PRO DESIGN TIP: "Super Mario Bros” (Nintendo, 1985): World 1-2

COMMON GAME DESIGN TECHNIQUE EXAMPLE: Clear Objectives
(Nintendo. (1985). Super Mario Bros. [Video game]. Nintendo.)
So, in general, what do you think the core objective is in a platform game?
In Super Mario Bros and other early platformers, the main goal is to keep moving
forward, with the ultimate objective in many of these games being to progress towards
the right side of the screen. As you navigate through the levels in Super Mario Bros, you
encounter challenges such as enemies like Goombas, and environmental hazards like
pits to jump over. Gameplay elements like “Question blocks” are designed to encourage
exploration and playfulness. These elements emphasise experimentation, allowing the
player to learn, consistent with the previously discussed teaching component.
It’s worth noting that over time, the concept of platform game objectives has
evolved. In games like Spelunky (Yu, 2008), Hollow Knight (Team Cherry, 2017), and
Ori and the Blind Forest (Moon Studios, 2015), the gameplay revolves around the play‑
ers enjoying the freedom to explore in all directions within the constraints of the 2D
environments.
However, if you’re finding your feet in 2D platform design, it’s probably a good rule
of thumb to remember that players often feel a sense of comfort knowing that if they
head towards the right, they are on the correct path.

WANT MORE TECHNIQUES? This TEXT is an ABRIDGED EXCERPT from the BOOK: Teaching Video Game Design Fundamentals: A Guide for Educating with Practical Examples and Learning Materials. (Andy Sandham, Routledge/Taylor and Francis/CRC Press 2025)
FULL COMMON DESIGN TECHNIQUE PLAYLIST HERE!
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