Mario Bros. Walkthrough

Introduction

While often overshadowed by its side-scrolling successors, the original Mario Bros. is a masterclass in arcade-style platforming that demands precision and timing. Unlike later titles where jumping on enemies is the primary goal, this game requires you to master the unique mechanic of striking platforms from below to upend your foes. Whether you are playing solo or competing for a high score with a friend, understanding enemy patterns and effectively utilizing the POW Block are the keys to surviving the increasingly chaotic phases. This guide will walk you through the essential mechanics, enemy behaviors, and pro-level strategies needed to clear the pipes and dominate the leaderboard.

Core Gameplay Mechanics

Defeating Enemies

Unlike in most other Mario games, you cannot defeat enemies by jumping on them. You must hit the floor directly beneath them to flip them over, then run into them to kick them off the screen.

POW Block

Hitting the POW Block flips all enemies currently touching the ground. It can be used three times before disappearing.

Phases

Clear all enemies to advance. There are 22 unique phase variations, but there are 99 phases in total. The on-screen counter continues to increment until it reaches Phase 99. After Phase 99, the counter typically rolls back to Phase 0 or Phase 1, but the gameplay remains a loop of the later, more difficult stages. Every few levels, you'll enter a Bonus Phase to collect coins for extra points.

Enemy Strategies

Shellcreepers

Shellcreepers are basic turtles that walk in a straight line. Hit once from below to flip, then kick.

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.

Fighter Flies

Fighter Flies hop across the screen. You can only flip them when they are touching the ground between hops.

Slipices

Slipices freezes platforms, making them slippery. Hit from below to destroy immediately; they don't need to be kicked.

Fireballs

Fireballs appear if you take too long to clear a phase. Green fireballs bounce horizontally; red fireballs bounce erratically. Avoid or hit from below.

Common Pitfalls

Jumping on Enemies

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

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."

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.

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.

Ignoring Slipice

If you don't destroy a Slipice quickly, it will coat the platforms in ice. This makes it much harder to time your jumps and stops, often sliding you directly into an enemy.

Pro Tips for High Scores

The Blue Form

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.

Combos

Kicking multiple flipped enemies in a row grants exponentially more points ($800 \rightarrow 1600 \rightarrow 3200$, etc.).

Warp Pipes

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

Conclusion

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!