When I started this blog I had just one game in mind for my first review. Super Mario Bros. was not only my first video game, but perhaps also the one I’ve returned to more so than any other. The game opened my imagination to what the medium could offer; fantastical worlds that you could interact with. I never imagined something two dimensional could be draw you in like this one has, and continues to do. It’s easy to see why Super Mario Bros. captured the attention of worldwide audiences when it was released. It will always hold a special place in my heart, and today I’m here to tell you why it’s such a classic.
Super Mario Bros. defined one of the most classic video game genres; side scrolling platformers. In an age where most games offered only one screen of play this title moved along with Mario which opened the way to large and intricately designed levels. Mario can walk, run, and jump, and though basic when compared to similar titles in this day and age which often rely on gimmicks it’s a little on the basic side. Where Mario truly excels is in its level design. Creatively placed coins often lead you from the easiest paths, and secret 1-ups and invisible blocks reward exploration. Sometimes you’ll find yourself randomly jumping to see if any secrets are in the area, but once you find them you’ll never forget where they were. I, for example, still remember most of the secrets I found when I was just a kid.
Gameplay is generally very simple. You play through a series of worlds which are composed of various levels. Your goal is to make it from the beginning of a stage to the flagpole at the end. It’s not quite as easy as it sounds because each level is filled with enemies. The common variety goombas and koopa troopas go down for the count when Mario (or Luigi) jump atop their head, but other enemies require a little more tact. This game makes liberal use of power-ups that increase your character’s abilities. These include super mushrooms (that allow you to take an additional hit and also break bricks), fire flowers which enable you to throw fireballs, and the super star which renders Mario invincible for a short period of time. You aren’t armed with a ton of abilities in this game, but simplicity is one of Super Mario Bros’ strengths.
If there’s one complaint I have it’s that the levels are a little simple. There are rarely any branching paths (mostly in the castle segments) and the screen doesn’t scroll backwards. You’re out of luck if you miss anything or happen to walk just a little too far to the right because whatever you left behind is gone for good. The only real variety this game offers is in its underwater stages. These are surprisingly fun and more hectic than the standard levels (due to the fact that enemies are significantly more agile than you are) but they’re a little uncommon. Even despite this issue the developers were able to come up with some creative obstacles that require timing and a grasp of your character’s momentum.
There is so much to discover and love in this game. Levels gradually introduce more complicated mechanics while easing you into more difficult situations based on already introduced obstacles. It’s really pretty neat how well the game paces out its difficulty ranking. What’s also nice is the fact that, should you hate specific stages or simply want to race to the end, you can use the well placed warp zones. I remember how exciting it was to find them when I was a child, and even now I find myself re-living those moments each time I jump above the bricks in the underground areas.
The pixel based graphics hold up wonderfully, but the game does look a little blocky even compared to other titles of its time. Mario’s character, as well as all enemies, are composed of only ten to twenty pixels apiece. Despite this limitation the art style is surprisingly expressive, and I prefer the original graphics to any remake. The soundtrack is also a little on the dated side, but every song is iconic, memorable, and catchy. It’s hard to fault the music when it’s so darn endearing and catchy.
