Redazione RHC : 14 September 2025 10:14
It’s been exactly four decades since the release of the legendary Super Mario Bros., a project that changed the video game industry forever and became the symbol of an entire era.
It was on September 13, 1985, that the Japanese company Nintendo released its masterpiece for the Famicom console. At the time, few could have imagined that the seemingly simple story of an Italian plumber saving a princess from an evil dragon-turtle would become a global cultural phenomenon.
Super Mario Bros. arrived at a turning point for the video game industry. After the collapse of the American video game market in 1983, many thought that home consoles were just a passing fad. However, the game’s creators, Shigeru Miyamoto and his team, managed to prove otherwise, creating a title that combined impeccable gameplay, memorable music, and a unique atmosphere.
The game revolutionized platformer design. Each level was carefully designed to teach the player new mechanics naturally, without the need to read instructions. The first level has become a model for properly introducing the player to the game’s world, from the first Goomba Mario encounters to the famous pipes and question mark blocks.
Over forty years, Super Mario Bros. has sold more than 40 million copies and spawned a franchise that includes dozens of games, cartoons, films, and countless merchandise. Mario has become more than just a video game character: he has become an international icon, recognizable even by those who have never held a gamepad.
The game’s influence on the modern industry is difficult to overestimate. Many of the principles established in Super Mario Bros. are still used by developers around the world. The concept of gradually increasing level difficulty, the importance of precise character control, and the creation of a memorable soundtrack: all these elements have become the benchmark for platformers.
To celebrate the anniversary, Nintendo plans to launch a special collector’s edition of the game and organize a series of events for fans around the world. Forty years later, Super Mario Bros. continues to inspire new generations of players and developers, proving that truly great games never get old.
Redazione