Played on SNES Released in 1995 by Nintendo Enjoy some complimentary music that I love from the game! The Land Before Time I find it undeniably true that life can be quite cruel and difficult to bear at...
Played on SNES
Released in 1995 by Nintendo
Enjoy some complimentary music that I love from the game!
The Land Before Time
I find it undeniably true that life can be quite cruel and difficult to bear at times. Everything from our daily hurdles that create oodles of stress to bigger events like a family member passing away, or trying to successfully complete a tough roadblock like an exam for class. So many things could attribute to the feeling of helplessness or just plain wear and tear on the mental facilities. The most efficient way I know of to combat this is to find sources of comfort that give you solace or support when you need it most. This could be your favorite dessert like Grandma’s apple pie, or possibly your friend Marcus who knows how to calm you down like none other. There are normally more outlets than one to do this, and every now and then, video games can produce this very feeling as well. For me, no game reaches the pinnacle service of making me feel at ease quite like Yoshi’s Island for the Super Nintendo.
Throughout my college years, I had a deep affliction of sadness bear down on me that I couldn’t quite figure out the causation of. I always thought I was a happy guy with little bearing heavily on my psyche, but I guess that was my own fault for not analyzing deeply enough. I would come home after class some afternoons and have zero motivation to do anything. It wasn’t from lack of sleep or because I didn’t want to excel in my studies. I literally just felt drained to the very soul of my being. Few things helped tapper off this regular beatdown on my life, and while I did discover some new things that brought me doses of much-needed support, my most common path was booting up my SNES and starting Yoshi’s Island again from the very start. Basking in the cheerful atmosphere, the whimsical music, and of course the adorable egg-producing dinosaur. The sheer joy of just the water-colored aesthetic mixed with the jovial soundtrack has always given me a place where I can feel like a happy kid again. I don’t use video games often for therapy, yet Yoshi was a pillar of consolation that I dearly cherished.
Dinosaur Island
Outside of being a calming coping device, you know what? Yoshi’s Island a pretty stellar game as well. With a similar level of quality of the mainline Mario titles, Yoshi’s Island differentiates itself by the use of non-linear level design that lends to clever environmental puzzles and unique obstacles to overcome. Instead of straightforward pathing that dictates you should go this way(usually to the right or up) Yoshi’s Island crafts complex levels with interweaved sections that feel far more robust and interesting than anything the series had seen yet. Yoshi is given a distinct set of skills such as a flutter jump, ground pound, eggs, and tongue that all provide multipurpose aid to your journey as your progress. Your tongue isn’t just for eating enemies for egg ammo. It can be used to push things in certain areas for clever navigation or to mitigate a problem before you. The eggs are the most versatile part of your arsenal bar none though. They are used for everything to dispatching enemies to unveiling secret pathways. Intelligent and resourceful use of your eggs can lead you to bountiful amounts of collectibles or shortcuts from otherwise perilous arenas. Yoshi’s Island gives the player a rough idea of where to go, but for those who thoroughly explore and use their brain to the maximum, rewards a plenty are provided.
I think this is one of the reasons I find this game so enjoyable. It’s a really nice mixture of classic platforming skills and small puzzling locks barring the way forward. Neither overstays their welcome before swapping to the other. The game ramps up in difficulty steadily as well so to keep players constantly engaged with skillful pride in taking down the toughest portions of the game. This is a type of design that just makes for a fun time throughout. Nothing ever feels dull because it regularly shifts what it asks from players, and it steadily keeps challenge up as your abilities naturally improve from the time invested during your playthrough. All the worlds have two massive bosses to create the allure of spectacle and wonder, and fully utilize the ideas of puzzle mechanics to make them stand out from one another. They aren’t just hit with your egg or jump-on-their-head encounters. Instead, they demand the player pay attention to their surroundings to see how to hit them properly for the kill. All of this culminates in one of my favorite final bosses in all of video games. A true epic close to a game filled with tremendously charming presentation and thoughtful level design.
The Lost World
When it comes down to it, I think Yoshi’s Island sort of just defines why I love video games in a sense. The best of both worlds are present for me. An emotional attachment that speaks to me on a personal level, and engaging gameplay that I never grow tired of. That type of partnership is peak gaming. If I had to toss a finger onto why the game ranks above so many other wonderful titles, I believe that would be the reason why. Normally, I get 1 of the 2 while respecting the other more and more in the games towards the top of this list. It’s rare though for something to just feel right in both aspects 100% of the time. I have zero issues with Yoshi’s Island as a game nor as an experience. I can find something to criticize using either emotional splendidness or some small gameplay fallacy, but not here. This is what I consider a holy grail of gaming in how it achieves the seemingly impossible. While, I’m certain someone would call out something on their own playthrough, it really doesn’t matter to me if they did. That’s the beauty of the artform media of gaming. What has chinks in the armor for one, is the perfect fit for another, and in this case that is Yoshi’s Island for me. The most charming and comforting game I’ve ever played, and one that will surely stick with me for the rest of my life. It’s irreplaceably mine in that regard, and I will covet it forevermore. Cheers to all of us gamers who hopefully have something that speaks to you on a similar level as Yoshi’s Island does for this one small gamer!
That’s number two finished!. Huge credit to my sister’s friend Jessie for producing the drawing used as the cover picture. It came out so absolutely adorable! Only one more to go, ladies and gents! Look out for it soon as we finally complete this epic journey!!
