Speedrunning Super Mario Bros. on NES: A Comprehensive Guide to Beating the Game Quickly

Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) is a timeless classic, beloved for its simple yet addictive gameplay. While many have completed the game, mastering it to achieve a fast completion time (a speedrun) requires practice, precision, and knowledge of specific techniques. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough and explanation of the strategies needed to beat Super Mario Bros. quickly, focusing on techniques that minimize time spent on each level and exploit glitches and shortcuts.

Understanding the Basics of Speedrunning Super Mario Bros.

Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand the core principles of speedrunning this game:

* **Movement Optimization:** Every jump, every step, and every frame matters. Eliminating unnecessary movements and maintaining a consistent pace is crucial.
* **Exploiting Glitches:** Super Mario Bros. is riddled with glitches, some of which allow you to skip large portions of the game. The most famous example is the “Minus World” glitch, but there are many others that can save valuable time.
* **Enemy Avoidance:** While defeating enemies can be necessary, it often slows you down. Learning to navigate levels while avoiding enemies is a key skill.
* **Level Memorization:** Knowing the layout of each level intimately is essential for planning your route and executing precise movements. This allows for optimized pathing to avoid dead ends or slower routes.
* **Practice and Consistency:** Speedrunning is not about luck; it’s about consistent execution. Practice is the only way to master the techniques and minimize mistakes.
* **Hardware Considerations**: The original NES hardware, clone consoles and emulators all exhibit subtle differences in how the game runs. For official speedrunning leaderboards, playing on original hardware is mandatory. If you are just starting out, an emulator can be a good tool to practice on.

Essential Techniques and Glitches

Here are some of the most important techniques and glitches used in Super Mario Bros. speedruns:

### 1. The Axe Glitch (World 1-2)

This is the most fundamental and widely used glitch in the game. It allows you to bypass most of World 1-2 and enter World 4-1.

**How to perform the Axe Glitch:**

1. **Reach the end of World 1-2:** Play through the level normally until you reach the area with the two Koopa Troopas and the pipe leading to the flagpole.
2. **Positioning:** Instead of jumping over the last pit to the flagpole, carefully position Mario near the left edge of the pit, facing right. Get as close as possible without falling.
3. **Timing:** Jump *just* before the Koopa Troopa shell on the right bounces back towards you. You want the shell to hit you in mid-air.
4. **Execution:** If timed correctly, the shell will push you through the wall and you’ll walk behind the level. Continue walking right until you reach the warp zone. Choosing the first warp pipe on the left will take you to world -1, the second to world -2, and the last one to world -3. For the purposes of speed running, you want to go to world -1 by choosing the first warp pipe, then finish that short water level. Upon completion, you will be at world 4-1.

**Tips for the Axe Glitch:**

* Practice the timing. It can be tricky at first, and it requires a feel for Mario’s jump arc and the Koopa Troopa’s movement.
* Use save states (if practicing on an emulator) to quickly retry the glitch without having to replay the entire level.
* Watch videos of other speedrunners performing the glitch to get a visual reference.

### 2. Warp Zones

Even without the Axe Glitch, warp zones offer significant shortcuts. These are located in World 1-2 and World 4-2.

**World 1-2 Warp Zone (Alternative)**

If you miss the Axe Glitch, or if you prefer a safer route, you can still use the warp zone in World 1-2 to skip ahead. This warp zone usually takes you to Worlds 2, 3, or 4.

**World 4-2 Warp Zone**

Located near the end of World 4-2, this warp zone allows you to skip directly to Worlds 6, 7, or 8.

**How to find the Warp Zones:**

1. **World 1-2:** After going through the pipe to the underground area, continue through the level until you reach the end. Instead of going down the final pipe, jump on top of it. There are hidden blocks above the pipe. Jump to reveal the first block, then jump again to reveal more blocks. Climb up these blocks and run to the right to enter the warp zone.
2. **World 4-2:** Similarly, in World 4-2, reach the end of the level. Instead of going down the final pipe, jump on top of it. Use the Koopa Troopas to gain height and jump onto the ceiling. There is a hidden area above. Run to the right to find the warp zone.

**Choosing the right warp zone:**

* For a standard speedrun, the World 4-2 warp zone is usually preferred to warp to World 8.

### 3. Wall Kicks and Precise Jumps

Mastering wall kicks and precise jumps is crucial for navigating levels efficiently. These techniques allow you to reach higher platforms, skip obstacles, and maintain momentum.

**Wall Kicks:**

* Wall kicks are performed by jumping towards a wall and pressing the jump button again just as you make contact. This allows you to gain additional height and change direction.
* Practice wall kicks in various levels to get a feel for the timing and distance.

**Precise Jumps:**

* Precise jumps involve landing on small platforms or avoiding obstacles with minimal margin for error.
* Pay attention to Mario’s jump arc and adjust your timing accordingly.

### 4. Flagpole Glitch

The Flagpole Glitch is a trick that allows you to land on top of the flagpole at the end of a level. This is mainly for style, but it can save a fraction of a second.

**How to Perform the Flagpole Glitch:**

1. As you approach the flagpole, time your jump so that you land on the very top of the pole.
2. If done correctly, Mario will slide down the pole and trigger the level completion sequence.

**Tips for the Flagpole Glitch:**

* Practice the timing in different levels, as the distance to the flagpole can vary.
* Use a running jump for more momentum.

### 5. Minus World Glitch Details
The Minus World is an incomplete and buggy level that can be accessed using the aforementioned axe glitch in World 1-2. While it doesn’t directly contribute to a faster completion time, understanding the minus world glitch and how it works is helpful.

**Navigating the Minus World:**
The Minus World is a water level with no end. Completing the level will cause Mario to loop continuously between two screens. There are minor variations of the minus world which may appear depending on how the glitch is activated.
Due to the fact that completing this level will not end the game, many speedrunners avoid this area.

## World-by-World Strategy

Now let’s break down the optimal strategies for each world:

### World 1

* **World 1-1:** Focus on maintaining a running pace and avoiding enemies. Collect the first mushroom. The fewer jumps you make, the faster you will complete the level.
* **World 1-2:** Execute the Axe Glitch flawlessly to skip to World 4-1. If the glitch fails, attempt to navigate the level quickly and utilize the warp zone as a backup.
* **World 1-3:** Run and jump efficiently, avoiding unnecessary encounters.
* **World 1-4:** Bowser is simple. Run under him and hit the axe to finish.

### World 2