Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. of the first plays of platform left one on BORN (the console 8-bit of Nintendo). The hero is a Plombier man with a moustache naming Mario. He must deliver the Princesse Peach, retained captive in the castle of infamous the Bowser. For that, it will have to cross many levels to increasing difficulty until reaching the den of the Boss of end: Bowser in person.

The play was conceived by Shigeru Miyamoto. Super Mario Bros. is only the first episode of the long series Super Mario, of new opus being developed more or less regularly.

History

Left in 1985, one Friday the 13th - what will carry happiness to him -, this title is the emblem of the new direction which the video games will take consequently. While the first plays Famicom were strongly printed seal of the arcade, i.e. plays with the simple concept of which the only goal was to beat a score, Super Mario Bros. proposes to the player to live a true adventure. It is besides under this angle that Miyamoto describes it. For the first time, a true “history” was present, a progression was visible in the play.

The play will have a colossal success and will enormously help to make known the names of Shigeru Miyamoto and Koji Kondo, the type-setter. After an American hegemony as regards video-ludic industry, Nintendo affirms from now on that this medium will also pass by Japan. This play will pose the bases of what will be the sets of platforms in two dimensions: scrolling, power-ups, Warp zone S, enemies varied and Boss of end of level.

Sales

Super Mario Bros. will quickly become an emblem for Nintendo and the video game in general by reaching the statute of the play more sold with the world, titrates that it has still today. More than 40 million specimens were sold in the whole world - as example, Grand Theft Auto 3, the video game more sold in 2001, was sold to 11,4 million specimens. In the United States, the play is sold with nearly 30 million specimens. In Japan, it ran out to approximately 6,8 million, which is the third better sale of video games in this country: only the Pokémon, also of Nintendo, succeeded in exceeding it.

In 2004, Nintendo had launched, at the time of the 20th birthday of the Famicom, the series of the Famicom Mini, re-elected BORN Classics in occident. The principle was to arise, on Game Boy Advance and without the least graphic improvement some of the best plays of the Famicom. This collection gained one big hit, and in particular Super Mario Bros. which remained in signal 10 of the best Japanese sales during several weeks. In 2005, this republication will benefit from an renewed interest on behalf of Japanese thanks to the exit of the Game Boy Micro and will finish its career with more than one million sold specimens. This play, with its old simplicity and its graphics of more than 10 years, will become thus the only play Game Boy Advance, except Pokémon, to exceed the million specimens to the Japan. 500 000 specimens were sold in the United States.

In January 2007, Nintendo placed Super Mario Bros at the disposal in remote loading for 500 Wii Points on the virtual Console of the console of living room Wii. It is about a version in any point identical to the version BORN.

History of the play

History of Super Mario Bros. is held with the kingdom mushroom, which is directed by a princess, Peach (Toadstool with the Japan) It reigns on its subjects, of the Champignon S including one named Toad (Kinopio with the Japan). One day, a monster of the name of King Koopa (Bowser), thanks to its démoniaque army and its talents of magician, transforms the people of the kingdom into bricks and removes the princess.

Two plumbers, Mario and her Luigi brother, mysteriously unloaded in the kingdom decide to give the things in the order.

Influences

History of Super Mario Bros. is that of very good fairy tale: a beautiful princess, malicious and a hero. Miyamoto truffle its history and its title of Western and nonEastern references, as that will be later the case for the Legend of Zelda.

Sometimes thus, Mario will be able, by striking a block, to make push a plant to the sky and to climb it to reach a hidden zone. It acts there of reference to tale for children Anglo-Saxon, Jack and bean magic , where the peasant-hero, Jack, buy a magic seed which makes push a giant bean, giving access to him a world in the clouds inhabited by a cruel giant.

The possibility of Mario of becoming stronger by eating magic mushrooms and flowers of fire as for it will be influenced by the character of Popeye the sailor and his famous spinaches. More precisely, the mushroom making grow is resulting from the novel Alice with the country of the wonders of Lewis Carroll, where Alice eats an end of mushroom of the caterpillar, which makes it grow or reduce. A poisoned mushroom, making reduce Mario if it is large, will appear in the mode super player play and also in the Nipponese version of Super Mario Bros 2, continuation direct of this episode.

The warps zones, placed certainly to finish the play at any speed but also to return at the beginning of the world where the player failed (this last use being voted by plebiscite more by the players), is a direct inspiration of the Téléportation of the series Star Trek .

At the time of the export of the play in the United States, the idea to replace Mario by Popeye, then with the mode, was discussed, and finally refused.

Gameplay

The player (the first always directs Mario, the second control Luigi) thus evolves/moves in a world where the character cannot carry out that two actions at the base: to advance (while running or not) and to jump. By doing this, with him to explore the environment which opens under its steps. The fact of running, if it makes it possible to jump higher and further, of course increases the collision risks with an enemy, which prove mortals if one touches them on the sides or under. Only Hériss, the Plants Piranha, Podoboos and Bowser, as all the enemies whom one meets under water, are mortals whatever the place where they are touched. One can also destroy an enemy while striking under the block which it is held. The jump as for him depends on the speed of the character and the pressure of the button of the lever. The player can direct the character at the time of his jump, after the starting impulse.

During does the exploration of the universe, the player fall on power-ups dissimulated in blocks from stones and blocks “? ”, of the objects conferring an extremely useful particular capacity to him to overcome the enemies. The power-ups basic remainder the magic mushroom which changes Mario (or Luigi) into Super Mario (or Super Luigi). Larger, it can now bend down (touches low) to avoid enemies and can box a shock without dying. That will bring back it at the stage of Mario. If Super Mario finds a flower of fire (replacing mushroom in the blocks), it becomes Mario-Fire, able to launch fireballs being able to overcome all the enemies except for Bruyinsectes ( Buzzy Beetle ), of Bill Balles ( Bullet Bill ) and of Podoboos (fireballs). Lastly, the last power-up is Starman or “character star”, which makes become invincible Mario during one short duration. Its speed in race increases also slightly.

In addition to these objects, Mario will be brought to collect parts, posed that and or dissimulated in the blocks (100 parts offering a life) or green mushrooms said there “mushroom 1-up” gratifiant it of a life.

The gameplay has many of other nuances, like the fact of rebounding higher if one already rebounded on an enemy, or the fact of being able to borrow pipes while putting themselves above and while pressing on the “low” key, giving access secret zones.

The play in its globality is truffle of secret zones which one reaches by green pipes or many magic beans dissimulated in invisible blocks.

Progression in the play

The play is cut out in 8 worlds of 4 levels each one. Each world is balanced systematically by a fortress sheltering a clone of Bowser, a basic enemy changed into Bowser by the true king of Koopas. With each time the player finishes one of the first 7 fortresses, it releases small a Toad which always says to him: “ Thank you Mario/Luigi, goal our princess is in another castle! French ” (: “Thank you Mario/Luigi, but our princess is in another castle! ”). Lastly, at the end of level 8-4 the true princess is… who then says to him to begin one second search.

Current practice in the plays of the time, the play has two distinct searches: the second is harder, with enemies advancing more quickly and of the goombas all replaced by beetles bourdonnants. It is known that one evolves/moves in the special search because a star is in front of the number of the level in progress.

There exist 5 categories of universe:

surface (first level of each monde+3-2,5-2,6-2),
the underground world (1-2 and 4-2),
the underwater world (2-2 and 7-2),
the air world (third level of each world),
the fortresses (ultimate level of each world, where one faces Bowser).

The last world remains an exception, the first 3 levels being held all on the surface.

The air surface and worlds undergo specific modifications, being able to proceed of night or on a ground it seems cold, but which does not influence to in no case the gameplay. Sometimes one will be able to also find trampolines, Mario precipitant and Luigi in the heights.

Each level, except for the fortresses and of the 4 levels of world 8, has a “checkpoint” which cuts the level in two parts of equal size. If the player dies in the second part of the level, it will begin again then at the check-point, and not at the beginning of the level. In addition to this small system of safeguard, it is possible, by making a small handling with the screen titrates after a Game Over, if one lost the part in a level higher than level 2-1, to begin again directly at the beginning of the world where one has chu (to leave inserted has + to support several times on START during the screen Game Over). This safeguard disappears after having extinguished the console. There is no possibility of safeguard of the scores.

Characters

Mario is a plumber man with a moustache vêtu in red;

Luigi is the brother of Mario, thinner and equipped in green;

Daisy is the princess whom it is necessary to help in some Super Mario, such Super Mario Land on Game Boy. It is usually equipped out of yellow dress, the brown hair;

Peach becomes the princess to withdraw claws of Bowser in the majority of Super Mario. It is named in the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros., whereas the versions American and European call it Princess Toadstool . Contrary to Daisy, it is fair, vêtu of a pink dress;

Toad is the man-mushroom which helps Mario and Luigi in their search to save the princess. Its role becomes much more important in Super Mario 64;

Enemies

Enemies of Super Mario Bros. is rather numerous and each one of them has a quality, a specificity, which makes it more or less difficult to overcome. In the order where one meets them in the play: ( English name in italic )

Goomba (100 points) is the basic enemy, whom one can kill by a jump on the head or a fireball. One frequently meets it in the first search and exists two colors: chestnut for surface, gray for the underground world and fortresses. It is replaced in the second search by Bruyinsecte.

Koopa Troopa (100 points) is the basic infantryman of the army of Bowser, resembling a tortoise. A jump on its cranium will make it return in its carapace. It will be then possible to give a kick to mow other enemies inside, but it can return very well towards the player after rebound against an obstacle. If one leaves a motionless carapace during a few seconds, Koopa Troopa comes out from this one with a faster pace. A fireball destroys it and destroys its carapace. Koopa Troopas are available in two varieties: one with carapace green, which is dropped when it arrives on the edge of a hole, and one to red carapace, which changes direction at the time that it meets a pit.

Plant Piranha ( Pirana seedlings ) (200 points) is only in the pipes and leaves brutally, surprising the player. Only a fireball and a star can overcome it. It exists two colors: green for surface, dark green for the underground world and fortresses. The plants piranhas will not leave their pipe if Mario or Luigi is close to this one, which allows them an easier passage.

Podoboo : a findable fireball in the fortresses. It emerges from the lava to strike Mario and is invincible.

Bowser ( Bowser, King off the Koopa ) (5 000 points) is the king of Koopas. One can kill it either with fireballs, or by touching the axe being behind him. It is then necessary to pass under him or over reaching it. Launch hammers starting from the world 5-4.

Koopa Paratroopa (400 points) is a winged version of Koopa Troopa. A jump on him will make become again simple Koopa. Green Paratroopas will make jumps on the ground or will fly in the airs to the horizontal one, whereas the reds carry out vertical ways in the airs.

Cheep-Cheep (200 points) is a fish existing in the worlds submarine but also on the surface, then becoming flying fish and unforeseeable. One can kill it under water only with fire, or by a jump on the head on the surface.

Bloups ( Bloober ) (200 points) is an octopus which exists in the underwater worlds. Its displacements are unforeseeable but it will not touch Mario if this one on the bottom of is stretch of water.

Bruyinsecte ( Buzzy Beetle ) (100 points) is an armoured beetle, insensitive with fire. The player can project his carapace as for Koopa Troopa.

the Brothers Hammers ( The Hammer Brothers ) (1 000 points) generally go by two, but one can find them as a recluse. They leap and sprinkle Mario and Luigi of hammers mortals. They are very delicate enemies to negotiate, because their tide of hammers returns the jump on their head almost impossible to carry out. The best means of overcoming them remainder still to launch a fireball to them or to strike the block which they are.

Lakitu (200 points) is a soldier-koopa with glasses sitting in a small cloud. It will follow Mario and Luigi in all their displacements and will launch eggs of Hériss, which will become of Hériss arrived on the ground.

eggs of Hériss ( Spiny' S Eggs ) (200 points) are launched by Lakitu on Mario. In contact with the ground, they change into Hériss. One can destroy them only by fire or invincibility.

Hériss ( Spiny ) (200 points) are the henchmen of Lakitu covered with prickles. One cannot overcome them while jumping above, one needs the capacity of fire or invincibility.

Bill Ball ( Bullet Bill ) (200 points) is a shell launched by a gun. They leave sporadically and can become very awkward in great number. They can sometimes appear of nowhere, without gun in sight. As for the plants piranhas, to be held close to the guns ejecting to Bills Balles (i.e. with less than one block in width) will prevent those from spouting out.

Tricks and Easy ways

There exists in many ways to gain lives. In addition to the meeting of 100 parts and obtaining a mushroom 1-up, it is necessary to rebound without touching the ground on 8 enemies or more, or mowing 8 with a carapace of them to gain a life.

In each first level of a world is a hidden block offering a mushroom 1-up. This block appears only if one recovers all the parts of the preceding level x-4.

to reach the Warp zone of level 1-2, it is necessary to pass over the wall of the pipe bringing back to surface thanks to the elevator. One can thus reach worlds 2,3 or 4.

world 4-2 has as for him two warp zones. A first, accessible by an ivy leads to worlds 6,7 and 8. One second, accessible from the same manner as that of world 1-2 but while making use this time of a very large pipe leads to world 5.

One can also find a bean magic in the world 6-2. To arrive there it is necessary to pass Bruyinsecte then to jump over 3 pipes, arrived at the 4th (which hiding place a Piranha Plant as the 2 following ones) block which contains bean is that on the right all on the right. There is also an invisible block between 4th and the 5th pipe which gives access the plant.

World records

The current world records for this play were carried out by Trevor Seguin and Andrew Gardikis in 5 minutes and 9 seconds. This record was confirmed by Twin Galaxies, the reference as regards Speedrun, and a video is available on SDA. This record was beaten thanks to the fastest emulator by R. Yoshizawa in 5 minutes. A video is available here. Nevertheless this record remains disputed because of the method employed and is not recognized like official.

Graphic adaptations and recastings

Super Mario Bros. will know a first adaptation and a graphic recasting in compilation Super Mario All-Stars and " Super Mario AlStars + Super Mario World " on Super Nintendo in 1993. A system of safeguard, making it possible to save in each world makes its appearance.

Super Mario Bros. will be adapted thereafter graphically such as on Game Boy Color under the title of Super Mario Bros. Deluxe . The screen of Game Boy being proportionally smaller than a TV screen, the player can reconsider his steps slightly, whereas actually he traverses the same distance as on the original play. If it is graphically similar, the play comprises several notable improvements: appearance of a competition mode, either against the computer incarnated by the Boo phantom or by a second player via the Cable link and especially presence of the Japanese version of " Super Mario Bros. 2 " , known in Europe and with the the United States under the name of " Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels ". On the other hand, whereas the original version was slightly higher as regards graphics than its Préquelle, because left exclusively on Famicom Disk System, the version contained on Super Mario Bros. Deluxe takes again same graphics as Super Mario Bros. .

A new version of Super Mario Bros. , taking again certain elements and the environment of the original play, while adding possibilities of the Mario plays according to and with a graphics in 3D leaves in 2006 under the title New Super Mario Bros. .

Film live

A American Film live, Super Mario Bros founded on the saga was carried out by Rocky Morton and Annabel Jankel in 1992.

Clone

If Super Mario Bros. poses the bases of very good play of platform in two dimensions, it did not have a " there; clone" shameless, that is to say beginning again graphically or largely the bases of the play, except for one only: The Great Giana Sisters on C64 with conversions Amiga, Atari ST and Amstrad CPC. Nintendo appreciated very little the thing, and makes a lawsuit with the developers. The play is withdrawn from the sale a few weeks after its exit.

Two other free recent clones appeared: SuperTux (PC/Mac/Linux) and Secret Maryo Chronicles' (PC).

Development team

Realized by: Shigeru Miyamoto
Executive producer: Hiroshi Yamauchi
Assistant realizer: Takashi Tezuka
Music: Koji Kondo

Comings out date

On Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System:

Japan: September 13rd, 1985
the United States: October 1st, 1985
Europe: May 15th, 1987

On Famicom Disk System:

Japan: February 21st, 1986

On Super Famicom/Super Nintendo Entertainment System, in compilation Super Mario AlStars

Japan: July 14th, 1993 (Under the title " Super Mario Collection ")
the United States: August 1st, 1993
Europe: December 16th, 1993

On Game Boy Color, under the title " Super Mario Bros. Deluxe "

Japan: March 1st, 2000
the United States: April 30th, 1999
Europe: July 1st, 1999

On Game Boy Advance, under the title " Mini Famicom: Super Mario Bros. " with Japan, and " BORN Classics: Super Mario Bros. " in the USA

Japan: February 14th, 2004
the United States: June 7th, 2004
Europe: July 9th, 2004

On the virtual Console of the Wii:

Japan: December 2nd, 2006
the United States: December 25th, 2006
Europe: January 5th, 2007

See too

In the second episode of the televised series Parker Lewis ( Operation Kubiac ), the high-school pupil Larry Kubiac plays Super Mario Bros. 1 instead of revising its courses of maths. The little sister of Parker, as for it, throws the box of the play to the dustbin…

External bonds

of speedrun on the play
universe of '' Super Mario Bros. ''
Site of fan devoted to '' Mario ''
a very detailed Belgian site concerning Super Mario Bros.

Simple: Super Mario Bros.

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