Super Mario Bros. Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Platformer
Super Mario Bros. 3
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1988 |
| Genre | Platformer |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | An evening or two (Roughly 1–6 hours to see it through) |
| Series | Super Mario Bros |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 46 |
Super Mario Bros. 3 is a platformer released in 1988 for the Nintendo Entertainment System, developed by Nintendo.
It landed about 3 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1988 include Super Mario Bros. 2, Final Fantasy II and Tetris. Among the 191 NES platformers in our database, it ranks #2 by legacy score.
It is part of the Super Mario Bros series; on the NES you can also try Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros.: 25th Anniversary. The series also appears on other systems with Super Mario World (SNES) and Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (Game Boy). Nintendo also made Duck Hunt, Excitebike and Ice Climber for the NES.
Super Mario Bros. 3 supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
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 have a friend to play against
- 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 Super Mario Bros. 3 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.
Super Mario Bros. 3 cheats & codes
97 codes on file (Game Genie, Action Replay, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Infinite Lives Mario and Luigi | SLXPLOVS |
|---|---|
| Power Jumps | ELKZYVEK |
| Super Power Jumps | EZKZYVEK |
| Mega Power Jumps | EAKZYVEK |
| Multi-Jumps | GZUXNGEI |
| Super Speed Running | OXKZELSX |
Super Mario Bros. 3 walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Super Mario Bros. 3.
If you like Super Mario Bros. 3, the Matrix also picks…
Super Mario Bros. 2 Classic
Super Mario World Classic
Ice Climber Classic Co-op
Mario Bros. Classic Co-op
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.
Super Mario Bros. 3 FAQ
When did Super Mario Bros. 3 come out on the NES?
Super Mario Bros. 3 was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1988.
Who made Super Mario Bros. 3?
It was developed by Nintendo.
Is Super Mario Bros. 3 multiplayer?
Yes. Super Mario Bros. 3 supports up to 2 players.
How long does Super Mario Bros. 3 take to play?
As a platformer, Super Mario Bros. 3 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 Super Mario Bros. 3 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.