Super Mario Bros. Cheat Codes & Secrets
Complete collection of cheat codes, passwords, unlockables, and hidden secrets for Super Mario Bros. (1985).
Super Mario Bros. Cheat Codes & Secrets
Super Mario Bros. contains several legendary secrets discovered by players over decades of play.
Warp Zones
The most famous secrets in Super Mario Bros. are the warp zones that let you skip ahead several worlds:
| Location | Destination |
|---|---|
| World 1-2: Run on the ceiling to the pipe at the end | Worlds 2, 3, or 4 |
| World 4-2: Same ceiling trick | Worlds 6, 7, or 8 |
| World 4-2: Fall through a specific brick | World 5 |
World 1-2 Warp Zone (To Worlds 2, 3, or 4): Near the end of World 1-2, there is a moving platform. Use it to jump on top of the brick ceiling and run to the right past the exit pipe. You’ll fall into a room with three warp pipes labeled 2, 3, and 4. Enter any pipe to warp directly to that world.
World 4-2 Warp Zone (To Worlds 6, 7, or 8): Using the same ceiling technique in World 4-2, run to the end to find pipes leading to Worlds 6, 7, and 8.
Infinite Lives Trick (World 3-1)
- Enter World 3-1
- Find the staircase of turtles near the end
- Position Mario at the bottom of the staircase
- When the turtle’s shell comes sliding, jump on it at just the right angle to bounce continuously off the staircase
- Each bounce scores 1,000 points and eventually earns extra lives
- This can be repeated indefinitely to stock up on lives
Flagpole Fireworks
Finish a level by grabbing the flagpole when the last digit of the timer matches the last digit of your score to trigger 1, 3, or 6 fireworks — each worth 500 points.
- Same last digit = 1 firework (500 points)
- Last digit is 3 = 3 fireworks (1,500 points)
- Last digit is 6 = 6 fireworks (3,000 points)
Continue After Game Over
When you get a Game Over, hold the A button on controller 2, then press Start on controller 1. You’ll restart at the first level of the world where you got the Game Over.
Minus World Glitch (World -1)
- Go to World 1-2
- Find the exit pipe (the one that takes you to 1-3)
- Stand next to the pipe and break the two bricks above it
- Run and jump at the wall while ducking, trying to clip into the pipe area
- If done correctly, you enter a “Minus World” — World -1 — a glitched level that loops forever
Note: This glitch is extremely difficult to replicate on original hardware.
Hidden 1-Up Mushrooms
- World 1-1: Jump on the moving platform and hit specific blocks
- World 3-3: Hidden in a block above the staircase area
- World 4-1: In an invisible block above an empty area
Fireball Power-Up Secret
If Mario is in Fire Mario form (large + fireball), he cannot collect mushrooms in a normal way — they pass through him without effect. Collecting a Fire Flower while already Fire Mario restores it if you were previously damaged.