A method of altering the functionality of the Super Mario Bros. 3 game on the Nintendo Entertainment System is achieved through alphanumeric sequences. These sequences, when input into a specific device, modify the game’s code, resulting in effects such as invincibility, infinite lives, or altered level progression. As an example, one such sequence might grant Mario perpetual star power.
The practice provided a means to overcome challenging levels and experience the game in novel ways, fostering creativity and extending replayability. It offered accessibility to players of varying skill levels and became a popular aspect of the gaming culture of the era, allowing experimentation and exploration beyond the originally intended game design.