Introduction
The Mario games of the 16-bit generation have never seemed to be about innovation,that is what keeps the hard core Mario fans tuned in. Nintendo may have turned Mario into a water squirting janitor but we can still look back to the days when he was a simple pixelated plumber.If you prefer , we could go farther and talk about Mario as a baby. Yes its true, Mario was once a toddler, and no we dont mean a concept sketch. We are talking about baby pipe fixer with a hat bigger than his already large head. What I will say next may shock Mario followers, and in all honesty I think it was suppost to. You do not play Mario at all! Now is the time for all the gamers in shock to shrug in disgust and all the gamers who simply cant deal with it, to leave in pure anger. Now for those of you still with me, you get to play as Yoshi. Many will ask if it changes the formula of the game and I will simply say yes and no. Luckily for you, this is a review and I am required to delve into the details so I explore the game so you have a better perspective of what you will be playing. Anyone still with me?

Gameplay
The graphics are another portion of this game that shines. The visuals are comical and colorful and they represent the lighthearted feel that is shown throughout the game. The visuals are an early version of what would grow to become the cell-shaded phenomenon of graphics that are seen in an inreasing number of games today. Considering that this game is a straight port of a Super Nintendo game, it is expected that everything should come out exactly as it did on its older platform. Luckily, Nintendo succeded by bringing the game to life in its visuals alone. The enemie models are detailed and the bosses are huge detailed beasts that make most bosses of the Super Nintendo era look like pudding. Many will also notice that the game is very bright and has a happy feel to it. It wasnt done on accident,in fact, it was done on purpose. Nintendo wanted a brighter game that would appeal to an even younger audience then what they were aiming at before. If I were to pick one game that the visuals most resemble, I would have to choose Paper Mario, and thats a compliment. Overall the graphics are a true achievement.

Story
Yoshi's Island is an excellent platform game that should not be missing in any Mario fans collection. It is one of the best Mario games,even without putting you in control of the jumping wonder. This game is surprisingly innovative without having to change the overall basis of the game. The formula of this installment is similar to most Mario games in that you can still squash enemies from a hop on the head and you can still race to the end of a level without doing much.Not to mention there are plenty of stages. These are the ingredients that make up a Mario game in the shortest usage of terms. Now if youre looking for drastic changes to the basic outline of the gameplay, then I suggest you look elsewhere because even though some game mechanics have been altered, the main flow of the game is very similar to that of every Mario game before or even after it. The alterations are shown in the form of new attacks and new techniques that you must learn in order to survive. You can shoot eggs, swallow enemies and you can even flutter. The main objective of the game is to get to the end of the levels without loosing Mario (who is laying on Yoshi's back). When you are attacked by an enemy, Mario is flung off Yoshi and into a bubble floating in the air. At this point you must do whatever you can to reach him and place him safely back on you before the time meter runs out and a horde of enemys take him away. If he is caught then you lose and you must start over. The bosses are huge and presented in a humorous way that will make the little kids giggle and the older audience spit in disgust. The game seems to be aimed at younger audiences but I still strongly suggest that anyone with any taste in video games, to try it. The game is quite long and will last a player for weeks. There are little side quests to take part in like collecting coins. Overall the gameplay is a factor that brings it one step closer to being a gem.

Graphics
The sound is another area of the game that doesnt slip below expectations. The music is bright and the tunes are chirpy. The sound effects have a goofy tone to them that makes the overall humor of the game show. Every aspect of the sound shown on the Super Nintendo survived the port to the Game Boy Advance. You will also notice that there are some familiar sounds that are also featured in Yoshi's Story.

Sound
The last aspect of the game is its multiplayer. It is as fun as always but I can not help but wish that Nintendo would freshen it up a little bit and create something new out of it. Overall this port of the Super Nintendo classic is a game that should not be missed by anyone. It is margninally, the better of the two ports seen on the Game Boy Advance and I hope its not the last Mario game we see on this system. We all know it wont be. Go buy it. Now! You will not regret it.