Key Points
- Super Mario Bros. is a classic video game that has become an all-time favorite due to its tight gameplay and iconic elements.
- The game is instantly accessible and easy to play, making it a hit for Nintendo’s first major console game.
- Super Mario Bros. has a vibrant and dedicated speed-running scene, with different categories of speedruns and world records being broken.
- Other Super Mario games, such as the New Super Mario Bros. series and Super Mario Bros. 3, offer similar 2D platforming gameplay with modern elements.
Super Mario Bros. was many a millennial’s first real experience with a video game. Nintendo’s classic platformer has transcended time and just become an all-time classic thanks to tight gameplay and iconic elements.
Super Mario Bros. has a vibrant scene surrounding it as well, with gamers making ROM hacks like the Kaizo series in addition to numerous speed runs.
If you’re in the mood for a good speed run, a Warpless completion by speed runner Kosmic is well worth watching. Before the main attraction, let’s explore a little surrounding the history of the game as well as the speed-running scene behind it.
Why Do Gamers Love Super Mario Bros.?
Super Mario Bros. ushered in a new age of console gaming come 1984. The American gaming industry was in a lurch following Atari’s implosion. Now, this particular entry isn’t the first ever Mario game. That distinction goes to Mario Bros. or Donkey Kong depending on who you ask.
- The classic that spawned a world-wide phenomenon
- Eight classic levels of platforming fun
- Simple controls suitable for all ages
However, this Nintendo Entertainment System game has endured for good reason. It is instantly accessible, anyone that can use the controls will be able to intuitively play the game.
The graphics are dated, sure, but you know what everything is at a glance. You can also immediately tell the zones apart by the change in the music. In short, for Nintendo’s first major console game, it is a home run.
Speed Runners
Super Mario Bros. has a vibrant and dedicated speed-running scene. If you’ve been looking for a scene with tension and an insurmountable goal, this is the game for you.
It even recently made the news thanks to American speed runner Niftski, who broke the world record for an Any% completion run at 4 minutes, 54 seconds, and 798 milliseconds. This was originally thought impossible, so of course it was a big deal.
The game has four major categories of speedrunning, however. There is Any%, Warpless, Any% All-Stars, and Warpless All-Stars. The All-Stars release refers to the SNES title Super Mario Bros. All-Stars, a remake of all three of the major Mario games on the NES.
Niftski holds the world record for the original NES copy when playing the NTSC version. This goes for both Warpless and Any%.
PAL sees a little more competition, as the game’s timing changes thanks to the frame rate differences between regions. Miniland from the United Kingdom holds the record for Any%, while Spanish runner Aryll holds the record for Warpless.
Other Super Mario Games You Might Enjoy
If you’re into 2D platformers, the Super Mario series is an excellent place to look. While the original game is almost 40 years old, it is a great place to start. You can readily find it on the Nintendo Online service offered with the Switch.
Due to its undying popularity, you’ll also find it is available on just about every console Nintendo has made in the last 20 or so years.
- Characters for all levels of experience
- Dozens of platforming levels for you to enjoy
- Play at home or on-the-go
Other great games to look at are the New Super Mario Bros. series for the Wii, Wii U, and Switch. These feature classic 2D gameplay with some modern elements tossed in. You’ll be able to play with friends and family while also tackling the challenging stages.
If you’re in the mood for more classic Mario action, the NES title Super Mario Bros. 3 is a great place to look. It held the record for the best-selling game of all time for a number of years. As an entry point into the series, it is ideal because it is modern enough for young players but still challenging.
Watch Kosmic’s Super Mario Bros. Warpless Speedrun
Summary Table
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | Super Mario Bros. |
| Significance | Ushered in a new age of console gaming in 1984 |
| Speed Running Scene | Vibrant and dedicated, with four major categories: Any%, Warpless, Any% All-Stars, and Warpless All-Stars |
| World Record Holder (Any% and Warpless) | Niftski (for the original NES copy when playing the NTSC version) |
| Other Super Mario Games | New Super Mario Bros. series for the Wii, Wii U, and Switch, and Super Mario Bros. 3 |
| Speedrun Highlight | Kosmicâs Super Mario Bros. Warpless Speedrun |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©OpenRetro.org.
