Cheats & Guides

Super Mario Bros. 3 Cheats For NES

  1. 6-9 Shortcut

    When you start 6-9, you're normally supposed to go into the pipe and go through the underground water cave. However, you can completely skip the level by using a P-Wing. Instead of going in the pipe, simply fly over the ice wall. Mario's sprite will disappear from the top of the screen, but you can still move forward over the other side and beat the level in a matter of seconds. This can also be done with other power-ups that let you fly, but it's harder to build up speed in the limited amount of space. This can also be done with Small Mario, but that requires you to perform a wall kick glitch. If you use that method, be careful to avoid the Koopa Troopa that's walking on top of the structure.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  2. Infinite Lives Glitch

    In World 3-4, about halfway through the level, you'll slide down a long hill to get on another long hill which has some Koopas on it. Take one of their shells further to the right. As the Lakitu appears above, return back to the left. There are two ? Blocks, with a pipe and some bricks between them and wood blocks on the ground. Let the Koopa shell begin bouncing between the wooden blocks and on-screen. The Lakitu's Spinies will almost always launch or crawl down to be killed by the shell; the shell will subsequently rack up more points and lives as time goes on and more Spinies are added.

    Contributed by: Anonymous 

  3. Always get 3 stars

    At the end of most levels (in which you get a card). Use full speed with marios that allow you to run, and hit the bottom left hand corner of the "card block". If done right you will be able to get that star each time. MUST DO THIS EACH TIME AT END OF THAT LEVEL.

    Contributed by: mbuck12 

  4. Delete Hammer Bro. Fights

    On the world map, when a Hammer Bro. is on an adjacent node to you when you fight another one, that other Hammer Bro. is guaranteed to move to Mario with its next movement and start another fight. This can be abused in the instance of three or more Hammer Bros. being adjacent, such that Mario is next to at least two of them when he fights one of them. The other Hammer Bros. will converge on him, but despite more than one being there, he will only fight one Hammer Bro. battle. However, this can also cost you the item one of the Hammer Bros. is using, so be wary.

    Contributed by: Anonymous 

  5. Bowser's Battleships Skip

    In World 8, one of the levels has you go against Bowser's fleet of battleships. To save yourself a lot of trouble, go over the first ship as normal, and then jump in the water. You'll be able to swim underneath all the rest of the ships in the level. When you're directly under a ship, keep mashing the swim button to prevent the ship from pushing Mario's sprite too far down. The level will stop autoscrolling once you reach the end, and there will be just enough distance for you to jump on the final ship from the other side.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  6. Extinguish Burners With Tanooki Suit

    One of the more common enemies you'll find on airships are Burners, which are basically mounted flamethrowers that periodically shoot out bursts of fire. Normally, they just exist as another obstacle to get around. However, they can be snuffed out with the Tanooki Suit. To do this, jump over the flame, and then change into statue form while in midair. You'll drop straight down onto the flame and kill it as if it were a regular enemy.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  7. Break The Chain Chomps

    If you allow a Chain Chomp to tug on its chain 50 times or let the timer run down to 160 seconds, the Chain Chomp will break loose, taking one last lunge at you before jumping off-screen.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  8. Easier N-Mark Spade Panel matching

    When playing the "memory match" game on the N-Mark Spade Panel, the last three cards from the left on the bottom row will always be a Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Starman in that order.

    Additionally, the top-right card will always be a Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, or Starman.

    By applying this, you can help ensure an item reward every time you play, and make it easier to get additional items.

    Contributed by: mtpfreak 

  9. 8-1 Hidden Coins

    This requires any item power-up will let you fly, but it's easiest to do it with a P-Wing. As soon as 8-1 starts, don't go forward. Instead, fly straight up and continue going to the upper limit of the screen. You'll find a hidden P-Switch up there. If you hit it, the entire first section of the level will be temporarily filled with blue coins. This is an easy way to stock up on some extra lives.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  10. World 3-Fortress Door Glitch

    In World 3's first fortress (just after 3-3), there are several doors you're meant to go through in the level, guessing which is the correct one. If you enter a door and it's wrong, you can immediately press Up before falling to go back through the door. Further, doing this on the third and fourth doors will warp you, instead of to the gray pipe like the other doors, straight to the boss room.

    Contributed by: Anonymous 

  11. End Of Level 1-Ups

    Whenever you complete a level, any enemies that are onscreen will be converted to coins and points. But if you complete a level with at least 5 enemies onscreen, you will be awarded with a 1-Up instead. It's easiest to do this in almost any level that has a Lakitu; simply lure it to the end of the stage, and keep dodging until enough enemies are onscreen.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  12. 3-5 Shortcut

    This can only be done with a P-Wing. Instead of jumping in the water in 3-5, fly from the start of the stage and keep going forward. You'll eventually reach the hidden tops of the walled areas, and there will be some extra coin blocks as a reward. This will let you beat the level in a matter of seconds.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  13. 3-7 Alternate Exit

    This requires any item that will let you fly, but it's easiest to use a P-Wing. When you reach the first set of breakable blocks, fly up into the sky. You'll eventually come across a series of cloud platforms with some coins on them. There's one additional cloud platform at the end that's separate from the rest. Stand in exact middle of it and jump, and you'll uncover an invisible pink Note Block. Jump on it, and it'll take you to a Coin Heaven. Unlike other Coin Heaven sections, however, this one ends with you getting a free Cloud item. Getting it will also automatically beat the level.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  14. 5-1 Alternate Exit

    This requires any item that lets you fly, but it's easiest with the P-Wing. As soon as the level starts, fly straight up into the sky. Near the very top, you'll find a pipe. It leads to a room with two paths. The bottom path will lead to a shortcut through the level. However, you can access the top path by flying while holding down to duck. This top path leads to a free Music Box, and collecting it will instantly end the level.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  15. 5-7 Shortcut

    This requires any item that allows you to fly, but it's easiest to use a P-Wing. When you reach the first pipe in 5-7, go down it. It'll take you to an area where there are rows of clouds and blocks hidden near the top of the screen. Fly up and break the blocks until you can walk on the clouds. Continue walking right until you reach the end of the area. However, don't take the pipe exit; instead, fly over the pipe off-screen and over the blue boundary wall itself. This will immediately drop you to the end of the level, letting you skip the entire second half of it.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  16. Pausing In Piranha Plant Levels

    In the Piranha Plant levels in World 7, there are sections where you have to carefully jump over narrow pipes that contain small flower enemies called Munchers. Normally, the Munchers alternate between poking out of the pipes and hiding inside. However, you can save yourself a lot of trouble by simply pausing the game while you're in the middle of a jump. The Munchers will keep moving despite the game being paused. This is because they aren't programmed on the same layer as other enemies. If you time the pauses and landings correctly, this trick will completely negate the Munchers as a threat.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  17. 8-2 Shortcut

    If you're having trouble with 8-2, there is a hidden shortcut. When you reach the very first quicksand section, let yourself sink down. This will lead to a secret area with two pipes. The pipe on the left will lead to a power-up, and the pipe on the right will lead to 100 extra coins. Regardless of which pipe you take, the exit for both will lead to a pipe more than halfway through the level. Also, the Angry Sun will not spawn if you take the shortcut, making the final section much easier.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  18. Make player 'hide' behind scenery

    To ''hide'' behind scenery, simply hold down for a couple seconds while standing on a white block. Then your player can ''hide'' behind scenery for about thirty seconds.

    Contributed by: dave008bond 

  19. Skip World 7-1

    At the start of World 7-1, there is a doorway you're meant to go through. Instead of doing that, run at it and jump at its top-right corner. If done with ample acceleration (and sometimes crouching just before jumping - that can help) you can glitch into the wall and skip the majority of the level.

    Contributed by: Anonymous 

  20. White Block Invulnerability Glitch

    Whenever you find a white block (such as the one in 1-3 that leads to the Whistle), stand on it and hold Down until you go through it. Then enter a pipe. In most cases, once on the other side, you'll be unable to be hurt by enemies for the remainder of the level (although sometimes also invisible).

    Contributed by: Anonymous 

  21. Beat Fortress via N-Spade

    In the game, you need to wait until the N-Spade card game - which appears with every 80,000 points you earn - spawns and moves to the spot of a fortress on the overworld map. If you go there now and play it, the fortress will as if you had beaten it afterwards, being collapsed and unplayable. Note, however, that the bridges and locks affected by defeating the fortress normally will still not unlock or reappear, so only do this when these things are not required.

    Contributed by: Anonymous 

  22. Quicker 1-Ups

    In this game, when you normally jump on enemies in sequence without touching the ground, the points you earn will increase from 100, to 200, to 400, to 800, to 1,000, netting a 1-Up on the sixth sequential jump and all those after. However, if your fifth (the one after 800 points) jump lands on either a Lakitu or Boomerang Bro., you'll begin getting 1-Ups right then! This glitch was fixed in Super Mario All-Stars.

    Contributed by: Anonymous 

  23. Avoid Damage From Bowser

    When fighting Bowser in the final level of the game, his lower half will not do damage to you. That means you can avoid damage from his ground-pound attack by ducking if you have obtained a power-up at some point, or, if Small Mario, you can walk under him and through him without sustaining damage!

    Contributed by: Anonymous 

  24. Invincibility with the Tanooki Suit and Kuribo's Shoe (JP Version Only)

    When you come across a Kuribo's Shoe, make sure that you have a Tanooki Suit equipped. Just before you jump into the Shoe, transform into a statue. Mario will turn gray and enemies will be unable to touch him.

    Contributed by: discoinferno84 

  25. Fight Bowser With No Fireballs

    In Bowsers castle at the end of the game, it is possible to make it so he DOES NOT SPIT FIRE AT YOU. This trick is easy and only requires getting to world 8 with a P-wing. First off, use your P-wing on the map before entering the Final Castle. YOU MUST GET TO BOWSER INTACT. If you get to the Bowser fight room and the Bricks that he smashes through are not flush with the rest of the floor, then you are in the wrong room. Now, when you reach Bowsers room, FLY straight up and to the left. You will be able to walk on a wall above the screen. Drop down on the other side. You will be in another room to Fight Bowser in. When you drop, you will be on a door that opens to the princess. Ignore this room and DO NOT GO TOO FAR TO THE LEFT. If you do, you will have to fight Bowser and he will still have his Fire Balls. Fly back over the wall to the first room you were in and start the Bowser fight. He will still throw his head back and make the sound of spitting fire, but nothing will come out. ;)

    Contributed by: Ocularis_Draxus 

  26. Morph a wandering hammer brother into a treasure ship.

    To turn a wandering hammer brother (the ones that walk about on the world map) into a white ship full of coins, collect a number of coins that is a multiple of 11. Make the tens digit in your score match the multiple of 11. Stop the timer at the end of the stage that you are playing in on an even number.

    One combination would be: 11 coins, 9,310 as your score, and the timer at 104. This only works in worlds 1, 3, 5, and 6.

    Contributed by: Felix_Arabia_ 

  27. Infinite 1-Ups

    Get to World 1-2 as Raccoon Mario, with the tail. Climb the hill at the beginning and jump over the horizontal pipe. Stand there for a bit and a whole bunch of Goombas will start walking out of the pipe. Wait for 2-3 of them to come out of the pipe, then jump ontop of one and HOLD A to fly high into the air. Now that you are in the air, use your tail to slowly glide down from the air. On you landing, be sure to land on a second Goomba. Repeat this process for as long as you can. Eventually, the points you get for hitting each Goomba will turn into extra lives. This can be done for as long as you desire to do so.

    This can also be done in 2-Fortress, and 7-5, but it is most notably done in 1-2.

    Contributed by: skcin7 

  28. To get the N-Spade Card Game

    To get the N-Spade card game to appear on the World Map. You must do gain 80,000 points as one player, and successfully beat the stage that you broke the 80,000 points with.

    Contributed by: capcomkid 

  29. See a different Thank You letter from the King

    Get through an airship and defeat the boss as a frog, Hammer Mario, or Tannooki, and you'll receive a letter from the King that reads a little differently.

    Contributed by: Retro 

  30. White Mushroom Houses

    By getting enough Coins in certain levels, you can access a special White Mushroom House! These contain special items:

    - In Worlds 1, 3, 5, and 7, you'll obtain a P-Wing
    - In Worlds 2, 4, and 6, you'll obtain an Anchor

    These are the levels in question; by getting at least the specified number of Coins, you can find the special White Mushroom House, accessible from the overworld.

    - Level 1-4: 44 Coins
    - Level 2-2: 30 Coins
    - Level 3-8: 44 Coins
    - Level 4-2: 24 Coins (all of them!)
    - Level 5-5: 28 Coins
    - Level 6-7: 78 Coins
    - Level 7-2: 46 Coins

    Contributed by: MI4 REAL 

  31. Warp Whistles

    These secret items will allow you to warp. Here are their locations.

    Level 1-3
    Find the white block near the end and crouch on to of it for 5 seconds. Then proceed to the goal, and go behind it. You will find a Mushroom house with a Whistle.

    Level 1 Fortress
    Fly over the top of the level when you find the first door with your raccoon powers, and find a hidden door at the far right on the ceiling. It leads to a warp whistle

    Level 2 Hammer Brother
    Get the Hammer from one of the Hammer Brothers here and use it to destroy the rock at the upper right corner of the Level 2 Map. Then engage the hammer brother on the other side. You should get a chest with a Warp Whistle.

    Contributed by: MI4 REAL 

  32. Warp to Level 8

    You could just use the warp whistle at level 7...

    If you want to go straight to level 8, you must use a Warp Whistle to proceed to the Warp Zone, then use another warp whistle IN THE WARP ZONE. You will be transported to the level 8 pipe at the bottom of the screen.

    Contributed by: MI4 REAL 

  33. 28 P-Wings

    Complete the game and watch the ending. Now start a new game. You got 28 P-Wings!

    Note, however, that this will not work on the Japanese versions of the game, where you simply stay at the ending screen until you turn off the console.

    Contributed by: MI4 REAL 

Walkthroughs & FAQs

Type Name File Size
Codes and Secrets Secrets Guide by WWalker 18K
Full Game Guides FAQ by Thrashnet 75K
Full Game Guides Guide and Walkthrough by JHarring 29K
Full Game Guides Guide and Walkthrough by SRusher 29K
Full Game Guides Guide and Walkthrough by Snow Dragon 126K
Full Game Guides Guide and Walkthrough by PyroFalkon 130K
Full Game Guides Guide and Walkthrough by BSulpher 244K
Full Game Guides Guide and Walkthrough by Reptile 243K
Full Game Guides Guide and Walkthrough by Kirby021591 328K
In-Depth Guides Boss Guide by Pegboy 27K
In-Depth Guides Item FAQ by mnb_0000 22K
In-Depth Guides Mario Series Character Guide by spacepope4u 846K
In-Depth Guides Mario Series Ending FAQ by Jelly Soup 345K
In-Depth Guides Poorman Challenge Guide by FoxMcCloud0482 56K
In-Depth Guides Two World Challenge FAQ by StarFighters76 63K
In-Depth Guides Vs. Mode Guide by BryGuy 4K
In-Depth Guides Whistle Location FAQ by CMoriarty 21K
Maps and Charts Card Game Solutions by Mike Truitt 13K
Maps and Charts Level 08 Fortress Solution by Mike Truitt 128K
Maps and Charts Treasure Ship Map by KeyBlade999 31K
Maps and Charts World 1 Airship Map by snesmaster1 16K
Maps and Charts World 1 Fortress Map by snesmaster1 13K
Maps and Charts World 1 Mini-Fortress Map by snesmaster1 27K
Maps and Charts World 1 Overworld Map by KeyBlade999 15K
Maps and Charts World 1-1 Map by snesmaster1 39K
Maps and Charts World 1-2 Map by snesmaster1 39K
Maps and Charts World 1-3 Map by snesmaster1 43K
Maps and Charts World 1-4 Map by snesmaster1 30K
Maps and Charts World 1-5 Map by snesmaster1 47K
Maps and Charts World 1-6 Map by snesmaster1 20K
Maps and Charts World 2 Airship Map by snesmaster1 25K
Maps and Charts World 2 Fortress Map by snesmaster1 16K
Maps and Charts World 2 Mini-Fortress Map by snesmaster1 31K
Maps and Charts World 2 Overworld Map by KeyBlade999 34K
Maps and Charts World 2 Pyramid Map by snesmaster1 35K
Maps and Charts World 2 Quicksand Map by snesmaster1 17K
Maps and Charts World 2-1 Map by snesmaster1 28K
Maps and Charts World 2-2 Map by snesmaster1 22K
Maps and Charts World 2-3 Map by snesmaster1 26K
Maps and Charts World 2-4 Map by snesmaster1 24K
Maps and Charts World 2-5 Map by snesmaster1 26K
Maps and Charts World 3 Airship Map by snesmaster1 26K
Maps and Charts World 3 Fortress Map by snesmaster1 17K
Maps and Charts World 3 Mini-Fortress 1 Map by snesmaster1 39K
Maps and Charts World 3 Mini-Fortress 2 Map by snesmaster1 25K
Maps and Charts World 3 Overworld Map by KeyBlade999 48K
Maps and Charts World 3-1 Map by snesmaster1 25K
Maps and Charts World 3-2 Map by snesmaster1 26K
Maps and Charts World 3-3 Map by snesmaster1 23K
Maps and Charts World 3-4 Map by snesmaster1 24K
Maps and Charts World 3-5 Map by snesmaster1 37K
Maps and Charts World 3-6 Map by snesmaster1 22K
Maps and Charts World 3-7 Map by snesmaster1 30K
Maps and Charts World 3-8 Map by snesmaster1 24K
Maps and Charts World 3-9 Map by snesmaster1 40K
Maps and Charts World 4 Airship Map by snesmaster1 23K
Maps and Charts World 4 Fortress Map by snesmaster1 16K
Maps and Charts World 4 Mini-Fortress 1 Map by snesmaster1 26K
Maps and Charts World 4 Mini-Fortress 2 Map by snesmaster1 38K
Maps and Charts World 4 Overworld Map by KeyBlade999 35K
Maps and Charts World 4-1 Map by snesmaster1 31K
Maps and Charts World 4-2 Map by snesmaster1 22K
Maps and Charts World 4-3 Map by snesmaster1 34K
Maps and Charts World 4-4 Map by snesmaster1 27K
Maps and Charts World 4-5 Map by snesmaster1 30K
Maps and Charts World 4-6 Map by snesmaster1 45K
Maps and Charts World 5 Airship Map by snesmaster1 24K
Maps and Charts World 5 Fortress Map by snesmaster1 16K
Maps and Charts World 5 Mini-Fortress 1 Map by snesmaster1 26K
Maps and Charts World 5 Mini-Fortress 2 Map by snesmaster1 24K
Maps and Charts World 5 Overworld Map by KeyBlade999 35K
Maps and Charts World 5 Pipe Map by snesmaster1 11K
Maps and Charts World 5 Tower Map by snesmaster1 33K
Maps and Charts World 5-1 Map by snesmaster1 38K
Maps and Charts World 5-2 Map by snesmaster1 55K
Maps and Charts World 5-3 Map by snesmaster1 28K
Maps and Charts World 5-4 Map by snesmaster1 19K
Maps and Charts World 5-5 Map by snesmaster1 26K
Maps and Charts World 5-6 Map by snesmaster1 16K
Maps and Charts World 5-7 Map by snesmaster1 33K
Maps and Charts World 5-8 Map by snesmaster1 19K
Maps and Charts World 5-9 Map by snesmaster1 23K
Maps and Charts World 6 Airship Map by snesmaster1 26K
Maps and Charts World 6 Fortress Map by snesmaster1 18K
Maps and Charts World 6 Mini-Fortress 1 Map by snesmaster1 34K
Maps and Charts World 6 Mini-Fortress 2 Map by snesmaster1 25K
Maps and Charts World 6 Mini-Fortress 3 Map by snesmaster1 33K
Maps and Charts World 6 Overworld Map by KeyBlade999 49K
Maps and Charts World 6-1 Map by snesmaster1 27K
Maps and Charts World 6-10 Map by snesmaster1 37K
Maps and Charts World 6-2 Map by snesmaster1 24K
Maps and Charts World 6-3 Map by snesmaster1 30K
Maps and Charts World 6-4 Map by snesmaster1 34K
Maps and Charts World 6-5 Map by snesmaster1 32K
Maps and Charts World 6-5 Solution by StarFighters76 36K
Maps and Charts World 6-6 Map by snesmaster1 49K
Maps and Charts World 6-7 Map by snesmaster1 37K
Maps and Charts World 6-8 Map by snesmaster1 28K
Maps and Charts World 6-9 Map by snesmaster1 43K
Maps and Charts World 7 Airship Map by snesmaster1 25K
Maps and Charts World 7 Fortress Map by snesmaster1 15K
Maps and Charts World 7 Mini-Fortress 1 Map by snesmaster1 40K
Maps and Charts World 7 Mini-Fortress 2 Map by snesmaster1 29K
Maps and Charts World 7 Overworld Map by KeyBlade999 33K
Maps and Charts World 7 Piranha Plant 1 Map by snesmaster1 16K
Maps and Charts World 7 Piranha Plant 2 Map by snesmaster1 17K
Maps and Charts World 7-1 Map by snesmaster1 32K
Maps and Charts World 7-1 Solution by StarFighters76 53K
Maps and Charts World 7-2 Map by snesmaster1 32K
Maps and Charts World 7-3 Map by snesmaster1 22K
Maps and Charts World 7-4 Map by snesmaster1 35K
Maps and Charts World 7-5 Map by snesmaster1 38K
Maps and Charts World 7-5 Solution by StarFighters76 43K
Maps and Charts World 7-6 Map by snesmaster1 30K
Maps and Charts World 7-6 Solution by StarFighters76 55K
Maps and Charts World 7-7 Map by snesmaster1 29K
Maps and Charts World 7-8 Map by snesmaster1 38K
Maps and Charts World 7-9 Map by snesmaster1 26K
Maps and Charts World 7-9 Solution by StarFighters76 19K
Maps and Charts World 7: Fortress 1 Solution by StarFighters76 59K
Maps and Charts World 8 Airship Map by snesmaster1 22K
Maps and Charts World 8 Battleship Map by snesmaster1 22K
Maps and Charts World 8 Bowser's Castle Map by snesmaster1 50K
Maps and Charts World 8 Hand Trap 1 Map by snesmaster1 17K
Maps and Charts World 8 Hand Trap 2 Map by snesmaster1 16K
Maps and Charts World 8 Hand Trap 3 Map by snesmaster1 21K
Maps and Charts World 8 Mini-Fortress Map by snesmaster1 42K
Maps and Charts World 8 Overworld Map by KeyBlade999 45K
Maps and Charts World 8 Tank 1 Map by snesmaster1 22K
Maps and Charts World 8 Tank 2 Map by snesmaster1 20K
Maps and Charts World 8-1 Map by snesmaster1 35K
Maps and Charts World 8-2 Map by snesmaster1 39K
Maps and Charts World 9 Overworld Map by KeyBlade999 37K