Ep 4. Ghosts R Us & Totally Tetrisized

Super Mario World season 1 episode 4 comprises two distinct stories titled Ghosts R Us and Totally Tetrisized. In the first story, Mario, Luigi, and Princess Toadstool are stranded in a frightening and eerie haunted house and must find their way out by overcoming their fears. The second story features Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi as they are transported into a game of Tetris and must use their platforming skills to stay alive.

The episode begins with Mario, Luigi, and Princess Toadstool flying in their balloon over a spooky forest, searching for Yoshi. However, a sudden storm causes their balloon to crash, and they find themselves in front of a creepy haunted house. Upon exploring, the trio discovers that the house is being controlled by King Koopa, who has managed to make the ghosts become his loyal minions. They must overcome their fears and find a way out before the ghosts capture them.

In the second story, Yoshi is playing a video game called "Totally Tetrisized" when he suddenly gets sucked into the game itself. Mario and Luigi, hearing Yoshi's cries for help, jump into the console, and they emerge into a world that is complete with falling blocks and dangerous obstacles. In order to survive, they must work their way through the Tetris levels by jumping and dodging falling blocks while avoiding the dangerous enemies.

Throughout both stories, Mario, Luigi, and Princess Toadstool rely on their bravery and quick thinking to overcome the challenges thrown their way. Yoshi's cleverness and resourcefulness also prove to be invaluable in the second story, helping the team navigate through the Tetris levels.

The first story, Ghosts R Us, follows the typical formula of a haunted house storyline, taking several twists and turns before reaching its conclusion. While there are plenty of spooky moments and ghostly encounters, the focus is firmly on the characters and their reactions to the frightening situations. The story is a showcase for the relationships between the characters, and the bonds they share. As always, Mario and Luigi's bickering provides some light-hearted moments to the otherwise tension-filled story.

The second story, Totally Tetrisized, provides a welcome change of pace from the haunted house story. The video game premise creates a fun sense of novelty, and the creative use of the Tetris mechanics in a platforming game sets it apart from the typical Mario levels. The visuals are bright and colorful, with some unexpected surprises in the form of block formations that defy logic and physics.

As always, the animation in Super Mario World is fun and colorful, with the characters designed to embody their personalities. The ghostly characters in the first story are delightfully spooky and imaginative, while the Tetris world in the second story is bright and vibrant. While the animation may not be as polished as later animated shows, it still manages to capture the essence of the Mario franchise.

Overall, Super Mario World season 1 episode 4 is a fun and entertaining episode that provides a solid blend of spooky tension and video game hijinks. With a focus on character relationships and creative level design, Ghosts R Us and Totally Tetrisized prove to be two entertaining stories that will satisfy both fans of the Mario franchise and casual viewers alike.