It's been forty years since gaming changed forever with the release of Super Mario Bros for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The landmark September 1985 release not only introduced what would become Nintendo's most iconic franchise, it also established the side-scrolling platformer genre and set the standard for creative, intuitive level design.
Amid the Mario anniversary celebrations this week, it's worth looking back at what a great lesson in video game design Super Mario Bros provides right from the first seconds of gameplay. Designed by Shigeru Miyamoto, World 1-1 remains exemplary in how it presents a simple and enjoyable tutorial right within the game (see our pick of the best game development software if you're working on your own title).
