Rating of
5/5
The Timeless Classic Platformer
Nick - wrote on 09/25/25
Revisiting Super Mario Bros. on the NES is like stepping back into a childhood memory, one that’s just as fun and surprisingly challenging as it was decades ago. I have speedran this game in the past, but this time around, I played it in a way I never imagined back then, on a Steam Deck, using RetroArch with RetroAchievements enabled. I was genuinely surprised by how well the game played on the Steam Deck using RetroArch, input latency was remarkably low, which I could never achieve on a PC or on a modern TV. And with all 77 achievements unlocked over 25 hours, this legendary game felt new, challenging, and rewarding.
Let’s be honest — most of us have played Super Mario Bros. before. Whether it was on the original NES, a re-release like Super Mario All-Stars, on the newer NES Classic edition, or some form of an emulator on PC, Raspberry Pi, etc. It’s a game that shaped platforming as we know it. But what RetroAchievements manages to do is breathe new life into old games with the relatively modern invention of an achievement system.
These achievements transformed the experience from simple nostalgia into a full-blown quest. Some goals were straightforward — get a mushroom, touch the top of the flagpole, collect 50 coins, etc. Others pushed me to master techniques I never tried before — completing worlds without harming enemies, defeating bowser at the end of each world with fireballs, and collecting all the coins in each world. Each achievement made me think, adapt, and approach the game differently than I ever had before.
What stood out most during this 25-hour journey wasn’t just the tight controls or nostalgic level design, but the realization that Super Mario Bros. has more depth than it's often given credit for. The RetroAchievements community clearly recognizes that, curating a set that’s both rewarding and challenging without ever feeling unfair.
Playing through Super Mario Bros. with these modern goals reminded me why this game remains one of the greatest of all time. It’s not just about nostalgia, it’s about playing a great platformer, without all the bells and whistles of modern games.
Whether you're a returning fan or a curious newcomer, Super Mario Bros. with RetroAchievements is the perfect way to replay an old title. It’s a masterclass in platforming that still delivers fun, frustration, and fulfillment — especially when you’re chasing 100% of a new, community driven, achievement system.
RetroAchievements:
77 out of 77 achievements
775 of 775 points
Mastered in 25 hours, 1 minute
