Game Boy

Super Mario Land was the first Mario game for the Game Boy and launched with the console in 1989. Nintendo expected it to be the system's showcase title until Nintendo of America chose to bundle Tetris instead.

Even so, it sold more than 18 million copies, outselling the NES hit Super Mario Bros. 3, and it led to two sequels: Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins in 1992 and Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 in 1994. Both sequels, the Japanese release and a period strategy guide are also catalogued in the collection. This is the US cartridge.

More from the Museum's Journal: The Super Mario Land Board Game: Mario Off the Screen.