Super Mario World Classic
Super Nintendo · Platformer
Smart Ball
Deep cut
| System | Super Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Released | 1991 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Game Freak |
| Publisher | Sony Imagesoft |
| Players | 1 player |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Legacy | Deep cut · legacy score 4 |
Developed by Game Freak and published by Sony Imagesoft, Smart Ball arrived on the Super Nintendo in 1991 as a platformer.
It belongs to the SNES's earliest wave of games. Other notable SNES releases from 1991 include Final Fantasy IV, Lemmings and SimEarth.
Game Freak also made Nontan to Issho: KuruKuru Puzzle for the SNES.
Smart Ball is a single-player game, so it's one to enjoy at your own pace.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you've played the SNES hits and want something less obvious
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
- you are looking for something to play with friends
What playing Smart Ball is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Smart Ball cheats & codes
29 codes on file (Game Genie, Pro Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Start With 1 Life Instead Of 3 | DF6D-676D |
|---|---|
| Start With 5 Lives | D96D-676D |
| Start With 10 Lives | DC6D-676D |
| Start With 25 Lives | FB6D-676D |
| Start With 50 Lives | 746D-676D |
| Start With 99 Lives | 176D-676D |
Smart Ball walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Smart Ball.
If you like Smart Ball, the Matrix also picks…
Donkey Kong Country Classic Co-op
Super Mario All-Stars Classic
The Lost Vikings Classic Co-op
Earthworm Jim Classic
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest Classic Co-op
Super Castlevania IV Classic
Playing SNES games today
The SNES library has aged exceptionally well, especially its RPGs, platformers and puzzle games. A large selection is available on Nintendo Switch Online, and if you own the cartridges you can play your backups in an emulator such as Rec0m88, including online with friends.
Smart Ball FAQ
When did Smart Ball come out on the SNES?
Smart Ball was released for the Super Nintendo in 1991.
Who made Smart Ball?
It was developed by Game Freak and published by Sony Imagesoft.
Is Smart Ball multiplayer?
No. Smart Ball is a single-player game.
How long does Smart Ball take to play?
As a platformer, Smart Ball typically falls into the "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Smart Ball on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.