I can't believe I've never noticed this design detail in Super Mario Bros
Briefly

In 1985, Super Mario Bros exemplified basic game design, where sprite recycling played a significant role in its visual assets. Rather than lazy design, this recycling was an essential efficiency tactic, enabling Nintendo developers to maximize creativity within a tiny 32 KB file size. While sprite recycling persists in modern gaming, today's designs have evolved, making this retro technique more subtle yet still nostalgic. The charm of the 8-bit aesthetic continues to resonate, reminding players of a simpler gaming era, even amidst today's AAA standards.
When Super Mario Bros was released in 1985, sprite recycling was a crafty design technique used due to limited game design resources, creating a nostalgic charm.
The clever reuse of visual assets like clouds and bushes in Super Mario Bros isn't just lazy design; it reflects efficiency demands in a 32 KB game.
Read at Creative Bloq
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