Free Alternatives to Super Mario Bros.
Short answer
SuperTux is the best free alternative to Super Mario Bros.: a free, open-source 2D platformer with a full campaign, world map, power-ups and a built-in level editor, on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Classic 2D platforming — run, jump, collect, precise level design — is locked to Nintendo hardware. The free option is a faithful and complete take that runs anywhere.
Our pick: SuperTux
SuperTux is a free, open-source 2D side-scrolling platformer built directly in the Super Mario Bros. mould, with a full world map, power-ups and a level editor.
How it differs from Super Mario Bros.: Jump physics are close but not identical to Nintendo's, which matters if you are used to frame-perfect Mario movement. Level design is good but less relentlessly inventive.
All free Super Mario Bros. alternatives compared
| Game | Genre | Size | Licence | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuperTux | Platformer · Arcade | 250 MB | Open Source (GPL-3.0) | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| SuperTuxKart | Racing · Arcade | 900 MB | Open Source (GPL-3.0) | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android |
SuperTux
SuperTux is a free, open-source 2D side-scrolling platformer built directly in the Super Mario Bros. mould, with a full world map, power-ups and a level editor.
The difference: Jump physics are close but not identical to Nintendo's, which matters if you are used to frame-perfect Mario movement. Level design is good but less relentlessly inventive.
SuperTux clears all five: free with no monetisation, complete with a full campaign and level editor, still maintained, genuinely enjoyable on its own merits, and open-source so it cannot be lost.
SuperTuxKart
The same character roster in a kart racer, if you want the other half of the Nintendo mascot formula.
The difference: Racing rather than platforming.
SuperTuxKart clears all five: free with no monetisation, complete with a full campaign and multiplayer, actively developed, genuinely fun on its own merits, and open-source so it cannot be shut down.
Questions
What is the best free alternative to Super Mario Bros.?
SuperTux is the best free alternative to Super Mario Bros.: a free, open-source 2D platformer with a full campaign, world map, power-ups and a built-in level editor, on Windows, macOS and Linux.
Are these Super Mario Bros. alternatives really free?
Yes. Every game listed here is free with no trial, no paywalled content and no pay-to-win purchases. All are open-source, which means they cannot be delisted or shut down. Each has been assessed against PlayBound's five published criteria.
Do I need to pay for multiplayer in these Super Mario Bros. alternatives?
No. None of these games charge for multiplayer. Public servers are community-run and free to join, and there is no subscription of any kind.
How is SuperTux different from Super Mario Bros.?
Jump physics are close but not identical to Nintendo's, which matters if you are used to frame-perfect Mario movement. Level design is good but less relentlessly inventive.
How is SuperTuxKart different from Super Mario Bros.?
Racing rather than platforming.
Every game here has been assessed against the PlayBound Bar — five published criteria for whether a free game is actually worth your time.