As a gaming entrepreneur and longtime Nintendo fan, it‘s hard for me to be objective about the New Super Mario Bros series. It shaped so much of my childhood and ultimately launched my business hosting Mario fan events. So consider this a love letter from me to NSMB.
I still vividly remember unboxing my Nintendo DS Lite on Christmas morning in 2006, but it wasn’t until getting New Super Mario Bros a few months later that I truly fell in love with gaming.
As an impressionable 9 year old, NSMB was my gateway drug into the wonderful world of Mario through its colorful graphics and tight platforming challenges. Little did I know it would kickstart a lifetime of fandom.
Fun fact: Over 30 million other gamers joined me on this journey — NSMB went on to become the best-selling DS game ever and the 16th highest selling video game of all time.
How NSMB Reinvigorated the Franchise
After spending years innovating Mario games in 3D with hits like Mario 64 and Sunshine, Nintendo surprised fans by going back to 2D side-scrolling roots.
But rather than feeling outdated, New Super Mario Bros on DS felt like the perfect evolution of the platforming formula that made Mario an icon. Cleaner graphics, richer music, complex themes, and the introduction of multiplayer support made it feel brand new while retaining the classic magic.
Gaming journalists agreed, with IGN calling NSMB "an absolute must-own" and Eurogamer dubbing it "a significant title" that makes "smart additions" to gameplay.
By the numbers:
- 480,000 physical units sold on day one in Japan
- 30+ million copies sold lifetime as of March 2020
- 94 metascore on Metacritic and GameRankings
Critics and fans alike praised NSMB for reinvigorating Mario‘s 2D platforming pedigree. It rode a wave of DS popularity but also demonstrated the lasting appeal of classic side-scrolling gameplay.
The Game That Keeps on Giving
Part of what gives NSMB such high replay value is the depth beyond the main story. Secret levels, alternate paths, speedrun exploits, and unlockables give determined players plenty to master.
Fan mods like Newer Super Mario Bros on PC and chaotic Mario Royale also let players experience the classic levels in new ways years later.
Streamers have recently returned to the game too — its simple premise makes for great viewing on Twitch. Super Mario Bros 3 recently held viewer records, which suggests NSMB could follow suit with more visibility.
There’s even been talk of Nintendo franchising it as an esport, with experienced Mario runners competing in races and skill competitions for money and sponsorships. I’ve already hosted local tournaments and would love to participate someday.
The enduring love for NSMB just speaks to incredible craft, balance, and gameplay flow instilled by Nintendo EAD. They made an instantly fun yet challenging platformer that continues to inspire new generations 13 years after launch.
Including my own career — more on that later!
The High Price of Nostalgia
Loving something often means letting it go when the time comes though. As much as I wanted to experience every new Mario game release after NSMB, the realities of being a kid on a budget meant it just wasn‘t feasible.
When New Super Mario Bros 2 landed on Nintendo 3DS, the shiny new console was out of my parents’ price range. And their position was understandable — "your DS works fine, why do you need some expensive upgrade?"
This taught me early lessons around being a conscious consumer and managing expectations. I realized games are a business first and foremost. Nintendo will always prioritize selling new consoles and full-priced games over enabling fans to enjoy every title at an affordable cost.
Of course franchises must evolve and upgrade to stay relevant years later. But the product cycle also gates passionate fans out of participating. Just one of the bittersweet tradeoffs around nostalgia.
Passing the Torch to a New Generation
Despite barriers to entry as an adult player, I still fondly remember my origins falling in love with Mario through NSMB on DS. It‘s why I started a small business hosting Mario fan conventions and tournaments for new players to experience the magic.
Seeing kids and fellow lifelong enthusiasts bond over classics reminds us of gaming‘s timeless ability to bring people together. I may sound sentimental, but New Super Mario Bros sparked a fiery passion that still burns brightly today.
Sure I would have loved growing up playing every 3D Land or Mario Odyssey — the costs made that impossible. Yet without NSMB starting the journey, who knows if I‘d have pursued gaming and community building so vigorously as an entrepreneur.
We all have those special games that greet us at formative times and shape our identities for decades after. So for opening my eyes to Mario‘s magic back in 2006, thank you New Super Mario Bros!
Now time to dust off my DS Lite and finally beat that last secret world…
