The first Super Mario game, Super Mario Bros., was released in 1985. Nintendo launched it in Japan for the Family Computer on September 13, 1985, before bringing it to the Nintendo Entertainment System in other markets.
Directed and produced by Shigeru Miyamoto, the game established the side-scrolling platform format that became central to the franchise. Players guide Mario through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Toadstool from Bowser, using power-ups such as the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Starman.
A common mix-up is confusing Super Mario Bros. with earlier Mario titles. Donkey Kong introduced the character in 1981, while Mario Bros. arrived in 1983. Neither was a Super Mario platform game; Super Mario Bros. was the first title in the Super Mario series.
Its release dates varied by region: the NES version reached North America later in 1985, Europe in 1987, and an arcade adaptation appeared internationally in 1986. Koji Kondo’s music also helped make the game a landmark in video-game history.