Super Mario Bros. (Video Game 1985) Poster

(1985 Video Game)

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10/10
Great game, but...
ajnrules17 August 2000
it's extremely DIFFICULT. I have been playing this game since it was like 2 years old, and I still haven't been able to beat it! That proves how wimpy modern N64 platform games have become, since I am able to easily defeat its 1996 counterpart.

But the graphics for this game and its sometimes-cartridge-partner, Duck Hunt, seem quite advanced for 1985 and 1984 (respectively). At least compared to games like Excitebike (1984) and The Legend of Zelda (1986). The music is nice (although the dungeon and the castle music gets repetitive) and sound effects are cool. Once you've beaten this game, there's no need to play it anymore, but if you haven't, like me, you'll be wanting to keep playing until you beat it, and frustrated if you fail.

But this game is the same age as me, and I still play it at my friends house if they're hogging the Super Smash Bros. (I haven't beaten it yet.)
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10/10
I beat it.
eatmypantseatmyshorts26 June 2020
I was playing on the Nintendo Switch Online NES thingy, using the warp zones, and also Tutorials.

It was victory.
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10/10
There's nothing like a classic.
PunkJedi23 December 1999
This game was my first video game. It was fun, needless to say, and it also improved my eye-hand coordination (tell your parents this, kids. They'll let you play all day!). But, video games have moved on into the realm of 3-d, and the classic side-scroller has been laid to rest. There's something I've noticed, though. In a lot of these "lush, 3-d environment" games, it seems that fun and challenge have been sacrificed to the great god of graphics. I suggest that the game makers of today do some researching of the past.
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A classic
Op_Prime19 July 1999
Super Mario Bros. is still one of the best games ever. The game has a strange concept and the graphics aren't nearly as good as anything today, but it's a classic. It's a challenging game, with famous Mario and his brother Luigi, that will never be forgotten.
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10/10
The most classic video game
Edragonz11 October 2000
This game deserves a ten for it's ground-breaking game play. Nintendo surprised the world by giving the stage to its biggest future stars. This is an unforgettable classic that will hopefully be preserved for future generations of game players.
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10/10
Perhaps The Only Perfect Video Game Ever Created
zkonedog12 March 2017
After receiving my first Nintendo Entertainment System in 1991, I instantly became hooked on one game in particular: Super Mario Brothers. It's relatively new style of play (side-scrolling) in combination with an original story and the perfect difficulty arc (anyone can beat the beginning levels, but it takes a true pro to complete the game) made it the game that I played over and over again. Whether it was screaming in frustration due to the Hammer Brothers, hearing in disbelief that the Princess "was in another castle", or the sheer joy of beating that next castle, I played the game over and over again. Of course, being such a young child, I was never quite talented enough to complete the complicated jump moves or decipher the complex mazes (towards the end) well enough to actually beat the game. Yet, I still had a heck of a time trying!

Flash forward (LOST-style) 10-12 years later: Having been introduced to the NES at such a young age, I continued by brand loyalty to Nintendo by playing the Super Nintendo, Nintendo '64, Gamecube, and Wii. I had a lot of good times with those machines, but one day I got the urge to fire up the old NES again, for old times sake. Within moments (well, not exactly moments, as it took some blowing on the connectors and jiggling the game up and down) I was instantly transformed back into that excited six year old kid who couldn't wait to come home from school and play Mario. This time around, with a little practice, I was able to conquer even the final Bowser.

While playing the game at that older age, though, I was amazed at the purity of it. It was original (which can't be said about most SNES games), it was straight-forward (not like Donkey Kong '64, for example), it's difficulty arc progresses in a logical fashion (not like GCN, where in many games you have to be a master gamer to step right in), and the game's internal bugs are cute and looked forward too, not annoying and troublesome as is sometimes the case on the Wii.

Thus, taking all those things into consideration, Super Mario Brothers for the NES is, at least in my opinion, perhaps the closest thing to a "perfect video game" as has ever been created. Not only did it practically save the entire gaming industry, but it also gave hours of entertainment to people across the world. To me, only The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (for the '64) can challenge Mario Bros. in terms of overall game quality.

So, if you are a nostalgic video gamer (like myself) who is a bit frazzled by the current obsessions and skill levels, I would highly recommend dusting of the old NES box and popping in Super Mario Brothers (it often comes on the same cartridge as Duck Hunt). After a few moments of dickering, a few tries to re-master the old skill-sets, you will NOT be disappointed.
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10/10
What makes this game a classic
Jiiimbooh11 July 2005
I'm sure most people my age remember one or more situations like this: some guy your parents knew was celebrating his birthday and you went with your parents to the party. A lot of the other people also brought their kids and after a while you were all gathered in one room. You didn't really know each other that well, so what were you going to do? Well, the kid who's room it was had a Nintendo (or later Super Nintendo) or one of those pirated machines that played Nintendo games. The answer was: you played Super Mario! Everybody agreed that it was a fun game and everybody knew how to play it. It's simply the game of my generation.

But what made this particular game so important and well liked? First of all, at the time it arrived it was revolutionary – the first side-scrolling platform game ever and it was the game that made both video games and Nintendo popular. The story was good even if it was simple: You are Mario the plumber in the Mushroom Kingdom and you are on a mission to save the princess that have been kidnapped by Bowser. At the time this game was released they usually didn't bother to come up with interesting stories for games, so it's not like today when a lot of games have complicated story lines. It wasn't hard to figure out how to play, jump and land on an enemy's head and you will kill him, but it still wasn't that easy to beat. (Of course it's easier know that I'm soon to be 21 and have played it as many times as I have.) Last but not least, the music suited the game perfectly.

Something that to me is a sign that this is a good game is that it's still fun to play now when I'm almost 21, even though it was a game that was meant for kids (like all games that were released at that time) and the graphics are very out-dated. This is a game that a lot of people still play, it's been re-released both to Gameboy Color and Gameboy Advance. Of course a lot of people download it and play it on emulators – even though Nintendo doesn't like that.

For someone of my generation playing this game today is like re-living only the happy times of your childhood. When I played it as a kid I wasn't someone sitting in front of the TV playing a video game – I was Mario and I was on a very important mission to save the princess!

10/10
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9/10
Classic, folks...
Analog_Devotee3 August 2021
What can be said about this game that hasn't already been said? It's a classic that not only spawned a genre but catapulted it into the mainstream via living rooms around THE WORLD!

I don't need to tell people to play this game, but I will say this to all the parents out there: Make your kids play this game! It's the equivalent of taking them to a museum -- they need to see how these things were back in the days before everything was RPG-lite with a battle royal mode and a gaggle of microtransactions and lootboxes.
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9/10
The game that defined "classic"
Ivan Ravenous11 October 2000
Man, this is the ultimate classic video game. Everyone in the world has played it, and I've never heard of anyone even mildly disliking it. It's not as hard as I remembered it being (which is strange, because I usually remember them being easier than they really are) but it's still very challenging. Modern video games would benefit greatly from re-acquainting themselves with the old-school video game rule: There's No Guarantee You Will Win.
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10/10
If you haven't played this, you've been living under a rock.
NeglectfulKiller6 May 2002
This is THE classic, the penultimate video game. The quintessence of nostalgia for us 80's romantics, and the introduction to unparalleled gameplay for those unfamiliar, having been brainwashed by modern hype. This immortal masterpiece embodies the word fun, and is the most simple and sublime experience that can be achieved through a television screen and a system. Enjoy. Now.
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8/10
What a classic!
Nic098132315 February 2021
This game changed video games forever. It standardizes who Mario is today, and it saved the video game industry. Not only that, but it's a good game. I only rated this 8/10 because you can't go back, and you turn into Small Mario when you get hit as Fire Mario. Still a great game.
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8/10
One of the early games for the Nintendo system, opened things up a lot.
Aaron13751 March 2010
This game is basically simple fun. You play as plumber Mario and if you have a friend as Luigi traversing the lands of the mushroom kingdom trying to rescue Princess Toadstool. What set this one apart from other early Nintendo releases of the day is the varied levels and game play. Unlike say the game "Duckhunt" where you simply point gun at the screen and shoot and repeat or other games where the levels are basically the same and repetitive this one had different levels that really set things apart. Different enemies attack you and you have your boss type enemy at the end of a long journey through a set number of worlds in the kingdom, the end level always being a castle that contained a lot of lava and spinning fireballs. You also had to use strategy to defeat Bowser at the end of the levels because if you actually got through the castle with fire powers you could simply waste him with fireballs. If you were at least big it was fairly easy to get past him to get the ax that would send him into the lava, and if you were small you may have had a chance getting underneath him. Yes, by collecting a mushroom Mario would get bigger, and if you add a flower on top of that he hurls fireballs. You also got to go into underground type levels and ones underwater. Thankfully, unlike some characters in the video game world, Mario and Luigi could hold their breaths forever apparently in this game. The game was not entirely perfect, it was rather boring facing off against Bowser every time at the end and I thought the inclusion of Luigi was rather pointless as he was great in "Mario Brothers", but that game was a co-op game this one is not and you simply see him only if you have a friend that does not mind alternating turns. Still, it was a fun game certainly more so than say that horrible "Gyromite" game.
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7/10
It hasn't aged the best, but it's still fun.
maddoxacox27 May 2022
Several game mechanics are clunky by today's standards, but the game is still as addicting as ever. The goal of the game is simple, rescue Peach from Bowser.
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5/10
Super Mario Bros.
bombersflyup4 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The one that started it all, well it came with the system. It's gameplay's dare I say it, limited. Not exactly enthralling, but points for nostalgia and being a stepping stone.
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10/10
*****:a perfect 5 stars,a true VG classic.
PJS-510 May 1999
Okay so I'm not like one of those critics who only give excellent ratings just to classics,its one of the VG industries truest classics true. the graphics look simple BUT ITS AN ORIGINAL NES GAME! WHAD'YA EXPECT!,sorry sorry,true the storyline is a simple-yet-odd hero saves princess story but there is plenty to back it up,classical music,nostaligic to 80's design,& in a good way challenging I still haven't beaten it even with a game genie(unlike the others),so it is basically not just a great NES classic A grand VG classic.
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10/10
Wonderful NES game and just a wonderful game in general
bradleysloan-2408331 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
This is a great game starring Mario and Luigi in a game where Mario wants to save Princess Toadstool (Peach) But has to defeat Bowser. Great storyline, artwork, music, Great everything.
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10/10
A classic platform game
Rautus12 July 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Super Mario Bros. is a true gaming classic that is great fun to play and is a real challenge to complete. The game play has you going through a variety of levels where you have to jump on enemies heads to beat them and jump over obstacles like gaps, water or lava, collecting 100 coins gets you an extra life, jumping under blocks with a ? mark or even solid blocks can give you coins or a power up. The main power up you will need is the Red Mushroom which turns you into Super Mario so if you get hit you become Mario again instead of losing a life, if you're Super Mario and hit a block that has a Red Mushroom you get a Fire Flower instead and getting that gives you the chance to shoot fireballs. Each World has a castle and in it you need to reach the bridge where you fight King Koopa, you can either throw fireballs at him (If you got the Fire flower) or jump over him and drop the bridge. You then meed Toad who tells you that the Princess in another castle so then you're onto the next World. As you progress through the game the levels get more difficult.

If you're a fan of Mario, platform games or retro games then Super Mario Bros. is a great game to look out for 10/10
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10/10
The best video game ever?
skiop11 January 2010
I'm inclined to think so. The objective is quite simple (and by now a cliché), you have to rescue the princess from the evil villain (in this case, Bowser, king of the koopas). It consists of 8 worlds, with 4 levels per world; the last level is always a castle, often requiring a special sequence to get to the end.

You stomp on goombas, koopas, bullet bills and other enemies along the way, collecting points. Each consecutive stomp earns you more points than the last and 1000 points will start giving you extra lives. Skilled players can get up to the maximum allowed lives by repeatedly stomping and kicking koopa shells. 100 coins will also earn you extra lives, and many are available in certain pipes, by going into the clouds, and hitting certain blocks. There are also many hidden blocks along the way.

It's great fun and after you get the hang of it, you can defeat it in under an hour. The consensus seems to be that Super Mario Bros. 3 is the best of the series, yet I don't think any game will ever beat this one, at least not to me.
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10/10
Childhood Classic Mario
Terryfan13 April 2015
Super Mario Bros is one of the first video games I remember playing as a kid on the Nintendo Entertainment System.

Some copies of this game came pack with Duck Hunt as two games in one which is the main one I remember.

Super Mario Bros is one of the most famous video games ever created and reminds a famous character to this day spanning many video games, cartoon shows book you name it he done it.

It was the first video game to introduce the side scrolling style of games which would happen for other games later on down the line.

The game feature simple controls but they were just right and got you to master your gaming skills from the start.

Also we were introduce to the infamous Super Mario Bros Theme song and it reminds a classic today even more. Classic Sound effects in the game that we all know and love.

Graphics were pretty cool as well plus looking at it now gives you the love for what Video Games were suppose to be.

As for the Game Play Yes the game play is challenging but it is a classic and gives you the chance to proof your gaming skills.

The story as we all know is that Mario and Luigi must save Princess Toadstool from the evil King Koopa.

Super Mario Bros is just one of the games that only get better with age.

I give Super Mario Bros an 10 out of 10
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9/10
"Thank you Mario! But our princess is in another castle!" - Toad
davimaia-7630322 December 2022
Incredible. The concept of a nice plumber (albeit an Italian stereotype) saving the princess instead of a gentleman or prince is quite original and good. Sort of the graphics were nice back then and are still excellent to this day. Generated three iconic power-ups from across the "Mario" series. Super Mushroom, Fire Flower and Starman. Great music too. Top theme is very well known even if you have never played this game. Thank Nintendo for this amazing game. Flaws: Unlike "Sonic the Hedgehog (1991)" you cannot rewind. The game doesn't even have a continue unlike Sonic, if you lose your lives you HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN! At least there's a cheat that makes you pick up where you left off in the world.

Fun fact: If you've lost all your lives, press and hold the "A" button on the NES until the title screen, and while holding, press Start on the NES. So, instead of world 1-1, you will start in the world where you took a Game Over.
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9/10
One of the best Nintendo games I've ever played
Catherine_Grace_Zeh19 July 2007
SUPER MARIO BROTHERS, in my opinion, is one of the best Nintendo games I have ever played. Even though I've never owned a Nintendo system or games, I've played this game many times before. To be honest, I enjoy it very much. In addition, even though I've never made it to the last level, I still enjoy the game very much. When and if you can get a Nintendo Wii, this game should definitely be on your list of downloads. Before I wrap this up, I'd like to say that the people at Nintendo know how to keep video game fanatics entertained. Now, in conclusion, if you're a video game fanatic, this is definitely one you'll want to play and own.
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10/10
Who doesn't love this game?
kt3234-110 February 2007
Super Mario brothers is a triumph beyond triumphs. Nintendo brought back the downfall of videogames due to the lack of originality in video games of that time. Mario and Luigi were so different. That's what made them spectacular. Most games of that time were focused on shooting and war and whatever else those companies came up with. Nintendo said No. They stuck with a basic idea about a damsel in distress and a brave knight (or plumber) who had to rescue her. Mario Bros. was also challenging. It had better graphics. it had many different villains. it had power ups. And, it had the most unlikely super hero out there, and that hero was Mario. Nintendo had a hit, and it will always be a hit.
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7/10
Ok, but not great
Some-asshole5 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The mechanics are clunky, levels are literally copied into later levels, the castle levels and boss fights are repetive and boring, there's a huge lack of power ups (they couldn't add another power up and let us be able to use anything other than the fire flower?), and this game just doesn't satisfy me.

I don't care what it influenced, though I know what it created and what it created is awesome, it's not a great game to me. Just because it started everything, that doesn't make it a fantastic game.
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1/10
I don't care how influental it was, I hate it.
jorkan23 December 2016
Super Mario Bros. Centers around an Italian guy (Who is worse than Mussolini, by the way) who begins his noble journey of saving a princess from a mutant turtle named "Bowser". Along the way, he encounters evil mushrooms and dinosaurs, whom he must kill. I don't get why it's so successful. Either way, the "Damsel in distress" plot is used again and again in this long, boring collection of binary codes and music thrown together by one man in a warehouse in Kyoto. To all you people who call Animal crossing boring (I've never actually played a animal crossing game), then you've never played Mario, which I fell asleep attempting to play.
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