It's-a Mario World: Yoshi Spinoffs

by Kenneth Caldwell { Nov 7th 2008 at 10:05PM }

Remember last night when we broke into spontaneous discussion about Yoshi during our weekly Game Night assembly? Oh, that's right, you weren't there for some lame reason, opting instead to race computer-controlled players in a sad, lonely session of Mario Kart's single player Grand Prix. For shame. Just know that you missed a hell of a time, and although Yoshi was only mentioned in passing (i.e. the word "Yoshi" was typed once or twice), you still should have been there to see it happen. Maybe next Thursday, then?

But isn't it high time we payed tribute to Mario's egg-dispensing, always-hungry dinosaur steed? Yoshi has been around since the prevalence of big, bulky cartridges, and while he has not always played a large role in Mario's adventures, his lovable character has spawned a handful of spinoff titles that exist almost entirely without Mario's help (well, sort of--only one of the Yoshi games have "Mario" in the title). Our new gallery spotlights Yoshi then & now, detailing all of his starring roles in between. Now saddle up, unfurl your tongue and gobble down everything in sight.

It's-a Mario World is a weekly feature in which the ubiquity of Nintendo's flagship character is celebrated. Check back here every Friday to find out what strange and wonderful thing has got us tipping our caps. For additional Mario jollies, sing along here or express your U.S. nationalism by experiencing this strange flash game which finds president-elect Barack Obama and Super Mario World inextricably combined. Wow.

Tags: its-a-mario-world, joystiqfeatures, mario-brothers, super-mario-bros, yoshi, yoshis-cookie, yoshis-island

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Gun Barrier @ Nov 7th 2008 11:01PM

Yoshi's first appearance was epic.

TheOverlord#2 @ Nov 7th 2008 11:06PM

;)

TheOverlord#2 @ Nov 7th 2008 11:22PM

What do you mean we talked about Yoshi during Game Night? xP

Mr Khan @ Nov 7th 2008 11:14PM

Yoshi's Story was halfway decent?

Try "extremely awesome"

TheOverlord#2 @ Nov 7th 2008 11:27PM

I remember having fun with it after I rented it from Blockbuster. I might get it if I had extra cash and after the solution comes.
(Also, anyone else remember the Pokemon Snap Blockbuster stickers?)

rengifo @ Nov 8th 2008 12:20AM

you guys forgot Tetris Attack for the snes.

Metayoshi @ Nov 8th 2008 3:57AM

They definitely forgot Tetris Attack.

It may be Panel de Pon with a Yoshi flavor to it, but it was one of the best Super Nintendo games in existence, and one of Yoshi's best starring roles! I still play it in its most recent DS form: Planet Puzzle League, but Tetris Attack will always be one of my favorite games.

Kenneth Caldwell @ Nov 8th 2008 2:02PM

Tetris Attack more closely belongs to the Puzzle League series of games, adopting Yoshi imagery in the same way Tetris DS or Smash Bros. adopts content from other games. But I think you're right: At what point does Tetris Attack's borrowed Yoshi themes actually make it a "Yoshi game"?