Super Mario Bros.: Information from Answers.com

Release Date: 1985 10
Genre: Action
Style: Side-Scrolling Platform
Similar Games: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Nintendo Entertainment System), Super Mario Bros. 2 (Nintendo Entertainment System), Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega Genesis), Super Mario World (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), Bonk's Adventure (Nintendo Entertainment System), Super Mario Bros. Deluxe (Game Boy Color), Yogi Bear in Yogi's Goldrush (Game Boy)

Game Description

In Super Mario Bros., Princess Toadstool of the Mushroom Kingdom has been kidnapped by Bowser, the evil king of the Koopas. Former plumbers Mario and Luigi have been sent to rescue to her and restore peace to the kingdom. They must make their way over land, under ground, and through the sea, in eight worlds divided into four levels each. On their journey, they face a variety of enemies, including Goombas, Koopa Troopas, and Bullet Bills, which can be defeated by jumping directly on them. At the end of each world, the brothers come face to face with Bowser, who must be stopped before the quest can continue.

Power-ups play an integral part in Super Mario Bros. When Mario jumps and hits a question mark block from underneath, an item is revealed. This could be a coin, mushroom, fire flower, or star. The mushroom is the game's most important item -- it makes Mario grow to over twice his normal size and strength, giving him the ability to break bricks with his jump-punch. It also allows him to be hit once without losing a life. Once Mario is in this "super" state, he can collect a fire flower that lets him shoot fireballs. Stars provide temporary invincibility, and 100 coins earn you an extra life.

~ Skyler Miller, All Game Guide

Roots & Influences

Although more well known as a console title, Super Mario Bros. is actually based on the arcade game of the same name.

~ Brett Alan Weiss, All Game Guide

Review: Overall

Super Mario Bros. features an enthralling combination of rock-solid gameplay, ingeniously designed levels, vibrant, colorful graphics and well-written music. The sense of excitement, wonder and most of all -- enjoyment felt upon first playing this masterpiece of videogame can't barely be put into words. And while its sequels have far surpassed it in terms of length, graphics, sound and other aspects, Super Mario Bros., like any classic -- whether of a cinematic or musical nature -- has withstood the test of time, continuing to be fun and playable.

Everything about Super Mario Bros. screams quality with a thick Italian accent. Each level turns trickier and more challenging as the game progresses, with a steady learning curve. The design of each leaves plenty of nooks and crannies for you to explore, while an array of baddies, such as the Spiny-tossing Lakitu, keep you on your toes.

If Adventure for the Atari 2600 introduced the concept of "Easter Eggs" in videogames, then Super Mario Bros. refined it and upped the ante; Warp Zones can be found, allowing you to skip worlds; completing the game once changes all the Goombas into Buzz Beetles the next time, while unintentional tricks such as the 1-Up staircase can be discovered and exploited.

The graphics presented in this world are vibrant and colorful, creating the atmosphere of a storybook land. Each world features a distinct look, whether it's an underground cavern filled with pipes and perilous jumps, to a sea filled with bug-eyed Cheep-Cheeps, these fantasy worlds draw you in, regardless of their simplistic visuals.

The music backing the action is simple, yet upbeat and catchy, and it's not uncommon to find yourself humming it afterwards in front of friends or coworkers while they question your sanity. Sound effects such as the trademark jumping "Boing!" smashing of bricks and squashing of enemies beneath Mario's girth are equally simple, yet effective.

The power-ups allowing you to defend yourself against the baddies littering each level are quite creative; Super Mushrooms increase your size and strength, while their green counterparts yield an extra life. Stars endow you with invincibility, while Fireflowers allow you to throw fireballs to toast your enemies.

In terms of length, Super Mario Bros. is quite the challenge for novice gamers and still presents a sizable adventure for run-and-jump veterans. Fully exploring the worlds for every trick and secret will necessitate clearing your calendar for a couple weeks at the least. Anyone who considers them self a gamer needs to play this game at least once, if not simply for a history lesson.