Mario Bros (World)

Mario Bros for the NES is a classic arcade game where players control the plumber brothers Mario (or Luigi in two-player mode) with the objective of eliminating all strange creatures emerging from the pipes. Each stage consists of multiple platforms and pipes at the top, from which enemies continuously crawl out.

The unique gameplay mechanic requires players to attack enemies from below. When an enemy is walking on a platform, the player needs to jump up and hit that platform from underneath. This action will cause the enemy to flip over or become stunned for a short period. Once an enemy is flipped, the player must quickly touch them to kick them off the screen, scoring points. If not kicked in time, the enemy will automatically recover and continue moving, sometimes changing color and moving faster, becoming more dangerous.

There are various types of enemies such as Shellcreepers (turtles), Sidesteppers (crabs), and Fighter Flies (jumping flies), each with their own behavior. Sidesteppers require two hits from below to be flipped. Additionally, players can collect coins that appear after eliminating a certain number of enemies or by hitting special blocks.

Another highlight of the gameplay is the POW Block located at the bottom of the screen. When a player hits the POW Block, a shockwave will spread across the entire screen, flipping over all enemies currently moving on platforms. The POW Block can only be used a few times per stage, adding a strategic element.

Mario Bros supports a two-player mode where Mario and Luigi can cooperate or compete for the highest score. It is a simple yet addictive game that laid a solid foundation for subsequent Mario titles and is an icon of the NES era.