Experience the original Super Mario Bros. online! This beloved retro game defined a generation with its innovative platforming and memorable characters. Play for free!

The Extraordinary History of Mario

Super Mario Over four decades ago, in 1981, Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto introduced the world to an iconic character: Mario. As Nintendo's beloved mascot and the star of his own series, Mario has graced over 200 video games, becoming one of the most recognized and cherished game characters ever created.

Mario first appeared as "Jumpman" in the 1981 arcade hit *Donkey Kong*. He was officially renamed Mario later in 1982.

In 1985, Nintendo released Super Mario Bros. for the Family Computer (Famicom) in Japan, followed by its North American debut on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) later that year. This groundbreaking title built upon the 1983 arcade game Mario Bros. and marked the beginning of the legendary *Super Mario* platforming series.

In Super Mario Bros., Mario embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Toadstool (later known as Princess Peach) of the Mushroom Kingdom from the clutches of King Koopa (later known as Bowser). To save her, Mario must conquer eight unique worlds, venturing into each castle to defeat one of King Koopa's minions.

Mario and his games have earned numerous accolades, including Guinness World Records for "Best Selling Video Game Series of All Time" and "Most Prolific Video Game Character." His enduring popularity was further cemented by the massive success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), becoming one of the highest-grossing animated films ever.

The phenomenal success of Super Mario Bros. paved the way for a multitude of sequels in the *Super Mario* series. Titles like Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 3 achieved similar commercial triumphs. The core gameplay concepts and elements established in the original Super Mario Bros. have remained influential, permeating nearly every subsequent *Super Mario* game and helping to popularize side-scrolling platformers worldwide.

The original version of the Super Mario Bros. game sold over 40 million copies, making it the best-selling video game in the Mario series and one of the best-selling video games of all time. Remarkably, 29 million of those copies were sold in North America alone. A 1990 study in North America even suggested that more U.S. children recognized Mario than Mickey Mouse!

Decades later, and Super Mario Bros. remains incredibly relevant and enjoyable today. Gamers continue to uncover its secrets, and thanks to numerous re-releases and ports, it continues to charm new generations of players.

Most notable releases include:


This website uses cookies to deliver the best possible user experience. You can read more about this in our Privacy Policy.   OK