into this. The overall graphics pop more, while still feeling very appropriately-old-school Mario in slightly more detail. I can't compliment this new aesthetic enough!

• + Backgrounds. In addition to having slightly more detail, there are now additional background layers to levels, producing more depth, with a more polished parallax look. Most skies have a lovely color gradient now, rather than a single color like before. This is a vast improvement on most levels, making this look like the same game but it came out far later in Super Nintendo's life cycle.

• + In addition to visuals, everything feels a bit more fleshed out, as if all the new features always belonged there. Being able to switch to Luigi should've always been there. You can start any game with two difficulty modes - Encore Mode is perfect for those who wish to play this classic again just a bit less comforts.

• + Most of the original music is still there, and the new additional music is tastefully inserted here and there.

• + New sound effects are also tastefully done. Sound to Mario sliding or Chucks throwing balls adds just a bit of depth that you quickly get very accustomed to, as if it always belonged there.

• + 2.0. This update fixed and improved on nearly ALL aspects I had problems with in the previous version, and thus I've happily removed them from my review. The iconic SMW circular effect that centers on Mario at the end of every standard level is back in this version. My issues with Bowser have mostly been addressed and fixed. The ending is back in the game with the new graphics being featured, and it looks great. It's just so refreshing to see a talented hack creator so receptive on their feedback. My hat goes off to Dark Prince on continuing to improve on their phenomenal work!

• - There is still a bit of a pause/hang upon switching music at times, which used to be instantaneous in vanilla. I will note this has been noticeably improved upon in the 2.0 update (improved in that there's less areas you'll notice this happening, as well as the amount of time it pauses has been shortened) Happy to say I rarely notice it now, outside of a few moments like the Bowser fight, or during the castle explosion cutscenes.

In closing: If anyone wants a fresh take on vanilla SMW, I absolutely recommend this, and hope to see it further improved. And a side note - in my view, truly the ULTIMATE Mario World improvement hack would now be this hack, combined with the enhancements of two other incredible SMW improvement hacks: 'Super Mario World 30th Anniversary Edition', and 'Just Keef Edition'. One can dream.

Apart from how colorful this hack is, it brings a modern experience to this classic Super Mario World game as it has several versions that the player can choose to play. Congratulations to the hacker who really put effort into this hack (although he needed help from some colleagues), so it is recommended to play it at all times.

This hack didn't impress me. For a hack that "aims to be an improvement over the original game", it is really lacking :

• Generally speaking, graphics have a much more basic flair and are dumbed down, so many things look poorer than before. Notable example, the ghost houses which look much worse than the original game.

• Color palettes choices are very questionable, like that horrible neon green used for the world map grass, or the neon blue used for the underwater levels.

• Some changes are very random and don't add anything : for instance, Yoshi coins are now generic big coins. There are also new sound effects, like for Chargin's Chucks, that are more of a nuisance than anything. Most of the music is also changed, sometimes replaced with remixes of the same songs, which is okay I guess, but sometimes the music is completely different, like the underwater levels. Why ?

As a positive, I would say that Mario's color palette is arguably better than the original. Suffice to say it's not enough to overthrow all the negatives. For an enhanced graphics version of SMW, check out Super Mario World Redrawn which is immensely superior.

Super Mario World is a very special entry for me, but I always resented Nintendo for the half-baked treatment Luigi got in this entry - they didn't pay close attention to his sprite sheet at all, and, in some instances he simply becomes a recolored Mario.

This hack separates the game in two versions, Pokémon style, giving each brother full attention when it comes to sprite details and game presence, ensuring Luigi's sprite gets the love it deserves.

Palettes are retouched for more color richness, and there are some whimsical variations in the musical score that, while different, are nonetheless recognizable.

Speaking of whimsy, I wish this patch had a separate one that could give Luigi his floaty jump, but even as is, this is a wonderful way to experience SMW as it should have been.