Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986)

by Christopher June 3, 1986

written by Christopher June 3, 1986 4 minutes read

Summary

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels is celebrated for its challenging gameplay and has become a cult classic.

Release Year: 1986
Genres: Adventure, Platform
Platforms: Family Computer Disk System, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Wii U
Developers: Nintendo R&D4
Publishers: Nintendo

Introduction

Introduction to the challenging sequel of Super Mario Bros., diving into the increased difficulty and new level designs.

Synopsis

The premise of the game is identical to “Super Mario Bros.”: King Koopa has abducted Princess Toadstool and is holding her captive in one of his castles. Either Mario or Luigi must navigate through the Mushroom Kingdom, overcome Bowser’s henchmen, and rescue the Princess.

The game begins with Mario (or Luigi) embarking on a journey to rescue Princess Toadstool, who has been kidnapped by the evil King Koopa. The player must brave eight of the most perplexed, difficult, and steep levels ever.

“Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels” is a 2D side-scrolling platform game similar in style and gameplay to the original 1985 “Super Mario Bros.”, save for an increase in difficulty. As in the original, Mario (or Luigi) ventures to rescue the Princess from Bowser.

The player jumps between platforms, avoids enemies and obstacles, finds secrets (such as warp zones and vertical vines), and collects power-ups such as the mushroom (which makes Mario grow), the Fire Flower (which lets Mario throw fireballs), and the Invincibility Star.

The game adds a greater level of difficulty and Luigi controls slightly differently from Mario, with reduced ground friction and increased jump height. The Lost Levels also introduces obstacles such as poison mushroom power-ups, counterproductive level warps, and mid-air wind gusts.

Characters

Details on the main characters and new enemies introduced in this sequel.

Gameplay

Exploration of gameplay mechanics, including the addition of wind mechanics and backward warp zones.

Conclusion

Reflecting on the game’s impact on the platforming genre and its legacy.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern

Christopher

Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.