Nintendo Entertainment System · 1990
Super Mario Bros. 3
A major 1990 NES platformer from Nintendo that added a world map and new power-ups to the Super Mario Bros. formula.
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Format
- Cartridge
- Genre
- Platformer
- Released
- 1990
01
Overview
Super Mario Bros. 3 follows Mario through a series of worlds laid out on a map, letting players pick which path to take next rather than pushing through levels in a fixed order. The map-based structure spreads the game across varied terrain and enemies across multiple routes, with the Tanooki Suit among the new power-ups granting flight for a stretch of the run. The 1990 North American release carried the franchise's core side-scrolling design into a broader, more navigable world.
02
Why it matters
As a major follow-up to the original Super Mario Bros., the game showed how a familiar formula could expand through level selection and new movement options. Its map-driven world design and the Tanooki Suit's flight became reference points for later Mario entries.
03
The physical edition
A typical complete North American copy includes the NES cartridge, a printed instruction booklet, and the cardboard box or sleeve that holds it. Box art, manual layout, and any included inserts can vary by region and production run, so the cartridge and booklet are the elements to check first.
04
Playing it today
The game runs on original NES hardware, compatible NES systems, and emulation options, using a standard NES controller with no extra peripherals needed. The level select map makes it straightforward to jump in and choose a world to explore.