After I discovered that my copy of Yoshi’s Island DS was a nonfunctional pirate copy, I wanted to replace it. Which meant I had to play it through again. Also, I’d previously gotten the port of the original Yoshi’s Island to GBA and hadn’t played through it. So I did both at once, rapid style. For once I played without going for collectibles or secrets.

Playing like this is somewhat unnatural for me, and I feel that I didn’t appreciate the artistry of either game as much by rushing through them, but it was liberating to not worry about trinkets and baubles. Speeding through can be exhilarating.

Experiencing the seminal original (even if this port suffers from the smaller screen size) alongside the attempted follow-up really highlighted how YIDS falls short. It’s well documented that the soundtrack is dull, the graphics a mixed bag, and the level design not a patch on its predecessor. Still, it has charm aplenty and it’s still overall not bad, even if it frustrates with gimmicky obstacles and sudden cheap difficulty. My mind was also made up: Yoshi’s New Island is a big step down even from YIDS. The same team made both games, and they got worse.

As for Yoshi’s Island itself, it’s just great. Again, my nostalgia bone is kicking in hard; I’ve deeply internalised the games I grew up with and they will never fail to make me feel, well, good. But it has qualities that anybody can enjoy, I reckon. A sheer work of art, and fun too if difficult at times.

Not a bad way to spend my gaming week.