Smash Bros. Countdown - #5 - Yoshi Series

The Yoshi series has the unique distinction of being it's own series, while also being a part of the Mario series. While Yoshi has had multiple adventures without his mustachioed buddy, his first appearance was in a Mario game. Super Mario World, for the Super Nintendo, saw Mario travel to Dinosaur Land and come into contact with one of the many Yoshis.

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Close physical contact in front of a fireplace.

The game introduced us to Yoshi's trademark ability to eat enemies with his long tongue. He could spit out whatever was in his mouth and use the projectile to defeat enemies that weren't lucky enough to be in Yoshi's mouth.

Yoshi's next platforming venture was the first game in Yoshi's personal series. Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, took place during Mario's infancy. As a stork delivers Baby Mario and Baby Luigi to their parents, the evil Kamek tries to kidnap the tykes. After using his magic to see the future, Kamek saw that the Mario Bros. would grow up to be a problem for the Koopa Troop as well as Bowser, who was also an infant at the time. Kamek manages to kidnap Baby Luigi, but Baby Mario falls into a clearing. He's discovered by the Yoshi's who ultimately decide to help him save his brother. Using the ability to transform into vehicles using Morph Bubbles, he helps the tiny plumber save his greener half.

At least, that's the reason I was given to kill these screaming flowers.

The game gave Yoshi his other cardinal trait of turning the enemies he ate into eggs, which could then be tossed at his enemies. It also debuted his ability to kick his legs while in the air to gain extra height.

The third game also took place during Mario's diaper days. It didn't feature Mario in any way, but instead made Baby Bowser the source of unhappiness. He earned that title by literally stealing the happiness from the world by stealing what's known as the Super Happy Tree.

mario wiki

I'd be sad too if someone took my Lisa Frank plant.

The game used familiar Yoshi concepts and had Yoshi eat an absurd amount of fruit along the way. It wasn't until the next game that game decided to try something crazy.

Yoshi Topsy-Turvy, for the Game Boy Advance, had a gyroscope built into the cartridge. By tilting the Game Boy Advance, the world's gravity would alter accordingly.

mario wiki

See? See how I'm tilting my Game Boy right now?

It's hard to convey through screenshots alone, but the game would have obsticles that would need to be physically altered in order to progress. The game got very mixed reviews, but it's fun just to play with tilty landscape.

The next few games acted as sequels and sister games to Yoshi's Island. Yoshi's Touch & Go had you use the touch screen of the Nintendo DS to guide Yoshi to the end of each stage. Yoshi's Island DS was a direct sequel to the Super Nintendo game and not only saw Baby Mario help Yoshi on his adventure, but Baby Peach, Donkey Kong, Wario, and Bowser also go on Yoshi's adventure with him. Yoshi's New Island, for the Nintendo 3DS, had Yoshi and Baby Mario once again set out to save Baby Luigi.

A new Yoshi game is in the works. Yoshi's Wooly World for the Nintendo WiiU sees Yoshi as we all know and love him, but this time he's been given the appearance of a yarn doll.

e3.nintendo.com

Warning: Game may be so cute you shit flowers for the rest of your life.

More often than not, Yoshi serves as a secondary Mario character. Most of his appearances have been in Mario sports titles and the Mario Party series. 

In Smash Bros. we get Yoshi as a playable character and Yoshi's Island, as it appeared on the Super Nintendo, as a stage.

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My son drew this.

With this article, there are only five days left until Smash Bros. I can count that shit on my hand. The next series helps me remember that all I have to do is not screw anything up and just roll with the punches and maybe things won't suck for too long.