Super Mario Bros. Ports You’ve Never Seen! (Sega, SNES, C64, GBC, Arcade)

Showcasing my favorite ports of the classic 1985 Super Mario Bros -- some of which I'll bet you've never seen!
Help support my videos on Patreon:
/ killgruz
0:00 - intro
0:20 - Sega Genesis / Megadrive
2:27 - Commodore 64
5:05 - Super Nintendo
7:00 - Game Boy Color
9:15 - Arcade - Nintendo Vs. System
#Nintendo #SuperMario #RetroGaming #RetroGames #supermariobros #nes #famicom #snes #gba #gbc #c64

[@itsgruz]

I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to you guys for watching and subscribing. Almost at 100K subscribers now! Wowzers! Your support has been incredible and I can't thank you enough. As for this video - It was so much fun to talk about these lesser-known Super Mario games and I hope it introduced you to a new version or two of this absolute masterpiece of a game. I'll be back soon with more videos! Take care guys! ✌❤

[@sleeptime5464]

I like the dedication... You were sitting at 25k subs for like 5 years sharing your game genie codes and you made a breakthrough recently

[@mootbooxle]

After several years, you’re still one of my go-to gaming channels! It’s not just the content but the friendly way you present it. And somehow you continue to present info that is new to me after playing these games for over 30 years!

[@lHeaterl]

*KİLLEDGruz! i love your SMB videos man*

[@JD-mz1rl]

It's a testament to the quality of your videos -- you don't even upload often!

[@gitgeronimo9375]

Great vid as ALWAYS. The new levels arcade version of Vs Super Mario Bros were actually designed first. Then when they made SMB2 that same year, the team included these levels

[@GDColon]

Just a few days ago I actually found an arcade with SMB! I thought it would be identical but when I reached the upper 4-2 warp zone, the only option was a pipe to world 6. I spent a long while questioning if I was the wrong one and then I saw my coin count go above 100 without resetting lol

[@JJ_TheGreat]

LOL 😂😂😂😂

[@glitchyaceofficial]

can't forget about the eshop /j btw I'm a fanboy

[@CalebExists]

Get ready for the "i love gd cologne" comments

[@blooTalkoes]

GD COLON!!!!!!!!!

[@AnimaAnimatesYT]

hi

[@fluffycritter]

It’s worth noting that the C64 used basically the same CPU as the NES, although at a lower clock speed, and that the C64’s VIC-II graphics chip has vastly different capabilities than the NES PPU, especially regarding its sprites. It’s pretty incredible what the SM64 developer was able to do.

[@kbramlett6877]

You failed to mention the homebrew version for the Intellivision. You covered it a while ago, but it was still in its beta stage. Just recently it was published in cartridge form for the console complete with the box, the manual, and an adapter that goes over the Intellivision's controller to give you the NES controller's feel.

[@johnny-becker]

4:32 Anyone notice the lava moving? That is a "1 UP" (see what I did there?) from Nintendo, who never had moving lava. In fact, it was just a re-badged version of water.

[@StereoMadnessss]

Two interesting ports are the SNES port by p4plus2 and the TG16 port. The SNES port is very similar to the All Stars version, but with the graphics from the original game and it’s closer to the original source code. The TG16 port was supposed made in 1993 and was first seen in a 5 in 1 pirated games cartridge. It’s extremely faithful to the original NES version, except for it being sped up by 20%, and sound being off due to it being made for PAL instead of NTSC.

[@itsgruz]

Very cool! I haven't seen the TG16 port but I'll check it out!

[@RobertoArvelo]

was about to mention this, its called 5-in-1 Fami-Collection, apparently a finnish scene group made it (which is a bit odd considering the name and the fact that the turbografx was only available in import shops in europe) they also made a multicart porting/emulating a handful of commodore vic 20 games

[@ASTICKMANAUTTP507]

@@itsgruz Question: I type SEAAAA Game genie code on super mario brothers and this happend:

[@michaelpeters78]

17 years ago I almost bought a super Mario bros arcade cabinet off eBay for $200 only to be outbid by like $5 at the very last second. it came with the plastic marquee and everything. I actually mainly wanted it for the marquee because I thought it looked awesome. I had no idea the arcade version was any different than the nes version so now I'm more upset.

[@kingzombie951]

you can build your own for cheaper and buy the rom somewhere so you can leggaly play it

[@michaelpeters78]

@@kingzombie951 it was going to be more of a collector type purchase, so I kinda wanted original hardware. I do have a couple bootleg games for my neo geo mvs though.

[@TeacherGus]

Here comes 100k, gruz!! So happy to have followed your journey from around 5k followers. You deserve it!!

[@JJ_TheGreat]

Awesome! I thoroughly enjoyed watching this video - and learning about all of these ports!

[@EgoCityGamingUK]

The C64 Mario is absolutely mental! Just wow.

[@SheepyChris]

You should've showcased the ZX Spectrum port of the game! It plays just like the original game but looks very unique due to the Speccy's graphical limitations, it's honestly a miracle that the game even runs on it to begin with.

[@FijiFlower]

I've seen the arcade version at my local retro arcade! It's fun, but obviously more difficult

[@mchenrynick]

Speaking of arcade versions, the original game also existed in the arcades. It's mostly the same layout as the 1985 NES version. However in Level 6-3, there's a jump that requires jumping on top of an enemy to make it across. I was never able to pull it off, always losing at Level 6-3 on the arcade version.

[@FijiFlower]

@@mchenrynick you're talking about the play choice, correct?

[@mchenrynick]

@@FijiFlower It was the original arcade standup from 1985.

[@FijiFlower]

@@mchenrynick AH.

[@istrasci]

Happy 2024, gruz!! Always love your videos, and getting one now makes it a great start to the year.

[@LEONHOUSELETSPLAYMOBILEGAMES]

I randomly found your channel and have watched at least 10 of your Mario videos so far. Loving the content and knowledge! 😊

[@MrTakeone51]

Great video as always gruz. I will be looking for that commodore port now !

[@mikemolt9770]

Love all your videos @gruz but this one was particularly enjoyable!

[@scoopishere7881]

The colors of the Commodore 64 port are very pleasing to the eye. I possibly like the look of it better than the original.

[@SEGNOR]

Wow just found this video randomly but such wonderful coverage of all the SMB versions!

[@homerthompson416]

I couldn't get past the lag on the VS Super Mario Bros port on Switch. Used to love playing the arcade of it and the control was great. Love how it's got the same Playchoice 10 palette too.

[@SS4Xani]

I wish I could subscribe more than once so you could reach that 100K mark! You deserve it!

[@KarmaJolt]

Hey gruz your channel is awesome and you've got a great voice!

[@itsgruz]

Thanks man, love your channel too!

[@ASTICKMANAUTTP507]

​@@itsgruz try TEAAAA game genie code on super mario bros.

[@angrytheclown801]

Back in the day I played the Vs Mario version first. I played it so much when I finally got an NES, I was actually taken back by the differences and disappointed it was easier. Good times.

[@yopachi]

for some reason i did not know about the sega version. The Yamaha sound chips have grown on me over the years. Nice lesson gruz!

[@sethwetzel974]

Cool vid my man. Recently I bought a classic NES syestem that has 650 games on it. I hope all the Marios will be included it it from the original system.

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

The C64 port is amazing, but I'm not sure why people claimed the the C64 was not suited to this game? There was already "The Giana Sisters" on C64 which is basically a copy of Super Mario and it runs at 50fps. Also the slowdown due to too many sprites on screen could have been fixed by using a common NES technique of alternating between sprites (ex: show sprite 8 and sprite 9 in alternating way), it results in flicker but as long as it's not on the main sprite, it won't be a big worry, it's better than a straight slowdown.

[@SlimFury]

There is a VS Super Mario Bros cabinet at Hersheypark. I play sometimes when I want a little break from the coasters. I also saw a cabinet at an arcade in Virginia Beach.

[@Solesteam]

8:20 THERE IT IS! I'VE LONG SEARCHED FOR WHERE THIS GAME SCREEN FROM MY EARLIEST CHILDHOOD MEMORIES CAME FROM!

[@ShanetheFreestyler]

The addition of Dual SID support in the C64 version of Super Mario Bros. wasn't for stereo audio, it was to make up for the SID only having 3 channels of audio; the NES had 5, 2 pulse, 1 triangle, 1 noise, and 1 DPCM. The SID only had 3, though they're a lot more flexable with waveforms. If you play SMB64 with only one SID chip, the third channel will switch between playing drums and bass to try and simulate two extra channels. It actually works pretty well, you almost don't notice it unless you listen carefully. When you play in Dual SID mode, the two SIDs each handle two channels. Oddly, the port doesn't take advantage of the two extra channels to allow sound effects to have their own channels, channel 3 of both SIDs are unused in this mode.

[@Tigerhawk1981]

"Lost Levels" meaning the REAL Super Mario Bros. 2

[@nthgth]

*the Japanese SMB2. Nintendo named our version SMB2 intentionally.

[@kloakovalimonada]

The C64 version is incredible. Tbf the system can handle the likes of Turrican 2 with its huge levels and parallax scrolling but still, great effort.

[@lbskysword9545]

I go to the Pinball Hall of Fame in Vegas and they have the arcade version there! It’s fun, and I play it almost every time I’m there!

[@MotherKojiro]

I may have to check out that Genesis port; I love that music!

[@Allen1350]

7:04 nostalgia hit me like a sack of bricks. I had this game for years, and then I catastrophically misplaced it as a kid...

[@VOAN]

The sad part is Nintendo never ported the All-Stars version of Super Mario Bros. 1 to any platform outside of the Super NES, the Wii version doesn't count as it's basically just an emulation of the Super NES game. It was the only one of the All-Stars games that did not get an Advance port for GBA.

[@exxor9108]

I finally got to play the Vs. Super Mario Bros. arcade cabinet a couple years ago. I made it to 8-2 on a single quarter. Its no doubt hard, but I pushed through to my last life and fell there. I'm fixing to have the opportunity to play it again. xD

[@AlbertTheGamer-gk7sn]

There also is an SNES port by p4plus2 for Super Mario Bros., and it is done by doing a TAS on Super Mario World. There also is a PC10 port, 2 GBA ports, and a Turbografx-16 port as well.

[@Had0k3n2X]

Love the video! However Lost Levels is actually easier than VS due to the engine differences as VS SMB uses the SMB1 engine while Lost Levels is modified making those leap of faith jumps easier to do compared to lost levels! Aswell as Lost Levels actually took stages from VS not the other way around

[@JosephShemelewski]

I remember having super mario bros deluxe as a kid I loved that you vs boo mode was a fun break from the main game

[@SneakyGreninja]

I finally had a chance to play Vs. Super Mario Bros for the first time but on the actual arcade cabinet at an arcade that just opened up here in my town and I like it, I need to buy it for the switch

[@stevejennings3960]

3:13 the Commodore 64 version is amazing!!!

[@OldAussieAds]

Can confirm. I fire it up on my C128 from time to time.

[@dee-you-see-kay]

you sound like a more enthusiastic version of garfield

[@MrVariant]

I'm glad there's a lot of commodore 64 stuff on switch over the past year.

[@logan_cadfgs]

Can’t say for sure without actually playing it, but in your footage it looks like the C64 version has that awkward “Mario doesn’t bounce off bricks when breaking them” bug that All-Stars has

[@nthgth]

Ohh, that bugs me so much when playing that version

[@AdamvanAlderwerelt]

Just earlier today I saw a post on reddit of a photo of an Atari Mario Bros cartridge. Of course have this video recommended to me on YT.

[@indyztech]

Those VS Super Mario Bros arcade games were around when I was a kid, as were the Playchoice 10s. I have fond memories of playing it at Astroworld in Houston in the late 80s. I remember it being harder, and the colors being weird.

[@stevejennings3960]

Sonic on the Commodore 64 is a masterpiece!!!!

[@OldAussieAds]

Except unlike Super Mario Bros., Sonic requires a lot more than standard RAM to play.

[@michaeldebidart]

The C64 port is genuinely impressive

[@zerobyte802]

I was kinda hoping you'd mention the Commander X16 port. It's pretty much pixel perfect and audio perfect.

[@christophermoon956]

Also worth noting the Commodore 64 had almost the exact same CPU as the NES.

[@Victini0510]

Wow I love that Genesis soundfont!

[@nthgth]

That's not a soundfont, that's native to the system

[@philipmurphy2]

So many Super Mario Bros ports have being made throughout the years

[@thomaslarson459]

There's actually an arcade in my city that has an original Super Mario Bros Vrs. cabinet. I don't know if they have that thing cranked up to max, but it sure is one heck of a hard game.

[@primekiller5729]

The arcade version was the first version I played. Didn't play the NES version until much later when parents finally bought me one.

[@dieinfire920]

There’s also a game boy advance port of the original super Mario bros (no deluxe) from a series of direct ports of famicom games to the GBA, with other games like Makaimura (ghost n’ goblins), adventure island, castlevania, and few others.

[@childofcascadia]

I really like the genesis mario music. Ive always liked the genesis soundfont, the YM2612 had this weird mechanical sound to it.

[@LtheOriginal]

3:11 Jeez Nintz, relax alright. Some guy making a version of SMB for Commodore 64 in THIS day and age, proooooobably isn't going to make a dent in your sales.

[@DragonslayerProd]

When Super Mario Bros DX came out, the Game Boy Color had only been around for about 7 months. At the time, it was considered the system's first killer app. The best game on the console. It only enjoyed this status for 6 months. Then pokemon Gold/Silver came out.

[@i_dunnoman.]

If you showed me the Sega Genesis/Megadrive one without the audio, I actually would've believed that was the original Mario!

[@shadedevlin4366]

I knew about the C64 port but not the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive port. Amazing that it came out so well. It could easily have ended up as bad as a port of Dark Castle or something. I wish I could find my copy of the GBC game, the extra features really made it stand out, and it'd be nice to see a version of SMB with these features that didn't have the limited screen size.

[@MrChuckGrape]

I got Super Mario Bros deluxe when it came out. The first thing I noticed was that I liked it more than the original when I first played it

[@TomsBackyardWorkshop]

the underground music on the genesis sounds awesome.

[@rodrigosilva-gl9ns]

In addition to this official All-Stars version made by Nintendo themselves, the Super NES also has a fan-made, more direct port with the same graphics as the NES original. The Nintendo 64 also has a fan-made version of Super Mario Bros., but it is a hack of Super Mario 64.

[@timpounds42069]

headphone user here. i can hear the difference in the music it is truly amazing and under appreciated

[@MrShawnmead]

Also Try NEAAAA, Random corruption when you hit a question block, Then the level layout starts to use the wrong tiles, And pipes flash everywhere. Letters and numbers everywhere, and then it gets even weirder. You'll notice that you won't be able to move right for a few seconds, but then you will.

[@novelezra]

Thank God Nintendo took those C64 files down! That really could have eaten into their profits. If I know gamers as much as I think I do, most of them stopped playing Mario Wonder or Tears of the Kingdom or whatever and immediately loaded up their Mario Bros on the C64. It's all gamers ever go on about.

[@SomeGuy712x]

In the arcade Vs. Super Mario Bros., there's still a spot where you can do the 1-up trick with kicking a Koopa on the stairs, with the Parakoopa at the end of world 5-2. Of course, it's quite tricky, but if you pull it off, you'll find Nintendo nerfed one other aspect of that trick. When you get to the point where you would start earning 1-ups from repeated stomps without touching the ground, you'll just get a single 1-up, then every stomp after that in the combo grants 8000 points instead. However, since you automatically land on the ground every so often, you can still gain a decent amount of lives this way, albeit at a much slower rate. And, this is of course highly abusable for getting a high score. And, if it takes you multiple tries to get the trick to work in 5-2, it really helps that the midpoint for 5-2 in the arcade version is set to just before the point where you can access the vine leading to coin heaven, instead of just after that point like in the original game. This means, you can probably earn around 50 coins per attempt, giving you an extra life (if it's set to the normal 100 coins per 1-up) every two attempts, and thus you'll more chances to get the trick with the Parakoopa to work before you Game Over.

[@Thelodis]

The most difficult part of Vs. Super Mario Bros on the Switch is the input lag. The best home option is probably playing in on the NES with either a reproduction cart or a flash cart.

[@chronoscat3371]

This reminds me of how when I was a kid my uncle had an unofficial version of SMB for the Commodore 64. It was very different from the NES version, and I now suspect it was a port of Super Mario Bros. Special.

[@seamushadron]

There was a modified version of Giana Sisters with Mario and Luigi sprites inside, very funny 😅😅

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

You forgot to mention the GBA release, which is part of the Classic NES Series. That version was a straight port. There was also a TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine homebrew version. Graphics are slightly bright from the 1985 NES original and the sound is high-pitched and a bit more sped up.

[@ldg1414]

Makes me think back to when my friend somehow thought that they could use any console to play any game.

[@somekidcalledmark3754]

Thanks

[@SS4Xani]

Interesting. The music sounds almost muted or subdued in the Genesis version. The C64 version sounds very interesting. I like the Stereo style.

[@scottandrewhutchins]

I played vs. Super Mario Bros. Before I owned an NES, and I noticed quickly that the game was easier than it was in the arcade.

[@rmt74358]

9:22 For those who don't know The Lost Levels for the USA is just the Japanese version of the original Super Mario Bros. 2 in Japan Our version of Super Mario Bros. 2 was replaced a different skinned game for the USA because Nintendo of America felt that The original Mario Bros. 2 was too difficult.

[@Monhamd1000]

The Sega Genesis/Mega Drive is my favorite one ngl.

[@apap1586]

First played in the Arcade. I had no idea the NES was the 1st one.

[@PWPictures67]

I saw a video yesterday about someone making a GBA port of Super Mario Bros. They're calling it Super Mario Advance 5. They didn't finish it yet, but maybe it'll be finished in the future.

[@RaginYajun020]

There is already a port to GBA via the Classic NES Series. Or are you talking about a port of the All-Stars version?

[@PWPictures67]

@@RaginYajun020 I believe that it's the All-Stars version, like the other Mario Advance games.

[@eorxroa]

Super Mario Advance 5: Super Mario Bros. (Fan Remake of SNES) by Nimaginendo, made for PC using GM8.1, not GBA version for Homebrew.

[@JouvaMoufette]

I've played the Genesis version at a convention. The biggest difference: They mapped A and B to their respective letters on the controller. But because NES uses B-A for button order and Genesis uses A-B-C instead, if you have muscle memory of holding tip of your right thumb to run and your first knuckle to jump, it's backwards and will feel very weird.

[@itsgruz]

Haven't played it on real hardware but that's always so weird when the controls are backwards like that...

[@JJ_TheGreat]

What is the Minus World in the Genesis game?

[@JouvaMoufette]

@@JJ_TheGreat I hadn't even tried. It was a pain even getting through 1-1 and 1-2 let alone trying to glitch the game.

[@nthgth]

F'n A, they didn't bother to maintain button order across the controller? (Button names regardless) How careless! I'm surprised the game plays at all similarly if they didn't care about that when play testing.

[@NightSprinter]

Someone even managed to port SMB1 to the Mattel Intellivision! I think the same person is also porting the original Castlevania to it as well.

[@AngryCalvin]

The C64 version was removed quickly after being put up for download. Batocera the free Linux emulation frontend has as an included rom.

[@MarioMania05]

VS. came 1st, then SMB2J, So shig took some levels from VS. & Modifid it for SMB2J, not the other way around

[@victorslab]

You forgot to include “Princess Rescue”. I guess that doesn’t really count as a port, because it’s totally reprogrammed, but it’s amazing to see SMB on the Atari 2600!

[@cjv84us]

Fun Fact: There is also a port of Super Mario Bros for the TurboGrafx-16/ PC-Engine.

[@buddychristoGaming4239]

I did know Arcade and/or SNES before this video.

[@Ian-of9oi]

Can the screen scroll backwards in super Mario bros game boy color?

[@SECONDQUEST]

I always loved All Stars.

[@nerdboy628]

Is there a download link for the Commodore 64 port?

[@nick56677]

The Playchoice-10 arcade ports of 1,2 and 3 are my favorites. I have them on my tablet. Also, it doesn't count as an official port if its a rom hack.

[@homerthompson416]

Is there any difference besides the color palettes? Used to love playing SMB2 on the Playchoice 10 at the Dairy Queen by my mom's shop. Christmas break I'd go work at mom's shop and after everything was done she'd give me a couple bucks to buy a burger and play the arcade there. Was about the only way to play SMB2 at the time since Nintendo didn't have enough cartridges to come anywhere close to the demand for the game that Christmas.

[@TheJAWSarchives75]

You voice is like music to my ears

[@MisterBones223]

Imagine spending seven years to make a game that already exists

[@clownworld1017]

Man you left out a masterpiece. Super Mario Crossover

[@kikicallahan3662]

You should do a video on ports of the original Castlevania

[@mchenrynick]

I noticed in the Game Boy Color revision, the screen will move back to the left. Something you didn't mention in the video.

[@Handheld_Handle]

you can't go too far to the left, it just stops making it fair as the original game, also Gameboy Color has a very small screen so they had the center it to Mario

[@michaelschaeffer6936]

Hearing the smb1 theme in stereo feels so cursed

[@camouflage81]

What's my retrozone cartridge of this worth these days?

[@DeuteriumtheSentientMattress]

6:39 Kanji's a sub-buttle.

[@judgedreadloomy2889]

Shocked you didn’t mention the multiplayer for Super Mario Deluxe. Could play races against friends only using one cart. No need to have two

[@Arycke]

6:39 subtle

[@ThatOldTV]

You forgot the PC-8801 port by Hudson Soft and the Korean Port to the Supa Boy (SEGA MASTER SYSTEM).

[@EpicGamer_SansheeFreddy]

*Ironic, considering I’ve seen and played Super Mario All Stars.*