Free alternatives
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
PlatformerArcade250 MBOpen Source (GPL-3.0)
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 shouldn't be this charming. A Linux penguin running through a Mario-inspired platformer sounds like a novelty, but somewhere along the way the project became a genuinely enjoyable platformer in its own right. It's cheerful, handmade, a little weird, and full of the personality you get when a community builds something because they genuinely want it to exist.
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 is the kind of free game that's impossible not to recommend. It's instantly accessible, genuinely fun with friends, packed with tracks and modes, and backed by a surprisingly active community creating new content.
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 to start, with no trial masquerading as a full game and no paid competitive advantage. Optional cosmetics and premium extras are allowed. Each game has been tested and played, then assessed against PlayBound's four published criteria — including whether it has That One Thing worth telling a friend about.
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 — four published criteria for whether a free game is actually worth your time. Every title is tested and played before it is added.