Curious, I wanted to see if ChatGPT 5 could replace me—so I asked it to review Super Mario Bros.
Here’s what it came up with:
Super Mario Bros. is a masterpiece of game design. It may not be perfect by modern standards, but much of what makes platformers fun stems from what this game pioneered. Playing it, you can feel both simplicity and depth. It still holds up fairly well, especially for its historical value: for anyone interested in the roots of video games, it’s essential.
For someone today, if your expectations are adjusted (you know it won’t have modern graphics or conveniences), it’s still a joy. If you want something more modern, it can feel dated, but it’s still worth experiencing.
And—sorry—but this is bad.
First off, it says Super Mario Bros. is a masterpiece. No further explanation. But why is it a masterpiece? Level design? Pacing? Controls? World 1-1 being a tutorial in disguise? None of that is mentioned.
Then comes: “It may not be perfect by modern standards…” Okay—but which standards? Graphics? Physics? Checkpoints? It never says.
And then: “…much of what makes platformers fun stems from what this game pioneered.” Again—what did it pioneer? Side-scrolling momentum? Hidden blocks? Warp zones? We’re left hanging.
On and on it goes. The whole thing makes bold claims but never cashes them in. It feels hollow—like a book report from someone who never played the game but skimmed the back of the box.
Now—I’m not anti-AI. Far from it. But when it comes to making judgements about art, it’s obvious: AI can summarize, it can research, it can provide descriptions—but it can’t feel. And without feeling, there’s no criticism worth reading.
Give it that feedback and ask it to fix the article
And then I’d ask for more feedback. Then more. Then more.
At which point, I’m practically writing the article myself.
So if you’re going to use AI, it’s far better to draft something first, then use it for grammar and tonal checks.
You need to come up with the right prompt. Here’s my first attempt:
Super Mario Bros. Review – The Platformer That Defined Gaming
Platforms: NES, later ports to multiple platforms Developer: Nintendo Publisher: Nintendo Release Date: 1985 Reviewed on: NES Classic (also available on Switch Online) Score: ★★★★★ (10/10 – Essential)
Introduction & Expanded Thesis
When Super Mario Bros. launched in 1985, it didn’t just become Nintendo’s flagship title — it rewrote what video games could be. At a time when the industry was recovering from the 1983 crash, many games were simplistic, arcade-style experiences with little sense of progression. Super Mario Bros. stood out by offering an expansive, multi-level journey that combined mechanical precision, imaginative world-building, and an unprecedented sense of discovery.
The thesis of this review is clear: Super Mario Bros. is not only one of the most important video games ever made, but also one that still exemplifies timeless design principles. Its controls, level design, and musical cues remain as effective today as they were revolutionary in the 80s. Where other titles from the era feel clunky or outdated, Super Mario Bros. continues to be both approachable for newcomers and challenging for experts — proof that its design fundamentals are enduring.
Gameplay & Mechanics (Fundamented)
Teaching Without Words: The game’s first level, World 1-1, is considered a masterclass in tutorial design. Players learn to avoid enemies, collect power-ups, and use pipes without a single text box. This is not accidental — Miyamoto designed the stage to introduce mechanics organically.
Responsive Controls: Mario’s acceleration, deceleration, and jump arc are deliberate choices that give the game its iconic “feel.” Countless platformers since have tried to replicate this physics model, often unsuccessfully.
Pacing and Variety: By gradually layering mechanics — moving platforms, underwater swimming, time-limited castle escapes — the game keeps players engaged across 32 stages without exhausting its ideas.
This proves the point: Super Mario Bros. was not just fun, it set the template for the modern platformer.
Story & World-Building (Fundamented)
The story is simple: rescue the princess from Bowser. Yet the progression of environments (grasslands, underground, underwater, castles) creates a sense of a larger world, rare in 1985.
The limited narrative forced players to project their imagination, which became part of its charm and cultural longevity.
The villains, Goombas and Koopas, became instantly recognizable — proving Nintendo’s mastery of iconic character design.
This demonstrates that even without complex storytelling, Super Mario Bros. communicated adventure and scale through its world-building.
Graphics & Presentation (Fundamented)
In 1985, most home console games were blocky or abstract. Super Mario Bros. introduced clear, readable sprites that defined character identity at a glance.
The bright palettes and iconic tileset remain visually appealing — influencing the standard of readability-first design in platformers.
Compared to Atari’s era, it looked like a generational leap — proof that presentation could immerse players just as much as mechanics.
Thus, its graphics weren’t just aesthetic; they were a functional innovation that enabled smooth gameplay.
Sound & Music (Fundamented)
Koji Kondo’s compositions weren’t background filler: they were rhythmically tied to gameplay. For example, the overworld theme’s tempo complements Mario’s running speed.
Distinct audio cues (coin, power-up, 1-Up) became part of the player’s learning feedback loop.
The soundtrack’s memorability set a new standard — video game music could be as culturally iconic as film scores.
This reinforces the thesis that Super Mario Bros. wasn’t only mechanically polished, but holistically designed — sound, visuals, and mechanics working in harmony.
Performance & Technical Aspects (Fundamented)
On NES hardware, Super Mario Bros. ran flawlessly, a crucial factor in gaining trust from players after the unstable crash years.
The smooth scrolling of levels (rare at the time) created a sense of continuity instead of disjointed screens — a huge technical leap that influenced entire genres.
This shows Nintendo wasn’t just innovating design, but also pushing technical boundaries.
Multiplayer/Online (Fundamented)
The two-player alternating mode may seem basic today, but it brought social play into the living room, setting a precedent for Nintendo’s future focus on shared experiences.
Even here, the game was forward-thinking: it turned a single-player platformer into a family event.
Overall Experience & Conclusion
The combination of intuitive design, memorable presentation, and technical excellence explains why Super Mario Bros. became a blueprint for countless platformers — from Sonic the Hedgehog to Celeste. While many contemporaries have faded into obscurity, Mario’s debut remains playable and enjoyable because it was built on principles that transcend hardware generations: clear communication, rewarding mastery, and joyful creativity.
Verdict / Score
10/10 – Essential Super Mario Bros. is more than an artifact; it’s a design textbook still relevant today. It saved the industry, popularized a genre, and proved video games could be artful systems, not just diversions. Its influence is immeasurable, but even without legacy, it is still fun, fair, and brilliantly constructed — the very definition of timeless.
It’s giving a pretty bland text, but that’s what it does. It doesn’t need to go into any specifics tho because the audience (of all the average forum posts it’s trained on) already knows all about Super Mario Bros. So faulting it for not backing up with details feels a bit unwarranted.
I disagree that it’s making bold claims. Imo all the opinions it’s spitting out are lukewarm gaming 101 takes. (Which, at the same time, are not wrong.)
I’m a contrarian. I don’t take anyone’s word for it. If something’s good, prove it. Tell me why.
