How to Reach the Negative World in Super Mario Bros

Getting to "World -1"

• 1

  Complete the first level of the game as you normally would.

• 2

  Understand that you must be Big or Fire Mario near the end of World 1-2 to access the Negative World. Towards the end of the level, there is a mushroom in last brick between the falling and rising platforms. Grab it if you're still small by then.

• 3

  When you reach the pipe that takes you above ground in World 1-2, do not enter it. Instead, jump on it; then break the second-to-last brick from the vertical pipe. Do not destroy the brick immediately next to the pipe.

• 4

  Stand on the lip of the pipe, so you are directly below the broken brick. Face away from the pipe wall.

• 5

  While ducking, jump in the air, and keep holding Down and Right on the directional pad to move backward while ducking in the air. Try to position Mario so that his head overlaps the brick next to the pipe wall. Be careful not to break the brick.

• 6

  Let go of the Down button just as Mario's head is overlapping the bottom left corner of the brick, making him stand up in the air. If you execute this correctly, Mario will begin sliding to the right, revealing the far left portion of a Warp Zone.

• 7

  Move to the right just until you can fit Mario into the pipe that appears. Do not move any further than is necessary, or the pipe will simply turn into a regular warp. If you perform this correctly, the next stage will simply be called "-1."

Traversing the Negative World

• 8

  Enjoy the Negative World as you would any other stage. Avoid the marine life, collect coins and press forward.

• 9

  If you killed by an enemy, be alert--Mario sometimes re-spawns in the middle of a strong underwater current.

• 10

  When you have lost all of your lives, you can continue from the Negative World (as you can in the rest of the game) by holding "A" during the "Game Over" screen and pressing "Start" when the title screen comes up.