Donkey Kong Jr. Classic
Atari 2600 · Platformer
Mario Bros.
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Released | 1983 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Mario Bros. |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 36 |
Mario Bros. is a platformer released in 1983 for the Atari 2600, developed by Nintendo and published by Atari.
It landed about 6 years into the 2600's life. Other notable 2600 releases from 1983 include E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Halloween and The Activision Decathlon. Among the 31 2600 platformers in our database, it ranks #1 by legacy score.
It is part of the Mario Bros. series. The series also appears on other systems with Mario Bros. (7800) and Mario Bros. (C64). Nintendo also made Donkey Kong Jr., Popeye and Sky Skipper for the 2600.
Mario Bros. supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you want a game to beat together with a friend
- you want to experience one of the 2600's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
What playing Mario Bros. is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Mario Bros. walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Mario Bros..
If you like Mario Bros., the Matrix also picks…
Popeye Classic
Super Mario Bros. Classic
Ice Climber Classic Co-op
Donkey Kong Classic
Super Mario Bros. 3 Classic
Super Mario World Classic
Playing 2600 games today
Most 2600 games are built for short, score-chasing sessions, which makes them perfect for a quick nostalgia hit. Original hardware is cheap and plentiful, the Atari 2600+ reissue plays original cartridges on modern TVs, and official collections such as Atari 50 bundle many first-party classics.
Mario Bros. FAQ
When did Mario Bros. come out on the 2600?
Mario Bros. was released for the Atari 2600 in 1983.
Who made Mario Bros.?
It was developed by Nintendo and published by Atari.
Is Mario Bros. multiplayer?
Yes. Mario Bros. supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.
How long does Mario Bros. take to play?
As a platformer, Mario Bros. typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Mario Bros. on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.