Mario Bros. in the Arcade and on the NES (1983)
After his debut in Donkey Kong, Mario returned in 1983 with his brother Luigi in the arcade game Mario Bros. This marked the first time the two characters appeared together and the first game where Mario was identified as a plumber rather than a carpenter. Set in the sewers of New York, Mario Bros. featured single screen action where players had to defeat enemies like Shellcreepers and Sidesteppers by hitting the platform from below and then kicking them off. It introduced core gameplay elements such as enemy pipes, cooperative multiplayer, and endless stages that ramped up in speed and difficulty.
Later ported to the Nintendo Entertainment System, Mario Bros. remained a household favorite, thanks to its simplicity and competitive two player mode. Though often overshadowed by later titles, it helped lay the groundwork for the future of the franchise.
Super Mario Bros. Launches a New Era (1985)
In 1985, Nintendo revolutionized home gaming with the release of Super Mario Bros. on the NES. The game introduced side scrolling platforming and featured a richly imagined world known as the Mushroom Kingdom. Players guided Mario or Luigi through levels filled with Goombas, Koopa Troopas, hidden blocks, warp zones, and the goal of rescuing Princess Toadstool from Bowser.
Super Mario Bros. set a new standard for home console games with its smooth controls, colorful visuals, and catchy soundtrack. It was one of the main reasons for the success of the NES and is credited with helping revive the video game industry after the crash of the early 1980s.
Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988): A Game of Two Versions
In 1988, Super Mario Bros. 2 arrived in North America, but not the version originally released in Japan. The Japanese version, known as Super Mario Bros. The Lost Levels, was considered too difficult for Western audiences. So Nintendo of America took a different approach.
They reworked a game called Doki Doki Panic, gave it a Mario themed update, and released it as Super Mario Bros. 2. This version allowed players to control Mario, Luigi, Toad, and Princess Toadstool, each with unique abilities. It introduced mechanics like picking up and throwing vegetables and enemies, creating a distinct gameplay experience compared to the original. At first it was initially met with mixed reactions, this version of Super Mario Bros. 2 is now recognized as an important part of Mario’s legacy for its creativity and unique style.
Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988 in Japan)
Even though it didn't reach North American stores until 1990, Super Mario Bros. 3 was released in Japan in October 1988. It pushed the NES to its technical limits with new features like world maps, bonus stages, and iconic power ups such as the Super Leaf, which transformed Mario into Raccoon Mario. The game returned to the side scrolling gameplay of the original Super Mario Bros. but dramatically expanded it with themed worlds, secret areas, and the introduction of the Koopalings as new boss characters. Many still consider it the greatest NES game ever created.
Super Mario Land Brings Mario to the Game Boy (1989)
As the 1980s came to a close, Nintendo once again changed the gaming landscape with the launch of the Game Boy in 1989. One of its first major titles was Super Mario Land, a very different Mario adventure specifically built for handheld play. Instead of battling Bowser, Mario faced off against Tatanga, an alien enemy, and traveled through worlds inspired by Egypt and ancient Asia (band). The game also introduced Princess Daisy, who would go on to become a regular part of the Mario universe.
Despite its monochrome graphics and slightly unusual physics, Super Mario Land was a massive success and proved that portable gaming could deliver the same excitement as home consoles.
Mario in the 1980s: A Cultural Phenomenon
By the end of the 1980s, Mario had become more than just a character in a video game. He was a cultural icon, appearing in cereal boxes, lunchboxes, toys, clothes, and even his own Saturday morning cartoon series. Nintendo’s ability to keep the Mario formula fresh while maintaining its gameplay roots made the series one of the most influential franchises in the history of gaming. From arcade cabinets to living room consoles to pocket sized handhelds, Mario was everywhere.
Final Thoughts
The Mario games of the 1980s were not just popular. They were revolutionary. They helped bring the video game industry back to life, created the template for platformers, and introduced millions of kids to a whole new kind of interactive experience. If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably remember blowing into a cartridge and guiding Mario through pipes, pits, and platforms. These games were more than just fun. They were unforgettable.
