There was a time when video games were nothing special. They were a different form of entertainment, but many franchises and consoles just didn’t garner the attention that the developers sought.
The video game crash of 1983 almost spelled doom for the medium, but the introduction of the Nintendo Entertainment System and a game called Super Mario Bros. brought new life to the industry. To this day, the game is still played and enjoyed by gamers.
The Super Mario Bros. Storyline
The story in Super Mario Bros. is the typical hero-saves-damsel-in-distress plot. Princess Toadstool of the Mushroom Kingdom has been kidnapped by King Koopa, a large anthropomorphic turtle-like creature who has the ability to breathe fire. It is up to the Italian-American plumber Mario to traverse through eight worlds, defeat the evil King Koopa, save the princess, and bring peace back to the Mushroom Kingdom.
Super Mario Bros. Gameplay - Platforming at Its Best
One of the things that made Super Mario Bros. so ground-breaking back in the 1980s was its gameplay. The game managed to blend platforming, side-scrolling, and simple combat mechanics flawlessly. As Mario, the player runs from the left side of the screen to the right side, jumping over gaps, climbing up stairs, swimming through water-based levels, and jumping on platforms, all before time runs out.
Combat in the game is simple and intuitive. Weak enemies can be stomped on, but stronger enemies must be terminated by using fireballs. There are also Koopa Troopas and Buzzy Beetles, shelled creatures which can be stomped on and sent careening towards other enemies.
There are a number of power-ups in the game, each granting the player a unique ability. The Mushroom helps Mario grow; the Fire Flower gives him the ability to throw fireballs at enemies; the Starman grants him brief invincibility; and the 1-Up Mushroom awards the player with an extra life.
The game can be played by either one player or two players alternating. If a second player participates, then that person takes control of Luigi, Mario’s younger brother. Players take turns playing through the levels, and when one player loses a life, the other player takes his or her turn.
Graphics and Sound
The visuals in Super Mario Bros. were impressive for their time and still hold up fairly well to this day. Despite a limited color palette, visuals are crisp and well-defined. The game almost appears to have a storybook look to it, something which fits the basic plot well.
Like the game’s graphics, the sound in Super Mario Bros. is very simple. There are only a handful of different themes in the game, but each of them is catchy and charming. Despite its simplicity, the game’s soundtrack continues to be praised to this day.
Lasting Value
With eight worlds, each consisting of four sublevels, Super Mario Bros. lasts a fair amount of time. There are also various shortcuts and hidden areas to be found, and doing so warrants a bit of exploration. Once the game has been completed the first time, a second play-through featuring stronger enemies is available. The addictive nature of the game is what really adds to the replay value, though, and what ultimately keeps gamers playing the game over and over again.
The Legacy of Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. has spawned several sequels and remakes throughout Nintendo’s various consoles since its release. To this day, gamers still play the classic title, and it is one of the most praised games ever created, standing tall amongst other retro hits. Despite the number of impressive video games released in recent memory, Super Mario Bros. remains relevant, playable, and most importantly, enjoyable.
Score: 8.5/10
 |
 |
 |
