The Birth Story of Super Mario Brothers | A Thorough Explanation of the 1985 Famicom Boom and Social Phenomenon

On September 13, 1985, Nintendo released "Super Mario Brothers," which achieved astonishing sales records of **6.81 million copies, and around the world40.24 million copies** despite being completed in just six months of development. This game transcended being merely a hit, becoming a social phenomenon that accelerated the Famicom boom and continues to have a profound impact on the gaming industry to this day. In this article, we will detail the development philosophy of Shigeru Miyamoto, the development process within a short period, and the birth story leading to its status as a social phenomenon.

Background of the Birth of Super Mario Brothers

• The 1985 Game Industry and Famicom Situation
• Evolution from the Previous Works Donkey Kong and Mario Brothers

The year 1985, when Super Mario Brothers was born, was a crucial turning point for the Japanese gaming industry. The evolution of the entire Mario series and other classic titles is elaborated on in The History of Super Mario | A Thorough Explanation of All Series and Evolution from Birth to Present. Two years had passed since the release of the Famicom, and as home video game consoles became more prevalent, Nintendo needed a definitive killer title. Set against the backdrop of technical evolution from the previous arcade games and the rebuilding of the gaming market after the Atari Shock, this game was developed.

The 1985 Game Industry and Famicom Situation

By 1985, the Famicom had been on the market for about two years since its launch in 1983 and was gradually spreading to households. However, it had not yet reached an explosive boom, and Nintendo was searching for killer titles to accelerate console sales. Meanwhile, in America, the collapse of the gaming market, known as the Atari Shock, was occurring, and consumer distrust towards poorly made games was rising.

In this situation, Nintendo adopted a strategy to enhance the value of the Famicom by continually providing high-quality game software. For Nintendo, which had already achieved success with ports of arcade games like "Donkey Kong" and "Mario Bros," the development of completely new titles that maximized the Famicom's performance was an inevitable next step. Instead of directly bringing the success from the arcade to home, it was necessary to provide experiences unique to home gaming consoles.

Evolution from the Previous Games Donkey Kong and Mario Bros

The character Mario made his debut in the 1981 arcade game "Donkey Kong." Initially named "Jumpman," he was later renamed Mario and took on the lead role in the 1983 game "Mario Bros." While these arcade games focused on action within a limited screen, leveraging the capabilities of the Famicom allowed for new gaming experiences with vast stages to explore.

【Related Articles】If you want to know more about the evolution of the entire Mario series, you can check the list of game titles in the Super Mario series to see all the titles from 1985 to the present.

During the development of Super Mario Bros, Shigeru Miyamoto and the development team inherited many technologies and know-how from the previous games. Basic elements such as the sensation of Mario's jumps, the tactical interactions with enemy characters, and the fun of collecting coins had been refined in past works. However, Super Mario Bros introduced a new expression method with side-scrolling, greatly expanding the possibilities of the game. By scrolling the screen horizontally, players could experience the sensation of adventuring in an unknown world, leading to an innovation in gaming experiences.

Development Process and Shigeru Miyamoto's Development Philosophy

The development of Super Mario Bros took place within a limited timeframe of just 6 months. The ability to complete a legendary game in such a short period was due to **Shigeru Miyamoto's clear vision** and the efficient cooperation of a small but elite development team. Turning the technical limitations of the Famicom into a source of creativity, the development process thoroughly pursued the "pleasure of play," containing many lessons applicable to modern game development.

• The reality of short-term development in just 6 months
• Game design aimed by Shigeru Miyamoto
• The birth secret of innovative ideas

The reality of short-term development in just 6 months

The development period of Super Mario Bros. was only 6 months, from March to September 1985. Considering that modern large-scale game development takes several years, this is an incredibly short timeframe. However, within this limited time, the development team led by Shigeru Miyamoto achieved innovative game design and refined gameplay. The factors that enabled this short-term development were a clear game concept, quick decision-making by a small team, and the accumulation of technical know-how gained from past development experiences.

The development schedule was extremely tight, requiring planning and programming to be carried out simultaneously. During development, Miyamoto frequently adjusted the game balance and fine-tuned the layout of stages and the positions of items. In particular, the first stage, 1-1, was designed in an educational manner to naturally teach players the basic controls of the game, and it is said that this stage underwent dozens of adjustments. Even within the limited time, the commitment to pursuing completion without compromise led to the success of this game.

Development strategies with limited resources

The hardware performance of the Famicom was not exceptionally high even for that time. Within the constraints of just 2KB of RAM and 40KB of ROM capacity, it was necessary to realize vast 8 worlds and 32 stages. The development team adopted a strategy to creatively overcome these constraints. For example, the graphics for clouds and grass were saved by displaying the same data in different colors, and enemy characters were diversified by combining basic patterns. This creative resource management allowed them to provide a rich gaming experience within limited capacity.

Role distribution within the development team

The development team of Super Mario Bros. was surprisingly small. The director and designer, **Shigeru Miyamoto Consisted of key members such as programmer Takushi Tezuka, Toshihiko Nakagō, and composer Koji Kondo . Because of the small team structure, close communication was possible, speeding up the process from idea to implementation. Miyamoto's game design ideas were quickly conveyed to the programmers, and the iterative process of testing and improving immediately after implementation was the secret to producing high-quality games in a short period.

If you want to learn more about Shigeru Miyamoto's development philosophy, you can gain a deeper understanding of his creative process and design thoughts in Shigeru Miyamoto and Mario's Development Philosophy. Additionally, in Koji Kondo and the Revolution of Mario Music, you can learn about the contributions of the legendary sound designer.

Game Design Pursued by Shigeru Miyamoto

What Miyamoto valued most was the "pleasure of play." Inspired by his childhood adventures in nature, he aimed for game designs that allowed players to feel the joy of discovering new places and the thrill of unexpected surprises. In Super Mario Bros., the enjoyment of finding hidden blocks and discovering secret areas by entering pipes is sprinkled throughout, not just focusing on reaching the goal.

Moreover, Miyamoto also emphasized universal design that anyone can enjoy. By limiting the buttons to just two (jump and dash), even beginners can intuitively operate the game, eliminating the need for complex command inputs. Additionally, the gradual increase in difficulty helps players naturally develop their skills as they progress. This balance of being "easy to start and deep to enjoy" is why it has garnered support from a wide audience.

Birth Secrets of Innovative Ideas

Super Mario Bros. includes many innovative ideas. The transformation system where Mario grows larger after taking a Super Mushroom was designed as a measure to prevent an immediate game over upon taking damage. This allows players a second chance and moderately adjusts the game's difficulty. Additionally, the addition of attack abilities through the Fire Flower functions as a strategic element in gameplay. The designs of enemy characters like Goombas and Koopas are also original, each with different movement patterns, providing players with diverse challenges.

For more details about characters like Bowser, Super Mario Character Encyclopedia allows you to check each character's debut work and evolution.

Innovative Elements of Game Design

Super Mario Brothers brought numerous innovations in game design. **side-scrolling action** established a new genre, educated players through stage design, and created memorable characters and music, making this game a work with cultural influence that goes beyond mere entertainment. These elements include many concepts that form the foundation of modern game design.

• A new genre of side-scrolling action
• Exquisite stage design and difficulty adjustment
• The birth of impressive characters and music

A new genre of side-scrolling action

The biggest innovation of Super Mario Brothers was establishing a new game genre of side-scrolling action. Until then, action games focused on movement within a single screen, but this game featured continuous scrolling to the right, allowing players to experience the feeling of exploring an unknown world. This technical achievement was by no means easy as it required displaying smooth scrolling and multiple moving objects simultaneously within the limited processing power of the Famicom.

The development team repeatedly adjusted the scrolling speed of the background and Mario's movement speed to find the most comfortable balance. Additionally, they devised a way to preload enemies and items off-screen to achieve a smooth gaming experience. This side-scrolling method influenced many subsequent action games and laid the foundation for the platformer genre.

Exquisite stage design and difficulty adjustment

The stage design of Super Mario Brothers boasts a level of completeness that could be called a textbook of game design.

In particular, the first stage 1-1 is known as a masterpiece that teaches players the basic controls without a tutorial. The first Goomba is placed in an easily avoidable position, and the first pit is set at a distance that can be easily jumped over. Players naturally learn the basic actions of "avoiding enemies," "jumping," and "collecting coins."

The increase in difficulty is also exquisitely adjusted, gradually becoming more challenging as players improve their skills. In World 1, players learn the basic controls, in World 2 they challenge a new environment of underwater stages, and from World 3 onwards, complex terrain and powerful enemies appear. This gradual difficulty design allows players to enjoy the game without frustration and progress while gaining a sense of achievement.

The Birth of Impressive Characters and Music

The character design of Super Mario Bros. maximizes personality within the limited expressiveness of the Famicom. Mario's red hat, blue overalls, and distinctive mustache are designs born from the constraint of only 16×16 pixels. Mr. Miyamoto carefully arranged each element so that the character's movements and expressions could be easily understood, even with a limited number of pixels.

The music composed by Koji Kondo also greatly contributed to the success of this game. The theme song for the above-ground stages invites players on an adventure with its cheerful rhythm and catchy melody. Music with different atmospheres is prepared for the underground stages, underwater stages, and castle stages, adding depth to the gaming experience. The sound effects are also impressive, and the sounds of collecting coins and jumping remain in the memories of many even after nearly 40 years.

If you want to learn more about this innovative sound design, you can explore the legendary history of game sound in Koji Kondo and the Revolution of Mario Music.

If you're interested in how later 3D Mario games evolved compared to side-scrolling action, you can check the evolution of game design in A Thorough Comparison of 2D Mario and 3D Mario.

Release on September 13, 1985 and Initial Reactions

September 13, 1985, Super Mario Bros. was released as a software title for the Family Computer. This game, which had already generated high expectations from its release, quickly spread its reputation through word-of-mouth among those who played it, thrilling children all over Japan. The market reaction immediately after the release and the explosive popularity driven by word-of-mouth indicated that this game was not just a hit, but a sign of a social phenomenon.

• Market Reaction Immediately After Release
• Explosive Spread Through Word of Mouth

Market Reaction Immediately After Release

From the first day of release, Super Mario Brothers drew high attention at retail stores. Thanks to the success of Nintendo’s previous titles like 'Donkey Kong' and 'Mario Brothers', the character of Mario already had a certain recognition, but being a completely new side-scrolling action game, it was a mix of expectations and anxiety. However, children who actually saw the demo play in stores became captivated by its innovative gameplay and fun.

Initial sales figures progressed smoothly, and within weeks of release, some stores began experiencing stock shortages. The game also received high praise in gaming magazines and television programs, leading to increased media attention. In particular, gaming magazines 'Family Computer Magazine' and 'Famicom Tsushin' praised its innovative game design and high level of completion. This early acclaim laid the groundwork for its later explosive hit.

Explosive Spread Through Word of Mouth

The true explosion of popularity for Super Mario Brothers was brought about by word of mouth. Friends discussing it at school and families playing together became a common sight throughout Japan. In particular, information about hidden warp zones and tricks for infinite lives was shared among children, generating even more interest and purchasing desire. A chain reaction occurred where a child who played at a friend's house wanted to get their own Famicom and Super Mario Brothers.

Additionally, for the parent generation, this game was accepted as entertainment that they could enjoy with their children. Its simple controls and easy-to-understand gameplay meant even adults who were not accustomed to gaming could enjoy it, leading to its spread among families as a whole. In the end-of-year sales season of 1985, Super Mario Brothers was sold in a package with the Famicom console, which became a major factor in accelerating the spread of the Famicom.

Becoming a Social Phenomenon and Its Impact

After its release, Super Mario Brothers transcended being just a popular game and became a **social phenomenon**. It achieved record sales numbers, led the Famicom boom, and began to be frequently featured in media such as television and magazines. The impact of this game spread not only throughout the gaming industry but also across Japanese popular culture as a whole, becoming a symbol of children's culture in the late 1980s.

• Achievement of Record Sales
• Arrival of the Famicom Boom
• Influence as a Cultural Phenomenon

Achievement of Record Sales

The sales of Super Mario Bros. set a record that remains in gaming history. In Japan, **6.81 million copies were sold, achieving the highest sales for a Famicom game at that time. Globally, it reached the astonishing figure of40.24 million copies**, reigning as the world's best-selling video game for many years. This record was a result of not only the appeal of the game itself but also the sales strategy of bundling it with the Famicom console. Particularly in the United States, the sale of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) bundled with the game accelerated its proliferation.

For those who want to know more about the sales rankings of the Mario series, you can check the Top 20 Super Mario Series Sales Rankings to see which Mario games are the best sellers in ranking format.

Arrival of the Famicom Boom

The success of Super Mario Bros. solidified the Famicom boom. Before 1985, the Famicom was gradually spreading, but it had only penetrated a small number of households. However, with the arrival of Super Mario Bros., the cries of children wanting a Famicom could be heard all across Japan. Between 1986 and 1987, sales of the Famicom console surged, becoming the opportunity for home video game consoles to become widely adopted in ordinary households. This marked the dawn of an era where people could enjoy high-quality games at home without the need to visit arcades.

Influence as a Cultural Phenomenon

Super Mario Bros. transcended the realm of gaming and became a cultural phenomenon. Television programs featured projects centered around Mario, and various Mario-related products were released by toy manufacturers.

Stationery, clothing, snacks, and various products featuring Mario's characters have become a part of children's daily lives. Terms from the game such as "1-1," "warp zone," and "Bowser" have started being used in everyday conversations among children, functioning as a common language. This cultural permeation has elevated the character of Mario to a representative pop culture icon of Japan, and his status remains unshakeable to this day.

Summary: The Legacy of Super Mario Brothers

Even after nearly 40 years since its release on September 13, 1985, Super Mario Brothers continues to have a significant impact on the gaming industry. Developed in just a period of 6 months, this game was born out of Shigeru Miyamoto's development philosophy of pursuing the "pleasure of play," an efficient cooperative structure by a small elite team, and creative ways to overcome the technical constraints of the Famicom.

The genre of side-scrolling action established by this game influenced countless games that followed, laying the foundation for the platformer game category. The educational game design approach of "learning through play," seen in Stage 1-1, continues to be a fundamental design philosophy in modern game development. Moreover, the character of Mario is beloved worldwide as a representative pop culture icon of Japan, and the fact that new titles have continued to be released for nearly 40 years proves the high quality of the original Super Mario Brothers.

The birth story of Super Mario Brothers conveys a lesson to today's creators: that innovative works can be produced even amidst technical constraints, given outstanding ideas and passion. The legacy left by this game will continue to be passed down as one answer to the universal question of "What is the essence of fun?" transcending mere sales records and cultural influence.

If you want to learn about other innovative titles in the Mario series, you can check articles like the innovation of Super Mario 64 and the gravity system of Super Mario Galaxy to see the evolution of game design afterwards.