Challenge (New Super Mario Bros.)

Challenge Mode is a harder mode in the game New Super Mario Bros.. It has a few different block locations and does not allow the player to scroll the screen backwards. Challenge Mode can be accessed in the start menu after finishing the game by pressing the following buttons:, , , , , , ,. It can only be activated when the player has beaten World 8.

In terms of screen-scrolling, there are some exceptions. If Challenge Mode is enabled on a level that requires the player to go backwards, the screen will not scroll up instead. If it is enabled on a level where the player must move in all directions, the screen will scroll normally. The only level that cannot be played in Challenge Mode at all is World 5-B.

Glitches
Playing in Challenge Mode can also cause several glitches to occur in the game.

If the character has challenge mode enabled and uses it to make a very small space between the side of the screen and the wall, and jumps into it, the player will be floating.

If the player does Floating and there is a ceiling above the small space (so the player is trapped) and repeatedly wall jumps into it the player will glide through the ceiling.

In World 2-5, if the player has challenge mode enabled, the player should have any power-up (Excluding the Mini Mushroom). The player should go through the level until the player sees a Boomerang Bro. The player should then go to the right of where it was, and jump into the quicksand. The player must keep hold of right on the D-pad while the player is sinking. When the player starts to move, Mario or Luigi should still be keeping hold of right, then the player must press A. Mario or Luigi will appear in a place that has gray blocks behind them, as they have to go down. The player should go on a Blockhopper. The player must jump when they are near the ceiling near a Star Coin. The player must keep jumping until they're stuck in a rock. The player will be at the end of the level, and under the flagpole. The player should jump when the player is not moving and then the player will be past the flagpole.

If the player has Challenge Mode enabled the player must go to World 6-1. In the beginning of the level, the player will notice that the mountain ceiling doesn't start for a few blocks. Mario should inch forward until the amount of free space shown on screen is just a bit too small for Mario or Luigi to jump into. (Note: Getting the exact right amount of space is very tricky. Don't be disappointed if it takes a few tries.) After that, Mario should go to the far left of the screen and wait for the Bill Blaster to shoot. Jump on the Bullet Bill and enter the thin gap of space that you have created. If it worked, Mario will be standing in mid-air in the gap. Once Mario is there, the only thing he can do is jump again, and keep jumping until he has gone far off the top of the screen. Once Mario has jumped enough, he will be able to move again, above the level. Mario can then run to the end of the level, and he won't even fall back when there is open sky. Mario can't run backwards due to the fact that challenge mode has to be on. In the end, the player has to wait for time to run out, since there is no way to get back.

Trivia

 * Challenge mode is based on the older Mario games such as Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Land, in which the screen wasn't able to scroll back to the left.