Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. is a classic video game released in 1985 that has become a cultural phenomenon. Created by Shigeru Miyamoto, this game features the iconic plumber Mario on his quest to save Princess Toadstool from the evil Bowser.

Mario, also known as Super Mario, is a short, chubby man who wears a red hat and overalls. His signature move is jumping, which, thanks to the game’s physics, can often make him soar absurdly high or miss platforms completely. Mario’s primary objective is to navigate through levels of increasing difficulty, stomping on enemies and collecting coins.

The game’s antagonist, Bowser, is a giant, fire-breathing, spiked turtle with a bad attitude. A running joke in the Super Mario Bros. universe is how Bowser always seems to manage to kidnap Princess Toadstool despite Mario’s best efforts to stop him. Perhaps he’s just a hopeless romantic, or perhaps he’s compensating for something.

The game is known for its catchy music, which is impossible not to hum along to. The sound effects are also iconic, such as the satisfying “ding” when Mario collects a coin, the nerve-wracking beeps when he’s running out of time, and the gruesome “splat” when he falls into a pit of lava.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Super Mario Bros. is the power-ups. Eating a magical mushroom transforms Mario into Super Mario, increasing his size and strength. Eating a flower grants him the ability to throw fireballs at enemies, and collecting a star makes him invincible. It’s almost as if Mario is on a never-ending psychedelic trip, but hey, if it helps him save the princess, who are we to judge?

Super Mario Bros. has had a lasting impact on the gaming industry, inspiring countless imitators and spin-offs. It’s not uncommon to hear people refer to real-life obstacles as “Mario blocks” or exclaim “It’s-a me, Mario!” when they’re feeling particularly whimsical. So next time you’re feeling down, put on your red hat and overalls, jump really high, and remember that in the end, it’s always worth it to save the princess.