Gamers have been left astonished after learning about a secret hidden in one of the most influential video games of all time. Released for Nintendo's NES in 1985, Super Mario Bros is still held up today as an example of incredible game design with very limited technology. Without the ability to save, players had to reach the final stage without losing all their lives—a challenge given its 32 levels. Most assumed that hitting 'GAME OVER' meant starting from world one-one, but one gamer has uncovered a hidden feature that changes that.
A Hidden Feature Revealed
Linus Ekenstam, who shares technology and AI news on social media, revealed the feature on X, formerly Twitter. In a video captioned "Super Mario Bros hack 40 years too late," he showed himself on world six-two with one life remaining. "Alright, I'm gonna die real quick to show you guys something I just learned today," he said. "Forty-five years old and I'm learning this for the first time."
After dying, the 'GAME OVER' screen appeared, and Linus explained: "Now, back in the day, back in the 80s, you would have to start all the way back over at world one-one. Nope." With the game returning to the title screen, he added: "All you gotta do is hold A and Start, and you start back on the world you died."
Gamers React with Shock
The screen showed Mario resurrected at world 6-1 with three lives—one level behind where he died, but saving him from replaying the first five worlds. Amazed, he said: "Holy smokes." Fellow gamers were astonished, with many saying they were furious they hadn't known. One person said: "Please tell me this is fake," to which Linus replied: "Unfortunately it’s very real. and I’m still laying down. have not been able to work or sleep." The person replied: "You ruined my whole childhood."
Another person wrote: "I’m going to be sick," and someone else said: "You mean to tell me my brother and I raged after dying and we could have just hit A+start." However, others noted the feature had been published in player's guides in the 80s and other official sources. One person reflected: "The hard work you had to put in to get there again made you more happier when you got further. If you just got back to where you died you would not appreciate success in the same way."
