Did You Know That Super Mario Bros. Has a Hidden Ending Glitch?

The last bit had to be added because it’s technically not an ending, but rather the “Minus World,” a glitched level, often referred to as “World -1”, that can be accessed by performing a specific action.

The original Super Mario Bros. game has a hidden ending glitch that allows players to access the “Minus World,” a glitched level, often referred to as “World -1”. This level can be accessed by performing a specific action that tricks the game into sending Mario to an unintended area.

The Minus World is an endless, looping underwater level that players cannot escape from without resetting the game. However, if you beat one of these glitch levels with a castle exit (jumping on the axe), it causes the ending to be treated as if the player has completed the game, even if it only displays the Mushroom Retainer’s “Thank you Mario! But the princess is in another castle!” line.

This glitch was discovered by players shortly after the game’s release in 1985, and it has since become one of the most well-known glitches in video game history. It has been featured in numerous speedruns and TASes, and it continues to be a popular topic of discussion among fans of the game.