A NES console with the Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt game / Yagamichega / Wikimedia Commons
Tech & Gaming: 40 Years of Mario – How a Little Plumber Changed the World
By iSkyNews.com Tech Desk
September 13, 2025
Forty years ago today, a small Italian plumber in red overalls jumped into our lives — and gaming was never the same. On September 13, 1985, Nintendo released Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in Japan, and that single game helped kickstart the modern era of video games.
What made it so special? Super Mario Bros. wasn’t just another game — it was an adventure. It invited players to explore the colorful Mushroom Kingdom, leap over Goombas, slide down warp pipes, and take on the fire-breathing Bowser to save Princess Toadstool. The controls were smooth, the music was catchy, and the secrets hidden in those bricks kept players coming back for more.
The Game That Saved Gaming
Back in the early ‘80s, the video game industry was in trouble. Many thought console gaming was over for good. Then came Mario — and suddenly, everyone wanted an NES. It’s no exaggeration to say that Super Mario Bros. revived the entire industry and set the standard for how great games should play.
A man playing Vs. Super Mario Bros., the arcade version of the NES classic Super Mario Bros., that was released in 1986. / Rob Boudon / Wikimedia Commons
Still Jumping, 40 Years Later
Fast-forward to today, and Mario isn’t just a character — he’s a global icon. He’s been in over 200 games, starred in a Hollywood movie, and is still the face of Nintendo.
For me, some of my best gaming memories are tied to Mario. I remember sitting cross-legged on the living room carpet, clutching the rectangular NES controller, and yelling when my character fell into a pit. My friends and I would take turns trying to beat World 1-2, cheering each other on and arguing over who got the next life. To this day, that opening theme song takes me right back to those carefree afternoons.
To celebrate this milestone, Nintendo is rolling out special events, new merch, and ways for fans to replay the classic adventure that started it all.
Whether you first played Mario on the NES in the ’80s or discovered him on the Switch last week, there’s something magical about hearing that “ding” when you hit a coin block. Here’s to 40 years of power-ups, princess rescues, and jumping on turtles — and here’s to 40 more.
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