Miyamoto on Crafting the Perfect 1-1

Shigeru Miyamoto breaks down how the very first level of Super Mario Bros. wasn’t just throw-away tutorial land but a masterclass in game design. By carefully pacing enemy encounters, jumps and power-ups, World 1-1 taught players the ropes without ever feeling like a lecture.

He also reveals the “geometry of motion” behind Mario’s movements—every run, slide and brick-break was fine-tuned to deliver that satisfying, intuitive feel we still love today. It’s a reminder that even the simplest levels can leave a massive legacy.

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