The simplest official way to play the 1985 Super Mario Bros. today is through the Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics app on a compatible Nintendo Switch-family console. You need an active Nintendo Switch Online membership; the NES-style controllers are optional. Download the collection from Nintendo eShop, open it while signed in to the subscribed Nintendo Account, and select Super Mario Bros. from the library.
The same service provides a selection of NES games, but it is not a complete archive of every game released in 1985. Catalogs can vary by region, so check the live Nintendo listing for your country before relying on a particular title.
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The official Switch route, in one view
Nintendo lists Super Mario Bros. as a 1985 NES title in its Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics collection. The collection runs on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch – OLED Model, and supported Nintendo Switch 2 systems. Nintendo’s product page is the best place to confirm the current software listing and platform support: Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics.
The software is included with the standard Nintendo Switch Online membership. Nintendo’s support documentation does not describe the classic NES games as a current standalone purchase. It states: “There are no plans to make the games available outside of the Nintendo Switch Online service.” Access therefore depends on the membership remaining active rather than on buying Super Mario Bros. as an individual Switch download.
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| What you need | What it does | Is it required? |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible Nintendo Switch-family console | Runs the Nintendo Classics software | Yes for the official Switch method |
| Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics software | Provides the NES game library | Yes; download it from Nintendo eShop |
| Active Nintendo Switch Online membership | Authorizes access to the NES collection | Yes |
| Internet connection | Downloads the app and periodically validates membership | Required for setup and at least once every seven consecutive days afterward |
| Nintendo Switch NES-style controllers | Offer a period-styled control layout | No; Nintendo identifies them as optional |
How to start playing Super Mario Bros. on Switch
Nintendo’s setup instructions are straightforward, but the account and membership details matter. Use the following sequence rather than assuming that owning the console alone unlocks the games.
- Confirm the platform and region. Check that your console is a Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, Switch – OLED Model, or a Switch 2 model supported by Nintendo’s current listing. Open Nintendo’s regional website and verify that Nintendo Switch Online and the NES collection are offered for your account’s country.
- Get Nintendo Switch Online. Sign in with the Nintendo Account that will be used on the console and activate a Nintendo Switch Online membership. The standard membership includes the NES, Super NES, and Game Boy collections; the Expansion Pack is described as adding other libraries, such as Nintendo 64, SEGA Genesis, and Game Boy Advance, not as a requirement for the NES collection.
- Open Nintendo eShop. Launch eShop on the console and search for “Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics.” Download the official application. The app itself is the gateway to the library; downloading it does not replace the membership requirement.
- Use the subscribed account. Start the application while signed in to the Nintendo Account with the active membership. If several profiles use the console, select the profile whose account has the subscription or follow Nintendo’s account-sharing rules for your console.
- Choose a play mode and controller arrangement. The app presents its available display and control options. Pair the standard Joy-Con, a compatible Switch controller, or another supported input device. Nintendo’s NES-style controllers can be used if you own them, but they are not needed.
- Select the game. Find Super Mario Bros. in the NES list and launch it. The original title is identified by Nintendo as a 1985 NES release, so it is distinct from later remakes, ports, or sequels.
Nintendo’s detailed support procedure is available at How to Start a Nintendo Classics Game. Menu labels can change with system or regional software updates; if your screen differs, search eShop for the full collection name rather than a third-party listing.
Which membership tier do you need?
Nintendo identifies the NES, Super NES, and Game Boy libraries as part of the standard Nintendo Switch Online membership. The Expansion Pack is associated with additional libraries such as Nintendo 64, SEGA Genesis, and Game Boy Advance. It is not identified as necessary for Super Mario Bros. or the NES collection, so do not upgrade solely to play this game unless you also want those other libraries.
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Membership is attached to the Nintendo Account, not to a cartridge or to the downloaded app. If a family uses several profiles, check which account holds the subscription and which account launches the software. Nintendo’s account and console-sharing rules determine whether another profile can use that membership; when in doubt, launch the app with the subscribed account.
Playing offline: the seven-day condition
The NES Classics app can be used without a continuous internet connection after it has been downloaded and authorized. Nintendo requires the console to connect online for membership validation at least once every seven consecutive days. “Offline” therefore means temporary play between checks, not permanent access after one download.
- Connect the console to the internet before a trip or another period without service.
- Open the Nintendo Classics app while the membership is active so the system can complete its validation.
- Return online before seven consecutive days have elapsed to avoid an authorization interruption.
- Keep the Nintendo Account signed in; changing accounts can change which membership is being checked.
Do not treat a downloaded app as a perpetual copy. The periodic check is part of Nintendo’s access model, and a console that has been offline beyond the allowed interval may ask you to reconnect before launching a game. If internet access is limited, plan the validation around your travel schedule rather than waiting until the collection refuses to open.
If the membership expires, access to the classic games ends until the account renews. Nintendo says save data remains on the console, so renewing later does not mean that the saved progress is automatically erased. The membership, however, controls whether the collection can be launched.
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- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
- Local co-op, online, and local wireless multiplayer
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
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What “other 1985 classics” means here
The phrase “1985 classics” can suggest a complete year-by-year archive, but Nintendo’s service is a curated selection. Its NES page includes Super Mario Bros. alongside games such as Excitebike, Ice Climber, Golf, Pinball, and Tennis. The same page also lists later NES releases, including The Legend of Zelda (1986) and Metroid (1987).
| Game listed by Nintendo | Year labeling shown on Nintendo’s page | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Bros. | 1985 | The original NES game sought by this guide |
| Excitebike | Listed in the NES collection | Check the live regional page for its current availability and displayed year |
| Ice Climber | Listed in the NES collection | A separate NES-era title, not evidence that every 1985 release is included |
| Golf | Listed in the NES collection | One of Nintendo’s examples of the broader NES selection |
| Pinball | Listed in the NES collection | Availability should be checked against your region’s current catalog |
| Tennis | Listed in the NES collection | Part of the curated library rather than a complete 1985 index |
| The Legend of Zelda | 1986 | Shows that the collection contains multiple release years |
| Metroid | 1987 | Another later release included in the NES selection |
Nintendo advertises “more than 100 total NES and Super NES classic games.” That is a combined figure for the two collections, not a count of NES games alone and not a count of games released in 1985. It also does not establish that every title is available in every country. Use the regional product page as the authority for the games you can actually launch.
That distinction matters when searching for another favorite from 1985. A title may be historically associated with the year yet absent from Nintendo’s current selection, or it may appear in one country’s catalog and not another’s. Search the live catalog by exact title, and do not assume that a game’s presence in a video, review, or older list guarantees present access.
Choosing between Switch and original NES hardware
The official Switch route prioritizes convenience and a broad, curated library. A used original NES with a compatible cartridge prioritizes ownership of the period hardware and a physical game. Neither choice is universally better; the right route depends on whether you value easy setup, authentic hardware, or a single cartridge you can keep independently of a subscription.
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|---|---|---|
| Access model | Ongoing Nintendo Switch Online membership | Physical ownership of the console and cartridge |
| Initial requirement | Compatible Switch hardware, downloaded app, and membership | Working NES, compatible cartridge, television connection, and controllers |
| Convenience | One digital library with portable play on supported Switch models | Original hardware setup and cartridge handling |
| Ownership | Access ends while membership is inactive | Cartridge remains yours, subject to hardware condition |
| Library breadth | Multiple NES titles in Nintendo’s curated catalog | Only the cartridges you obtain |
| Cost pattern | Membership cost recurs; hardware may already be owned | Upfront purchase cost; condition and seller pricing vary |
| Authenticity | Official Nintendo emulation and modern display options | Original console, cartridge, and period controller feel |
Current prices for used NES systems and cartridges, seller reliability, cartridge condition, and regional compatibility are not fixed. If you choose original hardware, inspect photographs and return terms, confirm that the cartridge matches your console’s region, and ask whether the console has been tested. A low-priced listing can become expensive if the cartridge connector, power supply, controller, or video output needs replacement.
Think of the cost difference as a pattern rather than a fixed price quote. Switch access combines hardware, the recurring membership, and any optional controller purchase. Original NES play concentrates spending up front on a console and cartridge, then depends on maintenance and replacement parts. A single cartridge can be attractive if you want independent ownership, while the Switch library may be more economical for someone who wants several NES games and already owns the console.
Controllers and display choices
Nintendo’s NES-style controllers are a preference purchase, not an access requirement. They can make a two-button NES game feel closer to the original layout, but the collection can be played with the standard controllers supported by your Switch. This distinction is important when budgeting: buying the controller pair does not substitute for the Nintendo Switch Online membership.
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- Play your way with the Nintendo Switch gaming system. Whether you’re at home or on the go, solo or with friends, the Nintendo Switch system is designed to fit your life. Dock your Nintendo Switch to enjoy HD gaming on your TV. Heading out? Just undock your console and keep playing in handheld mode
- This model includes battery life of approximately 4.5 - 9 hours.
- The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (games sold separately)
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Use the controller arrangement that best fits your screen and posture. Handheld play uses the console’s built-in controls; docked play lets you use a paired wireless controller; tabletop play can use the console and a separate controller. The available options depend on your Switch model and the accessories you already own, so verify compatibility in the current Nintendo documentation before purchasing additional hardware.
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Common problems and fixes
The app says a membership is required
Confirm that the profile launching the app is linked to the Nintendo Account with the active Nintendo Switch Online membership. Check the membership status in the account settings, then close and reopen the app while the console is online. Owning a Switch or downloading the collection does not independently authorize the games.
The game worked before going offline but now will not start
Reconnect the console to the internet and launch the app. The seven-consecutive-day validation window may have elapsed. Once Nintendo verifies the active membership, offline play should be available again until another validation is due.
The collection disappeared after a subscription ended
That behavior is expected under Nintendo’s access model. Renew the Nintendo Switch Online membership on the same Nintendo Account, then connect the console online and reopen the application. Nintendo says saved data remains on the console even though access to the games stops while the membership is inactive.
A game shown online is missing from your library
Check the country setting and the live regional Nintendo catalog. Nintendo’s pages do not establish one identical 1985 lineup for every market. A title listed on a US-facing page may not be offered, labeled, or released in exactly the same way in another region.
The eShop search returns several similar results
Search the complete name “Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics” and confirm that the publisher and product details identify Nintendo. Avoid assuming that a separately named remake, compilation, or modern edition is the original 1985 NES release.
You want to buy the game once instead
Nintendo’s support page says there are no plans to make these classic games available outside Nintendo Switch Online. The official Switch route is therefore membership access, not a current individual download. A physical NES cartridge is the separate ownership route, but used inventory, condition, and regional fit must be checked listing by listing.
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- Three play modes: TV, tabletop, and handheld
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- Detachable Joy-Con controllers
Using Nintendo’s original manual
Nintendo’s official document, Super Mario Bros. Instruction Booklet, identifies the game as ©1985 Nintendo and preserves the original game description and instructions. It is useful when you want the period terminology and rules rather than a modernized guide. Read it here: Super Mario Bros. Instruction Booklet.
The manual is reference material, not a separate way to obtain the game. The current official access route remains the Nintendo Classics app with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership, while the manual explains the original NES release.
A practical decision checklist
- Already own a Switch? Download Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics and confirm that the correct Nintendo Account has Nintendo Switch Online.
- Need a console? A Nintendo Switch-family system is the most direct current platform for the official collection, but hardware alone does not include the games.
- Want original hardware ownership? Look for a tested NES and compatible cartridge, and check region, condition, seller reputation, and return policy.
- Want a more period-styled controller? Consider Nintendo’s NES-style controllers only after accounting for the separate membership requirement.
- Planning offline play? Validate the membership online before leaving and reconnect at least once every seven consecutive days.
- Looking for a specific 1985 release? Search your region’s current Nintendo catalog; the service is a selection, not a guaranteed complete list of that year’s games.
- Comparing costs? Decide whether recurring membership access, a one-time used-hardware purchase, or a broader curated library best matches your plans.
Sources and current-service caveat
Nintendo’s service terms, regional catalogs, supported hardware, and account requirements can change. The current US-facing product listing is at Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics. Membership, offline validation, access after expiration, and Nintendo’s statement about individual sales are covered in Nintendo Classics – Nintendo Switch Online Overview & FAQ. Setup instructions are in How to Start a Nintendo Classics Game.
Those pages establish the official route and examples, but they do not promise an identical catalog worldwide. Check Nintendo’s site for your country, your console model, and the membership plan available to your account before purchasing hardware or planning a trip without internet access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the original 1985 Super Mario Bros. on Nintendo Switch Online?
Yes. Nintendo lists Super Mario Bros. in the Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics library. Availability still depends on your region’s current catalog and an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to play it?
Yes for Nintendo’s official Switch collection. Nintendo says access to the NES Classics library requires an active membership; downloading the app or owning a Switch does not grant access by itself.
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Yes, temporarily. Nintendo requires an online membership check at least once every seven consecutive days, so connect the console before that window expires.
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- One player can use a Joy-Con in each hand
- Two players can each take one
- Multiple Joy-Con can be employed by numerous people for a variety of gameplay options (additional Joy-Con sold separately)
- Slip a set of Joy-Con into a Joy-Con grip accessory, mirroring a more traditional controller. Or, select an optional Nintendo Switch Pro Controller.
Is the Expansion Pack required?
No. Nintendo identifies the standard membership as including NES, Super NES, and Game Boy collections. The Expansion Pack adds other listed libraries, including Nintendo 64, SEGA Genesis, and Game Boy Advance.
Are Nintendo’s NES-style controllers necessary?
No. They are optional. Standard Joy-Con or another supported Switch controller can be used.
Can I buy the classic game as a standalone Switch download?
Nintendo Support says there are no plans to make these classic games available outside Nintendo Switch Online. A used original NES cartridge is the separate physical-ownership alternative.
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Does Nintendo include every game released in 1985?
No such complete-year coverage is promised. The service is a curated selection, and Nintendo’s list also includes later games such as The Legend of Zelda (1986) and Metroid (1987).
What happens to my saves if my membership expires?
Access to the classic games ends while the membership is inactive, but Nintendo says save data remains on the console. Renew on the same account and reconnect online to restore access.
The Bottom Line
For most players, download Nintendo Entertainment System – Nintendo Classics on a compatible Switch, use the Nintendo Account with an active standard Nintendo Switch Online membership, and validate online at least once every seven days. NES-style controllers are optional, and the catalog is curated rather than a complete list of 1985 releases. Choose a tested NES and cartridge instead if permanent physical ownership and original hardware matter more than convenience.
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