Super Mario Bros

Super Mario Bros is a side-scrolling platform game created by Nintendo and originally released for the Famicom and Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985. It follows Mario—and Luigi in supported versions—on a journey through the Mushroom Kingdom after Princess Toadstool is captured by Bowser.

The original adventure contains eight worlds, each divided into four stages, creating 32 levels in total. Most worlds end inside a castle where Mario must pass hazards and confront Bowser or one of his disguised minions.

The browser adaptation available here expands the usual progression options. Players can follow the levels in order, select a specific stage, or use the random-map generator to create a different challenge.

The basic objective is simple: move from the beginning of each stage to the flagpole before time expires. Reaching that goal requires careful jumps, quick reactions, enemy knowledge, and intelligent use of power-ups.

Mario first appeared in Nintendo’s 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, where the character was commonly known as Jumpman. Super Mario Bros later helped establish the Mushroom Kingdom, Bowser, power-ups, Warp Pipes, and many other features now closely associated with the Mario series.

Move Mario through each level while avoiding enemies, bottomless pits, projectiles, and environmental hazards. Reach the flagpole before the timer reaches zero to complete most standard stages.

Jump onto Goombas to flatten them. Jumping on a Koopa Troopa causes it to retreat into its shell. The shell can then be kicked across the stage to defeat other enemies, but be careful—it can rebound from obstacles and return toward Mario.

Strike Question Mark Blocks and certain ordinary-looking bricks from below. They may contain coins, Super Mushrooms, Fire Flowers, Super Stars, or other useful rewards. Some hidden blocks are invisible until Mario jumps into them.

Hold the jump direction longer to gain additional height. Combine running with jumping to cross wide gaps, reach elevated platforms, and clear groups of enemies. Your momentum affects how far Mario travels through the air, so releasing the movement key at the correct moment is important.

Look for pipes that can be entered. Some lead to underground bonus rooms filled with coins, while others reveal shortcuts or Warp Zones that allow you to skip ahead to later worlds.

Castle stages replace the usual flagpole with a Bowser encounter. Avoid Bowser’s attacks, pass over or beneath him, and touch the axe at the opposite end of the bridge to complete the battle.

Mario

Mario is the main playable character. He can run, jump, crouch, collect coins, break certain blocks, stomp enemies, kick Koopa shells, and use power-ups.

Luigi

Luigi is Mario’s brother and the second playable character in supported two-player versions of the original game. The browser adaptation may focus primarily on Mario, depending on its selected mode.

Princess Toadstool

Princess Toadstool—later widely known as Princess Peach—is being held by Bowser. Rescuing her is the central objective of Mario’s journey.

Bowser

Bowser is the ruler of the Koopas and the game’s primary antagonist. A castle appears at the end of every world, but the enemies encountered in the first seven castle battles are disguised minions. The real Bowser waits in World 8.

Goombas

Goombas are common ground enemies that walk in a straight line. One accurate stomp normally defeats them.

Koopa Troopas

Koopa Troopas retreat into their shells when jumped on. Mario can kick a shell into other enemies, but moving shells remain dangerous if they bounce back.

Buzzy Beetles

Buzzy Beetles behave similarly to shelled Koopas but resist Mario’s fireballs. Stomping them and using their shells is the safer approach.

Super Mushroom

Collecting a Super Mushroom transforms small Mario into Super Mario. He becomes larger, can break brick blocks from below, and returns to his smaller form after taking damage instead of immediately losing a life.

Fire Flower

When Super Mario collects a Fire Flower, he becomes Fire Mario. This form can launch bouncing fireballs that defeat many—but not all—enemies.

Super Star

The Super Star grants temporary invincibility. Star Mario can defeat most enemies simply by touching them, but the effect lasts only briefly.

Super Mario Bros contains eight worlds with four stages in each world. This produces 32 main levels, numbered from World 1-1 to World 8-4.

The stages introduce different environments and gameplay situations:

• Overworld stages: Traditional platforming with pipes, blocks, enemies, stairs, and open gaps.
• Underground stages: Darker areas featuring low ceilings, brick formations, coins, and hidden exits.
• Athletic stages: Moving platforms and large gaps that demand accurate timing.
• Underwater stages: Swimming replaces normal jumping and introduces aquatic enemies.
• Castle stages: Fire Bars, lava, moving platforms, maze-like routes, and Bowser battles.

Difficulty increases gradually. Early stages teach movement and enemy interactions, while later worlds introduce smaller platforms, faster threats, Hammer Bros., Bullet Bills, Lakitu, tougher castle layouts, and tighter time limits.

The browser version also includes level selection, allowing you to practise a difficult stage without replaying the entire journey. Random-map mode adds replay value by changing the usual level arrangement and creating unfamiliar platforming situations.