Super Mario Bros. is a classic video game that has captured the hearts of millions of players for over three decades. Here are seven fascinating facts about the game that you may not have known.
1. The game was created to save the video game industry
In the early 1980s, the video game industry was in a state of decline. Many people had lost interest in video games, and the industry was in dire need of a hit. Super Mario Bros. was created as a way to revive the industry and bring people back to video games. It was a resounding success and is credited with saving the video game industry.
2. The game was based on a character from an earlier game
Mario, the main character in Super Mario Bros., was first introduced in the arcade game Donkey Kong in 1981. In the original game, Mario was a carpenter who was trying to rescue his girlfriend from the clutches of Donkey Kong. In Super Mario Bros., Mario was reimagined as a plumber on a quest to rescue Princess Peach.
3. Super Mario Bros. was the first side-scrolling platformer
Super Mario Bros. was the first side-scrolling platformer, meaning that the game was played from a side view and the player had to navigate a series of platforms to reach the end of the level. This type of game became very popular, and many other side-scrolling platformers were released in the years following the release of Super Mario Bros.
4. The game was designed to be challenging
Super Mario Bros. was designed to be challenging, and many players found the game to be very difficult. The game was designed this way to encourage players to keep playing and to make the game more enjoyable in the long run. The game’s difficulty has become a defining characteristic of the series and is one of the reasons why Super Mario Bros. is still so popular today.
5. The game was released in Japan before it was released in the United States
Super Mario Bros. was first released in Japan on September 13, 1985. It was later released in the United States on October 18, 1985. This was a common practice at the time, as many video games were released in Japan first and then later released in other regions.
6. The game’s soundtrack was composed by Koji Kondo
Koji Kondo is a legendary video game composer, and he composed the soundtrack for Super Mario Bros. The game’s music is still widely recognized and loved today, and it is considered to be some of the best video game music of all time.
7. The game’s success sparked a franchise
The success of Super Mario Bros. sparked a franchise that has lasted for over three decades. There have been many sequels and spin-offs of the original game, including Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and many others. The franchise has become one of the most successful and recognizable in the world of video games.
In conclusion, Super Mario Bros. on the NES is a true classic and a beloved piece of video game history. These seven fascinating facts help to shed some light on the development and success of the game, and they serve as a testament to its enduring popularity and cultural significance.
