Super Mario Bros. Special

About

Super Mario Bros. Special is a platformer from 1986 that swaps out the familiar for the fresh. While it keeps the side-scrolling Mario formula, every level here is brand new, designed with a screen-by-screen layout that feels tighter and more punishing. You play as Mario or Luigi, navigating eight distinct worlds filled with traps, enemies, and puzzles that demand precise timing. Unlike the original, there are no recycled stages, this is all original content, and the difficulty spikes early, demanding quick reflexes and memorization. The game stands out for its relentless challenge, often compared to Super Mario Bros. 2 but with a different flavor of cruelty. Without any carryover from the earlier titles, it’s a self-contained test of skill that hardcore retro fans might recognize as a forgotten cornerstone. While it never got the same spotlight as other Mario entries, its eight unique worlds and punishing precision make it a niche favorite. Released on obscure hardware like the Sharp X1, it’s a relic for collectors and completionists.