Super Mario Bros.

Definition

Super Mario Bros. is a landmark platform video game released by Nintendo in 1985, featuring the iconic character Mario as he embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Toadstool from the villain Bowser. This game played a crucial role in popularizing the home console market and set new standards for video game design, mechanics, and storytelling.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Super Mario Bros. sold over 40 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time.
2. The game's success helped revitalize the video game industry after the crash of 1983, establishing Nintendo as a dominant force in gaming.
3. Super Mario Bros. introduced innovative gameplay mechanics such as power-ups (like the Super Mushroom) and scrolling levels that transformed platform gaming.
4. The game features an iconic soundtrack composed by Koji Kondo, which became synonymous with the Mario franchise and video games in general.
5. Super Mario Bros. has spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs, solidifying its status as a cultural icon and influencing countless other games.

Review Questions

• How did Super Mario Bros. impact the platformer genre and set standards for future video games?
  • Super Mario Bros. redefined the platformer genre with its engaging level design, innovative gameplay mechanics like power-ups and scrolling screens, and rich visuals. It set a benchmark for level progression, player controls, and narrative integration in games. The success of Super Mario Bros. influenced many subsequent games, establishing foundational elements that are still used in platformers today.
• In what ways did the release of Super Mario Bros. contribute to the revival of the home console market during the mid-1980s?
  • The release of Super Mario Bros. coincided with the launch of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), which played a crucial role in reviving interest in home gaming after the 1983 crash. Its compelling gameplay and appealing characters drew consumers back to video games, leading to increased sales of the NES and establishing a new era of home consoles. The game's success also encouraged third-party developers to create more titles for the NES, further boosting its market presence.
• Evaluate how Super Mario Bros. has influenced modern gaming culture and design principles over the years.
  • Super Mario Bros. has had a profound influence on modern gaming culture and design principles, creating a framework for character-driven narratives and engaging gameplay mechanics. Its design choices have inspired countless games across genres to incorporate elements such as power-ups, level-based progression, and intuitive controls. Furthermore, Mario's character has become a cultural icon representing not just Nintendo but gaming as a whole, demonstrating how successful game design can transcend generations and shape industry standards.

Related terms

Platformer: A genre of video games where players control a character who jumps between platforms to navigate levels and avoid obstacles.

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES): A home video game console released by Nintendo in North America in 1985, which helped revive the video game industry and was the primary platform for Super Mario Bros.

Game Design: The process of creating the content and rules of a game, including mechanics, story, and user experience, which was significantly influenced by the innovations in Super Mario Bros.