data/claims/mario-bros-history.yamlMario Bros. (history and reception)
Game: Mario Bros..
Mario Bros. appeared in arcades in 1983, by Nintendo's account. mario-bros-history/release-arcade
note on "Mario Bros." (notes 3, 15, and 20 carry the same text)Mario Bros.: An action game that appeared in arcades in 1983 and was released later the same year in September for the Famicom system.Iwata Asks: Super Mario Bros. 25th Anniversary, Vol. 5, p. 3 (The Grand Culmination) · Vol. 5, p. 3, The Grand Culmination — Miyamoto speaking; Super Mario Bros. came out in 1985 (super-mario-bros-history/release)About two years before Super Mario Bros., I made the arcade version of Mario Bros.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Nintendo's note gives the year without a month or a region.
Cited by: Mario Bros.
The Famicom version came out in September 1983, later the same year as the arcade game, by Nintendo's account. mario-bros-history/release-japan
note on "Mario Bros." (notes 3, 15, and 20 carry the same text)was released later the same year in September for the Famicom system.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Nintendo's note gives the month, not the day.
Cited by: Mario Bros.
Mario Bros. came out for the NES in North America in June 1986. mario-bros-history/release-na
PDF p. 8 — the row reads Nintendo, June 1986; the list gives a month, not a dayMario Bros.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The June 1986 Computer Entertainer entry left the T2 evidence for a T1 claim; the notes say its table lists the game as coming, not shipped (lead, after the audit).Nintendo of America's list is a later compilation. Computer Entertainer's June 1986 table (ce-schedule) lists the game as coming that month, not as shipped.
Cited by: Mario Bros.
In June 1986 Computer Entertainer's availability table listed Mario Bros. under June, not yet marked as shipped. mario-bros-history/ce-schedule
Availability Update, Nintendo (p. 16) — listed under JUNE with Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr. Math, Donkey Kong 3, Donkey Kong Jr., and Popeye, not yet marked as shippedMario BrosRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: New T1 claim for Computer Entertainer's June 1986 table, split from release-na (lead).Mario Bros. wasn't among the NES's North American launch games. In February 1986 Computer Entertainer listed it among five Arcade Classics planned for later in 1986 at $25, with Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Donkey Kong 3, and Popeye. mario-bros-history/arcade-classics
Nintendo Update (p. 13)is accompanied by 15 games in the markets where it isComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · Nintendo Update (p. 13)Games planned for release later in 1986 includeComputer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · Nintendo Update (p. 13)DONKEY KONG, DONKEY KONG JR., DONKEY KONG 3,Computer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · Nintendo Update (p. 13)MARIO BROS., and POPEYE (Arcade Classics at $25).Computer Entertainer, Vol. 4, No. 11 (February 1986) · The Nintendo Entertainment System (p. 12) — the review of the console names it among the arcade classics announced for the NESKONG and MARIO BROS., programmable games, action contests,Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Mario Bros.
Nintendo of America sold the arcade game to operators as a Nintendo-Pak, a kit of side graphics, header, front-plex, control panel, and electronics that turned Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., and Popeye cabinets into Mario Bros. Its flyer says the game had proven itself in virtually every market where it had appeared. mario-bros-history/nintendo-pak
PDF p. 2 — after "Put the Mario Bros,"a Nintendo-Pak.Mario Bros. Nintendo-Pak flyer (Nintendo of America, 1983) · PDF p. 2The Nintendo-Pak consists of sideMario Bros. Nintendo-Pak flyer (Nintendo of America, 1983) · PDF p. 2graphics, header, front-plex, com¬Mario Bros. Nintendo-Pak flyer (Nintendo of America, 1983) · PDF p. 2and all the electronicsMario Bros. Nintendo-Pak flyer (Nintendo of America, 1983) · PDF p. 4clean up after Donkey Kong, DonkeyMario Bros. Nintendo-Pak flyer (Nintendo of America, 1983) · PDF p. 4Kong Jr. and Popeye, look into theMario Bros. Nintendo-Pak flyer (Nintendo of America, 1983) · PDF p. 3already proven itselfMario Bros. Nintendo-Pak flyer (Nintendo of America, 1983) · PDF p. 3in virtually everyRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Flyer locators are PDF pp. 2-4; "front-plex", the flyer's word, for "front panel".The flyer prints no date.
Cited by: Mario Bros.
Nintendo of America's operator flyer calls Mario and Luigi janitors and names the enemies shellcreepers, fighterflies, and sidesteppers, with fireballs to dodge. mario-bros-history/janitors
PDF p. 3Luigi, the janitorsMario Bros. Nintendo-Pak flyer (Nintendo of America, 1983) · PDF p. 3vermin as shellcreepers, fighterfliesMario Bros. Nintendo-Pak flyer (Nintendo of America, 1983) · PDF p. 3and sidesteppers, all the while dodg¬Mario Bros. Nintendo-Pak flyer (Nintendo of America, 1983) · PDF p. 3ing flaming fireballs.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: All four quotes are on the flyer's PDF p. 3.Cited by: Mario Bros.
Shigeru Miyamoto says he made the arcade Mario Bros., about two years before Super Mario Bros.; its screen didn't scroll, and its background was black. mario-bros-history/miyamoto
Vol. 5, p. 3, The Grand CulminationAbout two years before Super Mario Bros., I made the arcade version of Mario Bros., but the screen didn't scroll, the background was black, and it was sort of plain.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Miyamoto names no other staff here.
Cited by: Mario Bros.
Mario, with Luigi in the two-player game, fights the creatures that come out of the pipes: turtles, crabs, and fighter flies. A punch from below only stuns one, and a kick then gets rid of it for good; freezies and fireballs attack too. The Famicom booklet describes the same game. mario-bros-history/premise
printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), How to PlayAll sorts of characters (turtles, crabs and fighter flies)Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), How to Playcome out of the pipes. You can knock them over byMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), How to Playpunching them from below, but that only stuns them.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), How to PlayTo get rid of them for good you then have to kickMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), How to Play — the OCR's "." before "fireballs" is a speckthem. Freezies and .fireballs also come at you with allMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6)Only Mario appears in the 1 player game. Both Mario and Luigi appear in the 2Mario Bros. Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-MA) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 7), 目的は? captionパイ プ か ら 飛 び 出 し て くる 敵 を パン チ し 、 ひOur translation(it is a game of) punching the enemies that jump out of the pipes,Mario Bros. Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-MA) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 7), 目的は? captionっ くり返し て 蹴り 落と す ゲ ー ム で す 。Our translationflipping them over and kicking them off.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: The Famicom quotes are on printed p. 5, the 目的は? caption.The NES booklet's opening calls the setting an "underground adventure".
Cited by: Mario Bros.
The A button jumps, and the B button isn't used; the control pad runs Mario left and right. Jumping under an enemy punches it from below and flips it over. mario-bros-history/controls
printed p. 3 (PDF p. 4)He Jumps.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 3 (PDF p. 4)Runs to the RightMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 3 (PDF p. 4)Runs to the Left.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 3 (PDF p. 4), B buttonNot used.Mario Bros. Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-MA) · printed p. 2ジャ ンプ ボタ ン で す 。 押す と マリ オ (ルイ ー ジ ) がOur translationIt is the jump button. When pressed, Mario (Luigi)Mario Bros. Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-MA) · printed p. 2ジャ ンプ を し 、 上 に いる 敵 を パン チ し て ひっ くり 返Our translationjumps, punching an enemy above and flipping it overRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "Not used." for B and the Left line.Cited by: Mario Bros.
One or two players can play, each at Game A, for beginners, or Game B, for experts. mario-bros-history/modes
printed p. 4 (PDF p. 5), SELECT button1-Player game A - BeginnerMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 5), SELECT button1-Player game B - ExpertMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 4 (PDF p. 5), SELECT button2-Player game B - ExpertsMario Bros. Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-MA) · printed p. 3※GAME A は 初心 者 用 、GAME B は 上 級 者 用 に 設定 され て いま すOur translationGAME A is set for beginners, GAME B for advanced playersChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Mario Bros.
Two players can work as a team, one punching an enemy over and the other kicking it off, or compete, helping enemies up and pushing each other into them. mario-bros-history/two-player
printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), Team playOne player punches the enemy down, and the other finishes himMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), CompetitionCompetition: Ruin the other player's plans and play tricks on him.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), Competitionattempts to kick a fallen bad guy, punch from below and help theMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), Competitionbad guy up .. . or send your opponent flying toward a bad guy byMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 5 (PDF p. 6), Competitionpunching him from below or pushing him.Mario Bros. Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-MA) · printed p. 4《 仲良 し 型 》Our translationfriendly typeMario Bros. Famicom instruction booklet (Japan, HVC-MA) · printed p. 4《 ライ バル 型 》Our translationrival typeChecked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Mario Bros.
A turtle goes down after one punch. A crab is angered by the first punch and goes down after the second, and a fighter fly must be punched as it lands. A downed enemy punched again gets up, one that gets up on its own moves faster than before, and the last enemy left moves extra fast. mario-bros-history/enemies
printed p. 7 (PDF p. 8), Techniques — under Turtle; the booklet sets the three enemies side by side, Turtle, Crab, Fighter FlyDown after 1 punch.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 8), TechniquesIrked after the first punch, it goesMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 8), Techniquesdown after the second.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 8), TechniquesPunch it just as it lands.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 8), TechniquesNote: A downed character gets up if punched from below. If the character getsMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 7 (PDF p. 8), Techniquesup on its own it moves even faster than before. The last remaining character also moves extra fast.Checked by a second AI model, 2026-11-06.Cited by: Mario Bros.
Punching the POW knocks over the enemies on every floor for a while and clears fireballs; it disappears after three hits. Freezies freeze the floors, where Mario slips. Mario can leave by one edge of the screen and come back on the other. mario-bros-history/pow-and-freezies
printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9)Punch the POW and the charactersMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9)on all the floors are knocked over.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9)They will get up eventually, so beMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9)Th ings like fire balls disappear.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9)Note : The POW d isappears after it isMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9)hit 3 times.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9)The freezies attempt to freeze theMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9)will slip and can't stop very easily .Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed p. 8 (PDF p. 9)can walk through the left edge of the screen to reappear on the right, and vice versa.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted "hit 3 times."Cited by: Mario Bros.
Kicking an enemy off sends a coin out of a pipe, and a bonus round gives a perfect bonus for grabbing every coin in the time allowed. Kicking several enemies in a row scores extra, and 20,000 points earn an extra life. A touch from an enemy, a fireball, or a freezie costs a life. mario-bros-history/scoring
printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 10-11), Scoring — of the coins, after "Earn points by grabbing the coins that"come out of theMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 10-11), Scoringp ipe when a character is kicked down !Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 10-11), ScoringGrab all the co ins with in the allotted timeMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 10-11), Scoringand you will be awarded a perfect scoreMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 10-11), ScoringYou get special high scores for kicking downMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 10-11), Scoringseveral bad guys in a row.Mario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 10-11), ScoringWhen your score passes 20,000, you will beMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 10-11), ScoringMario (or Luigi) disappears if he bumps intoMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 10-11), Scoringor is hit by a bad guy (including fireballs andMario Bros. NES instruction booklet (US, 1986) · printed pp. 9-10 (PDF pp. 10-11), Scoringfreezies). When all Marios (or Luigis) are usedRevised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Quoted the freezie, bump and several-in-a-row lines.Cited by: Mario Bros.
Chris Scullion writes that Mario Bros. lacks Super Mario Bros.'s long, arching jump, and that jumping on an enemy kills Mario rather than the enemy. The only way to beat one is to hit its platform from below, a technique he says Super Mario Bros. kept, which flips it onto its back; Mario then runs into it to kick it off, and one not reached quickly enough flips back over, angrier and faster. mario-bros-history/scullion-differences
Mario Bros. (p. 121)missing a lot of the central mechanics that Super MarioThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)and Luigi don’t have that classic, satisfyingly long andThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121) — of "jumping on enemies'"heads will lead to your death, not theirs.The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)The only way to kill bad guys in MarioThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)hit the platform they’re on (a techniqueThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)copied over to Super Mario Bros.).The NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)flips them onto their back: while they’reThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)them and run into them to kick them offThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)enough they’ll flip back over, angrier andThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)faster than before.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Follows Scullion's steps: the hit flips the enemy, Mario kicks it off, and one left too long flips back.Scullion likens its two kinds of jump to Ice Climber's.
Cited by: Mario Bros.
Chris Scullion writes that Mario became a plumber here after his carpentry in Donkey Kong, that Luigi makes his debut "sort of", after a Mario Bros. Game & Watch four months before the arcade game, and that the arcade version calls the turtles Shellcreepers. He writes that it "may not have stood the test of time as well" as its "Super" sequel, though two-player co-op is still fun, and calls its place in Nintendo's history beyond debate. mario-bros-history/scullion-standing
Mario Bros. (p. 121)was a carpenter insteadThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)along, Mario switched over to a plungerThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)his first ever appearance here (sort of: the Mario Bros GameThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)& Watch game was released four months before the arcadeThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)original arcade version calls them ShellcreepersThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)Mario Bros. may not have stood the test of time as wellThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)co-op is still fun), but its importance in Nintendo’s historyThe NES Encyclopedia: Every Game Released for the Nintendo Entertainment System · Mario Bros. (p. 121)can't be debated.Revised after a check by a second AI model, 2026-11-06: Kept Scullion's hedge, "may not have stood the test of time as well".The Game & Watch timing is Scullion's, uncited; the NES booklet calls the turtles "turtles".
Cited by: Mario Bros.