An extra life, also called a 1-up, is a video game item that increments the player character's number of lives. Because there are no universal game rules, the form 1-ups take varies from game to game, but are often rare and difficult items to acquire. The use of the term "1-up" to designate an extra life first appeared in Super Mario Bros., where a green "1-Up Mushroom" gives the player an extra life. The term quickly caught on, seeing use in both home and arcade video games.
An extra life, also called a 1-up, is a video game item that increments the player character's number of lives. Because there are no universal game rules, the form 1-ups take varies from game to game, but are often rare and difficult items to acquire. The use of the term "1-up" to designate an extra life first appeared in Super Mario Bros., where a green "1-Up Mushroom" gives the player an extra life. The term quickly caught on, seeing use in both home and arcade video games.