Guide & Walkthrough

Guide to Mastering Mario Bros.

Mastering Mario Bros. requires precision and timing. Whether you are playing solo or with a friend, understanding enemy patterns and knowing when to bump the POW Block are the keys to surviving the increasingly chaotic phases. The core gameplay revolves around a unique "hit-from-below" mechanic where you must strike the floor directly beneath enemies to flip them over before running into them to kick them off the screen. You can also utilize the POW Block to upend every ground-touching foe simultaneously, though its three uses must be rationed carefully across the 99 phases.

Success requires mastering spatial awareness, as both you and your enemies can wrap around the screen edges, and you must time your movements to avoid hazards like fireballs or the slippery platforms created by Slipices. Your goal is to clear each wave efficiently to trigger point multipliers and survive the escalating speed of the later stages.

Menu Options

1-Player Game

You control Mario solo through the 99 phases. The goal is to achieve the highest score possible before losing all lives.

2-Player Game

This mode features Mario (Player 1) and Luigi (Player 2) on screen simultaneously. Unlike later Super Mario games where players take turns, here you work together (or compete) in real-time.

• Cooperative Play: Players work together to flip and kick enemies to clear phases faster.

• Competitive Play: Players can bump into each other or "steal" kills and coins, often leading to accidental (or intentional) sabotage.

Pro Tip: In Two-Player mode, if one player loses all their lives, they can "steal" a life from the other player's remaining stock to continue playing, provided the other player has at least one extra life to spare.

Difficulty Settings (NES)

On the NES/Famicom home console versions, you will often see Game A and Game B options:

• Game A - Beginner / Normal

• Game B - Expert

Arcade Archives (Modern Ports)

If you are playing the Arcade Archives version on platforms like the Nintendo Switch, the menu system mimics the original arcade cabinet:

• Insert Coin: You must virtually "insert a coin" (typically with the L or Minus button) to add credits before you can select a mode.

• Starting 2-Player: To start a simultaneous 2-player game in this version, you must add at least two credits and then have the second player press their Start button (or R/Plus depending on the controller config) at the title screen.

Enemies & Hazards

Fighterflies

Fighterflies are bugs that hop across the screen. They can only be flipped when they are touching the ground between hops.

Fireballs

Fireballs appear if you take a long time to clear a phase. Green fireballs bounce horizontally, while red fireballs bounce erratically. You may just want to avoid them, but they can be eliminated from a hit below.

Shellcreepers

Shellcreepers are basic turtles that walk in a straight line. All it takes is a single bump from below to flip them over.

Sidesteppers

Sidesteppers are crabs that require two hits from below to flip. After the first hit, they turn red and move faster. Quickly hit again to flip, then kick as usual.

Slipices

Slipices are hazards that coats a platform in ice, making them slippery. Hit from below to destroy immediately; they don't need to be kicked.

Gameplay Tips

Enemy Collision

Enemies reverse direction upon colliding. Track their patterns to position yourself for the perfect strike.

Flipping Enemies

The direction an enemy is launched—upward, forward, or backward—depends on where you strike them.

High-Low Strategy (2-Player)

Position one player on a platform directly above the other. The lower player flips enemies from beneath, while the upper player immediately kicks them away. To keep things fair, swap positions between Phases to balance your scores.

Platform Glitch

While this is mostly a novelty, you can actually phase through platforms from below. Jump straight up and pause the game exactly as your head touches the ceiling (without actually bumping it). If your character disappears upon pausing, you’ve timed it correctly; unpause the game to find yourself standing on top of the platform.

Respawn Window

After losing a life, you’ll respawn on a temporary platform at the top of the screen. You are safe from enemies while standing there, but the platform vanishes after about 10 seconds. Use this time to scan the stage and ensure your landing zone is clear of enemies.

"Wraparound" Effect

Enemies can wrap around the screen edges just like the player character. Always monitor the opposite side of the stage to avoid being blindsided by an enemy exiting the margin.

Pro Tips for High Scores

Blue Enemies

If you leave a flipped enemy for too long, they will get back up. If they are the last enemy remaining, they turn into a faster blue version.

Point Combo

Striking the floor exactly where two enemies collide will flip both at once. Clear them quickly to kickstart a high-score combo, as defeating multiple enemies in rapid succession yields bonus points.

Warp Pipes

Enemies enter and exit through the pipes at the top and bottom. Use this to predict their path and set up hits.

Common Pitfalls

Ignoring Slipice

If you don't destroy a Slipice fast enough, it will coat a platform in ice. This makes it much harder to time your jumps and stops, potentially sliding you directly into an enemy.

Jumping on Enemies

This is the most common mistake for players used to other Mario games. Jumping on an enemy here will result in an immediate loss of a life.

Standing Under Pipes

Avoid standing directly beneath the top warp pipes. Enemies emerge quickly, and you will have very little time to react if you are positioned right under their entry point.

The "Last Enemy" Speed Boost

When only one enemy remains in a phase, it will turn blue and move significantly faster. Many players get caught off guard by this sudden change in momentum.

Wasting the POW Block

Do not use the POW Block when only one basic enemy is on the screen. Save it for moments when the screen is crowded or when you need to flip a fast-moving "last enemy."

Multiplayer Gameplay Tips

The "Life Steal" (Replacement)

In Mario Bros., teamwork only goes so far—sometimes you just need to stay in the game. If you are playing a 2-player game and run out of lives, you don't have to sit on the sidelines:

• How to do it: While the "Game Over" prompt is active, press the Start button (or the designated "Start" mapped to your controller).

• The Cost: You will instantly respawn by taking one life from your partner's remaining stock.

• Strategy: This is best used if the surviving player has a large surplus of lives, but be careful—doing this without asking is a surefire way to turn a "Cooperative" game into a "Competitive" one very quickly!

Competitive Scoring Strategies

If you want to ensure you end the game with a higher score than Luigi (or Mario), keep these "frenemy" tactics in mind:

• The Bump Sabotage: You can jump and hit the platform directly beneath the other player. This causes them to hop slightly and lose their momentum. If you time this right as they are about to kick a flipped enemy, you can "steal" the kick and the points for yourself.

• POW Block Denial: If your partner is in a perfect position to clear a whole wave of enemies, hit the POW Block early. This flips everything prematurely, often changing the enemy's timing and forcing your partner to adjust, allowing you to swoop in for the kills.

• Coin Hogging: During the Bonus Phases, don't worry about clearing the stage; focus entirely on the path with the most coins. Since there are no enemies, it’s a pure sprint for currency.

• The "Final Enemy" Trap: As mentioned before, when only one enemy remains, it turns blue and speeds up. If you are ahead in points, let your partner take the risk of trying to flip the fast-moving target while you stay safe on a top platform.

Game Over? Not Quite.

Mastering Mario Bros. is all about finding a rhythm between aggression and patience. By learning how to bait enemies into position and timing your strikes from below, you can transform a chaotic screen into a controlled sequence of high-scoring combos. As you advance through the phases, remember that the environment itself is your greatest tool—use the wrap-around screen edges and the POW Block strategically to stay ahead of the escalating speed. Keep practicing these fundamentals, and you’ll find yourself climbing the leaderboards and clearing even the most frantic later stages with ease. Good luck, and happy gaming!