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Super Mario World

Review · Arcade · SNES

Super Mario World

Reviewed: 02 May 2026

SNES

Nintendo · 1990

Ludograph rating

C

Mixed

53 /100

Automated review

Super Mario World is a classic platformer that fosters spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor skills through engaging challenges.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 38 · R 15
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

38

Risk (RIS)

15

Daily limit

120min

Age guidance

7+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.48
B2Social-emotional
0.07
B3Motor
0.75

Super Mario World offers strong cognitive benefits through its platforming challenges, requiring spatial awareness, strategic thinking, and problem-solving to navigate levels and overcome obstacles. The game also provides excellent motor skill development with precise hand-eye coordination and reaction time. Its clear level structure allows for natural stopping points, making it easy to manage play sessions.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.03
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

The game presents minimal risks. There is no monetization, social interaction, or exploitative compulsion-loop mechanics. The content is mild, with cartoon violence typical of the Mario series.

Content (not in risk score)

R4.1Violence Level
0.33
R4.2Sexual Content
0.00
R4.3Language
0.00
R4.4Substance References
0.00
R4.5Fear / Horror
0.00

Content risk is displayed separately and does not affect the time recommendation.

Regulatory design checks · DSA — Assessed: meets criteria·GDPR-K — Assessed: meets criteria·ODDS — Assessed: meets criteria

  • DSA:What Ludograph checks: whether the game's design gives minors the transparency the EU Digital Services Act expects: plain terms, honest defaults, and clear reporting routes.: Estimated from review data. No dark pattern or child-targeting concerns found.
  • GDPR-K:What Ludograph checks: whether age assurance and consent flows are designed for under-16s, in the spirit of GDPR Article 8.: Estimated from review data. No privacy or child-targeting concerns found.
  • ODDS:What Ludograph checks: whether paid random-reward drop rates are disclosed, as required in China, Japan and South Korea.: Estimated from review data. No paid random-reward mechanics found, so drop-rate disclosure requirements do not apply.

These reflect Ludograph's assessment of the game's design practices against each framework's criteria, not a legal compliance determination.

Avg playtime~6 hReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Super Mario World safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Super Mario World a rating of 53/100, recommended for ages 7 and up. It delivers genuine benefits but carries design risks that deserve a close look.

What age is Super Mario World appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 7+ for Super Mario World, based on benefits, risks, and content review. That is stricter than ESRB E, because our assessment weighs behavioral design risks, not just content.

How long should kids play Super Mario World?

Our session recommendation for Super Mario World is up to 120 minutes per day. It is derived from the game's own structure (natural stopping points, compulsion-loop design, monetization pressure, and social dynamics), not from a universal screen-time dose.

Session recommendations are design-based heuristics. Evidence linking specific daily durations to child outcomes is limited, and context matters as much as time; treat this as a starting point for household rules, not a clinical threshold.

What are the main risks of Super Mario World?

The game presents minimal risks. There is no monetization, social interaction, or exploitative compulsion-loop mechanics. The content is mild, with cartoon violence typical of the Mario series.