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Super Mario Bros. · NES · 32 stages

Worlds 1–8 walkthrough

A player-facing route through every NES Super Mario Bros. stage. Eight worlds, four areas each — 32 stages, each listed once. This is the original 1985 NES game as listed on Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics. It is not The Lost Levels, not USA Super Mario Bros. 2, and not Super Mario All-Stars.

How to use this: Play in order, or jump to the world that stopped you. Warp Zones are optional intended shortcuts, not the main path.
Not in this walkthrough: TAS / speedrun routing, Minus World, fireball-count “best” Bowser plans, or prices.
Last checked: 2026-09-09
Start World 1-1 Hub Warp Zones Secrets
World 1

World 1

The opening kingdom. Learn stomping, ? blocks, pipes, and the first castle axe.

Open World 1
World 1-1Overworld · timer 400World 1-2Underground · timer 400World 1-3Athletic / treetops · timer 300World 1-4Castle · timer 300
World 2

World 2

First underwater course, leaping Cheep-Cheeps, and Podoboos in the castle.

Open World 2
World 2-1Overworld · timer 400World 2-2Underwater · timer 400World 2-3Bridges over water · timer 300World 2-4Castle · timer 300
World 3

World 3

Night overworld, first Hammer Brothers, a crowded Koopa course, and another castle.

Open World 3
World 3-1Overworld (night) · timer 400World 3-2Overworld · timer 300World 3-3Athletic / treetops · timer 300World 3-4Castle · timer 300
World 4

World 4

Lakitu, the second Warp Zone, balance lifts, and the first looping castle maze.

Open World 4
World 4-1Overworld · timer 400World 4-2Underground · timer 400World 4-3Athletic / treetops · timer 300World 4-4Castle maze · timer 400
World 5

World 5

Bullet Bills, a Hammer Bro course with a sky-or-swim choice, and long fire-bars.

Open World 5
World 5-1Overworld · timer 300World 5-2Overworld with optional swim or vine · timer 400World 5-3Athletic / treetops · timer 300World 5-4Castle · timer 300
World 6

World 6

Lakitu returns, a busy underground with bonus choices, drop lifts, and the first hammer-throwing castle impostor.

Open World 6
World 6-1Overworld · timer 400World 6-2Underground / pipe maze · timer 400World 6-3Athletic / lifts · timer 300World 6-4Castle · timer 300
World 7

World 7

Hammer Brothers on the overworld, harder 2-2 / 2-3 repeats, and a three-height maze castle.

Open World 7
World 7-1Overworld · timer 400World 7-2Underwater · timer 400World 7-3Bridges over water · timer 300World 7-4Castle maze · timer 400
World 8

World 8

Longest overworld, cannons and Lakitu, Hammer Brother gauntlet, then the true Bowser maze.

Open World 8
World 8-1Overworld (longest) · timer 300World 8-2Overworld · timer 400World 8-3Overworld / castle approach · timer 400World 8-4Final castle maze · timer 400

Version and glitch notes

  • Nintendo Classics vs original NES cartridge: assume NES layout unless a difference is labeled UNKNOWN.
  • Minus World is a glitch, not a 33rd stage. It is not part of this 32-stage route.
  • Vs. Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario All-Stars change some rooms. Those versions are out of scope except where a difference is called out.

Sources used on these pages