Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. is a video game that consists of 10 releases

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Super Mario Bros. is a platformer created by Shigeru Miyamoto, published by Nintendo, and is one of the best selling video games of all time.

Overview

Super Mario Bros. title screen
Super Mario Bros. title screen
Super Mario Bros. is a fantasy platformer created by Shigeru Miyamoto, and published by Nintendo. The game was released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment system (NES). Super Mario Bros. has gone on to be considered by many to be one of the best platformers ever created. Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition declared Super Mario Bros. for the NES as the best selling video game of all time with more than 40 million copies sold worldwide. 

Super Mario Bros. has two direct sequels, numerous spin-offs, and has also crossed mediums; most notably into television and movies. Super Mario Bros., the movie, was the first movie to be based on a video game. 
Mario, the main character of the game, is one of Nintendo’s most well known mascots, and has become so famous that he is recognized worldwide.  Whether you play video games or not you will most likely know the name “Super Mario.”

The game has been released in a variety of forms. It has been released on the Game Boy Advance, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo Entertainment System, Wii Virtual Console, and has been featured in Animal Crossing as a game that can be obtained through use of an Action Replay.

Plot

The Mushroom Kingdom is invaded by the Koopas. The Koopas are a tribe of turtle-like creatures versed in the ways of black magic. Using their black magic abilities they have turned all the Mushroom people into various objects like stones and bricks. Their leader, the evil Koopa King Bowser, has kidnapped the only person who can undo the black magic that has trapped the Mushroom people, Princess Toadstool. Mario hears of the plight of the Mushroom people, grabs his brother Luigi, and sets out on a quest to free Princess Toadstool.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Super Mario Bros. is simple, yet revolutionary. The game has eight worlds, and each world has four sub-levels.  Basically, Mario must travel through all eight worlds, avoiding obstacles and enemies along the way.  At the end of each world is a castle, in which Mario must fight one of Bowser’s evil minions; with the exception of the last castle in which you fight Bowser himself.
Mario swims through World 2-2
Mario swims through World 2-2

The weapons in Mario's arsenal are not vast by any means.Mario can jump on enemy’s heads, shoot fireballs (by picking up a Fire Flower) at them, or use “Star Power” by picking up a Starman, which makes him an invincible machine of destruction, laying waste to everything in his path. Mario can also use the occasional Koopa shell to kill enemies. This four pronged offensive is how Mario will dispatch of most enemies, with the exception of Bowser and his castle minions. When it comes to the bosses of the game there is another way of dealing with them that is presented. Jumping on their heads will only get Mario killed, and there are no Starmen to be had during these instances. They can be killed with fireballs, if Mario somehow makes it to the end of the level with with that ability; but if Mario doesn't, there are many different approaches to dispatching these enemies

All of the the bosses in the game are standing on bridges, that are over pits of lava, blocking the way to the end of the level. At the end of each bridge is an ax. By using a platform above the boss or running underneaththe boss when he does jump, and then grab the ax at the end of the bridge. This will cause the bridge to collapse, sending the boss into the lava below.
 
After each one of the “boss” battles, except the last one in which Mario faces Bowser himself and free the real princess, a mushroom retainer is saved who says this famous line, “Thank you Mario! But our princess is in another castle!”

Characters

Bowser - King of the Koopas and the main boss of the game.
Luigi - Secondary character of the game. Mario’s brother and character used by player two when in two player mode. 
Mario - Main character of the game. The character you assume when playing the game in single player mode, and the character used by player one in two player mode.
Toad - The mushroom person you save in the castles at the end of each world, with the exception of the last castle.
Princess Toadstool (a.k.a. Princess Peach) - Princess of Mushroom Kingdom and the only one who can undo the Koopa’s black magic. 

Enemies

Blooper – Underwater squid-like creatures that must be killed with fireballs.
Bullet Bill – Bullets that are fired, either with a cannon, or off-screen, at Mario.
Buzzy Beetle A tough beetle-like creature with a hard, outer shell that cannot be hurt by fire.
Cheep Cheep – Red and yellow fish with white undersides. Under water this enemy must be killed using fireballs. Out of water they can be killed by fireball or jumping on them.
Goomba – A small mushroom like enemy with feet that is susceptible to any of the four main attack methods.
Koopa Troopa – A turtle-like enemy. Jumping on this enemy will cause it to go into its shell, and if the shell is then jumped on it will send it traveling either right or left and take out any enemies in its path. This enemy is susceptible to any of the four main attack methods.
Lakitu – A koopa who ride on a cloud, showering Mario with spiny eggs. These eggs turn into Spinies (see below).
Paratroopa – Basically Koopa Troopas with wings. When jumped on, they lose their wings and turn into Koopa Troopas.  This enemy is susceptible to any of the four main attack  methods.
Spiny – These koopas are thrown by Lakitu, and come covered in spikes. They can be hurt by fireballs.

Power Ups

(Click here for more on Power Ups)
1-UP – A green mushroom that grants you an extra life.
Fire Flower – Gives you the ability to shoot fireballs. You must already be in the “Super” form to gain the fireball ability; otherwise it has the same affect as the Super Mushroom.
Starman – Makes Mario or Luigi invincible, with the exception of falling into holes, and grants the ability to kill enemies just by touching them. Normally you must jump on an enemy, shoot it with fireballs, or use a Koopa shell to kill them.
Super Mushroom – This makes you bigger. In essence it transforms you into “Super Mario” or “Super Luigi.” It also gives you the ability to take an extra hit; however, when hit you lose the “Super,” and are reduced to regular Mario or Luigi.

Game Name Super Mario Bros.
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Original US Release Jan. 13, 1985
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Aliases SMB
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