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Chances are, if you've ever heard of Nintendo before, you've played Super Mario Brothers. Your memories of the first installment of our favorite Italian plumber are most likely filled with love and hate. We have decided to remedy our generation's nightmares of the frustrations that came along with playing this game and write in detail how to beat the game in six minutes or less.

This explanation is not intended for the “less-than-casual” Mario player. If you are not familiar with the controls or basic concept of the game, we first advise you to read over the manual for the game and then play a few times to get used to how the game works.

This walk through will be broken up by level so you, the reader, can easily reference to any challenging spot in the game you come across.

Method 1
Method 1 of 8:

World 1-1

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  1. (As a rule of thumb, always be going at full speed!)
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  3. 5
    After this keep to our rule of being “above the danger”* and finish the level without worrying about making a perfect jump to the flag.
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Approx. time of completion: 30-37 seconds

Method 2
Method 2 of 8:

World 1-2

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  1. blocks.
  2. Jump and use the blocks to ricochet yourself into hitting the 2nd Koopa Troopa. Do not slow down for this!
  3. Jump onto one of the ascending elevators and jump on top of what looks to be the ceiling (with all of the information at the top).
  4. 8
    Continue to run to the right and take the warp pipe to World 4.
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Approx. time of completion: 30-37 seconds

Method 3
Method 3 of 8:

World 4-1

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  1. blocks.
  2. Do not stop, if you time your jump perfectly you can jump from the ground clear over the plant.
  3. 6
    Finish the level by jumping up the large stack of blocks and jumping to the flag. Ignore the brick below you when you jump.
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Approx time of completion: 25-32 seconds

Method 4
Method 4 of 8:

World 4-2

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  1. In one jump clear the first two gaps, land on the single space and immediately jump on top of the stack of bricks in front of you. (be sure to land ON TOP of the stack)
  2. blocks and onto the moving elevators.
  3. While the plant is growing, position yourself directly below the rightmost block of the platform that the beanstalk is growing on and jump.
  4. 8
    Enter the warp pipe to warp to World 8.
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Approx time of completion: 29-36 seconds

Method 5
Method 5 of 8:

World 8-1

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  1. Jump over the first Buzzy Beetle, then, immediately jump over the next 3 Goombas (Timing your first two jumps are an important factor in avoiding the plant that emerges from the tube).
  2. You can simply run over them.
  3. The first two contain Piranha Plants. You will have to leap on to the edge of the second tube, and on to the third tube without a Piranha Plant.
  4. Carefully time your jump to land on the piece of land in the middle.
  5. 14
    Be careful to avoid falling into the pits.
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Approx. time of completion: 39-46 seconds

Method 6
Method 6 of 8:

World 8-2

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This is rumored to be the most difficult level in the run-through so brace yourself! It requires many tactical and somewhat tricky jumps while still being able to maintain a full out run. It's not for the novice Mario player!

  1. Jump over the first Koopa and the Spiny thrown by Lakitu simultaneously and then immediately slip under the 2nd approaching Koopa Troopa.
  2. Once you reach the section of the level littered with cannons, the only way to continue at full speed is to stay above every cannon. The trick is to land on top of as many as possible, avoiding every Bullet Bill.
  3. Timing is of the essence to ensure clearing each jump. The third large tube is placed after a huge ravine. Land in front of the tube and slow down slightly in order to perform a “clean jump”. This is the only part of the game that requires you to slow down!
  4. In order to clear a sequence of Koopa Troopas, it will be necessary to run under the first and then jump quickly to land on the single cannon while instantaneously jumping the gap immediately after it. (if you have trouble with this part, you can also take the warp tube to clear all the Koopas)
  5. 6
    Run up the block wall and grab the flag to end this level.
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Approx. time of completion: 29-36 seconds

Method 7
Method 7 of 8:

World 8-3

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  1. The only way to clear the Hammer Brothers without slowing down is to perform a “ricochet jump” to kill the one on the bottom.
  2. At the third sighting of these annoying reoccurring Hammer Brothers, jump the first Hammer Brother and as the next Hammer Brother is in the air jump so that you can kill him mid-jump.
  3. At the final sighting of these persistent Hammer Brothers, you can simply jump the first and then immediately after, jump the second. Not a very challenging final attempt to stop you on their part!
  4. As soon as you land from jumping the second Hammer Brother, jump upon the stack of two blocks and then jump on the 2nd block that is in mid-air.
  5. 9
    Finally jump to the last two which is a platform, jump down and grab the flag!
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Approx. time of completion: 30-37 seconds

Method 8
Method 8 of 8:

Technical Terms

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  • "Above the Danger"* - Be alert and stay on top of dangerous things.
  • "Clean Jump" - Barely jumping over an object, such as jumping over the Piranha Plant barely in one jump.
  • Ricochet Jump" - Jumping while hitting your head on a brick and bouncing off to kill an enemy.

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      Tips

      • Always run at full speed!
      • We strongly suggest the try-read-try method of successfully using this guide. We encourage you to try the level first, read our hints and then try the level again. This is the most efficient way to use our guide.
      • Do not stop to collect coins or power-ups as they will slow you down and do not attribute to completing the game in any less time.
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      Warnings

      • This guide is not intended for those who have not played Mario before. Please play the game a few times and familiarize yourself with the controls before attempting this guide.
      • Rage can also occur out of frustration. If you feel like you are about to throw the controller across the room and say some “not-so-friendly” words about our good friend Mario, please take a break and resume playing later.
      • Playing video games for extended lengths of time can be harmful to the eyes and hands. Be sure to take frequent breaks if you begin to feel any irritability in your eyes or hands.
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