Super Mario has been jumping over Goombas and into players’ hearts since the 1980s. At GamePlaza Video Game Museum in Zurich, visitors can experience that classic feeling again by playing on real Nintendo hardware. GamePlaza brings Mario into a broader, hands-on Nintendo lineup, allowing visitors to explore platforming games from the 8-bit era all the way to modern systems as part of the museum’s interactive console section.
The museum features a dedicated console area where visitors can play original Nintendo systems alongside consoles from PlayStation, Xbox, and Sega. Within that lineup, Super Mario games remain some of the most recognizable and beloved titles, letting players rediscover colorful worlds, side-scrolling adventures, and simple controls that still feel great today. Because GamePlaza focuses on both preservation and play, visitors are not just looking at cartridges behind glass displays. Instead, they pick up controllers and guide Mario through levels themselves. For parents who grew up with Nintendo and children discovering Mario for the first time, it creates a shared experience that naturally crosses generations.
The History of Super Mario: From Jumpman to Icon
Before he became Super Mario, the character was known simply as “Jumpman.” He first appeared in the 1981 arcade hit Donkey Kong, created by Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo. In that game, Jumpman climbed platforms and dodged barrels to rescue a damsel from Donkey Kong, introducing the jumping mechanics that would later define the Mario series.
In 1983, Mario starred alongside his brother Luigi in Mario Bros., a single-screen arcade platformer where the duo cleared enemies from underground pipes. The true breakthrough arrived in 1985 with the release of Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game introduced players to the Mushroom Kingdom, where Mario and Luigi traveled across colorful worlds to rescue Princess Peach from Bowser.
Super Mario Bros. introduced many iconic elements of the series:
- Power-ups such as the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower
- Enemies like Goombas and Koopas
- Side-scrolling platform gameplay with precise jumping and momentum
The game became one of the best-selling video games of all time and played a major role in reviving the video game industry after the crash of 1983. Later titles expanded the series with new ideas and characters. Games such as Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World introduced world maps, flying mechanics, and characters like Yoshi.
In 1996, Super Mario 64 brought the series into three dimensions on the Nintendo 64, revolutionizing how 3D platform games were designed. Since then, titles like Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Odyssey, and Super Mario Bros. Wonder have continued to evolve the formula while keeping the core mechanics that made the original games so successful.
How to Play Super Mario (Basics for All Ages)
Super Mario games are easy to understand, even for people who have never used a controller before.
- Move Mario
Use the directional pad or analog stick to move Mario left and right. - Jump
Press the main action button to jump over gaps, enemies, and obstacles. Holding the button longer often makes Mario jump higher. - Defeat enemies
Jump on top of enemies like Goombas or Koopas to defeat them. - Collect power-ups
Hit the “?” blocks to reveal items such as mushrooms, fire flowers, or stars. - Collect coins
Coins increase your score, and in many games collecting 100 coins gives you an extra life. - Reach the goal
Move through the level until you reach the goal at the end of the stage.
- Move Mario
These simple mechanics are part of the reason why Super Mario games remain accessible and enjoyable for players of all ages.
Fun Secrets in Classic Super Mario Games
Classic Mario games are famous for hiding secrets that reward curious players.
- Warp Zones
In the original Super Mario Bros., hidden Warp Zones allow players to skip ahead several worlds using secret pipes. - Hidden blocks
Some levels contain invisible blocks that appear when you jump into certain spots. - Secret 1-Ups
Green 1-Up Mushrooms hidden in levels give players extra lives. - Alternate routes
Some stages include underground rooms or sky areas that offer shortcuts or extra coins.
- Warp Zones
These small discoveries encourage exploration and experimentation, making the games even more engaging.
Why Super Mario Belongs in a Video Game Museum
Super Mario is a natural fit for a museum dedicated to gaming history. The series helped define the platforming genre and played a major role in shaping the success of home consoles. By including Mario titles in its console lineup, GamePlaza allows visitors to see how game design evolved from simple side-scrolling levels to complex 3D adventures. At the same time, the core gameplay—running, jumping, and exploring—remains instantly recognizable.
Family-Friendly Fun with Mario
Super Mario games are particularly popular with families visiting the museum. The controls are easy to learn, levels are colorful and friendly, and games are short enough that players can easily take turns. Children can experience classic games for the first time, while parents rediscover the titles they grew up with. Because GamePlaza organizes visits into two-hour play sessions, families can mix Mario gameplay with arcade machines, PC games, and virtual reality experiences during a single visit.
Planning Your Visit
GamePlaza is located at:
Badenerstrasse 569
8048 Zurich, Switzerland
The museum is situated on the first floor of the building in Zurich Altstetten and can be reached easily by tram or train. Visitor numbers per time slot are limited, so it is recommended to book tickets online in advance. Once inside, visitors can move freely between Nintendo consoles, arcade cabinets, PC gaming stations, and VR experiences. For anyone interested in gaming history, Super Mario at GamePlaza offers a nostalgic and interactive way to experience one of the most influential characters in video game history.
