Super Mario Bros. Pixel Reduction
About the Game
Super Mario Bros. Pixel Reduction is a graphics-focused ROM hack of Nintendo's Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The project was created by JBoGre and released in 2026. It keeps the original game mechanics, level layouts, and story intact, but replaces the familiar graphics with an intentionally simplified pixel style.
๐น๏ธ A Different Way to View a Classic
Many Super Mario Bros. ROM hacks focus on new levels or different gameplay ideas. This project takes a different direction. Its purpose is visual experimentation.
Every major graphic has been redesigned into a much simpler form. Characters, enemies, blocks, backgrounds, and interface elements all use larger pixel blocks. Even with the simplified artwork, the original game remains recognizable from start to finish.
๐ Original Adventure, New Visual Style
Nothing about Mario's journey has changed. You still travel through the eight familiar worlds as you:
- Defeat Goombas and Koopas.
- Collect coins and power-ups.
- Enter underground areas.
- Discover Warp Zones.
- Cross castle stages.
- Rescue Princess Peach after defeating Bowser.
The ROM hack changes how the game looks rather than how it plays.
๐จ What Makes This ROM Hack Different?
The biggest difference is the artwork. Instead of detailed NES sprites, almost everything appears with heavily reduced pixel detail. Visual changes include:
- Mario and Luigi sprites
- Enemy graphics
- Terrain tiles
- Background scenery
- Item blocks
- HUD graphics
- Castle and overworld environments
The simplified presentation creates a unique visual experiment while preserving the original gameplay experience.
โ๏ธ Gameplay Remains Faithful
If you have played the original Super Mario Bros., you already know how this ROM hack works. You can still:
- Run and jump through every stage.
- Break brick blocks.
- Collect Super Mushrooms and Fire Flowers.
- Defeat enemies by jumping or using fireballs.
- Find hidden blocks.
- Use Warp Zones to skip worlds.
No verified information indicates changes to:
- Physics
- Enemy behavior
- Level layouts
- Story progression
- Controls
That makes this hack easy to understand if you already know the original game.
๐ Story
The story follows Nintendo's original release. Bowser has captured Princess Peach and taken control of the Mushroom Kingdom. Your objective is to clear all eight worlds, defeat Bowser, and rescue the princess. No new story scenes or dialogue have been documented for this ROM hack.
๐ต Music and Sound
The soundtrack remains faithful to the original NES version. You will still hear:
- Original overworld music
- Underground theme
- Castle music
- Coin sound effects
- Jump sounds
- Fireball effects
- Bowser battle audio
The audio experience matches the classic game.
๐ฎ EmulatorJS Game Controls
Keyboard Controls
| Action | Key |
|---|---|
| D-Pad | Arrow Keys |
| A Button | Z |
| B Button | X |
| Start | Enter |
| Select | Right Shift |
Mobile Controls
- On-screen D-Pad for movement
- Virtual A and B buttons
- Start and Select touch buttons
๐ก Tips Before You Start
- Learn enemy movement patterns from the original game.
- Search for hidden blocks in familiar locations.
- Fire Flowers still provide ranged attacks.
- Warp Zones remain useful if you want to skip later worlds.
- The simplified graphics may make some objects less recognizable at first, so take a moment to identify enemies and terrain.
