Direct answer: the original Super Mario Bros. (1985, NES) is a Nintendo exclusive and has never been officially released on PC. Nintendo keeps its flagship Mario franchise locked to its own hardware, and the closest official digital access today is through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription’s NES game library. Any site offering a “PC download” of Super Mario Bros. is not authorized by Nintendo. This guide explains your real, legitimate options.
Why It’s Not on PC
- Super Mario Bros. launched exclusively for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985, developed and published by Nintendo.
- Nintendo has never released its core Mario platformers on PC across the franchise’s entire 40-year history.
- The most accessible official modern access is through the Nintendo Switch Online subscription’s NES app, which includes the original game.
How to Legitimately Play Super Mario Bros. Today
- Nintendo Switch Online: A subscription unlocks the NES app, which includes Super Mario Bros. among many other classic titles.
- Original NES hardware: Secondhand consoles and cartridges remain findable through retro marketplaces.
- Modern collections: Titles like Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary content or various “All-Stars” compilations have occasionally re-released it on Nintendo platforms.
A Word on Emulators and “Free Download” Sites
Super Mario Bros. is one of the most widely emulated games in history, with unauthorized ROM files circulating across many sites. Downloading and distributing the actual copyrighted game file without owning a legitimate copy isn’t something we cover or endorse here, and installers claiming to be “free PC downloads” from unofficial sites are a common malware risk regardless of the game.
Games Actually Available on PC With Similar Platforming Appeal
- Celeste: An acclaimed, tightly designed precision platformer on Steam.
- Shovel Knight: A retro-inspired platformer with classic 8-bit style visuals, on Steam.
- Rayman Legends: A colorful, polished platformer available on Steam.
Availability by Platform
🎮 Nintendo Switch
Available through the Nintendo Switch Online NES app for subscribers.
🎮 NES
The original hardware — secondhand cartridges still findable.
🖥️ PC
No official release exists or is planned.
Who Should — and Shouldn’t — Look for This
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Super Mario Bros. on PC?
No, it’s never been officially released on PC — it remains a Nintendo exclusive.
How can I legally play it today?
Through the Nintendo Switch Online NES app, or on original NES hardware.
Is it safe to download a “PC version” from a free site?
No, since no official PC release exists, such downloads aren’t authorized and aren’t safe to run.
Will Mario games ever come to PC?
There’s no indication of this — Nintendo has never released its first-party Mario platformers on PC.
What’s a similar game I can play on PC?
Celeste and Shovel Knight are both acclaimed platformers officially available on Steam.
This page is written for informational purposes to clarify Super Mario Bros.’s real platform availability. It does not link to or endorse any unofficial “free download” or emulation sources.
