BS Super Mario USA Power Challenge

BS Super Mario USA Power Challenge (ＢＳスーパーマリオＵＳＡ パワーチャレンジ) is an ura- or gaiden-version of Super Mario Bros. 2 for the Satellaview system featuring graphical enhancements similar to its Super Mario All-Stars version. It was released in March–April 1996 by Nintendo in collaboration with the St.GIGA satellite radio station. Like all Satellaview titles it was released episodically in a number of weekly volumes. The game made use of "SoundLink" narration (radio drama-style streaming voice data intended to guide players through the game and give helpful hints and advice) and broadcast CD-quality music. Due to the nature of SoundLink broadcasts these games were only broadcast to players between 6:00 and 7:00PM on broadcast dates, at which times players could download the game from the Events Plaza on the BS-X application cartridge.^[1] A single rerun of the broadcasts was conducted in the same weekly format from June 3, 1996 to June 29, 1996 at 5:00 to 6:00PM. The BS-X download location for the rerun changed to Bagupotamia Temple.^[1]

While the underlying gameplay itself is largely similar, new and arranged content has been added. For instance, the BS version newly featured a score counter. Furthermore, at the beginning of the game Mario is the only playable character. Later in the game, time-dependent events occur triggering, among other things, the possibility of using other characters. Another feature unique to the game is the inclusion of gold Mario statues (ten in total for each chapter) that are hidden in various locations (including Sub-Space). Collection of the statues in-game grants the player an extra life and refills the life meter. After clearing a level, the player could press "Select" to see some statistics such as the number of statues, coins, cherries, and mushrooms collected, as well as display which bosses had been defeated.

As a 4-volume broadcast, each week bore a different subtitle. The names of the volumes were:

• "I, Super Birdo" (「あたしたち、スーパーキャサリンズ」, "Atashitachi, Supa Kyasarinzu")^[2]
• "Tryclyde's Secret Quicksand Surprise" (「ガブチョもびっくり流砂の秘密」, "Gabucho Mobikkuri Ryuusa no Himitsu")^[2]
• "Fryguy on Pack Ice" (「氷の海でヒーボーボー」, Koori no Umi de Hibobo)^[2]
• "Wart's Trap, Look Out Mario Brothers" (「マムーの罠，危うしマリオブラザーズ」, Mamu no Wana, Abunau Ahi Mario Burazazu)^[2]

BS Super Mario USA Power Challenge was never released outside Japan and as with all other Satellaview titles it has never been re-released as a stand-alone title. The game exists today solely in ROM-format and is traded online by Satellaview emulation enthusiasts.^[1]

References