Super Mario Bros. Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer
Mario Bros.
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1985 (originally 1984) |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Mario |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 13 |
Mario Bros. is a platformer released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Nintendo. This NES release is a port or adaptation of a game that first appeared in 1984.
It belongs to the NES's earliest wave of games. Other notable NES releases from 1985 include Super Mario Bros., Excitebike and Ice Climber.
It is part of the Mario series. The series also appears on other systems with Super Mario 64 (N64) and Super Mario RPG (SNES). Nintendo also made Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Bros. 2 for the NES.
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 an evening or two (roughly 1–6 hours to see it through)
- you want a game to beat together with a friend
- you want to experience one of the NES'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. cheats & codes
71 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives | SXTIEG |
|---|---|
| Start With 1 Life | AAISPL |
| Start With 6 Lives | IAISPL |
| Start With 9 Lives | AAISPU |
| Faster Mario & Luigi | PENGSAAA |
| Mega Fast Mario & Luigi | ZENGSAAA |
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…
Super Mario Bros. 3 Classic
Ice Climber Classic Co-op
Super Mario 64 Classic
Super Mario Bros. 2 Classic
Donkey Kong Classic
Mario vs. Donkey Kong Classic
Donkey Kong Jr. Classic
Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Mario Bros. FAQ
When did Mario Bros. come out on the NES?
Mario Bros. was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985; the original game dates back to 1984.
Who made Mario Bros.?
It was developed by Nintendo.
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 "An evening or two" category: roughly 1–6 hours to see it through. 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.