Building comparison
head to head
After Burner IIvsSuper Mario World
Super Mario World asks more than After Burner II, and the gap is optimization.
After Burner II
Execution · Pure Mechanics
An arcade rail-shooter testing raw reflexes in fast jet combat.
Super Mario World
Execution · Pure Mechanics
Precise jump execution across fixed levels with secrets to memorise.
After Burner II leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Super Mario World leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
After Burner IISuper Mario World
Axis by axis
Execution8 vs 7
After Burner II leans a little harder on execution, though the gap is small.
After Burner II
reflex-heavy dodging and shooting
Super Mario World
Perfect inputs trivialise every jump, spin and cape flight
Reads0 vs 0
Same score on reads - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
After Burner II
scripted enemy waves, not adaptive
Super Mario World
Scripted Koopas adapt to nothing
Variance1 vs 1
Same score on variance - which means the number cannot separate them. The difference is in what each one asks of you.
After Burner II
minimal randomness in enemy patterns
Super Mario World
Levels are fixed; nothing hidden survives one playthrough
Optimization2 vs 4
Super Mario World leans clearly harder on optimization.
After Burner II
little systemic depth beyond memorization
Super Mario World
Secret exits and route knowledge add a modest solvable layer
A matching score does not mean a matching test. Two games can both sit at 10 on execution and demand completely different things of you - which is why the reasoning above matters more than the number beside it.