Reissue

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A reissue is a newer version of a previously released video game, often on a different console. There are five main categories of reissues: remakes, ports, enhanced ports, re-releases, and retools.

Remakes

A remake is a re-released game often built from scratch usually long after the original game, on a new system, with updated graphics to fit with the new engine capacities, and additions brought to plot and gameplay (all these conditions may not be met in every case). They generally have a slightly different name.

Ports

A port is a game released and running natively on a different platform than the original game, with some minor changes such as new controls or new graphics to fit the new system. Compilations are considered as ports since they are globally compilations of ports. Usually, they are very close to the original game and share the same name, but downgrades may be applied to make the game work within the limitations of the console. A game released on the NES after its original release on Famicom is not a port, since the two consoles are considered identical.

Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong (1981) is an arcade game later ported to the NES in 1983, the Disk System in 1988, and the Game Boy Advance in 2004. These ports downgrade the game to fit the capabilities of each of the consoles, such as graphical quality and removal of stages.

Mario Bros.

Mario Bros. (Arcade, 1983) has been ported to:

the Atari 2600, the Atari 5200 and the NES in 1983;
the Apple II (unreleased), the Commodore 64 (unreleased), the Atari 8-bit computers (unreleased), and the PC-8001 in 1984;
the Amstrad CPC, the ZX Spectrum, and the Commodore 64 in 1987
the Atari 7200 and the Atari 8-bit computers in 1988;
the e-Reader in 2002, as Mario Bros.-e;

An altered port of the game is included in Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988) as a two-player minigame, and in Super Mario 3D World (Wii U, 2013) as Luigi Bros. An enhanced version is in the four Super Mario Advance games (GBA, 2001 to 2003), and in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (GBA, 2003).

Dr. Mario

Dr. Mario (1990) is a NES game later ported to the Game Boy in the same year and the Game Boy Advance in 2004. The Game Boy version redesigns all of the sprites to work better on its smaller monochrome screen, but is otherwise identical to the original. The Game Boy Advance version, however, is closer to the original NES game.

Mario Teaches Typing

Mario Teaches Typing (1992) is an MS-DOS game later ported to Microsoft Windows in 1994 and Mac OS in 1995.

Mario is Missing!

Mario is Missing! (1992) is an MS-DOS game later ported to the NES and the SNES in 1993. These ports downgrade the game to fit the capabilities of each of the consoles, such as graphical quality and removal and addition of locations and features.

Mario's Time Machine

Mario's Time Machine (1993) is an MS-DOS game later ported to the NES in that same year and the SNES in 1996. These ports downgrade the game to fit the capabilities of each of the consoles, such as graphical quality and removal and addition of locations and features.

Mario's FUNdamentals

Mario's FUNdamentals (Windows and Macintosh, 1998) is a port of Mario's Game Gallery (MS-DOS, 1995). Other than the changes made for the program to natively work in these operating systems, the only differences are the name and the cover.

Wario Land II

Wario Land II (GB, 1998) was ported to the Game Boy Color a while after the release of the Game Boy version.

Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong

Donkey Kong GB: Dinky Kong & Dixie Kong (GBC, 2000) is a Japan-exclusive port of Donkey Kong Land III (GB, 1997).

Enhanced ports

An enhanced port is a game released on a later platform than the original game, bringing more changes than a standard port, but is not built from scratch. Such ports may omit features from the original game as a result of hardware limitations.

VS. Super Mario Bros.

VS. Super Mario Bros. (Arcade, 1986) is an enhanced port of Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1985).

Super Mario All-Stars

Super Mario All-Stars (SNES, 1993) is a compilation of enhanced ports of Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1985) Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (Disk System, 1986), Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES, 1988), and Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988), each with updated graphics.

Super Mario Advance

Super Mario Advance (GBA, 2001) is a compilation of enhanced ports of Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES, 1988) and Mario Bros. (Arcade, 1983).

Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2

Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (GBA, 2001) contains an enhanced port of Super Mario World (SNES, 1990).

Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3

Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 (GBA, 2002) contains an enhanced port of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island (SNES, 1995).

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3

Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (GBA, 2003) contains an enhanced port of Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988). Using the e-Reader accessory and compatible cards with the game allows the player to access over 30 new levels.

New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis

New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis (Wii, 2009) is an enhanced port of Mario Power Tennis (GCN, 2004).

New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat

New Play Control! Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (Wii, 2008) is an enhanced port of Donkey Kong Jungle Beat (GCN, 2004).

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D

Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D (3DS, 2013) is an enhanced port^[1] of Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii, 2010), featuring an easier "New Mode" as well as an additional world with eight new levels, Cloud. Due to hardware limitations, the game lacks a multiplayer mode and now runs at 30 frames per second.

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS

Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS (3DS, 2016) is an enhanced port of Super Mario Maker (Wii U, 2015) that adds new features such as the Super Mario Challenge alongside 100 new courses designed by Nintendo, but also omits other features due to hardware limitations such as the original game's sample courses and the Mystery Mushroom power-up.

Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World

Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World (3DS, 2017) is an enhanced port of Yoshi's Woolly World (Wii U, 2015). It features a new mode called Poochy Dash and over 30 new amiibo patterns for Yarn Yoshi. However, due to hardware limitations, it also excludes features from the original game such as multiplayer mode and the free-roaming overworld map.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Switch, 2017) is an enhanced port of Mario Kart 8 (Wii U, 2014), which includes all DLC and updates from the previous Wii U release and features gameplay changes, more playable characters, additional vehicles, expanded amiibo support, and an overhauled Battle Mode with four additional types and eight different battle courses. The game would also receive additional DLC in the form of the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass, which includes new courses, characters and Mii Racing Suits from Mario Kart Tour.

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze

Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Switch, 2018) is an enhanced port of Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze (Wii U, 2014), featuring an easier Funky Mode with Funky Kong as an additional playable character.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Switch and 3DS, 2018) is an enhanced port of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (Wii U, 2014), featuring bonus levels inspired by the kingdoms from Super Mario Odyssey, which replace the Super Mario 3D World levels from the Wii U version. The Switch version also later added additional DLC with five new levels.

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (Switch, 2019) is an enhanced port of both New Super Mario Bros. U (Wii U, 2012) and New Super Luigi U (Wii U, 2013), featuring Toadette as a playable character (replacing Blue Toad), who can transform into a completely different form called Peachette. As the Nintendo Switch lacks a second screen controller, this port omits the Boost Mode and the respective challenges from Challenge Mode.

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury

Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury (Switch, 2021) contains an enhanced port of Super Mario 3D World (Wii U, 2013), featuring the new standalone free-roaming adventure Bowser's Fury, and full online and local wireless play for 3D World. All characters in the Switch version of the game can move and sprint faster, as well as climb higher in Cat form.

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD

Luigi's Mansion 2 HD (Switch, 2024) is a visually enhanced version of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon (3DS, 2013).

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD (Switch, 2025) is an enhanced version of Donkey Kong Country Returns (Wii, 2010). The additional world with eight new levels, Cloud, is included from Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D.

Re-releases

A re-release is the original game released on a different platform, but running under emulation. As a result, the games behave almost exactly like they do on original hardware, and do not include any major content changes or additions. Features extrinsic to the game may be added to enhance the release, such as save states, game soundtracks, or online multiplayer features.

Classic NES Series

The Classic NES Series (known as NES Classics in Europe and Famicom Mini in Japan) is a series of reissues of NES games released on the Game Boy Advance, running under emulation. Super Mario franchise games ported include Super Mario Bros., Dr. Mario, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros. 2, Mario Bros., and Wrecking Crew.

Virtual Console

Main article: Virtual Console

Every Super Mario game (not counting the WiiWare games) released on the Virtual Console are re-releases of the original game, running under emulation. The complete list of titles can be found here. Nintendo tried to keep the releases close to the original games, but sometimes the games have been edited. The complete list of changes can be found here.

Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition

Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition (Wii, 2010) is a re-release of Super Mario All-Stars (SNES, 1993), running under emulation.

Arcade Archives

Main article: Arcade Archives

Every Super Mario game released on Arcade Archives are re-releases of the original arcade games, running under emulation. The complete list of titles can be found here.

Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online

Main article: Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online (Switch, 2018) contains re-releases of various Super Mario games, running under emulation. Up to 2 players can play supported games offline or online.

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online

Main article: Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online

Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Switch Online (Switch, 2019) contains re-releases of various Super Mario games, running under emulation. Up to 2 players can play supported games offline or online.

Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online

Main article: Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Switch Online (Switch, 2021) contains re-releases of various Super Mario games, running under emulation. The games have been scaled to HD resolutions, and up to 4 players can play supported games offline or online.

Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Super Mario 3D All-Stars (Switch, 2020) is a compilation of Super Mario 64 (N64, 1996), Super Mario Sunshine (GCN, 2002), and Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007). Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Sunshine are fully emulated versions of the original games, whilst Super Mario Galaxy is partially emulated. Other than reworking some assets to work with the Nintendo Switch and increasing graphical resolution, there are little differences between this compilation and the original games.

Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.

Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. (Game & Watch, 2020) contains emulated versions of Super Mario Bros. (NES, 1996) and Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (Famicom, 1986).

Game Boy - Nintendo Switch Online

Main article: Game Boy - Nintendo Switch Online

Game Boy - Nintendo Switch Online (Switch, 2023) contains re-releases of various Super Mario games, running under emulation. Up to 4 players can play supported games through local wireless or online play, emulating the Game Boy Link cable feature found on original hardware. The Mario Tennis and Mario Golf re-releases have the Transfer Pak content unlocked from the start.

Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Switch Online

Main article: Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Switch Online

Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Switch Online (Switch, 2023) contains re-releases of various Super Mario games for the Nintendo Switch, running under emulation. Up to 4 players can play supported games through local wireless or online play, emulating the GBA Link cable feature found on original hardware.

Retools

A retool, also called a sprite-swapped game, is a game made after applying a graphical overhaul on a previously released game, with or without minor gameplay differences as well. It is generally released on the same platform as the original game.

All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros.

All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros. (Disk System, 1986) is a Japan-only retool of Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (Disk System, 1986) that overhauls many of the sprites of the game to resemble Japanese celebrities and logos of Japanese radio stations. Most of the levels are adapted from Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. 2

Super Mario Bros. 2 (NES, 1988) is a retool of Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic (Disk System, 1987) that replaces the Fuji TV mascots featured in the game with Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad, as well as replacing other sprites and retooling the mechanices to cater to a Western audience.

Tetris Attack

Tetris Attack (SNES, 1996) is a retool of Panel de Pon (Super Famicom, 1995) that replaces the characters, including the main character Lip, with Yoshi characters and enemies for the Western release. Aside from the graphical retool, the game plays almost exactly like its Japanese counterpart.

Others

Nintendo PlayChoice-10

The Nintendo PlayChoice-10 is an arcade machine consisting of ten NES games, seven of which were from the Super Mario franchise: Dr. Mario, Golf, Mario Bros., Mario Open Golf, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3.

Nintendo Power service

The Nintendo Power service was a service released only in Japan that ran from 1997 to 2007, which allowed players to download specific Super Famicom games to a special cartridge. At a later date, Game Boy games became available. A total of twenty-nine games from the Super Mario franchise were released for the service, some of which included Super Mario World, Super Mario All-Stars, Super Mario Land, and Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Masterpieces

The Super Smash Bros. Brawl Masterpieces mode is a mode where the player can play restricted demo versions of fourteen Nintendo games, running under emulation. Four of which are from the Super Mario franchise: Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, Super Mario World, and Super Mario Bros. 2.

Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Masterpieces

Like the Brawl mode of the same name, the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U Masterpieces mode is a mode where the player can play restricted demo versions of twenty-four Nintendo games, running under emulation. Seven of these games are from the Super Mario franchise: Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, Dr. Mario, and Yoshi.

Dr. Wario

Dr. Wario is a WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! microgame based on Dr. Mario.

Fly Swatter

Fly Swatter is a WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! microgame based on Gnat Attack, a minigame included in Mario Paint.

Sheriff

Sheriff is a WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! microgame based on Sheriff.

Bird & Beans

Bird & Beans is a remake of the WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! minigames Pyoro and Pyoro 2, released on DSiWare.

Paper Airplane Chase

Paper Airplane Chase is a remake of the WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$! minigame Paper Plane, released on DSiWare.

Yoshi no Cookie: Kuruppon Oven de Cookie

Yoshi no Cookie: Kuruppon Oven de Cookie is a Japan-exclusive reissue of Yoshi Cookie. In this version, an additional mode includes Yoshi navigating the island.

Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium

Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium (Satellaview,1997) is a reissue of Excitebike, released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, with updated graphics and Mario characters instead of the generic racers found in the original.

Wi-Fi Taiō Yakuman DS

Wi-Fi Taiō Yakuman DS is a re-release of Yakuman DS which features a new online mode.

References

^ East, Thomas (April 30, 2013). Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D interview - Retro are impressed with the remake. The Official Nintendo Magazine UK. Retrieved September 11, 2023. (Archived May 4, 2013 via Wayback Machine.)

[1] East, Thomas (April 30, 2013). Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D interview - Retro are impressed with the remake. The Official Nintendo Magazine UK. Retrieved September 11, 2023. (Archived May 4, 2013 via Wayback Machine.)

[1]