Player Discovers Hidden Stages in Classic Mario Game After 39 Years

October 9, 2025

Nearly four decades after its initial release, the iconic 1986 game Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels has yielded a stunning secret. A dedicated player, known in gaming communities as Kosmic, has uncovered more than 20 previously unplayable levels hidden within the game’s code. The discovery showcases the enduring appeal of classic games and the dedication of their fanbase.

The Discovery of Forgotten Realms

Kosmic, renowned for exceptional skill in speedrunning and level completion, detailed the remarkable find in a complete 40-minute video. The unearthed levels range from glitch-ridden, incomplete areas to surprisingly polished, almost fully-formed stages.this discovery is a testament to the persistent efforts of the gaming community, driven by technical experimentation, patience, and precision.

How the Levels Were Found: A Technical Breakdown

The core game mechanics of Super Mario Bros. and its follow-up, The Lost Levels, revolve around progression based on level completion. grabbing the flagpole advances the area number, while reaching the axe at the end of castle levels progresses to a new world. However, the secret lies in the Warp Pipes.

While the infamous “Minus World” glitch was removed from The Lost Levels, the pipes still functioned as gateways to currently loaded game areas. Kosmic discovered that entering a pipe during a screen transition triggered a unique behavior. This timing-dependent action tricked the game into redirecting the player to the beginning of a different, unexpected area, unlocking access to these previously hidden levels.

Kosmic showcased the discovered levels and the method of accessing them in a detailed video.

A Journey Through unexpected Code

Kosmic’s exploration led him to Level BF, which spawned a series of duplicated normal stages. Progressing further, he reached Level BL, obstructed by a massive spring and a deep pit that initially halted further advancement. However, the ability to load these levels from the selection menu allowed for continued inquiry.

Level BH proved especially significant, revealing a unique and intriguing element embedded within the game’s core programming. Subsequent exploration revealed increasingly bizarre anomalies, marking an unexpected turn in the game’s structure.

The Implications of the Discovery

The finding underscores the lasting impact of classic video games and their potential for continued discovery. Even decades after release, games like Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels can harbor hidden depths, waiting to be unearthed by dedicated players.

Even though the experiment ultimately concluded wiht a game crash, the discovery stands as a remarkable feat. It demonstrates that even extensively studied games can still conceal secrets within their intricate code, offering a captivating glimpse into the history of game design and reminding fans that the world of Mario continues to surprise.

The Enduring Legacy of Speedrunning

Speedrunning, the practice of completing a video game as quickly as possible, has evolved into a thriving community and a significant part of gaming culture. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube have provided dedicated spaces for speedrunners to showcase their skills and share discoveries, like Kosmic’s recent find. according to Statista, viewership of gaming streams on Twitch reached over 1.78 billion hours in Q3 2023, demonstrating the activity’s widespread appeal.

The Appeal of Retro Gaming

The resurgence of interest in retro gaming is fueling a robust market for classic consoles and games. Collectors and enthusiasts are driving demand, and developers are increasingly revisiting older titles with remakes and remasters. The success of projects like the NES Classic Edition and the continued popularity of emulation demonstrate the enduring appeal of nostalgic gaming experiences.

Game	Release Year	Discovery Date	Notable Features
super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels	1986	October 2025	Hidden Levels, glitched Areas, Technical Anomalies

Frequently Asked Questions About the Super Mario Bros. discovery

• What is Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels?

  It’s a challenging action-platformer originally released only in Japan in 1986, known for its difficulty and unique level design.

• How were these new levels discovered?

  A player named Kosmic discovered a glitch involving warp pipes and precise timing, allowing access to previously hidden areas.

• Are the discovered levels playable?

  Yes, they are accessible, though some exhibit glitches and may be incomplete.

• What does this discovery mean for the gaming community?

  It highlights the potential for further discoveries within classic games and celebrates the dedication of speedrunners and enthusiasts.

• Is speedrunning a popular activity?

  Yes, speedrunning has become incredibly popular, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch skilled players complete games quickly.

What are your thoughts on this incredible discovery? Do you think more secrets remain hidden in classic games?

Share your opinions in the comments below and join the conversation!

What potential impact could this revelation have on the speedrunning community for *super Mario bros.*?

The Unearthing of Lost Levels in Super Mario Bros.

For nearly four decades, players have meticulously explored Super mario Bros. (1985) on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), mastering its jumps, secrets, and warp zones.Now, in October 2025, a dedicated gamer has revealed previously unknown levels within the iconic platformer, sending ripples of excitement through the retro gaming community. This discovery highlights the enduring appeal of classic games and the potential for hidden depths even after decades of scrutiny. The find centers around glitches and precise execution, demonstrating a level of dedication rarely seen.

How Were the Hidden Stages Found?

The discovery wasn’t a matter of stumbling upon a secret exit. It involved exploiting a complex series of glitches,specifically related to the game’s physics engine and how it handles collision detection.

* Wall Clipping: The core technique involves manipulating Mario to clip through walls by precisely timing jumps and movements.This isn’t a new glitch in the Super Mario Bros. speedrunning community,but its application in this instance was novel.

* flagpole Glitch: Utilizing a specific flagpole glitch, the player was able to manipulate the game’s level loading sequence.

* Precise Timing: The execution requires frame-perfect timing,meaning the player must perform actions within a single frame of the game’s refresh rate. This demands remarkable skill and patience.

The player, who wishes to remain anonymous, documented the process extensively, sharing videos and detailed explanations online.These resources are now being dissected by other gamers and speedrunners eager to replicate the feat and perhaps uncover further secrets. Super Mario Bros. secrets continue to emerge.

What Do These Hidden Stages Contain?

The newly discovered stages aren’t fully fleshed-out levels in the traditional sense. They appear to be incomplete or debug remnants left over from the game’s growth.

* Unfinished Areas: Many areas are partially constructed, with missing textures, incomplete level geometry, and placeholder enemies.

* Debug Rooms: some areas resemble debug rooms, likely used by Nintendo developers during the game’s creation to test mechanics and level designs.

* Unique Challenges: Despite their unfinished state, these stages present unique challenges and require unconventional strategies to navigate. They offer a glimpse into the game’s inner workings.

* Potential for Further Discovery: The discovery suggests the possibility of even more hidden content within Super Mario Bros., fueling ongoing exploration.

The history of Super Mario Bros. Glitch Hunting

Super Mario Bros. has a long and storied history of glitch hunting. From the famous warp zones in World 1-2 and 4-2 to more obscure exploits, players have consistently found ways to break the game and uncover hidden features.

* Early Speedrunning: The speedrunning community played a pivotal role in discovering and documenting many of these glitches.

* Tool-Assisted speedruns (TAS): TAS videos, created using emulators and frame-by-frame input recording, have allowed players to push the game to its absolute limits and uncover previously impractical exploits.

* Community Collaboration: Online forums and communities dedicated to Super Mario Bros. have fostered collaboration and knowledge sharing, accelerating the pace of discovery.

* The Legacy of NES Exploits: The NES era, with its limited hardware and programming techniques, was particularly prone to glitches, making games like Super mario Bros. ripe for exploitation.

Why this Discovery Matters – The Enduring Appeal of Retro Gaming

This recent find isn’t just about uncovering hidden levels; it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of retro gaming and the dedication of its community.

* Nostalgia: Classic games evoke a sense of nostalgia for many players, transporting them back to their childhoods.

* Challenge: Retro games often present a unique challenge due to their unforgiving difficulty and limited mechanics.

* Community: The retro gaming community is vibrant and passionate,fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared exploration.

* Preservation: Discoveries like this highlight the importance of preserving classic games and making them accessible to future generations. Mario games are a cornerstone of gaming history.

* The Thrill of the unknown: The possibility of