Jumping between levels in Super Mario Bros

In the wake of the growing success of the Super Mario movie, interest in the character and his universe has been renewed. One of the most recognisable characteristics of the game created by Shigeru Miyamoto and his team is its level design. But what is level design and why is this videogame a reference in this aspect?

Level design in videogames is a fundamental discipline for creating an exciting and challenging gaming experience for the player. Good level design involves thinking about concepts such as gameplay, progression, aesthetics and story all at the same time.

In the Super Mario Bros universe, level design stands out across three major axes: the game's difficulty curve , the use of repetition and pattern of elements, and exploration and reward.

The game's difficulty curve: the skeleton of Super Mario Bros.

One of the first steps in the creative process of a game, especially in the platform genre, is to consider how the levels that make up the story will unfold. The Level  Designer or LevelDesigner must construct a suitable difficulty curve so that the player experiences a sense of natural progression and there is a credibility to the challenges that arise.

Super Mario Bros is an example of this, with a difficulty curve that goes from low to high. In the starting level, the player will learn, almost unconsciously, the moves and dynamics that will help him to overcome all the obstacles in a simple scenario. And although level after level the challenges increase in difficulty and the environments become more complicated, the player progresses steadily and smoothly. By doing so, they get the player hooked on the game (once they finish a level they want to try the next one) and stay motivated (they win and beat levels).

_{Source: resources from Makeagif (left) and Gifer (right).} 

The repetition of elements: the dreaded Goombas

Have you ever noticed what elements make up the Super Mario Bros universe? If you're a fan of the game, you probably think of characters like Goombas or Piranha Plants, items like interrogation blocks or coins, or elements like Warp Pipes or pipes.

During the course of the levels, the player encounters objects, characters or structures whose functionality does not change, regardless of the level. In this way, the player gets to learn and anticipate the functioning of the game and all its elements, enriching his gaming experience. 

_{Source: resources extracted from Old School Gamer (left) and Loto's Blog (right).} 

Exploration and reward: beyond the rules

Although the game's objective is to traverse the Mushroom Kingdom to defeat King Koopa's forces and save Princess Peach, the designers posit possible sub-stories with alternative scenarios.

The design of Super Mario Bros encourages the user to explore every corner of the map and if they do, they are rewarded with coins, blocks and hidden secrets. The idea is to immerse the player in the universe, seeking to extend the hours of gameplay by increasing the time spent on each level.

The combination of these three elements builds a coherent, satisfying and exciting gameplay experience . Players find themselves able to beat the levels, they know how to do it, and they can explore and venture into the story.

If you want to direct your future towards this speciality, our mention in Design of the Bachelor's Degree in Video Game Design and Development will train you in excellence with the best professionals and teams at your disposal.

Do you want to know more about level design? At the round table"The circular ruins: theory and practices of level design" you can learn about it in depth.