Super Mario Bros. Game

Super Mario Bros. – A Timeless Classic on the NES

Super Mario Bros., released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), is widely regarded as one of the most influential and best-selling video games of all time. Developed by Shigeru Miyamoto and Takashi Tezuka at Nintendo, the game revolutionized the platforming genre and set the standard for video game design for decades to come.

Game Overview

In Super Mario Bros., players control Mario (and Luigi in 2-player mode) as they journey through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool (now known as Princess Peach) from the villainous Bowser. Along the way, players will run, jump, and stomp on enemies across 8 different worlds, each with 4 unique levels, including underground, underwater, and castle stages.

Key Features

• Innovative level design – Each level introduces new challenges, enemies, and secrets, including hidden blocks, warp zones, and power-ups.
• Memorable music – The soundtrack by Koji Kondo is iconic and instantly recognizable to fans around the world.
• Simple but tight controls – Easy to learn but hard to master, the controls are responsive and smooth, making the gameplay addictive and satisfying.
• Power-ups – Classic items like the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Starman give players new abilities and add layers of strategy.
• Replay value – With warp zones and secret areas, players are encouraged to explore and discover multiple ways to progress through the game.

Historical Impact

Super Mario Bros. was instrumental in reviving the video game industry after the crash of 1983. It became a pack-in title for the NES, contributing to the system’s massive success worldwide. With over 40 million copies sold, it remained the best-selling video game for decades and helped establish Mario as Nintendo’s flagship character and one of the most recognized icons in entertainment history.

Did You Know?

• The game was originally designed as a swan song for the Famicom/NES hardware before Nintendo moved on to more advanced consoles.
• The "minus world" is a famous glitch level that became a topic of fascination among early players and remains part of gaming folklore.
• Speedrunners have turned Super Mario Bros. into a competitive masterpiece, with world records measured down to fractions of a second.

Legacy

More than just a game, Super Mario Bros. inspired countless sequels, spin-offs, and fan-made creations. It set the gold standard for platformers and laid the foundation for modern game design. Its influence can still be seen in today’s games, both indie and AAA titles.

If you’re looking for a nostalgic challenge or want to experience a piece of gaming history, Super Mario Bros. on NES is a must-play title that never gets old.

How to Play

Super Mario Bros. features straightforward but rewarding gameplay:

• Move: Use the left and right arrows (or D-pad) to walk.
• Jump: Use the A button to leap over gaps, enemies, and obstacles.
• Run/Shoot: Hold the B button to run faster or shoot fireballs (when powered up).
• Goal: Reach the flagpole at the end of each level before time runs out. Along the way, collect coins, mushrooms, and power-ups to help Mario on his journey.

Tips & Tricks

• Start slow and observe: Don't rush. Each level introduces new enemy behaviors and obstacles. Learn their patterns first.
• Use warp zones: Hidden warp pipes allow you to skip entire worlds. Look for them in World 1-2 and World 4-2.
• Break blocks wisely: Some bricks hide power-ups or vine warps. Others can help you reach hidden areas if left intact.
• Memorize bonus stages: Certain pipes lead to coin rooms or shortcut areas. Try going down every accessible green pipe!
• Starman strategy: Use invincibility wisely – either to charge through enemies or clear a tricky path ahead.
• Save Fire Mario: Once you get the Fire Flower, keeping it can make later stages much easier, especially against Bowser.

Comparing to Later Titles

While Super Mario Bros. laid the foundation, later entries in the series expanded the formula dramatically:

Game	Release	Key Differences
Super Mario Bros. 2	1988 (USA)	Different gameplay: pick up & throw enemies, multiple characters (Mario, Luigi, Toad, Peach), based on Doki Doki Panic.
Super Mario Bros. 3	1988 (JP) / 1990 (USA)	World map, flight via Tanooki & Raccoon suit, mini-games, and more complex levels. Considered one of the greatest NES games ever made.
Super Mario World	1990 (SNES)	Improved graphics, Yoshi, overworld secrets, and deeper mechanics. Introduced a save system and expanded exploration.

Despite these advancements, the original Super Mario Bros. remains a pure and challenging experience that continues to attract both retro gamers and modern players.