Super Mario Bros. (1985 Video Game) User Reviews

Great game, but...

[ajnrules · 10/10 · 17 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.)

I beat it.

[eatmypantseatmyshorts · 10/10 · 26 June 2020]

I was playing on the Nintendo Switch Online NES thingy, using the warp zones, and also Tutorials.

It was victory.

The most classic video game

[Edragonz · 10/10 · 11 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.

A classic

[Op_Prime · 19 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.

Perhaps The Only Perfect Video Game Ever Created

[zkonedog · 10/10 · 12 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.

There's nothing like a classic.

[PunkJedi · 10/10 · 23 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.

What makes this game a classic

[Jiiimbooh · 10/10 · 11 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

Classic, folks...

[Analog_Devotee · 9/10 · 3 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.

If you haven't played this, you've been living under a rock.

[NeglectfulKiller · 10/10 · 6 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.

The game that defined "classic"

[Ivan Ravenous · 9/10 · 11 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.

What a classic!

[Nic0981323 · 8/10 · 15 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.

Classic and best memorable video game ever!

[blanbrn · 10/10 · 20 June 2019]

This was the first and maybe most well known game for the classic NES system as it was fun and a challenge to go thru different worlds and levels and create extra men and have more bodies for battle in the mushroom kingdom as the goal was to save and rescue the kidnapped princess from the evil Bowser. I loved the game as I mastered it several times it was fun as you went thru worlds of water(you had to learn to swim) and facing flying creatures and moving toads and would go thru evil castles of fire all while playing as the little plumber Mario. Really need I say more a memorable video game classic that helped start the industry.

It hasn't aged the best, but it's still fun.

[maddoxacox · 7/10 · 27 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.

Super Mario Bros.

[bombersflyup · 5/10 · 4 February 2022]

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.

The best game I have ever played!

[spiderguy_07 · 10/10 · 21 November 2006]

The first time I saw this game, I was 4 years old, and my dad was playing it on his new Nintendo (A 35 year old man, playing a Nintendo lol), and I asked him, "Dad, how are you so good at that?", and he answered, "Practice, lots of practice." I am now 17 and have been playing this game off and on for years. I consider myself the master of this game.

There are 8 worlds with 4 parts. You must go through each of them to get to Bowser. The mini enemies are Bullets, Koopa Troopas, Gumba's, Buzzy Beetle's, and Pipe Flowers.

If you are a beginner, you will probably finish this game in an hour and a half. But if you are the master at it, you will finish it in 30 minutes.

This game will continue to be the greatest game of all time!

Superb Mario crushes !

[southdavid · 9/10 · 13 April 2018]

What can be said that hasn't already been said about one of the most deservedly lauded video games of all time?

I received a NES (The Dunk Hunt) tie in console for Christmas of 1988. This followed months of me playing the game in my local Macro wholesalers, whenever I got the chance to go. It was a world away from the Spectrum games I was used to playing. It loaded instantly, not 10 minutes after I set the cassette playing. It loaded every time, and didn't crash if I looked at it the wrong way. It was in full colour, with better audio than I'd heard before and utilised a natural tactile controller that remains iconic today.

And it is a brilliant game. Though not the first, it defined and perfected so much of what the platform genre would become. Level design is peerless - throwing another curveball at you every couple of levels, varying the challenge though never unfairly. Visually, of course it's not much to look at compared even to some later NES games, let alone something on a modern console. The music however, though basic, is probably the most iconic game soundtrack of all time.

I still think that the best way of playing the game would be via the original NES console and using an original NES controller - but regardless of which version you play, you owe it to yourself to experience one of the true classics of gaming.

Forever influential and forever fun

[MegaWatOfficial · 10/10 · 8 December 2022]

At this point, I'm sure most of us are aware of just how dire the video game market was back in the old days. While the Atari 2600 was a very important and legendary console that's rightfully looked back fondly, the games only sometimes followed suit; and unlike the Nintendo Wii and DS, this was something the 2600 could NOT afford. This was all evident with the video game crash of 1982. Some blame games like the disastrous port of "Pac-Man" or the poor movie tie-in which was the infamous "ET: Extra Terrestrial" for Atari 2600 (which, despite it being poor, really isn't as bad as people say it was, in my opinion), but the real blame came from 2 things.

One being hardware limitations, as the 2600, despite it being awesome, was undoubtedly very simple compared to anything afterwards. This made any and all games naturally constrained from really being anything all too special, which was fine in the late '70s, but when there's virtually no improvements to future games afterwards, it got stale quick. This transitions to the second thing, which was the overbearing quantity. To put it simply, there were way too many games for the console, and not enough of them were any good. Mix that with the fact that the 2600 was the first ever mainstream video game console to take itself seriously, and it's no wonder people thought it was all a passing fad at the end of the day.

But in 1985, that all changed. Nintendo, formerly a card/toy company, not only threw their hat in the ring, but did a perfect job at it, as the Nintendo Entertainment System (or the NES) took everything Atari failed at, and made one of the best video game consoles of all time; all while geniusly marketing it as an entertainment system to help consumers trust that video games are awesome after all. Of course, that would only mean so much if the showcase game wasn't great.

And great it was. "Super Mario Bros" is, without a doubt, the most important video game of all time, as it not only showcased how great a game could be with properly great vision, but also how great it could be when it's properly using the hardware it's running on. Putting aside the hardware logistics that helped this game even more, the game itself is an absolute joy. With excellent and iconic level design, responsive and fun gameplay, visuals that, while not the best we would see on the console, are much more full of life than any video game beforehand, and the iconic and forever memorable music, this game ticks every box, and would act as an essential pillar for video games as a whole for the rest of time; as evident by the fact that it's still infinitely fun and charming to this day-a moniker no other video game beforehand could use.

Really, there's not much to complain about here. Some could make the argument that this game has aged, and is not as amazing as the famous plumber's future installments, but considering how this not only saved the industry, but also perfects the notion of enjoying expansive games that keeps the player hooked from start to finish even to this day, this game deserves nothing less than all of the credit. If you haven't played this yet (for some reason), I implore you to do so. Even for how slightly basic it is compared to later games, it's an important part of video game culture, and a still incredibly fun reminder on how amazing games can get once the guys behind really know what they're doing.

One of the best Nintendo games I've ever played

[Catherine_Grace_Zeh · 9/10 · 19 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.

Childhood Classic Mario

[Terryfan · 10/10 · 13 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

Super Mario Bros (1985) A amazing classic

[claszdsburrogato · 8/10 · 29 March 2023]

The first game in the Super Mario Bros franchise is already emerging as one of the greatest games in history. A very well done game with complicated but fun mechanics. The aesthetics are wonderful, from the settings to the characters. Each stage is more beautiful than the other and the colors make the game even more alive. The story is very basic and lacks depth, as this is not the purpose of the game, but seeing the beginning of this great universe of games is really cool. Here we have the great villain Bowser who still doesn't get much attention, but manages to draw attention for his incredible look. It's surprising how a game from almost 40 years ago still maintains an absurd level of quality and surpasses many recent games. This is definitely one of Nintendo's greatest games.

A classic platform game

[Rautus · 10/10 · 12 July 2007]

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

Wonderful NES game and just a wonderful game in general

[bradleysloan-24083 · 10/10 · 31 March 2021]

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.

Ok, but not great

[Some-asshole · 7/10 · 5 May 2020]

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.

I don't care how influental it was, I hate it.

[jorkan · 1/10 · 23 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.