I’ll never forget those summers in the 90s. A child in the early years of life, I’d wake up as soon as the summer light streamed through my windows, sneaking downstairs to turn on my Super Nintendo and play some Super Mario World. I’d been a Nintendo kid since the beginning, but the SNES launch title rocked my world. Super Mario World delighted at every turn: hidden levels, secret bonus areas, dinosaurs to rescue—and Mario had a cape! I’d play for hours, beginning and ending my day with the Italian plumber, taking afternoons to enjoy the summer air and imagining my own Mario courses outdoors.

The game was a masterpiece and set the tone for what was possible for the SNES. And of course, its Star World and Special World provided endless replay value. I’ll never forget that moment when I manage to conquer the Special World, only to…