Staring video gaming's most beloved character, Super Mario Bros. is an essential for any gamer's collection. Released in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Mario Bros. set the precedent for the multitude of platform games to come. It is the best selling video game of all time (though some argue this point because it came as a package deal with many NES consoles) and set Nintendo on the path to become the biggest name in gaming.
Why was Super Mario Bros. so successful? To start, it was the first ever smooth-scrolling platform game. It featured colorful, changing scenery and a good variety of items, enemies, and obstacles. What is most overlooked, however, is the excellent use of "the element of surprise." Bricks labeled with question marks can contain a coin or a power-up. Certain unlabeled bricks can reveal a coin, multiple coins, power-ups, or even an extra life (1-up mushroom). The various large tubes found in the world of Mario (officially called "The Mushroom Kingdom") can sometimes house enemies or serve as passages into secret areas.
What it all comes down to is a terrific balance of original concept, level-design, lastingness, and artwork. It featured some groovy 8-bit music too! So dust off your old Nintendo, grab a controller, and press start. Someone has to save the princess.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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