New Super Mario Bros. Cheats and Secrets on Nintendo DS

Play as Luigi, warp between worlds, and more

Table of Contents
By
Jason Rybka
Jason Rybka
Writer
Jason Rybka is a PC and Console gaming writer with expertise in gaming exploits. Jason was also the developer/owner of Xbox Solution and other web properties.
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Updated on 12/18/20
Reviewed by
Michael Barton Heine Jr
Reviewed by Michael Barton Heine Jr

Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years' experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.

Learn about our Editorial Process

New Super Mario Bros. is a throwback to the first Super Mario Bros. game on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Just like the original, it has cheats and secrets hiding around every drain pipe. We show you how to unlock a secret challenge mode, play as Luigi, and more.

These cheats are for the 2006 game New Super Mario Bros. for Nintendo DS. There are also cheats for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch and Super Smash Bros. Melee for the Gamecube.

New Super Mario Bros. Cheats and Unlockables

Several secrets can be unlocked by beating certain levels under specific conditions.

Unlockable How to Unlock
Save any time Beat World 8.
Unlock World 4 Beat the final boss of World 2 as mini-Mario.
Unlock World 7 Beat the final boss of World 5 as mini-Mario.
Infinite Toad Houses Beat every level including bonus stages.

How to Play as Luigi

Hold L + R and press A when selecting your save file to start the game as Luigi instead of Mario.

How to Get Secret Toad House Bonuses

Finish a level when the last two digits of the timer are the same number to unlock secret Toad Houses with a special bonus. Your finishing time determines which type of bonus you get.

Ending Time Toad House
11, 22, or 33 Red (Random item)
44, 55, or 66 Green (Mini-game) 
77, 88, or 99 Orange (Mega Mushroom)

How to Unlock Secret Background Patterns

After beating the game, a blue Toad House appears in World 1 where you can purchase new background patterns for the touchscreen. There are five backgrounds, but the last one isn't available until you collect every Star Coin.

How to Unlock Secret Challenge Mode

To unlock a mode that prevents you from backtracking in some levels (like the original Super Mario Bros.):

  1. Complete the game.

  2. Pause the game while on the world map.

  3. Press L, R, L, R, X, X, Y, Y. 

How to Find Warp Cannons

As is a tradition in Mario games, hidden warp points allow you to travel between worlds. To access warp cannons, find the secret exits in these levels.

Warp Secret Exit
World 1 to World 5 Find the secret exit in the World 1 Tower.
World 2 to World 5 Find the secret exit in World 2-A.
World 3 to World 6 Find the secret exit in the World 3 Ghost House.
World 4 to World 7 Find the secret exit in the World 4 Ghost House.
World 5 to World 8 Find the secret exit in the World 5 Ghost House.

How to Get 99 Extra Lives

Go to World 2-4. Just before the end of the level, you'll see a koopa descending a staircase. Jump on top of him as he walks off the third step from the bottom. If timed right, Mario will continuously jump on the koopa's shell as it bounces back and forth against the wall.

As long as you don't touch any buttons, you'll keep collecting points and earn up to 99 lives. This trick is an Easter egg from the original Super Mario Bros., which features the same cheat.

If you mess up, go back to the left a little, then go back to the staircase to find the koopa has reappeared.

Original Super Mario Bros. Theme and Fireworks

Finish a level when the last two digits of the timer read 11, 22, 33, or 44 to see fireworks and hear music from the original Super Mario Bros.