The story begins when an alien named Tatanga invades Sarasaland and hypnotizes its inhabitants, kidnapping Princess Daisy. Mario travels through four themed worlds — Birabuto (inspired by Egypt), Muda (water-themed), Easton (with references to East Asia), and Chai (Chinese aesthetic) — facing enemies, traps, and bosses, aiming to save Daisy and restore peace.
The game stands out for its unique features, such as vehicle levels (submarine and airplane), replacing the classic power-ups with the Superball Flower, and its original music. It was the first Mario platformer on a handheld console and remains beloved for its creativity and simplicity.