At the start of a new game, you'll be prompted to select either Mario or Luigi. While their core abilities are identical, there are subtle differences that might influence your choice, especially in a two-player game.
- Mario: The iconic red plumber. He's the default choice and has no special attributes beyond the standard Mario Bros. abilities.
- Luigi: Mario's green-clad brother. In Super Mario Bros. 3, Luigi has a slightly different jump trajectory. He jumps a little higher and falls a bit slower than Mario, which can be advantageous for clearing large gaps or reaching high platforms. However, this also means he has slightly less precise control in some situations.
For a single-player game, the choice is largely aesthetic, as the differences are minor. In a two-player game, players alternate turns after one loses a life or clears a stage. The game keeps track of each player's score and lives independently. Experiment with both brothers to see which one's subtle jump physics you prefer!