Super Mario Bros., the iconic 1985 Nintendo classic, has found an unexpected new role in the modern digital age: benchmarking artificial intelligence systems. According to a recent report by TechCrunch, researchers are now routinely using Nintendo’s beloved plumber as a litmus test for evaluating AI capabilities.
Credit: TechCrunch
Originally released in 1985 on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Super Mario Bros. quickly became one of the most influential video games of its generation, credited with revitalising the home video game market after the infamous crash of 1983. Designed by Shigeru Miyamoto, the game introduced mechanics that laid foundations for platformers, a genre that dominated gaming throughout the late 80s and 90s.
Why choose Super Mario Bros. for AI testing? Technically, the game’s structure offers clear objectives, straightforward controls, and increasing levels of complexity, making it an ideal candidate to assess the decision-making, problem-solving, and generalisation abilities of modern AI models. AI systems are tasked with navigating Mario through various levels, dodging obstacles, and reacting swiftly to dynamic in-game environments. The game’s relatively simplistic graphics mask deeper computational challenges, as Mario must swiftly adapt to changing scenarios—something humans handle intuitively, but AI often finds difficult.
Historically, Super Mario Bros. was first released in Japan in 1985 on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), quickly becoming a global phenomenon. By 1987, it was the best-selling video game of all time, a title it held for decades, selling over 40 million copies worldwide. Its cultural impact is undeniable, influencing game design principles used to this day, which explains why researchers consistently return to Mario as a reliable metric for technological advancement.
Remarkably, this isn’t Mario’s first brush with AI innovation. Back in 2015, an AI called ‘Mari/O’ successfully navigated complex levels autonomously, showcasing early neural network capabilities. Today, the complexity of these tests has evolved significantly, with contemporary AIs not only completing levels but optimising paths and discovering exploits unknown to human players.
A truly compelling fact: In 2021, a fan-created AI managed to complete the entire Super Mario Bros. game in under five minutes, exploiting glitches that even seasoned human speed-runners had overlooked for decades. This achievement highlighted the powerful—and sometimes unexpected—capabilities of AI.
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Who did not love gaming magazines? Something was amazing about going to your local shop or having your favourite publication delivered to your home. The smell of the pages, the excitement of what might be coming and the promise of hints, tips and cheats for games that you might own. There was no internet for most of the retro gaming era, so magazines were all we had.
One of the most famous of these magazines was Nintendo Power. Nintendo Power was the official magazine of Nintendo and it ran from July 1988 until December 2012 (Future Publishing took over from 2007). Naturally, there was going to be a bit of bias towards their 1p games that they made themselves, and the NES had a catalogue of games that went back before the magazine started being published – but Nintendo Power did release a special supplement in issue 11 which contained the “Pak Source” which contained a review of most of the NES games.
The scores are broken down into 4 categories, and I have used the average to get the overall score. • Graphics & Sound — Character and background graphics and background and special effects sounds. • Play Control — Initial feel and overall play control. • Challenge — Lasting interest and difficulty of play. • Theme, Fun — Storyline, thrill, excitement, overall enjoyment.
I have taken a look back and aggregated these scores so you don’t have to, and without further ado, here are the top 10 best NES games, as per Nintendo Power.
10. Blades of Steel
Scores:
• Graphics & Sound: 4.0
• Play Control: 4.0
• Challenge: 4.0
• Theme & Fun: 4.5
Overall Score: 4.1
An arcade-style ice hockey game that brought fast-paced gameplay to the NES. Did you know Blades of Steel included a voice sample that said “Blades of Steel” at the title screen? This was a rare and impressive feature for the time.
Blades of Steel stood out for its unique fighting mechanic, which allowed players to duke it out mid-game, a feature that became a fan favourite. The game’s blend of sportsmanship and roughhousing made it a thrilling pick for multiplayer sessions.
9. Ninja Gaiden
Scores:
• Graphics & Sound: 4.5
• Play Control: 4.5
• Challenge: 4.5
• Theme & Fun: 4.0
Overall Score: 4.4
Known for its cinematic cutscenes and high difficulty, Ninja Gaiden pushed storytelling in games to new heights. Fun fact: the North American version is far harder than its Japanese counterpart due to enemy placement changes.
The game’s fast-paced action and fluid animation were groundbreaking for its time. With its intense boss battles and gripping narrative, Ninja Gaiden became a cult favourite and a benchmark for challenging gameplay.
8. Super Mario Bros. 3
Scores:
• Graphics & Sound: 4.5
• Play Control: 4.5
• Challenge: 4.5
• Theme & Fun: 4.5
Overall Score: 4.5
Widely regarded as one of the greatest games of all time, this classic introduced the overworld map and the legendary Tanooki Suit. An interesting fact: its launch was teased in the movie The Wizard before the game was released.
Super Mario Bros. 3 also introduced varied worlds, each with unique enemies, themes, and mechanics. The addition of secret areas and warp whistles added layers of depth, encouraging exploration and replayability.
7. Super Mario Bros.
Scores:
• Graphics & Sound: 4.5
• Play Control: 4.5
• Challenge: 4.5
• Theme & Fun: 4.5
Overall Score: 4.5
The game that started it all for Mario and Luigi. This legendary title was bundled with the NES and sold millions, revolutionising platformers. Did you know the clouds and bushes in the game share the same sprite, just recoloured?
Its tight controls, iconic power-ups, and memorable music created a formula that inspired countless platformers. Super Mario Bros. remains a masterpiece, often replayed by retro enthusiasts and speedrunners alike.
6. Bases Loaded
Scores:
• Graphics & Sound: 5.0
• Play Control: 4.0
• Challenge: 4.5
• Theme & Fun: 4.5
Overall Score: 4.5
This baseball simulation was a home run for sports fans, featuring detailed animations and player stats. It was one of the first games to include an over-the-pitcher’s-shoulder perspective, adding to its realism.
Bases Loaded also introduced voice commentary, an impressive feature for an NES game. The realistic depiction of the game brought players closer to the ballpark, setting a new standard for sports simulations.
5. Mike Tyson’s Punch-Out!!
Scores:
• Graphics & Sound: 4.5
• Play Control: 4.5
• Challenge: 4.5
• Theme & Fun: 4.5
Overall Score: 4.5
Step into the ring with Little Mac and face off against the charismatic Mike Tyson. Did you know this game was originally called Punch-Out!! but was rebranded with Tyson after his rise to fame?
The unique boxing mechanics and quirky opponents, like King Hippo and Glass Joe, made each fight feel fresh. The game’s charming graphics and subtle humour turned it into one of the most beloved NES titles.
4. Double Dragon
Scores:
• Graphics & Sound: 4.5
• Play Control: 4.5
• Challenge: 4.5
• Theme & Fun: 4.5
Overall Score: 4.5
This co-op brawler let players take on gangs to rescue Marian, a classic damsel-in-distress story. Despite being a port of the 2 player arcade game, due to the NES limitations, the console version is only a one player game.
Its gripping combat system and variety of moves, including grabbing weapons, made it endlessly replayable. The game’s urban setting and engaging level design kept players coming back for more.
3. Mega Man 2
Scores:
• Graphics & Sound: 5.0
• Play Control: 4.5
• Challenge: 4.5
• Theme & Fun: 5.0
Overall Score: 4.6
Capcom’s blue bomber hit his peak in this sequel, delivering tight controls and memorable boss fights. Fun fact: the developers worked on the game in their spare time after Capcom initially refused to fund a sequel!
The ability to choose stages in any order, coupled with the introduction of the iconic Robot Masters, made Mega Man 2 a trailblazer in its genre. The unforgettable soundtrack is still celebrated by fans.
2. Super Mario Bros. 2
Scores:
• Graphics & Sound: 4.5
• Play Control: 4.5
• Challenge: 5.0
• Theme & Fun: 5.0
Overall Score: 4.8
This sequel took Mario and friends in a new direction with unique character abilities and mechanics. Did you know that this game was originally a reskin of Doki Doki Panic for the Western market?
The game introduced vertical scrolling and a vegetable-throwing mechanic, adding variety to its gameplay. Its dreamlike world and vibrant characters made it a memorable entry in the Mario series.
1. Metroid
Scores:
• Graphics & Sound: 5.0
• Play Control: 4.5
• Challenge: 5.0
• Theme & Fun: 5.0
Overall Score: 4.9
The crown jewel of the NES library, Metroid introduced players to the mysterious world of Zebes and its haunting soundtrack. Interesting fact: Samus Aran’s identity as a woman was a major twist, shattering stereotypes in gaming.
Metroid’s non-linear exploration, combined with its foreboding atmosphere, set a new standard for adventure games. Its influence is seen today in the “Metroidvania” genre, a testament to its groundbreaking design.
So, there you have it, from Nintendo themselves – what do you think? Any glaring omissions that should be on the list?
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