Super Mario Bros. Deluxe

Development and release

Development was led by Nintendo director Toshiaki Suzuki in the Nintendo Research & Development 2 team, a small group focused on hardware peripherals and software. This was Suzuki's directorial debut; his team was assigned to recreate Super Mario Bros. and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening for the Game Boy Color with added features. They worked closely with Shigeru Miyamoto and Toshihiko Nakago, the original game's designer and programmer. Suzuki noted little pressure during development, believing the game would be enjoyable and sell well.

A one-level prototype was demonstrated before the Game Boy Color's commercial release. Deluxe was the first full-color Mario title on a handheld. It was released in North America on May 10, 1999, and in the United Kingdom in December 1999. In Japan, it was not commercially released but was distributed from March 1, 2000, via Nintendo Power kiosks in Lawson stores for copying onto memory cartridges.

Reception

Deluxe sold 2.8 million units in the United States. According to NPD sales charts, it ranked as the twelfth top-selling video game on all platforms in the United States in 1999 and the fourteenth best-selling game in 2000. It peaked at third place in weekly handheld sales charts in June 1999 and remained in overall weekly sales charts into 2001. The game received critical acclaim, with an average score of 92% on GameRankings.

Critics praised the additional modes and features. Cameron Davis of GameSpot called it the killer app for the Game Boy Color, noting Nintendo had provided rewards and diversions. Electronic Gaming Monthly found the additions added challenge and replay value, especially the two-player mode. Craig Harris of IGN praised the save feature, unlockable items, and versus mode, calling it a cool use of the engine.

Martin Kitts of Planet Game Boy described it as packed with features and arguably the most complete Game Boy title. Many critics also praised the inclusion of The Lost Levels. Reviewers commended the faithfulness of the port. Colin Williamson of Allgame called it a dead-on carbon copy of the graphics and music, highlighting the bright display.

Craig Harris considered it pixel-perfect and a perfect translation, anticipating a revolution of NES ports on handheld. Computer and Video Games noted it played wonderfully unchanged. Cameron Davis described it as a still perfect version preserving every secret, bonus, bug, and warp. Nintendo Life remarked that colors appeared even more vibrant on the Game Boy Color.