Classic NES Series: Super Mario Bros.

 Game Boy Advance
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 128 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 101 out of 128
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 128
  3. Negative: 4 out of 128
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  1. TheQuietGamer
    Feb 28, 2015
    6
    It's one of the best games of all time for sure. Gaming wouldn't be what it is today without this game. However it has not aged well. Level design is still solid, but the controls are stiff and awkward. This, along with the fact that Mario doesn't stop moving for a second after you let go of the button, makes what should be simple platforming a chore.

    The game itself actually isn't    It's one of the best games of all time for sure. Gaming wouldn't be what it is today without this game. However it has not aged well. Level design is still solid, but the controls are stiff and awkward. This, along with the fact that Mario doesn't stop moving for a second after you let go of the button, makes what should be simple platforming a chore.

    The game itself actually isn't really hard, but many frustrating deaths come from struggling with the dated controls. Making a tricky jump only to have Mario slip right off is frustrating. You'll be left replaying levels just trying to figure out how to not get screwed by dated design.

    As you might expect the later levels are the ones you'll need the most practice on, but because there isn't a save system getting back to those levels takes a bit. Once you lose all of your lives you're have to start back at the beginning of the game. A simple mistake early on will hurt you later. However given the nature of the controls the mistakes aren't often your fault.

    All of this is just due to age and if gamers back then can put up with it then so can we. However it still makes the game a pain to play. Mario's first game is still worth a look though. It's a piece of gaming history that is still playable even if it's tedious and this GBA port is a decent way to do it. Perhaps it's best played on a NES for the full nostalgic/old-school effect, but it's still the exact same game you'll get here. It hasn't aged well, but I have to respect it's legacy.    … Expand
  2. BrettSiebenhaar
    Aug 10, 2018
    7
    I am a Mario fanatic! I grew up playing the original Mario on the NES. The game is fun and it was a good starter, but wow, it hasn't aged that well. Mario Bros 3 on the other hand, there you go!
  3. A-Lyra
    Apr 27, 2021
    5
    Dear 7-4 and 8-4 designers... WHY?!

    Those 2 aside it’s a great game, bad (horrible imo) control, but it’s still playable, quite simple game but hey, it’s a NES game
  4. jfjdkadlkldssd
    Jun 26, 2020
    5
    This game was great at the time, but its overrated by nostalgia now. Only play this game if your interested in how the series started
  5. yxckson
    Dec 2, 2020
    5
    Look, I get it. It's the game that started it all, but that doesn't mean it was bad or good. Yes, as this may be a great game for its time, you play this game now and realize how big of a pain in the ass it is. The movement has always been my main issue as Mario always felt so unbelievably clunky to control and I feel as if sometimes the game would just cheat me off a platform with theLook, I get it. It's the game that started it all, but that doesn't mean it was bad or good. Yes, as this may be a great game for its time, you play this game now and realize how big of a pain in the ass it is. The movement has always been my main issue as Mario always felt so unbelievably clunky to control and I feel as if sometimes the game would just cheat me off a platform with the irritating hitboxes this game has. I should clarify however, that I have beaten the game, and I mean actually beaten the main game, no shortcuts or anything, and the only reason why I kept myself going was because I felt it was only right that I beat the first game if I love the franchise so much. And look, this game isn't all bad, it was still enjoyable to play, but it is just unbelievably frustrating as all hell. Thanks for being the start to the franchise, but I would rather play almost any other main Mario game.… Expand
  6. SuperB3yt
    Dec 14, 2020
    6
    Now look. I love this game, and if I lived in the 80s or 90s I would give this game a 9. But this is 2020 damnit. Yeah this game hasn't aged well really and there are so many other great Mario games out there, but this game really is important to the video game community. And without Mario, we wouldn't have Banjo-Kazooie, Conker, and even Sonic. So I give it a

    68/100

Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Best Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
4
#4 Most Discussed Game Boy Advance Game of 2004
11
#11 Most Shared Game Boy Advance Game of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Thunderbolt
    100
    Super Mario Bros. was, is, and always will be a gaming masterpiece. Its oft imitated, yet rarely equaled combination of gameplay responsiveness, superb level design and visual flourish, combined with that special loving touch that only Miyamoto seems able to wield, makes it one of those rare games that seems to transcend time.
    Read full review
  2. Game Informer
    90
    For purists, this is the cream of the crop in retro goodness. [June 2004, p.138]
    Read full review
  3. Pocket Games
    90
    This is it, the game that brought video games in America back from the dead. [Summer 2004, p.15]
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