Mario jumps higher the longer you hold down the button.

In the 1985 game Super Mario Bros., programmer Toshihiko Nakago created a variable jump system. Earlier games like Donkey Kong used a fixed arc where the player lost control once they left the ground. Mario's system is different because the game tracks the A button status on every single frame.The game uses a list of numbers called a jump table to decide how much upward force to apply. If you release the button early, the game applies gravity immediately to stop the jump. If you keep holding it, the game allows the upward push to last for up to 31 frames. This makes the character feel like he has real weight.Mario's running speed also changes how he jumps. The game looks at how fast Mario is moving sideways and picks a different set of values from the jump table. A faster run results in a longer and higher leap. This allows players to clear large gaps by building up speed first.The game tracks Mario's position using very small units called sub-pixels. This level of detail allows for smooth movement that feels responsive to the player. These real-time physics calculations set the standard for almost every jumping game that followed. This system is why players can perform precise movements in modern speedrunning competitions.