At first glance, Arcade Archives VS. SUPER MARIO BROS. on the Nintendo Switch eShop might look like the same classic platformer you played on the NES. However, this version is actually a port of the 1986 arcade release, which was specifically designed to be significantly harder than its home console counterpart. Key Differences from the NES Original
version was specifically designed to be more difficult to encourage more coin-op play in arcades: arcade archives vs super mario bros nspeshop full
edition is a port of the 1986 arcade cabinet version with distinct mechanics designed for high difficulty. Key Feature Comparison Arcade Archives (VS. SMB) Super Mario Bros. Difficulty Significantly Harder At first glance, Arcade Archives VS
Gameplay & Replayability
: In the Arcade Archives version, using a continue sends you back to the first level of your current world (e.g., dying on 6-4 returns you to 6-1), whereas the NES version originally required a hidden button code to continue. Visual and Technical Differences Palette Changes However, this version is actually a port of
So you’re paying $8 for one brutally hard, non-warpable Mario vs. getting the NES original + 50 other games for a year at $20.