So, you’re looking at that red box on your shelf—or maybe browsing eBay at 2 AM—and wondering if the Super Mario Collection Wii was actually a good deal or just a lazy cash grab by Nintendo. Honestly, the answer depends entirely on whether you value history or "bang for your buck."
Released back in 2010 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros., this package is technically titled Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary Edition in the West. But let’s be real: most of us just call it the Super Mario Collection Wii. It’s a fascinating, frustrating piece of gaming history. It isn't a remaster. It isn't a remake. It’s a straight port of a Super Nintendo game from 1993, burned onto a Wii disc.
At the time, critics absolutely hammered it. Why? Because the Nintendo Wii already had the Virtual Console. You could buy these games individually for a few bucks. Yet, here was Nintendo, charging $30 for a physical disc of games many people already owned. But looking back from 2026, the perspective has shifted. Physical media is dying, and this weird red box has become a cornerstone for collectors who want their Mario history in a tangible format.
What You Actually Get Inside the Box
If you tear off the plastic (which, if it’s still sealed, please don't—it's worth a fortune now), you find more than just a disc. Nintendo tried to sweeten the pot with some physical goodies.
There is a soundtrack CD. It’s okay. It features tracks from the original NES game all the way up to Super Mario Galaxy 2. It’s a nice nostalgia trip, but it’s only about 25 minutes long. Then there’s the "History Booklet." This is the real star for nerds like me. It contains rare design sketches and comments from Shigeru Miyamoto, Takashi Tezuka, and Koji Kondo. Seeing the original hand-drawn levels for the NES games is a reminder that these masterpieces started with graph paper and colored pencils, not complex engines.
The disc itself contains four games:
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 2 (the US version with Birdo and Shyguy)
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (the "real" Japanese sequel)
These aren't the 8-bit NES versions. They are the 16-bit "All-Stars" versions. This means updated sprites, parallax scrolling backgrounds, and saved game slots. For many, this is the definitive way to play these titles, though purists sometimes argue the physics in the All-Stars version of Super Mario Bros. are slightly "off" compared to the NES original—specifically regarding how Mario hits blocks from below.
The Emulation Debate: Is It Actually "Good"?
Here is the thing. The Super Mario Collection Wii isn't running native code. The Wii is essentially acting as a Super Nintendo emulator.
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Back in 2010, some technical enthusiasts pointed out that the game runs in 480i or 480p, which is standard for the Wii, but it doesn't offer the crispness you might get from a modern FPGA console like the Analogue Super Nt. If you're playing on a modern 4K OLED, it might look a little soft. That’s just the nature of the beast. However, if you hook your Wii up to an old-school CRT television using component cables, the colors pop in a way that’s hard to replicate on a PC emulator. It feels right.
Wait, there’s a catch.
The game supports the Wii Remote (held sideways), the Classic Controller, and the GameCube controller. But using the Wii Remote sideways feels cramped for these specific games. I always recommend digging out an old GameCube controller. The analog stick works fine, but the D-pad is a bit small. If you can find a Classic Controller Pro, that’s the "Pro" move for Super Mario Bros. 3 speedruns.
Why This Version Became a Cult Favorite
Nintendo has a habit of making things "Limited Edition" and then actually stopping production. They did it with Super Mario 3D All-Stars on the Switch, and they did it here.
Once the initial run of the Super Mario Collection Wii sold out, prices spiked. It became a badge of honor for Nintendo fans. It represents a specific era where Nintendo was starting to lean into its legacy. They realized that people didn't just want to play the games; they wanted to own the history.
Interestingly, this wasn't the first time Japan saw this. In Japan, the "Super Mario Collection" name has been used since the SNES days. The Wii version was just a port of that legacy. In the West, we were a bit more skeptical. We wanted Super Mario World included too. But for some reason, Nintendo opted for the four-game version of the All-Stars pack, leaving World for the Virtual Console. It's a weird omission that still bugs people today.
Misconceptions About the 25th Anniversary Edition
A lot of people think this disc includes Super Mario World. It doesn't.
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On the SNES, there was a later version of Super Mario All-Stars that included Super Mario World on the same cartridge. For the Wii release, Nintendo used the original 1993 ROM. This means you’re missing out on the 16-bit version of Mario's dinosaur-riding adventure.
Another misconception is that the games are remastered for widescreen. They aren't. They run in the original 4:3 aspect ratio. If you stretch them to 16:9 on your TV, Mario looks like he’s put on some serious holiday weight. Keep your TV settings on "Original" or "4:3" to keep the pixels square.
Comparing the Wii Version to the Switch Version
If you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you can play Super Mario All-Stars right now for "free." So, why would anyone hunt down the Super Mario Collection Wii in 2026?
It comes down to latency and ownership.
Bluetooth controllers on modern consoles have a tiny bit of input lag. Most people don't notice it. But if you’ve played Super Mario Bros. 3 for thirty years, you feel it. The Wii, especially when using a wired GameCube controller, feels slightly more responsive. Plus, you don't need a subscription to play it. You own the disc. When the Switch servers eventually go dark, the physical Wii disc will still boot up as long as you have a working console.
The Collector’s Market Reality
If you’re looking to buy this today, look for the "Big Box" version.
There are two versions out there. One is just the standard white Wii case (this was a later "Nintendo Selects" re-release). The other is the 25th Anniversary red box that includes the book and the CD. The red box is the one collectors want. Check the corners of the outer sleeve; they are notorious for fraying.
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Also, watch out for "repro" (reproduction) discs. While not as common for the Wii as they are for the GBA or SNES, they do exist. A real disc will have the correct Nintendo copyright text around the inner ring of the data side.
How to Get the Best Experience
If you just bought a copy, don't just plug and play.
- Get Component Cables: If you’re using the standard yellow RCA cables, the games will look blurry. Get a cheap set of Wii Component cables (five plugs) or a high-quality HDMI adapter like the Wii Dual or the Wii2HDMI.
- Use the Right Controller: Avoid the sideways Wii Remote. It’s okay for five minutes, but your hands will cramp. Use a Classic Controller.
- Read the Book First: Seriously, it sets the mood. It reminds you that these games changed the world.
- Check the Soundtrack: Put the CD in a real CD player if you still have one. The audio quality is better than a compressed YouTube rip.
Actionable Steps for Gamers and Collectors
If you're sitting on a copy of Super Mario Collection Wii, keep it. The value of physical Nintendo software rarely goes down over the long term, especially anniversary releases. If you are looking to play these games for the first time, the Nintendo Switch Online version is the most cost-effective way to do it. However, if you are building a "definitive" Nintendo library, the Wii version is a must-have purely for the historical context of the booklet.
Verify the contents before you buy. Many eBay sellers list the "Collection" but are missing the soundtrack or the history book. The value is largely in the packaging. If the outer red cardboard box is missing, you’re just buying a $10 disc in a red case.
For those who want to play on a modern TV without the hassle, look into the RetroTINK 5X or 4K. These upscalers take the 480p signal from the Wii and make it look like a high-definition dream. It’s the closest you’ll get to playing a "HD Remaster" of these 16-bit classics.
Ultimately, this collection is a time capsule. It’s a 2010 celebration of a 1993 remake of 1985 masterpieces. It’s layers of nostalgia piled on top of each other. It’s not the most efficient way to play Mario, but it’s certainly one of the most charming.