World 6 covers courses 6-1 to 6-4 in the original NES version of Super Mario Bros. Open a map to enlarge it, or scroll it sideways to follow the main route and side rooms. These directions describe the first quest.
World 6-1 – Lakitu above the stairs
View map World 6-1 in original size
Move the map sideways to view the entire level and the side rooms.
Cross the first pit and get the power-up from the left of the two bricks above the stairs. Lakitu begins his Spiny Egg throws. Use the raised steps to get an overview, but don’t stand there so long that Spinies gather below you.
Behind the next gaps follow two staircase structures, one with a free-standing intermediate platform. Jump with a controlled run-up and avoid landing on the narrow island while a Spiny falls right there. To the right of the stairs, under the top row of bricks, there is an invisible 1-Up block.
After the pipe, two invisible blocks on top of each other can serve as steps to reach the later Lakitu. The left question mark further ahead contains a second power-up. This is followed by block groups, a final staircase and the stone pillar in front of the flag. Maintain forward movement once more ground is clear.
Tip: If jumping onto Lakitu is risky, it’s better to keep running. Its removal is helpful, but not necessary for level completion.
World 6-2 – Pipes and three bonus paths
View map World 6-2 in original size
Move the map sideways to view the entire level and the side rooms.
The many tubes are safe steps as long as no Piranha Plant is sticking out. Wait next to it for a moment, then jump over the opening. The first tube leads into a coin room; its output is the third tube of the subsequent section.
There are two bricks between later tubes with a Buzzy Beetle, with a power-up on the right. The pipe immediately behind it leads into an adjacent water room. On the main path, a vine for the cloud bonus grows from the rightmost tile of the second top row. This drops you off near the end of the level.
If you play the main route, you will skip further pipes and the larger gap at the exit of the water route. After that, the top left tile contains a star. A pipe between two stone structures leads to another underground coin room with a power-up. Behind the last tubes you reach the flag.
Tip: The side rooms lead back to this level. They are not warp zones to other worlds. Choose one of them consciously instead of entering every tube without orientation.
World 6-3 – White platforms and sinking lifts
View map World 6-3 in original size
Move the map sideways to view the entire level and the side rooms.
From the start, climb over the first three islands and the vertical lift. Behind the next island is a springboard that leads to a series of horizontal platforms. The only power-up block hangs above the last one; take it with you if the platform position is appropriate.
This is followed by a vertical lift and two pairs of rockers. At the same time, Bullet Bills begin to come from the side. Prepare to continue flying on the seesaw immediately: If one side sinks too low, the rope breaks and both platforms fall.
After the next islands, another Springboard takes you to the moving platform and the last scale. There are four sinking platforms in front of the target. Jump quickly from one to the next without waiting for them. Jump from the last solid island to the Goal Pole.
Tip: On sinking platforms, a short contact is enough to jump off. If possible, set the rhythm on the safe island in front of it.
World 6-4 – Hammer-throwing fake Bowser
View map World 6-4 in original size
Move the map sideways to view the entire level and the side rooms.
The structure is similar to World 1-4, but contains additional Fire Bars and fire bubbles. This makes the first island with a power-up much more difficult to jump on. Wait for both the staff turn and the fire bubble to jump before crossing over.
In narrow ceiling rod passages, short runs from one free area to the next help. Later, floor and ceiling bars will cover the room together. Don’t jump up out of habit: a low path may just be safer than the open space you saw a moment before.
In front of the boss bridge there are again invisible blocks. The fake Bowser now throws hammers and a fire bubble also pops up underneath him. As Fire Mario, use distance. Without Fire Flower, wait for a favorable jump and hammer phase and go under him or across the upper platform to the axe.
Tip: A high arcing trajectory over Bowser can lead directly into his hammers. First observe the throws and then decide between the upper and lower path.