Today marks the 25th Anniversary since the launch of the original Super Mario Bros. on the classic NES console (or the Famicom depending upon your region).

In South Africa, the NES was only available from one chainstore making it incredibly expensive.  Instead, most South Africans my age will remember the Golden China – a top-loading Famicom knock-off a fraction of the cost.  It was on the Golden China that I first experienced the pinnacle of gaming; Super Mario Bros.  At the time I didn’t know it was effectively a pirate machine but since moving to the UK I have redeemed myself and own an original NES with the entire Mario collection.

I vividly remember playing Super Mario Bros for the first time when I was a kid and it changed my life.  I owned an Atari 2600 and I really enjoyed Pong and Maze Craze, but Super Mario Bros just propelled gaming ahead of anything I had ever experienced.  Playing Super Mario Bros as a kid was like experiencing the future!

Some key moments I remember include:

  • Discovering the mushroom power up for the first time…
  • …and then upgrading it to spit fireballs!
  • Accidentally going into a pipe to find a treasure trove of coins.
  • The first time you jump above the brick ceiling in 1-2…
  • …and then take that all the way to the Warp Pipes!
  • Realising you don’t fight Koopa directly, instead you destroy the bridge.
  • Finally finding the right Castle!

If you’re keen to relive your childhood then check out this amazing 5-minute speed run of Super Mario Bros.

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