Mario NES Colors: Revisit the Classic

The Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was home to countless iconic games, but few have left as lasting an impression as Super Mario Bros. In 1988, just two years after its predecessor, Nintendo released Super Mario Bros. 2, but it wasn't the side-scrolling sequel we know today. Instead, it was a rebranded version of a Japanese platformer called Doki Doki Panic. The Western release, however, introduced a new challenge: the gamers wanted the Super Mario Bros. they knew and loved. The result was Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, released in Japan, and Super Mario Bros. 2 in the West, marking a significant milestone in the Mario timeline. But how did we get to Mario Bros. on the NES? Let's take a trip down memory lane.

Before the NES, Mario was a humble carpenter created by Shigeru Miyamoto for the Donkey Kong arcade game. It wasn't until the 1985 release of Super Mario Bros. on the NES that Mario truly became the global icon we know today. This classic platformer introduced us to the side-scrolling formula that defined the series, with its unforgettable soundtrack and challenging level design.

The Birth of Mario Bros. on NES

Super Mario Bros. was an instant success, selling over 40 million copies worldwide. Nintendo was eager to capitalize on this success and released Super Mario Bros. 2 within two years. But, as mentioned, it wasn't the sequel fans were expecting. In response, Nintendo Japan released Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, a game that kept the familiar platforming formula but amped up the difficulty. Meanwhile, the West got a modified version of Doki Doki Panic with a Mario skin, officially titled Super Mario Bros. 2. This version was popular, but it didn't fundamentally change the Mario formula.

Both games paved the way for the eventual release of Super Mario Bros. 3 in 1988, which introduced new power-ups, worlds, and gameplay mechanics. But let's not forget Mario Bros., the original side-scrolling Mario game, released on the NES half a year after Super Mario Bros. It was a departure from the classic platforming formula, focusing on stamping out enemies rather than jumping on them.

Mario Bros.: A Different Formula

In Mario Bros., we first saw plumbing as a central theme, which would eventually become a franchise staple. The game took place in the sewers of New York City, with Mario and Luigi as plumbers rather than brave adventurers. The game mechanic was unique: instead of jumping, Mario and Luigi would hit enemies from below, causing them to flip over and giving the brothers a few seconds to hammer them into the ground.

This precursor to the classic Mario formula was well-received, but it's the later games that truly defined the character and launched a franchise that's still going strong today. The evolution of Mario on NES systems led to iconic titles like Super Mario Bros. 2, 3, and beyond, each offering a fresh take on the classic platforming formula.

Super Mario Bros. 3: Refining the Formula

The new power-ups and increased exploration in Super Mario Bros. 3 redefined Super Mario games. Players could now fly with the Super Leaf, swim with the Frog Suit, and even drive a nipper or cling to a Kuriboh. Each power-up came with uniqueabilities, inviting players to experiment with new strategies.

Through its games on the NES, Mario evolved from a humble plumber to a global icon, with a formula that has stood the test of time. The side-scrolling platforming genre, as defined by these games, continues to inspire and influence developers today. As we look forward to new Mario adventures, it's clear that the NES era laid the groundwork for one of gaming's most beloved franchises.