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Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

Review · Platformer · SNES

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island

Reviewed: 13 May 2026

SNES

Nintendo · 1995

Ludograph rating

C

Mixed

56 /100

Automated review

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island is a classic platformer that builds problem solving and spatial awareness through engaging puzzles and challenges.

06010030Benefit →Low risk →B 42 · R 17
The Ludograph reading, plotted from the published benefit and risk sub-scores.

Growth (BDS)

42

Risk (RIS)

17

Daily limit

90min

Age guidance

7+

Developmental benefits

B1Cognitive
0.64
B2Social-emotional
0.07
B3Motor
0.75

Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island is a classic platformer that offers significant cognitive benefits through its engaging puzzles, spatial challenges, and adaptive gameplay. Players will develop problem-solving skills, enhance hand-eye coordination, and improve reaction time as they navigate its vibrant worlds. The game's unique mechanics, like transforming Yoshi into vehicles and using enemies as eggs, foster creativity and strategic thinking.

Design risks

R1Compulsion-loop pressure
0.10
R2Monetization
0.00
R3Social risk
0.00

As an older, single-player game, Yoshi's Island presents minimal risks. It lacks modern manipulative design mechanics, monetization pressures, or social risks. The content features mild cartoon violence, but no sexual content, strong language, or substance references. The primary risk is limited social-emotional development due to its solo nature.

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.

ReviewedMay 2026Report a data error →How scores are calculated →

Parents ask…

Is Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island safe for kids?

Ludograph gives Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island a rating of 56/100, 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 2: Yoshi's Island appropriate for?

Ludograph's rubric recommends a minimum age of 7+ for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, 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 2: Yoshi's Island?

Our session recommendation for Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island is up to 90 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 2: Yoshi's Island?

As an older, single-player game, Yoshi's Island presents minimal risks. It lacks modern manipulative design mechanics, monetization pressures, or social risks. The content features mild cartoon violence, but no sexual content, strong language, or substance references. The primary risk is limited social-emotional development due to its solo nature.