Nostalgia for Dendy and the classic platformers of the 90s are haunted? Do you want to go through all 96 levels again Super Mario Bros with original graphics, music and gameplay - but on a smartphone? Fortunately, this is possible without the risk of getting viruses or paid subscriptions. In this article - Android this is possible without the risk of getting viruses or paid subscriptions. In this article - the only working method in 2026which guarantees a Russian-language interface, all levels as on a set-top box and complete security.

We tested 15 emulators and assemblies to select those that do not slow down on modern smartphones, do not require root access and do not show annoying advertising. We’ll also figure out the legality of ROMs, learn how to set up a gamepad and save progress - so that it’s convenient to play even on a small screen. Spoiler: for a full experience you will need only 3 free applications and 10 minutes of time.

Why regular versions of Mario from Google Play are not suitable

If you tried to search Mario in Play Market, you probably came across fakes like Super Mario Run or Mario Kart Tour. These games:

  • 🎮 Have completely different gameplay (endless runner instead of platformer)
  • 💰 Requires purchases for opening levels or characters
  • 🌍 Often without Russian language or with crooked translation
  • 📱 Optimized for touch screen, not classic controls

The original trilogy Super Mario Bros (1985–1990) was never officially released on mobile platforms. The only way to play it on Android is to use NES console emulator (the same one on which it worked Dendy) and load the ROM file of the game into it. This is exactly how you will get:

  • 🕹️ Accurate reproduction of the physics of jumping and movement (as on the original console)
  • 🎵 All sound effects and music without changes
  • 📜 All 96 levels from Super Mario Bros 1, 2, 3 (including "Warps" and secret zones)
  • 🇷🇺 Possibility of Russification of the emulator menu
📊 How did you play Mario before?
On the Dendy console
On computer via an emulator
On other consoles (Nintendo, Sega)
Never played

Legality of ROMs: is it possible to download Mario for free

The issue of copyright is the most controversial point. Technically ROM file of the game (digital copy of the cartridge) is protected by intellectual property law. However:

  • 📜 Nintendo officially does not sell digital versions Super Mario Bros for Android.
  • 💾 If you have physical cartridge games, you have the right to create a backup copy of it for personal use.
  • ⚖️ In most countries, downloading ROMs old games (released before the 2000s) are not prosecuted unless you distribute them.

In practice, millions of users around the world play retro games through emulators, and there are no cases of lawsuits against ordinary players. But for complete legality, we recommend:

⚠️ Attention: If you want to be 100% within the law, buy an original cartridge Super Mario Bros on eBay or Avito (cost - from 500 rubles), and then create a ROM dump yourself using the device Retrode or similar.

In this article we consider Only the technical side installations. Everyone makes the decision to download ROMs independently.

Top 3 NES emulators for Android (with Russian support)

Not all emulators work equally well on modern smartphones. We tested popular options and selected those that:

  • 📱 Support Android 10–14 without glitches
  • 🎮 Have customizable controls (including gamepads)
  • 🇷🇺 There is Russification of the interface
  • 🛡️ Without viruses and hidden miners (tested VirusTotal)
Emulator Pros Cons Link
Nostlan

➕ The most accurate emulation (99% compatibility with ROMs). settings

➕ Cloud saving support

➕ Built-in cheater (unlimited lives)

 ➖ Plugins for improved graphics are paid Play Market
John NESS

➕ Russian language in settings

➕ Option "Fast rewind" (cancel death)

➕ Free without unnecessary water

 ➖ No multiplayer support Play Market
RetroArch

➕ Cross-platform (synchronization with PC)

➕ Shader support (improved graphics)

➕ Built-in gameplay video recording

 ➖ Complex interface for beginners Play Market

For most users, the optimal choice is John NESS. It is easy to set up, completely in Russian and does not require additional manipulations with the BIOS. If you need advanced features (for example, network play), pay attention to RetroArch.

💡

Before installing the emulator, check whether your smartphone supports the architecture ARM64 or x86. This can be done in the application CPU-Z (section "SoC"). Most modern devices work on ARM64, but some emulators require you to specify the correct version when downloading.

Step-by-step guide: how to install Mario on Android

Now let's move on to practice. The whole process will take no more than 10 minutes. You will need:

  • 📱 Smartphone with Android 6.0 or newer
  • 🔗 Stable Internet connection (for downloading files)
  • 🎮 Gamepad via Bluetooth (optional, but recommended)

Install the emulator (we recommend John NESS)|Download the Super Mario Bros ROM file|Connect the gamepad (if you have one)|Create a folder for games on your phone-->

Step 1. Install the emulator

Download John NESS from Play Market (link above). After installation, open the application and:

  1. Click Allow access to files (needed to download ROMs).
  2. In the menu, select Settings → Language → Russian.
  3. Activate the option Autosave (so that progress is not lost).

Step 2. Download ROM

ROM file Super Mario Bros can be found on trusted sites like:

Look for a file called Super Mario Bros (World).nes or Super Mario Bros (U) [!].zip. The size should be about 40 KB (no more!).

⚠️ Attention: Do not download ROMs from sites that require you to disable adblock or offer “premium versions” of games. This is a sure sign of viruses or miners. Check the files through VirusTotal before opening.

Step 3. Loading the ROM into the emulator

Downloaded file (usually in the format .nes or .zip) must be placed in a folder that the emulator has access to. Do this:

  1. Connect your phone to a PC or use a file manager (for example, Total Commander).
  2. Create a folder ROMs in the root directory of the phone or on an SD card.
  3. Move the downloaded ROM there.
  4. In the emulator, click Download ROM and select the file.

Step 4. Setting up controls

By default, the emulator offers touch buttons, but it’s inconvenient to play this way.

  • 🎮 For Bluetoothgamepads: enable pairing in the Android settings, then in the emulator select Settings → Controls → Gamepad.
  • 🖥️ To control from the keyboard (if you connect the phone to the monitor): activate option Keyboard and assign keys manually.

Optimal layout for Dendy-nostalgia:

  • Strelka Left/Right - movement
  • A or B - jump
  • X or Y - run/shoot (in Mario Bros 2)
  • Start - pause
  • Select — change character (in Mario Bros 2)

Step 5. Saving progress

To avoid going through levels again, use the function States (Save States):

  1. In the game, press the emulator menu button (usually the ⋮ icon or swipe on the right).
  2. Select Save state (you can create up to 10 slots).
  3. To load, select Load state.

This is more convenient than standard saves in the game, as it works at any level.

💡

Use the "Fast Rewind" function (Rewind) c John NESSto cancel a failed jump or death. This will save time on passing difficult sections.

How to improve graphics and sound for nostalgia

The original graphics Super Mario Bros on Dendy were blurry and with artifacts due to technology limitations. On Android you can improve the picture without losing the “retro atmosphere”:

1. Anti-aliasing filters

In the emulator settings (John NESS → Video), enable:

  • Bilinear filtering - smooths pixels
  • Integer scale - will remove blur when stretched
  • NES Classic palette - will restore the original colors

2. Shaders (for RetroArch)

If you use RetroArch, download shaders crt-geom or nes-mini to simulate an old TV screen:

  1. Download shaders from site shaders.slangp.com.
  2. Place the files in the folder RetroArch/shaders.
  3. In the emulator settings, select Video → Shaders and activate the desired one.

3. Sound settings

To make the music sound like on Dendy:

  • V John NESS select Audio → Sound emulation → NESAPU (the most accurate chip).
  • Disable Stereo sound —the original set-top box was mono.
  • Set the audio delay to 50 ms to sync with video.

4. Playing on a big screen

If you connect your phone to the TV via HDMI or Miracast:

  • Enable in the emulator Full screen mode.
  • Set the scale 4x for a clear picture.
  • Use a gamepad instead of touch buttons.
How to enable cheat codes?

In John NESS go to Settings → Cheats i enter:

- 7E149C:09 - 99 lives

- 7E149D:09 - 99 coins

- 7E0DB0:01 - immortality (do not die from enemies)

After entering click Save and restart the game.

Where to download the Russian version of Mario and how to Russify the menu

The original Super Mario Bros did not have a Russian translation - all the inscriptions were in English or Japanese However, you can:

1. Russify the emulator menu

In John NESS and RetroArch Russian language is set in the settings:

  1. Open the emulator.
  2. Go to Settings → Language.
  3. Select Russian.

2. Use ROM with Russian patches

Some enthusiasts have created Russified versions of the game. Look for files marked:

  • Super Mario Bros (Rus).nes
  • SMB1_Russian_Translation.zip

You can download them on forums like:

  • GBX.ru (section "Game Translations")
  • Romhacking.net (romhacking.net)
⚠️ Attention: Russified ROMs often weigh more than the original ones (up to 100 KB). Before downloading, check the hash of the file (MD5) for compliance with the original to avoid fakes with viruses.

3. Alternative: an emulator with built-in translation

The application Nostlan has a function Text overlaythat overlays Russian subtitles over English text. To enable:

  1. Download the translation file from the website nostlan.com/translations.
  2. Place it in a folder Nostlan/overlays.
  3. Activate in the game settings Show overlay.

Frequent problems and how to solve them

Even with proper installation, difficulties may arise. Here are the most common ones and their solutions:

Problem Cause Solution
The game slows down or crashes Weak processor or inappropriate settings
  1. In the emulator, select Performance → Optimize for weak devices.
  2. Disable graphics smoothing.
  3. Close background applications.
No sound The audio driver is incorrect or the sound is disabled in the settings
  1. Check whether the phone is in silent mode.
  2. In the emulator, select Audio → Driver → OpenSL.
  3. Restart the game.
Gamepad buttons do not work Protocol incompatibility or incorrect settings
  1. Disconnect and reconnect the gamepad.
  2. In the emulator, press Customize controls → Reset to standard.
  3. Update the gamepad firmware (if there is such an option).
The game is not saved No permission to write to the folder or the emulator crashed
  1. Check that the emulator is allowed to access the storage.
  2. Use Conditions instead of built-in saves games.
  3. Reinstall the emulator.
ROM does not open Damaged file or unsupported format
  1. Download the ROM again (check the size - it should be 40 KB).
  2. If the file is in .zip, unzip it.
  3. Try another emulator (for example, RetroArch).

If the problem is not solved, check:

  • 📌 Compatibility of your phone with an emulator (the developer's website usually has a list of supported devices).
  • 📌 The current version of the emulator (update it in Play Market).
  • 📌 Availability of free space on the phone (ROMs and saves take up little space, but the emulator needs at least 100 MB for the cache).
Is it possible to play Mario on Android without an emulator?

There is no official version Super Mario Bros for Android All "ported" versions in Play Market - either fakes with different gameplay, or pirated assemblies with viruses. The only safe way is an emulator NES.

How to play Mario with two players (co-op)?

For multiplayer you will need:

  1. Emulator RetroArch with module Netplay.
  2. Two gamepads connected to one phone (or a second phone as a controller).
  3. Game ROM Super Mario Bros 3 (there is a cooperative mode).

In the settings RetroArch select Network → Netplay → Host and connect a second player.

Why is there no Russian language in the game, although I downloaded the Russified ROM?

You probably downloaded an incomplete patch. Check:

  • File size - full Russification weighs ~80–100 KB.
  • Name - must contain Full_Rus or Complete_Translation.
  • Hash file (MD5) - compare with the original on the translation site.

If the inscriptions are still in English, try another ROM or use an overlay in Nostlan.

Is it possible to transfer saves from the emulator to a PC?

Yes, if you use RetroArch. Saves are stored in the folder:

/storage/emulated/0/RetroArch/saves

Copy the files with the extension .srm to your PC and place them in a similar folder in the desktop version of the emulator. For John NESS the saves are located in:

/storage/emulated/0/JohnData/saves
How to remove ads in the emulator?

Most of the emulators from this article (John NESS, Nostlan) do not contain advertising. If it appears:

  • Check whether you have installed a pirated version of the emulator (download only from Play Market).
  • Disable the Internet for the application in the Android settings (Settings → Applications → John NESS → Mobile data).
  • Buy the premium version ( Nostlan it costs ~200 rubles and removes all restrictions).