SECRETS, CODES, & INTEL | Super Mario Bros. Declassified NES | NESComplex

[@NESComplex]

Do you know any other interesting facts about the game that I missed? If so add them here... I'd like to make a follow-up video in the future that fills in the gaps. Also, if you liked the video please hit the like button. It helps more than you know!

[@enriquegomez8114]

The first level is a whole-in-game-tutorial.

[@Alamyst2011]

Here is a fact. My four brothers and I saved every dollar from paper routes and bottle returns. Just to buy a Nintendo to play Mario.

[@ultimosis]

Just a couple questions raised for me. Does the Famicom manual have the same (or similar) information about the story and world of the game? I feel like this is significant, since it can kind of be ignored if it's just creative localization. And my other question - the game has 256 levels (most of which are garbage data). I'd be very curious to hear the explanation of this (in layman's terms if possible). Especially considering how the developers creatively kept the game as small as possible. An something anecdotal - I'm pretty positive that I discovered many of these levels when I was a kid by altering an existing set of Game Genie codes that changed your starting level. I'm guessing there may be some information out there about this.

[@Alamyst2011]

@@ultimosis You are correct about Game Genie. I remember using the codes to access levels as well.

[@NESComplex]

That’s a great point! Noted

[@jeremywj]

The most interesting thing to me, about this era of games, was one of the first points you made: the size of the game. It is almost a lost art really.... creating a great game that fits in X amount of storage space and can only use X amount of ram. There's some other videos that go further into how they pulled this off and all the programming and graphical tricks they had to utilize. It is a very interesting subject matter.

[@dolliesdieyes5590]

X amoun t

[@Val.Kyrie.]

I agree!

[@MaxOakland]

I’m making a gameboy color game and I have to worry about the memory usage all the time. The maximum it can be os 4MB and I have tons of other limits like only 7 sprite palettes (only 3 colors per sprite) and 6 background palettes. Plus only 192 tiles per screen and only 25 sprite frames per scene! It’s challenging, like a fun puzzle

[@MatAuDHD]

I found this out when I downloaded the entire NES library, complete with modded versions, and it was almost instantly downloaded.

[@jeremywj]

@@MatAuDHD Yeah, the entire library of official games is right around 250mb.

[@megamob5834]

Man, the amount of effort you put into these is unreal..

[@MarMaxGaming]

Heck yeah!

[@troywright359]

He skipped mentioning the European release though. I'm burned by his dismissal of an entire region. WE HAD NINTENDO HERE, I SWEAR!

[@PrinceCity007]

Yes he does

[@fodaseyoutub1]

It's easy to make it look like a lot of efort when you just throw out whatever info you found without checking if it's true or not

[@totallyfrozen]

@@fodaseyoutub1 Do you have any specifics to debunk?

[@ohlord3650]

My mind is BLOWN after the revelation that those iconic SMB themes weren't exactly original! Love your content man. 👍

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

Yeah this kinda saddens me because those were blatant rip offs

[@marctoad]

Koji lifted themes for Zelda from Mort Garson's Plantasia too. Wait until you realize David Wise did the same thing for the DKC soundtracks. Mr. Wise was a big fan of electronic New Age like Vangelis.

[@joshgiesbrecht]

Same. I'm going through and listening to them fully and... Wow. As harsh as Nintendo is with copyright, this blows my mind. It's not even inspired, it's straight ripped off.

[@ohlord3650]

@Asvolies Harvem Wow you are so intelligent.

[@gilmourdimegates]

The attention to detail, the production and narration are second to none. It's easy to see you're a perfectionist. Great work!

[@NESComplex]

Ya it's a blessing and a curse! I wish I was faster

[@gamingwithahandicapreviews]

@@NESComplexi know your NES complex but it would be amazing if you did this kind of video for A Link to the Past! I love your videos man I have since your early days as a kid you got me hooked on collecting Nintendo Power Magazine, and I’m happy to say now as an adult I have issue 1 in fantastic condition!

[@CKOanime]

Oh my freaking goodness this is amazing! I love knowing the inspiration where the music came from. Very good video and research!

[@kingdilly8906]

This video is astoundingly well-made!! I can’t believe how many secrets and facts I wasn’t aware of with this game!

[@fervcorsica3358]

NESComplex-chan doesnt mess around

[@NESComplex]

No he doesn't

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! I really dug deep for this one... lots of research. That means a lot!

[@Kainmac84]

Chefskiss*

[@PaNDaSNiP3R]

I remember drawing my own Mario levels in a little book I had. That was the original Mario maker 😂

[@lucianothewindowsfan]

How about remaking them in the game?

[@PaNDaSNiP3R]

@@lucianothewindowsfan that’s not a bad idea at all.

[@beauwalker9820]

I did that too, and I drew NES Zelda labyrinth maps too. Including all the enemy/obstacle placements, where the item room was, and boss, and minibosses were.

[@solearesoul]

Me too!

[@NearLife4life]

I feel ya. In '89, I used to draw castlevania-like maps on my school work. Got in trouble, too. My report card said that I was "too focused on Nintendo and not my school work." The fuck did my teacher know? I don't still do class work, but I still play castlevania - 33 years later!

[@PowerInOne22]

The song influences for the game music was super interesting. Never heard those songs before. Thanks for the insight and the great content.

[@mortguffman8893]

Your knack for creating videos that are informative and well researched, have a great pace/flow, and have genuinely funny unforced humor are second to none. Wholly entertaining with depth. Well done Mr Complex!

[@ikeelyouz4517]

His humor sucks!

[@cassidybb10]

Still learning about this classic 35 years later!!!

[@MarMaxGaming]

Woah! Had no idea about those song similarities, holy crap. Now that’s really intense. Those songs sound awesome too!

[@SeeD1985]

NesComplex uploads a video. I literally drop what I'm doing to watch it

[@fromthegamethrone]

Holy crap, how have I never seen this channel before? The production value is through the - 1 world! Stack overflow!

[@NESComplex]

Haha! Thank you so much!!

[@JoshGUITARofolo]

Man, that T-Square, Piper and Friendship bit about Kondo was totally mind blowing to me. Netflix-worthy documentary my man.

[@NESComplex]

No kidding! It’s crazy!!!

[@Pixel-dan]

Amazing work! This was another well made, enjoyable video! Really love your stuff, man.

[@NESComplex]

Thanks a lot Mr. Author Man! Haha! Congratulations on your He-Man book! Such an awesome accomplishment. 🍻

[@BeerBourbonandGames]

I've been playing this game since I was 5 and I still learned so much. Amazing work!

[@Harlem55]

Shit I was playing this when I was 3.

[@nicholasludford3098]

Oh my. I finally got around to watching your last vid yesterday, and it was incredible. I was able to experience a bit of an era I’d never been around to see myself, and that is a very difficult thing to accomplish. Your channel truly deserves a lot more appreciation; your videos are right up there with Gaming Historian quality-wise!

[@GenerationGapGaming]

Completely shocked at how many new Mario revelations for me during this video. Enjoyed every second.

[@O.M.JaYY3]

Hey G3 !!!

[@GenerationGapGaming]

@@O.M.JaYY3 hey dude!

[@Alamyst2011]

@@GenerationGapGaming Keep up the great work

[@GenerationGapGaming]

@@Alamyst2011 thanks 😊

[@jermaine7072]

NESComplex does the best review on KZbin 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@GrannySingaporePVP]

Agree 1000%

[@JohnRiggs]

amazing work. Love stuff like this.

[@NESComplex]

That’s a lot John!

[@EarthPoweredHippie]

Agreed

[@jasperzanjani]

I love the extra production value you put into the transitions. Keep up the excellent work 💪

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! I think transitions are very important in video production! They define a style and set a mood!

[@alanfike]

I grew up with this game, and you just listed one thing, after another, after another, that I had little to no idea about. Great work.

[@NESComplex]

Thank you!!!

[@sammorin254]

You're woefully underrated.

[@jgstrider]

I just discovered your channel, and have been diving into your videos. Its clear this is all a labor of love. You videos are well thought out, scripted, and edited. Don't ever doubt you are doing something awesome here NESComplex! Keep up the good work man.

[@NESComplex]

Best. Comment. Ever. Thank you!!!

[@balonatorgaming]

This was a really cool video! It gave almost a unique perspective of the game!

[@oreocookie1331]

I'm not one to comment on videos (unless it's in a negative light lol), but dude, you blew this out the park. I've been a fan of Mario since the good old days, and there were things in here even I didn't know, such as the one up at the start of the levels! Please do more of these! I'd love to see some on Castlevania, Zelda, FF, Kirby's Adventure, and Dragon Warrior to name a few!

[@NESComplex]

I really appreciate the kind words! Comments like yours mean a lot!

[@keltar4071]

I remember it was in the arcades first before the nes by a couple months. It was unbelievably popular. No matter what time you would try to play the arcade there would be a huge line with a bunch of quarters lined up on the screen.

[@saeda215]

You’re the man NESComplex! I really enjoyed this. Who in their right mind would give this a thumbs down?

[@NESComplex]

I don't know! As far as I can remember, I've never given a video a thumbs down.

[@MarMaxGaming]

Some bottom feeding, life sucking trolls that can’t appreciate real quality and documentary caliber production. Bunch of mouth breathing weenies that probably burned their hands when grabbing their spaghettio’s from the microwave earlier that morning. Awesome content and great comment!

[@MarMaxGaming]

Dannnngg!! NES COMPLEX doubling down and going big with Mario bros, great job man!! Your channel deserves to blow up, happy to see this on my recommended!

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! Hopefully it will one day. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@MarMaxGaming]

@@NESComplex I just did a hard dive into Star Fox 64... maybe take a load off and see how ya like it 😉

[@DjAether8]

The first trick i remember was when you warp into a pipe as big mario and you come out on the other side. You hold down the A and B buttons while jumping backwards and you'll slide around with one foot.

[@starlitoons]

few ppl know that one.I did it forward when rising up from the pipe while holding up B A

[@NESComplex]

I do have it in the list of glitches at 15:36 I should have mentioned it in the Codes or Glitches section and shown it though... I added it to the list for a future follow-up and i'll mention you. Thanks

[@HelpTheWretched]

11:43 I've always loved that little stumble at the end of "Do the Mario". Good old Captain Lou, his body language is like "Hey, you got that??"

[@Tarquin23]

I love how elements, such as the mystery door, were included in Mario Maker.

[@10-volt]

You know the mystery door was not a thing on super Mario bros

[@Tarquin23]

@@10-volt that’s what I’m saying. It’s not in the original game but it is in the concept art for it, exactly as it appears in Maker. You can see this in the video.

[@LiquidTurbo]

The work you are doing should be considered an international treasure. Thanks for these videos!

[@PrettyBlueThings]

The production value on your videos is just unrivaled, this one is no exception and was excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed it, thank you :)

[@NESComplex]

Wow! Thank you! So glad you liked it and i appreciate the kind words

[@zachsteiner]

Omgggg that blew my mind about the music. I had no idea they were existing melodies. Kind of changes my perspective.

[@Geno2733]

Captain Lou captured mario's italian essence very well.

[@matthewwhitehead5505]

This is great. The time and love poured into it shines through. So much insight but under 20 mins, total reverence for the subject while being cut through with real humour... Miyamoto asking us to 'smash the like' :D... And the editing is amazing, especially during the music sequence (which I had no idea about). This channel is just brilliant.

[@NESComplex]

Thank you Matthew! What an amazing and kind comment! 😁😁😁

[@Dystnine]

I love the old style Mario art TBH

[@WeatherFan2009]

This is more enjoyable and entertaining than practically every television show or movie being made at the moment. Thank You.

[@NESComplex]

Thank you so much!! I really appreciate your kind words

[@dreamlandnightmare]

13 is actually considered a lucky number in Japan.

[@gumbaroo]

I looked around and couldn't find anything on that. Just that 13 being considered 'unlucky' in Japan was of Western import.

[@TheBeardedGamerReviews]

Excellent video! The reasearch put into this is nuts! 14:04 : If any1 is interested by the way, the 5:54 second barrier (considered the last second barrier in speedrunning this game) has been reached a couple weeks ago. Crazy stuff!

[@mackinblack]

We've missed you! Thank you so much for the new video!! Please do more NINTENDO POWER retrospectives!

[@DouglasZwick]

This is an excellent video that I'm glad I got to watch, even if a bit late. One very minor nit I want to pick: when you explain the "small Fire Mario" glitch, you say that you must get to Bowser with Fire power, but actually as long as you get there while you're big at all, the trick still works.

[@bonemasterd1]

I can't believe how much I just learned.

[@NESComplex]

Awesome! That's what I was hoping to hear!

[@Starscreamlive]

I forget how awesome the quality of your videos are. I always wish you would upload more content but then I realize that you can't rush greatness. Keep up the awesome work!

[@NESComplex]

Trust me I do too. I am constantly working so it's frustrating that it takes me so long, but i don't want to rush

[@viktor.johansson]

​@@NESComplex your dedication to the craft is beautiful and admirable. I'm not easily impressed, but you manage to do just that with every video. Have no doubt that your efforts are worth it. That's the difference that makes your work have an impact and stand out in the long run. As far as I'm aware there are only a couple of other channels in the space that are on a similar level, at the absolute top. I know comparison and competition are not your true motivations - I'm only pointing it out for context. I've been wanting to give you this feedback since I was touched by the masterful F-Zero video about a year ago, but I didn't know how to convey what I wanted to say until now. So here we are. Amazing work, once again. As has been said by others, labor of love seems about the only reasonable description. The same kind of inspiration that went into creating these legendary games in the first place, you are tapping into and passing on through your videos. It's tangible. So thank you for sharing your passion, talent and energy in this way. You are an artist. And like you say, the process can't be rushed. So take your time and don't feel stressed. Good things come to those who wait :)

[@christophhelms4905]

The koopa blood when hitting the blocks cracked me up

[@NESComplex]

That part was fun to edit too

[@WeatherFan2009]

Great series. Great article. Love watching behind the scenes of many productions and this is amazing. Thank you.

[@machurek]

It is hard to surprise me with Mario facts, but well done.

[@Bushidounohana]

Kudos, brother-in a world where there is seemingly no more to learn on such well-covered topics, you continue to impress with deeper insights and greater perspective into some of the most celebrated moments in video game history. I love the notion that the “lost levels” were here all along-thank you again for your work!

[@NESADDICT]

I haven’t even seen it yet but I know it’s gonna be gold!

[@NESComplex]

Was it gold enough for you man?

[@NESADDICT]

@@NESComplex oh for sure!

[@TransRoofKorean]

13:53 surprised I don't see Kosmic showing up in the comments. I don't watch "Let's Play"-style videos or streamers, I can't understand people who are addicted to them (why not just play the game yourself instead??), although occasionally I'll watch little clips of the best players of games... but man do I love Kosmic's stuff: that guy's work is just so wholesome. Yeah, that's the right word. Wholesome. Feels great watching him succeed (and fail, too). "Hello, friends!"

[@johnnyduran4019]

Wow, wow. Just subscribed. Great video. Deserves way more views.

[@hamsandwichson]

Whoa those inspired by music clips! That Friendship Underground music is the jam!

[@JJones-cl4dm]

Y'all remember jumping on that certain turtle just right and glitching for infinate lives??

[@Tekape]

that was a intended trick actually

[@gblargg]

My next-door friend would always tell stories about things that I didn't believe, and he told this one too. I figured it was just a lie until one day he did it and I was blown away. It sounded so fantastic to keep getting lives at some set of stairs, but it was true.

[@Val.Kyrie.]

YES

[@jeffdemick8216]

Level 3-1

[@Jigsaw2383]

I'm literally impressed by this video, and even more when I'm involved in the video game development

[@brianpiotrowski792]

Best KZbinr out there, I love Chris. We need some more retro rejects!!!!

[@NESComplex]

Thank you man! Retro Rejects is unfortunately over, but i'm sure there will be interesting things in the future

[@brianpiotrowski792]

@@NESComplex I understand that, but your videos always relax me, maybe it’s your voice. You should do some books on tape

[@thatwasprettyneat]

Dude, I love these retrospectives. You have your own unique perspective and it really brings the games to life.

[@MazterP28]

I didn’t know that about the crown

[@krisfrederick5001]

Me neither, apparently I never had more than 9 lives

[@Had0k3n2X]

In games like Super Mario 3D World/Land they reference that again, if you get 999 its a triple crown

[@nickcurrier1546]

Just found your channel and more specifically this series and as a kid that grew up in the 90s with these games this is the perfect blend of nostalgia and informative content

[@NihilistSolitude]

It was oct, my parents purchase the system after closing on there house at the end of oct 85 in NYC

[@LonnieLawless]

This video just blew my freaking mind. I grew up with me and my brother getting this when I was 6 years old. When you showed the trick about holding down at and pressing start at the select screen made me almost flip, thinking " why did I not know that as a kid!" Love your channel. It also makes re remember witch game manuals I read and the ones I should have read. Cheers

[@sarahhollister150]

I still call them King Koopa and Princess Toadstool. I wonder where the name change came from

[@NESComplex]

I like the original names better too

[@Harlem55]

The name change came in smb 3.

[@danerd8978]

@@Harlem55 King Bowser Koopa and Princess Peach Toadstool

[@shannonbriggs4102]

The bush/cloud thing just blew my mind

[@ERogerCoswell82]

You are literally in my top 3 KZbin pages man, eventhough you barely release new videos.. I can feel your love for the games and collecting in every video you post..

[@NESComplex]

I appreciate that greatly! I don't release often because i am a methodical perfectionist!

[@ERogerCoswell82]

Well you create perfection for sure my friend..

[@sseb22]

5:14 The sequence with Kondo's inspirational music tracks is quite astounding!

[@krisfrederick5001]

Let's make an "Athletic Game" "Who should we use?" "Mario and Luigi" "The fat Italians?" A Legend is Born

[@NESComplex]

That's a great point! I added it to a list for a future follow-up

[@brytonrobinson]

Glad you’re making content, been a fan for almost a decade and I love watching your stuff 😄

[@AndreEichstedt]

This is just awesome to know all this, great Stuff ;-)

[@O.M.JaYY3]

I've watched this video a few times, like I do with ALL of your videos. Thank you so much NESComplex. These videos are fun and I learn so much about games I've been playing since they came out. The nostalgia is REAL!

[@bluebomber301]

I can't believe the SMB music was ripped off. This blows my mind.

[@Tekape]

it's not rly ripped off

[@bluebomber301]

@@Tekape I rly disagree.

[@a.g7891]

I played this in the background, then rewatched it because this was incredibly interesting

[@MattGreer]

This is a top tier video.

[@coolshtmagazine3732]

This was awesome, the level of your content and editing has gone through the roof.

[@NESComplex]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@FrankFrankly711]

All the Mario music was pretty much stolen? Mind Blown

[@NESComplex]

So it would seem... there are other tracks from other games too. yikes. That said, he was fresh out of college. I made some mistakes around that age too. lol

[@FrankFrankly711]

@@NESComplex I get that. But as you said, early creativity is derivative of what you enjoy. I wrote some amateur novels back around my High School days, and I thought they were great ideas with light homages. But reading back through them, I see I was clearly ripping off my inspirations. Its tough to be entirely original these days!

[@bryankoepke1358]

The fact that it's the year 2021 and I am still finding out new and interesting things about a game I played 30 years ago is why Complex is one of the best!

[@NESComplex]

Thank you Bryan!!

[@thewingedavenger1007]

Hey guys, Shigeru Miyamoto told us to click the "like" button, and most of you haven't done it!

[@NESComplex]

Haha! Shiggy has spoken.

[@libradawg9]

Love the frayed Super Mario box you used for this. Everybody who has played the old games knows that look.

[@valentinesgameroom8924]

Wow I never knew that about the songs. They’re a total rip off, it’s Kimber the Lion all over again! 😂

[@NESComplex]

It really is unbelievable! But as I said, he was young (fresh out of college) I know i did some stupid stuff at that age too

[@zackschilling4376]

You must of not watched YMS' video on Kimba The Lion, check it out...it is like 2 hrs long, but its super interesting.

[@superleviathan]

You've really given me a lot of appreciation for the original Mario. It's easy to take for granted, but sheer density of the content and the amount of thought that went into it is unbelievable.

[@DenVenruProductions]

Really enjoying the Declassified series. I hope you keep it up!

[@SmashJT]

DUDE this was fantastic, as always. Great job!!! Never knew about the origins of the soundtrack.. and I thought I knew everything about this game!

[@NESComplex]

Thanks Smash! I try to do that extra digging

[@danerd8978]

Some more cool facts about the music is the Death and Game Over Theme's are within the Overworld BGM. Also The Power Up Sound Effect is a slight variation on the Flag Pole BGM it's just sped up in Tempo.

[@NESComplex]

Awesome! Thanks! I didn't know that

[@alexshadowfax1119]

You run into channels where you say to yourself why don't they have more views and subscribers? Your on the top of that list sir! Congrats on a great video! Have a good day

[@NESComplex]

Only time will tell. Thanks Alex!

[@wolsel9726]

Been rewatching your videos lately. Always appreciate one more to rewatch

[@GarlicMonoxide]

I've rewatched this and your nes retrospective multiple times. Perfection. I love this stuff man. Been a follower for probably 7 years. Keep up the good work

[@NESComplex]

Awesome, thank you! Glad you enjoy it 😁

[@FungiCaptain]

2:56 alot of elements from this concept sketch didnt make it into the original super mario bros, but a suprisingly large amount of it was brought back for super mario maker 1 and 2, such as the large "mystery door," the large axe, the longer chain on the bridge, and most interestingly, the yellow arrow on the moving platform

[@guesswho7881]

Finally someone acknowledged the A start continue, every video leaves that out

[@aaron71]

I can't believe I learned new things after all these years!! The music... that blew me away. How did I not know that! So cool.

[@SUB1KOIRA]

This was a joy to watch, what a carefully crafted video. More of these! ✨🎸

[@NESComplex]

Thanks! I'm trying... I just really like to scrutinize my work to make it the best i can. I wish i could be faster

[@jamiecampbell8855]

Along with Jeremy Parish, some of the best work of the NES legacy. He does great critical/historical work. You do great fan work plus research. Both important contributions.

[@JackStolz]

Dude this video is so good. Thanks for working so hard on this! I didn’t know half this stuff

[@NESComplex]

Thanks Jack!!!! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@bahooneyonastick]

A truly incredible video with so much info on a game I’ve played to death and (incorrectly) though I knew everything about. My hat goes off to you. I’ve never subscribed faster.

[@NESComplex]

Thank you for subbing! I hope you enjoy my future content too

[@sinthalous3649]

So happy you are still making videos, Was worried you stopped. Keep up the good work, it's cause of you, I got back into retro gaming, and collecting.

[@NESComplex]

That's great that you're collecting again... I haven't stopped... i just take my time

[@spellbinder7036]

I kinda called it when our golden beloved era was fading away that no one is gonna have that dream team ever again Your videos are living proof that somewhere down the road the chemistry that was once had is missing in today's game's

[@daver7178]

Love what you've been making for the last several years. Thanks and please keep it coming!

[@NESComplex]

Slowly but surely!

[@daver7178]

@@NESComplex If you continue the quality like your preious videos then take all the time ya need. These are hands down some of my favorite game related videos on KZbin, period. Awesome work and have a great weekend!

[@Teknoman]

Whoa. The music tracks, now that was an interesting bit!

[@smileyfromthestreetz8624]

Ran into your channel when I saw your link to the past retrospective and got hooked on your videos. You have a very underrated channel I like it a lot it brings back a lot of memories and makes me miss the 90s so badly.

[@NESComplex]

Thank you! Glad you’re enjoying it!!

[@erichb4530]

Amazing, great research! It's incredible how much information there is still out there to dig up on these classics.

[@fingrati]

I always wondered about the mythology of the characters, and now I know. Thanks!