Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Developed and published by Nintendo, Super Mario Bros. was completely remade for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993 as part of Super Mario All-Stars. Instead of simply porting the 1985 NES classic, Nintendo rebuilt it with new 16-bit graphics, rearranged audio, a save system, and several small mechanical changes while preserving the original 32 stages across eight worlds.
Rating: 9/10
At its core, this remains the landmark platformer that helped define the genre. Mario — or Luigi in two-player mode — travels through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. The adventure takes place across grassy overworlds, underground caverns, underwater stages, nighttime areas, and increasingly dangerous castles, filled with familiar enemies such as Goombas, Koopa Troopas, Hammer Bros., Lakitu, Bullet Bills, and Bowser.
Controls remain wonderfully simple. Mario can run, jump, stomp enemies, break bricks when powered up, and collect Super Mushrooms, Fire Flowers, and Starmen. Momentum is central to the movement, especially when making long running jumps or navigating narrow platforms. The physics aren't completely identical to the NES original, but they are close enough that the differences quickly become easy to adjust to.
The biggest transformation is visual. The sparse 8-bit environments have been replaced with colorful 16-bit scenery featuring mountains, clouds, detailed caves, textured brickwork, and much more elaborate castle interiors. Characters and enemies receive larger, more expressive sprites, and the richer backgrounds give the Mushroom Kingdom far more personality.
Koji Kondo's soundtrack also receives a substantial upgrade. The familiar melodies are rearranged using the SNES's sample-based audio hardware, with fuller percussion, deeper bass, and cleaner sound effects. The music remains instantly recognizable while sounding much richer than the NES original, and the new Bowser battle music is particularly memorable.
There are some subtle gameplay differences. The best-known involves breaking bricks from below. In the NES version, Mario retains more upward momentum after striking certain blocks, while the All-Stars version tends to stop that movement more abruptly. Experienced players may notice the change in block-heavy areas, although it has little impact on normal play.
One of the biggest improvements is the save system. Multiple save files allow progress to be stored after reaching new worlds, removing the need to finish the game in one sitting. Continuing after a Game Over is also much more convenient, making this version considerably more approachable.
The level design remains the real star. World 1-1 teaches the basic mechanics naturally, while later stages introduce moving platforms, springboards, underwater hazards, Hammer Bros., maze-like castles, and increasingly demanding jumps. Warp Zones provide shortcuts through the game, while hidden blocks, secret pipes, and bonus areas reward exploration.
After completing World 8-4, the game also offers a second loop, or Hard Mode. The same stages are played again with some increased difficulty, most notably replacing Goombas with Buzzy Beetles. This gives experienced players an extra challenge and makes a full two-loop playthrough considerably more demanding.
Purists may still prefer the original NES version for its iconic 8-bit visuals, chiptune soundtrack, and exact physics. Some of the minimalist charm is inevitably lost beneath the more elaborate presentation. Even so, the SNES remake is far more than a cosmetic upgrade.
Super Mario Bros. in Super Mario All-Stars is an excellent 16-bit reimagining of one of gaming's most important platformers. It preserves the brilliant level design and accessible mechanics of the original while adding beautiful presentation and useful quality-of-life improvements. Whether playing every stage, using Warp Zones for a faster route, or tackling the harder second loop, it remains remarkably enjoyable decades later.
Developed and published by Nintendo, Super Mario Bros. was completely remade for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1993 as part of Super Mario All-Stars. Instead of simply porting the 1985 NES classic, Nintendo rebuilt it with new 16-bit graphics, rearranged audio, a save system, and several small mechanical changes while preserving the original 32 stages across eight worlds.
Rating: 9/10
At its core, this remains the landmark platformer that helped define the genre. Mario — or Luigi in two-player mode — travels through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser. The adventure takes place across grassy overworlds, underground caverns, underwater stages, nighttime areas, and increasingly dangerous castles, filled with familiar enemies such as Goombas, Koopa Troopas, Hammer Bros., Lakitu, Bullet Bills, and Bowser.
Controls remain wonderfully simple. Mario can run, jump, stomp enemies, break bricks when powered up, and collect Super Mushrooms, Fire Flowers, and Starmen. Momentum is central to the movement, especially when making long running jumps or navigating narrow platforms. The physics aren't completely identical to the NES original, but they are close enough that the differences quickly become easy to adjust to.
The biggest transformation is visual. The sparse 8-bit environments have been replaced with colorful 16-bit scenery featuring mountains, clouds, detailed caves, textured brickwork, and much more elaborate castle interiors. Characters and enemies receive larger, more expressive sprites, and the richer backgrounds give the Mushroom Kingdom far more personality.
Koji Kondo's soundtrack also receives a substantial upgrade. The familiar melodies are rearranged using the SNES's sample-based audio hardware, with fuller percussion, deeper bass, and cleaner sound effects. The music remains instantly recognizable while sounding much richer than the NES original, and the new Bowser battle music is particularly memorable.
There are some subtle gameplay differences. The best-known involves breaking bricks from below. In the NES version, Mario retains more upward momentum after striking certain blocks, while the All-Stars version tends to stop that movement more abruptly. Experienced players may notice the change in block-heavy areas, although it has little impact on normal play.
One of the biggest improvements is the save system. Multiple save files allow progress to be stored after reaching new worlds, removing the need to finish the game in one sitting. Continuing after a Game Over is also much more convenient, making this version considerably more approachable.
The level design remains the real star. World 1-1 teaches the basic mechanics naturally, while later stages introduce moving platforms, springboards, underwater hazards, Hammer Bros., maze-like castles, and increasingly demanding jumps. Warp Zones provide shortcuts through the game, while hidden blocks, secret pipes, and bonus areas reward exploration.
After completing World 8-4, the game also offers a second loop, or Hard Mode. The same stages are played again with some increased difficulty, most notably replacing Goombas with Buzzy Beetles. This gives experienced players an extra challenge and makes a full two-loop playthrough considerably more demanding.
Purists may still prefer the original NES version for its iconic 8-bit visuals, chiptune soundtrack, and exact physics. Some of the minimalist charm is inevitably lost beneath the more elaborate presentation. Even so, the SNES remake is far more than a cosmetic upgrade.
Super Mario Bros. in Super Mario All-Stars is an excellent 16-bit reimagining of one of gaming's most important platformers. It preserves the brilliant level design and accessible mechanics of the original while adding beautiful presentation and useful quality-of-life improvements. Whether playing every stage, using Warp Zones for a faster route, or tackling the harder second loop, it remains remarkably enjoyable decades later.
