Mario
The primary hero and a playable character who has balanced movement and jumping.
Documented for this version
Which controls does this version use?
Actions
Control Pad | Move left or right Press Up or Down to enter compatible pipes and doors. |
|---|---|
A | Jump Jump height depends on how long the button is held. |
B | Run or use a fireball Fireballs require Fire Mario; hold B while moving to run. |
Start | Pause the game |
Control notes
Controls apply to the SNES version using the standard controller.
Button assignments can differ if the controller configuration is changed.
How it plays
How does Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels play?
The game uses a side-scrolling 2D perspective. The player travels through numbered worlds, reaches the flagpole at the end of each stage, and avoids enemies, pits, and environmental hazards.
Mario and Luigi can run, jump, stomp enemies, collect coins, use power-ups, and enter pipes. Mario has more controlled movement, while Luigi jumps higher and has less traction. Stages include secret rooms, warp areas, bonus items, and later special worlds. Losing all lives returns the player to the game-over screen, though continues are available in the SNES version.
Plan your run
What is the best way to play Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels?
Treat unfamiliar ground as dangerous. Check suspicious gaps with short jumps, keep a reserve power-up when possible, and avoid rushing through stages with wind or moving platforms.
Luigi is useful for reaching high platforms, while Mario is generally easier to control in narrow passages. Learn safe routes through repeated attempts, and use warp areas only when you are confident that the skipped stages will not leave you underprepared.
Meet the cast
Who are the key characters?
Luigi
A playable character with higher jumps and more slippery movement than Mario.
Princess Peach
The ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, whose rescue provides the central objective.
Bowser
The Koopa king and main antagonist who guards the later castles.
Documented inputs
What cheats and unlocks are documented?
World 9Complete Worlds 1 through 8 without using a continue to unlock World 9 in the original game structure; the SNES All-Stars presentation may handle progression differently.
Worlds A-DComplete the required regular and special-world progression to reach the four lettered bonus worlds. The exact availability depends on the All-Stars version and save state.
Before you begin
What should you know before playing?
- 1
Use small, deliberate jumps near hidden blocks and narrow platforms.
- 2
Remember that some apparently helpful mushrooms are poisonous.
- 3
Save or pause between difficult sections when the version permits it.
Editorial context
What do players highlight?
A demanding but carefully designed Mario sequel whose unusual traps reward memorization and precision.
The SNES remake makes the game more approachable visually, but the underlying difficulty remains severe.
Community discussion
What are players saying? 0