It’s simply a fact that Mario is one of the most iconic characters video games have ever introduced to us. There’s no arguing with this.It’s a challenge It’s one of the things that connects different generations of people from all over the world – we just all seem to love this Italian plumber whose life seems to be so full of adventures. So what exactly is it about this game that made it so popular?
The humble beginnings
Before Mario got his own series, he featured in an arcade game called Donkey Kong, although at that stage he was still known as Jumpman. The game was released in 1981 by Nintendo and focused on the main character’s adventurous quest to save the damsel in distress from the hands of a giant ape called Donkey Kong. Then, in 1983, there was another arcade game – Mario Bros, and finally, in 1985 Super Mario Bros. was published. The huge popularity of the game helped to bring the whole gaming industry back up after a period full of difficulties. So besides its title of one of the best-selling titles of all time, we can also credit it for enabling the whole gaming world to expand further.
What’s so great about it?
For a video game to become popular with players from all around the world, it needs to be equally engaging every time you play it. And Super Mario Bros. is exactly like this. Even though you can play the same level from the very beginning over and over again – it doesn’t get boring. That’s because the seemingly simple idea of an adventurous tour through the kingdom is filled with various obstacles and detours to allow you to experience it differently every time. And if you choose to play the multiplayer mode, the other player can choose the character of Luigi, Mario’s brother, and you’ll both take turns to complete each of the levels. It’s a great way of adding an element of competition to the whole game.
Why is it so addictive?
Everyone likes to feel accomplished. We strive for excellence and want to get the best possible score in everything we do. And Super Mario Bros. uses this to hook us on playing. The fast pace and inability to go back to correct the things we’ve missed makes us want to retry again and again. There are coins to gather, enemies to defeat, and secret passages to find. And with all these elements, perfecting a single level can take some time. Yet, thanks to the many different paths we can take, it doesn’t feel repetitive and boring at all. And let’s not forget about this addictive tune that gets stuck inside your head for days.
It’s a challenge
Finishing each part of the game requires certain skills. And without getting to the end of each level, you won’t be able to advance further. This gave the players an incentive to keep going and hone their abilities to see what other challenges are awaiting. And since with every step forward, the obstacles got harder and more difficult to overcome, getting to the finish line felt really satisfying. It felt like a reward for your hard work, so you felt even more eager to continue.
There’s no denying that this game is iconic, and for many of us it was one of the first games we played. And even now, when there are hundreds of games with better graphics and more complicated narratives, Super Mario Bros. still doesn’t lose its appeal. And with the new installments constantly added to the series, the whole franchise continues to do great, and we can definitely expect to see the return of our favorite character time and time again.
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