Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Cheats & Cheat Codes for the Nintendo Switch, NES, & More

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels, also known as Super Mario Bros. 2 and Super Mario Bros. 2: For Super Players, is a 1986 platform game. Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels is a direct sequel to the original Super Mario Bros. (1985) developed by Nintendo R&D4 and published by Nintendo. The Lost Levels version of the game specifically refers to the Japanese release of Super Mario Bros. 2. When the game sought publication in other regions, Nintendo of America claimed the Japanese version was too difficult for modern American gamers. Due to this criticism, the American version of Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988) was an alternate sequel with the same title as the original.

Due to the changes, experiencing the original game was difficult for anyone outside the Japanese region for several years. In 1993, the original Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2 was renamed Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. It became playable internationally that same year as part of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) compilation, Super Mario All-Stars. The Lost Levels received Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance ports. It’s also been re-released on many Nintendo systems, including the Wii, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, and Nintendo Switch.

Fortunately, modern gamers can experience The Lost Levels easily if they have a Nintendo Switch and a Nintendo Switch Online membership. The Lost Levels is free for members in the Nintendo Entertainment System™ – Nintendo Switch Online bundle. This bundle also includes Super Mario Bros. (1985), Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988, the U.S. version), and Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988). Dr. Mario (1990) and Mario Bros. (1983), the arcade game, are in the Nintendo Entertainment System bundle too.

Overall, Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels debuted to mostly positive reviews. It was similar enough to Super Mario Bros. that fans instantly fell in love, but it provided more challenge than the original game. Some critics believed the game was too difficult, which ultimately led to the game being changed for the American release in 1988. Fans still love this game and compare it to the American version. Miniplay rates it a 4 out of 5. According to Google, 87% of users who weighed in on The Lost Levels claim to like it. Even by today’s standards, gamers consider The Lost Levels to be a challenging game. Some claim the difficulty makes it superior to the American version, while others insist they were glad Nintendo of America changed the game.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Premise

The Lost Levels is similar to the original Super Mario Bros. in gameplay. Players choose between Mario or Luigi and must navigate multiple worlds in search of Princess Peach. Princess Peach has, of course, been captured and taken prisoner by Bowser. The Lost Levels features 8 worlds and 32 levels split across the worlds. It also has 20 bonus levels for players to explore and conquer. Since The Lost Levels is so similar to the original, where it stood apart from its predecessor was the difficulty level. The Lost Levels assumed that players played the original game and would bring everything they learned in Super Mario Bros. to tackle a more challenging game.

To ramp up the difficulty, Nintendo R&D4 implemented new and complex mechanics that would force players to pay closer attention to what they were picking up. Mushrooms are usually a good thing in any Mario game, as they allow the player to grow bigger, but The Lost Levels includes poison mushroom power-ups that harm the player if they collect them. The poisonous mushroom does the opposite of the normal mushroom. If a player picks one up, they’ll either shrink or die depending on their current state. The game also includes level warps that would erase some of the player’s progress and gusts of wind that would affect the player mid-air.

In addition, Mario and Luigi played differently. In the original Super Mario Bros., Mario and Luigi handled more or less the same. While Luigi is slightly taller than Mario, this didn’t impact how the characters played at all. In The Lost Levels, Luigi handles differently than Mario. Luigi can jump higher than Mario and Luigi also has less ground friction. Luigi is designed to be a “more advanced” gameplay style than Mario. Most of the staple mechanics are still in place, though. Players collect normal mushrooms to grow and fire flowers to gain the ability to throw fireballs at enemies. Mario and Luigi can jump from platform to platform to avoid obstacles and enemies. They can also find hidden areas via vines or warp zones. A Super Mario Bros. game wouldn’t be complete without the Invincibility Star, so players can also find this strong power-up.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Main Characters

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels features most of the iconic characters the Mario Bros. franchise is known for. Players get to choose between Mario or Luigi and set off on an epic quest to rescue Princess Peach. In the early days of the Mario Bros. franchise, the game didn’t elaborate too much on the characters. They didn’t have much development in the 1980s.

Playable Characters:

• Mario: Mario is the main face of the Mario Bros. franchise. Whenever someone mentions Mario, gamers and non-gamers alike will probably picture the Italian plumber with a mustache, a red hat, and blue overalls. He is also one of the main playable characters in The Lost Levels. Players can choose between Mario or his brother, Luigi. Mario’s first appearance wasn’t actually in a Mario game. He first showed up in Donkey Kong (1981) where he was called “Jumpman”. Since then, Mario has become one of the main faces of Nintendo’s company. Mario is known throughout the Mushroom Kingdom as a brave hero and trusted friend of Princess Peach. Most of the kingdom respects Mario or, in Bowser’s case, wants to see him finally meet his end.
• Luigi: Luigi is Mario’s brother. Luigi’s design is similar to Mario’s because he has a similar mustache and wears the same outfit. Instead of red, Luigi wears green. He’s also taller than Mario. Although Luigi doesn’t have the same mascot status that Mario does, he’s just as famous as his brother. Luigi is often depicted as a coward, which makes his acts of bravery all the more compelling. Like Mario, Luigi is well-known and respected throughout the Mushroom Kingdom. As far as The Lost Levels go, he’s the second playable character players can choose. Luigi is usually the Player 2 option in Mario Bros. games that feature multiplayer.

Non-Playable Characters:

• Bowser: Bowser, also known as King Koopa, is a giant turtle-like creature with a spiky green shell. As his name suggests, he is the King of the Koopas, a race of turtle-like beings that resemble Bowser. Bowser is the main antagonist of the Mario Bros. franchise and even if he doesn’t make a direct appearance, he’s often mentioned in most Mario games. In most of the early games, Bowser is the end boss. He’s notorious for kidnapping Princess Peach and holding her hostage for various reasons. For years, it’s been suggested that Bowser loves Princess Peach and wants to force their kingdoms together by marrying her.
• Princess Peach: Princess Peach is the main reason Mario and Luigi set off to defeat Bowser. When Princess Peach goes missing, the Mario Bros. set out to rescue her from evil’s clutches. Princess Peach is the Princess of the Mushroom Kingdom. Like Mario and Luigi, Princess Peach is notably human, which makes her stand out from most of the other characters in the game. The Mushroom Kingdom is filled with non-human characters, so humans feel almost out of place. Princess Peach is easily identifiable by her bright pink ballgown and blonde hair.
• Toad: Toad is a mushroom-like creature and Mario’s friend. Toad is usually a nonplayable character that informs Mario and Luigi that Princess Peach is located in another castle. He doesn’t play a huge role in most games, but he has been playable in a few games since his debut in Super Mario Bros. Toad is playable in the American version of Super Mario Bros. 2, which came out in 1988.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Titles in the Series

The Mario Bros. franchise has been around for decades and still gets new content. Since Mario has become one of Nintendo’s main mascots, Nintendo isn’t likely to slow down on this popular franchise anytime soon. Arguably, Mario has only become more popular as the years go by. The 2023 animated The Super Mario Bros. Movie grossed 1.36 billion US dollars. Several Universal Studios theme parks have opened up Super Mario Worlds, complete with gift shops, meet and greets with fan-favorite characters, and rides based on the franchise. There are a lot of Mario games out there. Mario has also appeared in many non-Mario titles as well. This guide will cover as many main titles as possible, but it may be missing a few!

NES/Famicom Era

• Donkey Kong (1983, FC; 1986, NES)
• Donkey Kong Jr. (1983, FC; 1986, NES)
• Donkey Kong Classics (1988)
• Mario Bros. (1983, FC; 1986, NES)
• Pinball (1984, FC; 1985, NES)
• Golf (1984, FC; 1985, NES)
• Wrecking Crew (1985)
• Super Mario Bros. (1985)
• Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt (1988)
• Super Mario Bros. 2 (1993, FC; 1988, NES)
• Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988 FC; 1990 NES)
• Super Mario Bros./Duck Hunt/Track Meet (1990)
• Dr. Mario (1990)
• NES Open Tournament Golf (1991)
• Yoshi (1991)
• Yoshi’s Cookie (1992)
• Mario is Missing! (1993)
• Mario’s Time Machine (1994)

Famicom Disk System Era

• Super Mario Bros. (1986)
• Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986)
• I Am a Teacher: Super Mario Sweater (1986)
• All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros. (1986)
• Golf (1986)
• Golf: Japan Course (1987)
• Golf: US Course (1987)
• Famicom Grand Prix: F-1 Race (1987)
• Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally (1987)
• Return of Mario Bros. (1988)
• Donkey Kong (1988)
• Donkey Kong Jr. (1988)
• Wrecking Crew (1989)
• Pinball (1989)

The Game Boy, Game Boy Color, & Game Boy Advance Era

I. Game Boy:

• Game Boy
• Tetris (1989)
• Super Mario Land (1989)
• Alleyway (1989)
• Golf (1989)
• Dr. Mario (1990)
• Yoshi (1991)
• Yoshi’s Cookie (1992)
• Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992)
• Mario’s Picross (1995)
• Picross 2 (1996)
• Donkey Kong (1994)
• Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 (1994)
• Tetris Attack (1996)
• Game & Watch Gallery (1997)
• Game & Watch Gallery 2 (1997)

II. Game Boy Color:

• Game & Watch Gallery 2 (1998)
• Game & Watch Gallery 3 (1999)
• Mario Golf (1999)
• Super Mario Bros. Deluxe (1999)
• Mario Tennis (2000)

III. Game Boy Advance:

• Super Mario Advance (2001)
• Mario Kart: Super Circuit (2001)
• Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World (2001)
• Game & Watch Gallery Advance (2002)
• Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi’s Island (2002)
• Mario Party-e (2003)
• Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (2003)
• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (2003)
• Dr. Mario & Puzzle League (2005)
• Mario Golf: Advance Tour (2004)
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2004)
• Mario Pinball Land (2004)
• Yoshi Topsy-Turvy (2004)
• Yoshi’s Universal Gravitation (2004)
• Mario Party Advance (2005)
• Mario Tennis: Power Tour (2005)

SNES/Super Famicom Era

• Super Mario World (1990, SFC; 1991, SNES)
• Super Mario Kart (1992)
• Mario Paint (1992)
• Mario & Wario (1993)
• Mario is Missing! (1993)
• Mario’s Time Machine (1993)
• Super Mario All-Stars (1993)
• Yoshi’s Cookie (1993)
• Yoshi’s Safari (1993)
• Mario’s Early Years! Fun with Letters (1994)
• Mario’s Early Years: Fun with Numbers (1994)
• Mario’s Early Years: Preschool Fun (1994)
• Tetris & Dr. Mario (1994)
• Wario’s Woods (1994)
• Mario’s Super Picross (1995)
• Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island (1995)
• Tetris Attack (1995)
• Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (1996)
• Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium (1997, Satellaview)
• Wrecking Crew ’98 (1998)

The Nintendo 64 Era

I. Nintendo 64:

• Super Mario 64 (1996)
• Mario Kart 64 (1996)
• Yoshi’s Story (1997)
• Mario no Photopi (1998)
• Mario Party (1998)
• Super Smash Bros. (1999)
• Mario Golf (1999)
• Mario Party 2 (1999)
• Mario Tennis (2000)
• Paper Mario (2000)
• Mario Party 3 (2000)
• Dr. Mario 64 (2001)

II. Nintendo 64 DD:

• Mario Artist: Paint Studio (1999, 64DD)
• Mario Artist: Talent Studio (2000, 64DD)
• Mario Artist: Communication Kit (2000, 64DD)
• Mario Artist: Polygon Studio (2000, 64DD)

The Nintendo GameCube Era

• Luigi’s Mansion (2001)
• Super Smash Bros. Melee (2001)
• Super Mario Sunshine (2002)
• Mario Party 4 (2002)
• Mario Party 5 (2003)
• Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour (2003)
• Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003)
• Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2004)
• Mario Party 6 (2004)
• Mario Power Tennis (2004)
• Mario Superstar Baseball (2005)
• Mario Party 7 (2005)
• Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix (2005)
• Super Mario Strikers (2005)

The Nintendo DS Era

I. Nintendo DS:

• Super Mario 64 DS (2004)
• Yoshi Touch & Go (2005)
• Yakuman DS (2005) (Japan exclusive)
• Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (2005)
• Mario Kart DS (2005)
• Super Princess Peach (2005)
• Tetris DS (2006)
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis (2006)
• New Super Mario Bros. (2006)
• Game & Watch Collection (2006)
• Mario Hoops: 3-on-3 (2006)
• Yoshi’s Island DS (2006)
• Itadaki Street DS (2007) (Japan exclusive)
• Mario Party DS (2007)
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2008)
• Game & Watch Collection 2 (2008)
• Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (2009)
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (2009)
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem (2010)

II. Nintendo DSi:

• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again! (2009)
• Dr. Mario Express (2009)

III. Nintendo 3DS:

• Super Mario 3D Land (2011)
• Mario Kart 7 (2011)
• Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (2012)
• Mario Tennis Open (2012)
• New Super Mario Bros. 2 (2012)
• Paper Mario: Sticker Star (2012)
• Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (2013)
• Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move (2013)
• Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (2013)
• Mario Party: Island Tour (2013)
• Ultimate NES Remix (2013)
• Mario Golf: World Tour (2014)
• Yoshi’s New Island (2014)
• Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS (2014)
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars (2015)
• Puzzle & Dragons Z + Super Mario Bros. Edition (2015)
• Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure (2015)
• Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam (2015)
• Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (2016)
• Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge (2016)
• Mario Party: Star Rush (2016)
• Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS (2016)
• Poochy & Yoshi’s Woolly World (2017)
• Mario Sports Superstars (2017)
• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser’s Minions (2017)
• Mario Party: The Top 100 (2017)
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2018)
• Luigi’s Mansion (2018)
• Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story + Bowser Jr.’s Journey (2019)

The Wii & Wii U Era

I. Wii:

• Super Paper Mario (2007)
• Mario Party 8 (2007)
• Mario Strikers Charged Football (2007)
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (2007)
• Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
• Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008)
• Dr. Mario Online Rx (2008)
• Mario Kart Wii (2008)
• Mario Super Sluggers (2008)
• New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis (2009)
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games (2009)
• New Super Mario Bros. Wii (2009)
• Super Mario Galaxy 2 (2010)
• Super Mario All-Stars 25th Anniversary Edition (2010)
• Mario Sports Mix (2010)
• Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (2011)
• Fortune Street (2011)
• Mario Party 9 (2012)

II. Wii U:

• New Super Mario Bros. U (2012)
• New Super Luigi U (2013)
• Super Mario 3D World (2013)
• Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games (2013)
• Dr. Luigi (2013)
• NES Remix (2013)
• Mario Kart 8 (2014)
• Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (2014)
• NES Remix 2 (2014)
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2014)
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars (2015)
• Mario Party 10 (2015)
• Super Mario Maker (2015)
• Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash (2015)
• Yoshi’s Woolly World (2015)
• Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge (2016)
• Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games (2016)
• Paper Mario: Color Splash (2016)

Nintendo Switch Era

• Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
• Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle (2017)
• Super Mario Odyssey (2017)
• Mario Tennis Aces (2018)
• Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker (2018)
• Super Mario Party (2018)
• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (2018)
• New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (2019)
• Yoshi’s Crafted World (2019)
• Super Mario Maker 2 (2019)
• Luigi’s Mansion 3 (2019)
• Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (2019)
• Paper Mario: The Origami King (2020)
• Super Mario 3D All-Stars (2020)
• Super Mario Bros. 35 (2020)
• Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit (2020)
• Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury (2021)
• Mario Golf: Super Rush (2021)
• Mario Party Superstars (2021)
• Mario Strikers: Battle League (2022)
• Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope (2022)
• Super Mario Bros. Wonder(2023)
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Switch) (2024)
• Luigi’s Mansion 2 HD (2024)
• Princess Peach: Showtime! (2024)
• Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door (2024)

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Cheats, Warp Zones, & Free 1-Ups

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels has some solid cheats and exploits for the NES, Famicom Disk System, and the Game Boy Advance versions of the game. Please keep in mind that the original game is nearly 40 years old. It has also been ported and re-released across multiple consoles, so these tricks may not work for the current version of the game.

Warp Zones

IGN has a fantastic guide on cheats and secrets for Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. IGN’s Warp Zone instructions are as follows:

• Warp Back To World 1: In World 3-1, jump onto the spring at the end of the stage to fly over the flagpole. A warp pipe on the far side will take you to World 1.
• Warp To World 2: In World 1-2, make your way to the bricks above the level. Run past the exit pipe to find the warp pipe that takes you to World 2.
• Warp To World 3: In World 1-2, look for a pipe, a few bricks, and a Steel-Shelled Koopa. Bust the first brick on the left to reveal a beanstalk. At the top, you’ll find a warp pipe to World 3.
• Warp To World 4: Note: You need to be small to use this warp. In World 1-2, use the moving platforms to perform a running jump to the small brick platform. Jump again to the next platform and continue to the 2 pipes. Enter the left pipe. Run under the lava pit below the brick wall. Do not enter the pipe at the end. Hit the secret coin block one space to the left of the lava pit. Stand on the coin block and hit the secret coin block one space to the right of where you are standing. Use this to get on the ceiling and run to the warp pipe to World 4.
• Warp Back To World 5: In World 8-1, after you get by the third Hammer Bro, enter the next pipe that points upwards. Make your way through the secret area and use the pipe to exit on the far side. At the top of the stairs, enter the pipe to go back to World 5 — or kill yourself in the pit if you aren’t a total sadist.
• Warp to World 6: Note: You must be at least Super Mario (“big”) for this one. In World 5-1, look for two rows of floating bricks past two Red Paratroopas. The brick on the far right in the top row reveals a vine. Bust the brick adjacent to it and climb up to find the warp to World 6.
• Warp to World 7: In World 5-2 there are three tiny elevators in a row. Use these to reach the ceiling. Run to the right to reach World 7.
• Warp to World 8: In World 5-2, at the three elevators, hop on the leftmost one and hit the brick immediately left of it. Climb the vine to reach the Warp Zone.
• Warp To World C: In World A-3, use the spring to bypass the flagpole at the end of the stage. Run to the warp pipe to World C.
• Warp To World D: In World B-4, enter the very last pipe in the level (next to a lava pit).

Unlock World A-D & World 9

• World A-D: Players get a star every time they beat World 8-4. These stars appear next to the logo on the main menu. Once the player collects 8 stars, they can go to the main menu to access World A-D. While on the title menu, hold A and press START. This will open World A-D.
• World 9: Players need to get to World 8-4 without using any warp pipes. World 9 only provides the player with a single life.

Infinite Lives Glitch

According to an anonymous user on GameFAQs, players can obtain infinite lives with the following cheat. The user says, “In World 1-1, go right until you see a Red Koopa boxed in by some bricks. Hit the second brick on the bottom and obtain the Mushroom from it. Then break the third brick and either the leftmost or rightmost one, trapping the Red Koopa on a single brick. You can then stomp on it, and then on its shell like in the original Super Mario Bros.’s infinite-lives trick, infinitely bouncing it back on the wall before you can touch the ground.”

Get Extra Lives at Flagpoles

If the player’s coin count is a multiple of 11 (00, 11, 22, 33, 44, 55, 66, 77, 88, or 99), they have a chance to get an extra life when they finish a level. If they touch the flagpole at a precise time while having the right coin count, they’ll get a free life. The time clock needs to end in the same digit the coins reflect. For example, having 66 coins and a time of 106 seconds will result in a 1-Up.

Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels Cheats FAQ

If players Google “Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Level cheats”, several FAQ results pop up. However, most of them are about the original Super Mario Bros. that came out in 1985, not The Lost Levels. All of the relevant questions, like the difficulty of the game, have been addressed in this guide already.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Typhlosion4President / Nintendo.