You start playing Super Mario Bros 2 in English and you follow the basics, yet there are words, instructions and expressions you cannot quite pin down. It is not a question of level: video game language simply works differently. In this article you will learn how to read that English, which vocabulary is genuinely useful and how to use it to improve your comprehension in practical terms.
What video game English is like (and why it is hard to follow)
The English that appears in video games is not designed to teach, but to prompt fast actions. That is why it is direct, brief and highly contextual.
In Super Mario Bros 2, for instance, there is hardly any long text. What you find are commands, labels and very specific messages:
- Press Start
- Game Over
- Select Player
This creates two common difficulties:
- Incomplete sentences (no subject, no clear grammatical context)
- Words that traditional courses rarely cover
The point here is not to translate word by word, but to read what is happening on screen.
Key vocabulary in Super Mario Bros 2
The game is simple, but it introduces terms that recur across many video games and are worth knowing.
Some frequent examples:
- Life / Extra life → a life / an extra life
- Enemy → the character attacking you
- Level / Stage → a stage of the game
- Boss → the final enemy of a level
- Pick up / Throw → to lift an object / to hurl it
Even without translating every word, you grasp the message because you can see the action. This kind of learning works better than memorising lists.
Context: the key to understanding English without translating
Video games have one enormous advantage: they combine image, action and text. That supports what is known as “comprehensible input”, in other words understanding a language thanks to context.
When you see “Game Over”, you need no translation. The game itself teaches you what it means.
The same approach applies to other formats such as series or podcasts. Learning with real content is in fact one of the most effective ways to improve a language, as explained in the ALOS article, which shows how audiovisual context aids comprehension without constant translation.
Typical video game expressions you will also use elsewhere
Beyond vocabulary, certain structures come up constantly and do have real-life uses.
Direct instructions
- Press A to jump
- Hold to run
- Enter the door
These are imperative sentences, very common in everyday English.
Short messages
- Time’s up
- You win
- Game over
Expressions of this kind are also used outside the game, in informal settings.
Action verbs
Many basic English verbs turn up in video games:
- Jump (to leap upwards)
- Run (to move at speed)
- Climb (to go up a surface)
- Throw (to hurl something)
Learning them this way means you recognise them far more easily in real conversations later on.
How to carry this learning into your daily life
Video game English does not stop at leisure. It has real applications if you know how to use it.
For example:
- It trains you to follow rapid instructions
- It improves your reaction time in English
- It reinforces practical, functional vocabulary
This is particularly useful in professional settings where English is direct and operational. A good example of that kind of use is the ALOS article on <a href=”https://alosidiomas.com/como-hacer-presentaciones-en-ingles/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>how to give clear and effective presentations in English</a>, which works on exactly that direct, structured language.
Strategies for learning English through gaming
Playing is not enough on its own: you have to play with intent.
1. Always play in English
Even if you do not understand everything, your brain will get used to the language.
2. Watch for patterns
The same words come up over and over. Spot them.
3. Do not translate literally
Look for the overall meaning, not word for word.
4. Back it up with other content
Combine video games with series, videos or podcasts to widen the context.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. It is an ideal game because the language is simple, repetitive and highly visual, which aids comprehension even at a low level.
Mainly practical vocabulary, action verbs and direct instructions. It is functional English that also appears in real-life contexts.
No, but it is a very effective complement. It helps improve comprehension and fluency, especially alongside structured training.
The English of Super Mario Bros 2 is far more than entertainment: it is a real tool for improving your comprehension of the language naturally and in context. Learning to read this kind of language prepares you to follow English better in digital, professional and everyday settings.
If you want to take this learning further and tailor it to your goals, ALOS can help you develop your English with specific, results-focused training. Contact our team and find out how to make progress from day one.