The Game
The game, of course, is chess, played with two players who control armies of sixteen pieces each. Armies consist of eight pawns, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, one queen, and one king. Pieces move just as they do in regular chess games.
The Pieces
The main difference between Super Mario Chess and regular chess games is the shape of the pieces. Super Mario Chess offers thirteen different characters and thirty-two hand-painted figurines on a large, Mario Bros. themed playing board.
Each piece represents a different character playing on one of two teams.
Player 1
1. King: Mario
2. Queen: Luigi
3. Bishops: Princess Peach and Princess Daisy
4. Knights: Yoshi
5. Rooks: Toad
6: Pawns: Coins
Player 2
1. King: Bowser (Koopa)
2. Queen: Baby Bowser
3. Bishops: Magikoopa
4. Knights: Birdo
5. Rooks: Goomba
6. Pawns: Turtle Shells
Review
As an avid chess player and a fan of Super Mario Bros., I enjoy Super Mario Chess both as a collector’s item and a fun alternative to the traditional chess pieces. The pieces are greatly detailed, and the color schemes are accurate. Birdo even has a diamond ring on her left hand. Bowser weighs in as the largest piece, often taking up his own square and then some. He is definitely intimidating on the board. It is a little confusing since both princesses are bishops. Sometimes I feel inclined to use Peach as a queen instead. Luigi as a queen is hilarious, but understandable—he is Mario’s right-hand man through most of the Mario Bros. video games. Other than these few observations, I think characters were selected to represent the right pieces. Birdo and Yoshi as knights fit perfectly, as do Mario and Bowser as kings. Each piece stands on a round pedestal on which the name of the piece is written. For example, Toads and Goombas have the word “rook” written on their pedestal.
The pieces and board come in a large tin with a window that reveals Bowser, Mario, Yoshi, and Luigi when placed properly.
Overall, the entire game is a blast to play and a joy to look at. I definitely think it is an essential piece to any Mario or chess fan’s collection. I also highly recommend Super Mario Yahtzee! and Nintendo Monopoly. Both games look excellent, and the Yahtzee! game comes with Mario-oriented dice, representing Mario items instead of dots for numbers.
Price and Place
Super Mario Chess can run for almost $50. Some places online sell it for less (around $35). Barnes and Noble carries the game along with Super Mario Yahtzee! and Nintendo Monopoly and a slew of Super Mario figurines.
The game is well worth the money.
Glen Miller - I am currently a junior studying writing and legal studies at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Indiana. I am due to graduate in ...
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