1UP

1Up is primarily known as an item in video games that grants the player an extra life. In many titles, collecting a 1Up adds one life to the player’s remaining lives, allowing continued gameplay after a character would otherwise fail. While commonly depicted as a green 1-Up item or as a dedicated icon with the text “1-Up,” the exact appearance and effect can vary by game. The concept has become a staple of gaming culture, signaling an additional chance to complete a level or mission.

The idea of an extra life traces back to arcade and early console games, where players relied on limited lives to progress. A 1Up item is typically separate from other power-ups that enhance abilities or health; its primary purpose is to extend play by increasing the life counter. Some games experiment with alternative benefits tied to 1Up features, but the standard expectation remains the addition of a life.

1UP.com and the 1Up Network referred to a group of gaming-oriented websites operated by a media company. The flagship site, 1UP.com, published news, reviews, features, podcasts, and video content as part of a broader network of gaming sites. Over time, the network underwent restructuring, and the sites were folded into other brands, with the 1Up domain eventually redirected or retired.

In popular culture, the term 1Up is used beyond games to indicate an extra chance, enhancement, or upgrade, and it appears in memes and media related to gaming. The concept remains widely recognized as a basic mechanic in many video game genres.