10 Best Underground Areas In Video Games

10. World 1-2 (Super Mario Bros.)

Super Mario Bros' second level deserves a mention for its music alone (music that will now be in your head for the rest of your day - sorry about that), but Mario's 1-2 punch has even more to offer than a funky theme tune.

Nintendo's recent output has really emphasized the player's freedom to break the game, but make no mistake - the big N's proclivity for this sort of mischief-making has long been a part of the company's DNA, and World 1-2 shows how Nintendo's been encouraging the naughty kids in class for over 40 years.

It's a well-known trick by now, but using 1-2's lifts to seemingly escape the boundaries of the level and run along the top of the screen still offers an illicit thrill. And its a thrill Nintendo actively encourages you to seek, as those who let Mario escape the confines of his subterranean play area are rewarded with the above sight - a secret area that lets you jump ahead to one of three worlds.

Even in the eighties, Nintendo understood the value of rewarding player creativity. Its an ethos that has served the company well in the four decades since we were welcomed to the Warp Zone.