When people think of Super Mario, most picture the red-capped plumber jumping over Goombas, smashing question blocks, and rescuing Princess Peach. But if you’ve ever wondered which game is truly the “original Super Mario,” the answer is a bit more interesting than it seems.
The First Appearance of Mario
Mario didn’t actually debut in a game called Super Mario. His very first appearance was in the 1981 arcade classic Donkey Kong. In that game, he wasn’t even called Mario—he was known simply as “Jumpman.” Players controlled him as he climbed ladders, dodged barrels, and tried to save a damsel in distress named Pauline from the giant ape.
It wasn’t until later that Nintendo officially named him Mario, inspired by Mario Segale, a warehouse landlord in the U.S.
The First Super Mario Game
The true original Super Mario game is Super Mario Bros., released in 1985 on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) (called the Famicom in Japan).
This game changed video gaming forever. With its colorful side-scrolling levels, catchy music, power-ups like the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower, and iconic enemies like Goombas and Koopas, it set the foundation for platformers and made Mario a global icon.
Key features of the original Super Mario Bros.:
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Introduced the Mushroom Kingdom.
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Featured Bowser as the main villain.
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Brought in Princess Toadstool (later renamed Princess Peach).
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Created one of the most famous themes in video game history.
Why It Matters
Super Mario Bros. wasn’t just Nintendo’s breakout hit—it helped revive the video game industry after the crash of 1983. It proved that video games could have storylines, levels of progression, and replay value. Without this game, Mario might never have become the face of gaming.
Fun Fact
Even though Super Mario Bros. is considered the first true Mario game, collectors sometimes argue that Donkey Kong (1981) is technically Mario’s debut, while Mario Bros. (1983)—the arcade game starring Mario and his brother Luigi—was his first starring role as “Mario.”
Final Thoughts
So, to answer the question: the original Super Mario game is Super Mario Bros. (1985). But Mario himself first appeared in Donkey Kong (1981), and had his own title in Mario Bros. (1983).
For many gamers, Super Mario Bros. is where the magic truly began. It laid the groundwork for countless sequels, spinoffs, and innovations that continue to shape gaming today.