Why Super Mario Bros. Was So Successful

Super Mario Bros. is the best selling video game franchise of all time, with over 222 million units sold across all genres and platforms.  222 million! Incredible!  But you wouldn’t expect less from one of the most beloved heroes of all time, a hero who at one time helped to single-handedly save a struggling video game industry.

Behind those baggy overalls and red cap lie an incredible game design experience, one that has withstood the test of time and established a high bar for the level of fun and enjoyment required for a commercial video game.  What can modern day developers learn by analyzing the Game Design Canvas of the original Super Mario Bros.?  A lot, as it turns out.  The principles that made Super Mario Bros. a hit back then still apply today.

In “Game Over”, an excellent account of the history of Nintendo, Shigeru Miyamoto, creator of Mario, referred to his experiences as a child.  He discussed the feeling of seeing something, such as a manhole on the wall, and wondering, “Why is there a manhole on the wall?  Where does it lead?”  When he made Super Mario Bros., he sought to recreate that same experience for his players.  As it turns out, this is a child-like experience that millions around the world were longing to relive as well, and was one of the most massive contributing factors to its wild success.

Breaking it Down

Let’s try to figure out what the Core Experience of Super Mario Bros. is.  Defeating enemies?  No, you can run through almost every level without attacking the enemies at all.  Saving the princess?  No, the relationship between our intrepid plumber and the princess is almost entirely left up to the player’s imagination; that aspect of the game seems tacked on. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »