A remarkable feat has been achieved in the gaming community as speedrunner Kosmic has uncovered over 20 previously undiscovered levels in the classic game Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels, which initially launched in 1986. After extensive experimentation and collaboration with other gamers, Kosmic demonstrated through a detailed video how he managed to manipulate the game’s mechanics, specifically focusing on warp pipes and item flags, to access these 'new' levels. Notably, the exploration revealed levels with varying degrees of familiarity and bizarre characteristics, proving that even decades after its release, this iconic game still holds secrets waiting to be unveiled.

Why did it take so long to find new levels in Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels?

The delay in uncovering these levels can be attributed to several factors including the game's complexity, the need for precise movement to activate the glitch, and the fact that fewer players engaged deeply with The Lost Levels compared to other Mario games. Many of these tricks are intricate and only work on specific versions such as the Super Mario All-Stars edition.

Super Mario Bros: The Lost Levels, known in Japan as Super Mario Bros 2, is a direct sequel to the original Super Mario Bros. It features a significantly higher difficulty curve and includes new mechanics like the wind and Poison Mushrooms, which can hinder progress. Despite its challenging nature, it has gained a cult following and is cherished for its classic gameplay and design, making the discovery of these new levels an exciting event for nostalgic fans and new players alike.