Love the original arcade game. I've always wished Nintendo would do like a "Namco Museum" type collection with their actual arcade titles instead of just constant rehashes of the Famicom/NES ports. Would love to have legit versions of the Mario Bros and Donkey Kong arcade games in a nice Nintendo package.
ya it kinda makes me sad that the eshop and virtual console sorta killed the idea of nintendo ever doing a compilation game like that cause it wouldve been nice to see that but also including games that didnt get totally accurate home ports like punch out and then earlier nintendo arcade games
Played the heck out of the Apple 2 version back in the day. One of the best arcade ports I had for it. Then played even more when it was released as a bonus game on all the SMB GBA titles.
fond memories of this game. i dont know if its the fact its mario or how its fun despite the super simplicity of it but i still love this game 35+ years later.
The ads on Kaettekita Mario Bros. reminds me of one cover of Transformers: Convoy no Nazo main BGM song which someone from Japan did almost 15 years ago on TH-cam: "If you're Japanese~, let's eat Ochazuke~, but only from Nagatanien~, hmm~ / delicious~"
Fun fact: the Famicom Disk System port of Mario Bros is also the European (not UK) NES port and those guys even got the tutorial cutscene that most ports don’t have.
Interesting that there are so many versions released after the NES was released in the west, especially the 7800 version which clearly is a port of the NES version. I guess companies like Atari had a contract to port the game that had not expired yet at that point.
@@RetroCore, there was also a second NES version of the game, released exclusively in Europe, as Mario Bros Classic. This version features intermissions from the arcade, and allows you to change direction in mid-air, while some graphics from the arcade have also been retained, like the Koopas.
If you're someone like me whose childhood was mostly spent during the 1990s, then chances are the first time you played "Mario Bros." was actually in the 2-player battle stages featured in "Super Mario Bros. 3", which is how I was introduced to the game. ;)
The 8-bit Atari version was not what was shown. The version that came out when Atari put out the XEGS was done by Sculptured Software, and hot damn, was it good for the hardware. Even had the enemy intros.
I remember playing the Ocean C64 version of this and it always stuck with me how bad it was! It's why I've never been a fan of this game!! I guess I should go back and give the much better versions of it a go!! As always, a great BotP Mark!
Never been a fan of the NES version, and I guess this is an issue with all versions save for the GBA one but I always hated how even if you were just slightly off with your jump, Mario would just jump through the platforms or pow block It never made any sense to me and Ice Climber has the same issue. Thankfully the GBA version exists in the various Mario Advance games. That one is still the best. But I know it's not covered in this video as it's more of a remake than an actual port
In the Super Mario Bros. 3 version, the shellcreepers got replaced by Lakitu's spinies. Not only that the game also featured two exclusive bonus stages for the game, a treasure pipe that constantly pop out coins and enemies and a construction level which had multiple coin blocks.
I have not seen an arcade cab of this game since 1984 or so, but have the NES version, and the GBA version on all 4 Super Mario Advance titles. There's the version in Mario 3, but it's more of a battle game, and can't be played 1 player.
I don't understand why Nintendo doesn't celebrate Mario's anniversaries starting with this game instead of 1985's Super Mario Bros. I mean, this IS the first Mario game.
You got the wrong version on the Atari 8-bit computers. Well, kinda. That version seems to have been released in disk or tape form in 1983. The 1988 version is so much different and was made with the XEVGS in mind. It even features the intros from the arcade.
Great video, Mark! One local pizza shop that was very close to me had Mario Bros and DK machines (and never any other machines) from when they opened in '85-ish until when they closed in the mid-90s. So, I played a fair bit more of those two than most other games just because it was so close. I was just too young when Mario Bros actually hit, but by the time the pizza place was open, I had played enough Atari 2600 and Coleco's Donkey Kong port on the VCS that I was quite interested in playing this new-to-me game with Mario (and only played DK a few times, since, though I really liked the arcade version, we already had it at home). We ended up with the 2600 port of Mario Bros. at my request, but, like you said, it's not too hot (I definitely like the 2600 DK port more). My uncle bought an NES in '86, and rented that port a couple of times when I over to his house. That was a significantly better, but I was more interested in playing Super Mario by then. By the time I got an NES in '89, I just never even thought to pick Mario Bros (did get DK Classics though). up. Even though I've played a fair amount of Mario Bros in the arcade, on the 2600, and the bonus versions in SMB3 and the Mario Advance series, I still prefer Donkey Kong over Mario Bros. to this day; however, Mario Bros. has one absolutely major thing going for it over Donkey Kong: you can play as Luigi. In DK, you are stuck playing with that fat, limp-noodle Mario; where as, in Mario Bros., if you have a friend or are willing to drop in 2 coins, you can play as mack-daddy, big-spaghetti Luigi!
Nice story of your history with this game. I've never actually seen a real Mario arcade cabinet. I've seen real popeye and Donkey Kong cabinets but never the original Mario Bros.
@@RetroCore I've seen 3 Mario Bros. cabs that I recall: the one I mentioned, a second in a bowling alley around the same time, and then more recently I've played the one at Galloping Ghost near Chicago, though it's been a couple years. I've only seen a Popeye cab once and that was at Galloping Ghost, never around when I was young. I did have the 2600 port and rented the NES version, but I much prefer DK and DK Jr.
You didn’t mention a few gameplay features - you can punch fireballs from below to destroy them if they’re on a platform (same for the traveling ice if it hasn’t activated) for points, enemy scores double if you knock several over in a row, and enemies speed up if they recover before you can knock them out. Good video as always regardless! 👍
Some C64 versions bring me back to memories of when you'd actually produce a game or a demo or art or music in full on a week-weekend long party. OCEAN in a nutshell?
The Ocean Software releases of Mario Bros. on the Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum and European-exclusive Commodore 64 versions look like they were made on a really low-budget.
I read (a long time ago) in a magazine article that Spongebob's Mr.Krabs' final design was inspired by the Mario Bros crab enemies. The character itself was based on a real restaurant manager but the cartoonish final design by the Mario crabs.
The unpardonable sin of the original NES version, aside from being a rather sad port, is that you don't get to see the turtles in their underwear. It's worth sitting through a few rice and ramen commercials to get that action in the FDS version that came later.
@@RetroCore You Also Missed Tricks By Not Including The Enhanced Remake, Known As Mario Bros. Classic, Which Can Be Found In The Super Mario Advance Series Of Games, & Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.
Excellent choice with Mario Bros to see on New Years Eve Mark. Wishing you and your love ones a Happy New Year, and always a pleasure to see your works on your channel my good man. 8^) Anthony..
Fun Fact, the Atari 8-bit computer version looks identical to the 5200, but is actually not a copy-paste process, like many 5200/8-bit conversions. That's because in some point between the release of the two ports, Atari LOST the source code of the game, so they had to program again. And they only released to annoy Nintendo.
That's wrong. It's a new version with new graphics and mechanics. The one showed here is just the 5200 version converted by the user's community some years ago.
A true classic. The curious thing, that obviously we discovered many years later, is that the game was released together with the NES in Japan, just when everyone was predicting the end of video games in America and Europe due to the great crisis of 1983.
Europe was thrilling to the C64 and Spectrum, so I have no idea what you're talking about. They wouldn't suffer anything like a videogame crash until much later, when Japanese companies and American designed PCs could easily replace what was lost.
@@RetroCore Then why did every British hardware spec ultimately fail, beyond the 8-bit glory days of micro? It was a bit of a bloodbath. Without foreign intervention, your videogame crash would have affected the general public, as well.
Most people often refer to this game as "regular Mario Bros." or other similar names to avoid confusion with the more iconic Super Mario Bros. 1 and the whole franchise. There are other versions including the ones in the NES and Super Mario All*Stars versions of Super Mario Bros. 3 and the Super Mario Advance ones. The Game & Watch version and its Game & Watch Gallery ports don't count. They are completely different.
I played the 2600 version growing up and enjoyed it at the time. I guess even a crap version of a great game can still be pretty good. Or I had low standards when I was 6, take your pick.
I bought a copy of the 2600 for a buck after I already had NES Super Mario Bros and a few other games. Really enjoyed it for how little I paid and I remember getting really far to the point where the difficulty ramped up.
Another good video and I appreciate the time it takes to put these things together :) Somebody needs to produce a homebrew conversion for the Spectrum actually worthy of the arcade as that early Ocean port was poor.
Happy new year, man! God bless and may the good videos keep flowing. :D Oh, and a silly story: bought this game in 1991 in a records store thinking it was Super Mario Bros. I thought the Super in the title wouldn't made a big difference, but how wrong I was. And disappointed. xD
The Atari 8bit port you reviewed is actually a home brew port of the 5200 version. The actual released port by Atari for the 8bit is a completely different port believe it or not. Also note it has trouble working with emulators so the colors may look wrong if you decide to play it.
For some reason, the rom you used for the 2600 version is the Brazilian one, published here by a local company called CCE. They always found a way to hack their names into the games. That makes this version the only unlicensed one in your video, as it is the case with all CCE games. I thought you would like to know that 🤓
Hehe, I did have the Atari one but actually loaded up and recorded the CCE release. One I saw they were the same I just stuck with the CCE version. I wasn't aware it was an unlicensed release though.
@@RetroCore When you have the time, here's a little history. During the 70's and early 80's, Brazil was under a military dictatorship, which had put in place some nationalist laws that outlawed importing and made it extremely difficult for foreign companies to get into the national market. In summary, you could import parts and assemble here, but never import the final product. So Brazilian companies like CCE started making games and consoles for the Atari 2600 and later for the NES. There's a documentary made here (in Portuguese) where the president of the company said they reached out to both Atari and Nintendo for partnerships, but they declined. So CCE remaing unlicensed until the early 90's when both Atari and Nintendo finally partnered with two local companies Gradient and Playtronic. Playtronic was a brand new company created just so it could bring Nintendo to Brazil, a joint venture between Gradient and another Brazilian toy company. So Gradient suddenly became Atari and Nintendo here, and all unlicensed such as CCE had to stop production.
As an NES kid I got a 2600 for practically nothing at a garage sale and would buy carts for $1 at other garage sales. I actually was very happy with my Mario Bros cart for $1. In the 16 bit era people liked to dub things like Sega CD, 32X and even TG16 as "failed systems" but all of those were amazing experiences for the relatively low cost of the system compared to the poor schmucks who shelled out full price for a 5200 or 7800. Looking at the full price of those Atari consoles and games at the time...yikes. Famicom was such a powerhouse at the time of it's Japan launch.
And yes, I still prefer the 7800 and Atari 8 Bit (XE) versions over the original Famicom/NES one. Also there's a NES version released in Europe during the 90s.
Asides from the Speccy version being garbage, I remember discovering an interesting glitch with it as a kid...basically you can just stand on either the middle left or middle right platforms and headbutt the floor directly underneath the pipes at the top to kill enemies instantly the moment they emerge from them. Completely breaks the game (even more than it already is).
I didn’t see it on here, but I had “Mario Bros. VGA” for my dos computer. I think it was made by one guy that was an unofficial freeware port made in 1990. It didn’t control that well, but I did like it’s graphics even if they were a little dark
For the longest time the Atari 2600 one was the one I knew the most, playing it on the hand me down system I got because my parents made me save up money for my own NES. There was something about it I rather liked and without comparison to any of the other versions, I guess it was okay. Even when I did manage to get the NES, I never got Mario Bros. My friend had it, but I played it at his house and didn't borrow it. I only recently tried the original arcade version, and unlike most of the Nintendo versions I've played, I find it slippery.
@@RetroCore Oh, definitely. Once I played the NES version I just couldn't get back into that version. But I admit it has an unintentional so bad it's good charm looking back. Turning the coins into "wafers," the shuffly controls and sound when Mario was walking. Between this port and the hilariously bad ports of DK and DK Jr, no wonder Nintendo is so protective of their IP. Can't say I blame them.
The FamiCom, NES and the Nintendo Disk System versions come the closest to the arcade hands down. I would be confident in saying if by some crazy miracle Nintendo Japan was able to launch the FamiCom in North America and even Europe in 1983... it would have been like seeing how close to the arcade Altered Beast was on the Sega MegaDrive Genesis from 1988 to 1990 (Japan, North America and Europe launches) Also this really backs up how much of a smash hit the FamiCom was in Japan since 1983 to 1986, considering that once they launched... they had a close to the arcade experience... plus it was two players. Basically Nintendo could have utterly squashed Atari in 83 outside Japan because I recall that there was a lot of hype for Mario Bros and Donkey Kong as games on Atari and others and the crazy part is that even though it was made by Nintendo for a while it seemed like it was made by "Parker Brothers" until you noticed the fine print. Pretty sure the FamiCom NES could easily handle a *nearly* fully arcade perfect version on a larger ROM Cartridge...than the already excellent conversion which must have driven sales records. This is gonna be interesting when we get into Super Mario Bros since iirc there is a type of conversion for one of the Japanese PCs... probably the NEC 88 type and although in a certain way the Super FamiCom SNES lifecycle was technically cut short due to a crazed rising competition in the 90s that Nintendo didn't try to offer an arcade accurate version once Namco and a few others were somewhat doing that with early 80s conversions for the Nintendo 16bit machine.
As someone from the UK, Atari is a laughing joke of a company. They may have been the first to be a major home name in the West but man, their hardware all the way through to the Jaguar was subpar. The Famicom even outshone their 7800, a machine which was released many years after.
Mark, the real Atari XL/XE version is not like that. The one in the video is an unofficial 5200 conversion. The game published by Atari is a different build. But a good choice of game for your video. Cheers! It seems as though I'm often knocking your Atari 8-bit coverage. But I just try to clarify, not criticise. :-)
I has a XE rom as well but couldn't get it to work. I had no idea it was different from the one I showed. Oh well. It is good to know that Atari 8bit Micro users did actually get a bespoke version of the game.
Amstrad Mario looks like Brian Johnson from ACDC 😅😂 Thanks Mark 💕 P. S how come Nintendo allowed other conversion to be made for other platforms? Was it because of a late Nes arrival?
Lol, Brian Johnson. Nice one! Not sure the deal was with the Ports. Maybe they knew Ocean would mess them up making the NES version look massively superior?
I remember playing the heck out of the US C64 port back in the day as a kid, and really liking it. Far as the sound on the Apple II without something like a 3rd party Mocking Board card installed(few games supported it) that's just the way it was for a lot of software being nearly as bad as the IBM PC Speaker.
I played the arcade in the 80s and it was great fun with two players. I'd not seen the Amstrad one in action before now. When Mario / Old Dude stands still it looks as though he's wearing ice skates.
Happy New Year to you and your family, I hope 2022 is a better year, at least hope is not lost. I remember playing this game a lot in arcade, I hated it but it was addictive, I got it as a gift along with others for my atari 5200, strangely I enjoyed it more there.
Actually surprised there wasn’t more ports of this back in the day, especially with the lack of ports to Japanese home computers. Anyway the only versions that matter are on Nintendo’s own systems and I guess that makes sense. I’m shocked just how bad the Ocean published ports seem to play just from watching you try and play them although I will at least give credit to the Amstrad version for looking ok (well except for Mario himself anyway) and running decently (not a given on a system known for running many games slowly). The Atari made ports seem a mixed bag with probably the Apple II version being at least reasonably technically impressive for the hardware.
@@RetroCore Huh, so like the odd home computer ports of Super Mario Bros. called Super Mario Bros. Special for the PC-8801 and Sharp X1 by Hudson Soft which did not scroll going from one screen to another and ran poorly compared to the NES original.
One does wonder, how the 1v1 version from SMB3 stacks up against these official ports. Can't say how complete that one was, but, first party Nintendo game? Could be good.
My favourite Mario game of all time (despites it's a Donkey Kong franchise). I love it! And I love the NES port. The CPC and Specy ports are fuc... hilarious xD. Specially if you didn't buy it. Thanks for this Battle of the Ports, Mark. Have a nice New Year in Japan!
I know others have already said it, but you're missing both the updated NES version (released only in Europe and dubbed the "Classic Series" version) and the GBA version that was included in pretty much every main Mario game for the GBA. That aside; Great video and Happy New Year!
The GBA version is a remake, not a direct port otherwise he would had included the SMB3 version and the Virtual Boy version which is called Mario Clash and is a 3D remake of that game.
Coin op is an all around classic. NES is among the best ports on the system. 2600 is bad. 5200 is middle of the road. Apple ][ is a somewhat lazy port. First C64 does decent business. Second C64 is awful like most Euro arcade ports on the system. CPC is a waste. ZX Spectrum is the drizzling shits. 7800 is a missed opportunity. Atari 8 bit PC is a me. FDS is breathtaking. I'm shocked by how I maintain my composure while drunk (it was almost midnight when I got home from work and got through 1/2 of bottle of rosé when the clock hit midnight) is surprisingly excellent. Happy new year.
You'd think even Ocean wouldn't be able to screw up a game this simplistic, but of course they couldn't even get it right. Also feel the same about the Atari versions, even if they aren't quite that level of crap. Actually, I'm more surprised the Apple ][ got a port this good. Yeah the sound is awful, but that's almost always the case for the system. I'd say the Arcade>FDS>Famicom/NES>C64 US>Apple ][>>>>>all Atari consoles>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>any of the crap Ocean made
Ok, I hate to judge, but the Atari 2600 port is NOT CRAP. I played it and even if it looks sort of bad and plays weird, it IS playable. Just takes a bit getting used to. >=(
Sure. Maybe saying crap was a bit harsh. If it was the only version someone had ever played, I can see them enjoying it as they'd have no benchmark to go from.
Another excellent and slightly ear breaking vid thanks Mark. I've never been a fan of this game tbh but I'll tip my hat to the excellent nes version, however those Atari and 8 bit computer conversions are just diabolical, oh my the sound on that 7800 is like a recording of a rectum having a spasm. You make great vids and deserve a medal again for enduring the 8bit education for the masses.
I hear you on not being a fan of this game. Personally, I can't stand it at all. I also can't stand Super Mario. I just hate the jump physics. Sadly, I may be putting myself through pain again.
I thought the 7800 version was fine. I hadn't played the arcade version at that time. I knew it was better than the other 8bit ports available in the US.Since it was my first Mario Bros, I liked it better than the NES version for visuals and gameplay. Not sound of course.
Nice. Before watch this video, I thought that the first Mario game was only released in nintendo sistems. Also I didn't see the Gameboy Advance port of this game, that was included in the Mario Advance games. Is that port similar to the NES game or is different?.?. Thanks in Advance and happy new year 🎆 👀✌🏻. Here in south América rest a few hour till new year.
![[Watch Party] RoV Pro League 2024 Winter | with Moowan ( Bacon Time Vs Talon )](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/CCEDhu6dPN8/mqdefault.jpg)
Love the original arcade game. I've always wished Nintendo would do like a "Namco Museum" type collection with their actual arcade titles instead of just constant rehashes of the Famicom/NES ports. Would love to have legit versions of the Mario Bros and Donkey Kong arcade games in a nice Nintendo package.
You can get the arcade versions on switch
They'll never do that because I want to release them again and again as single games for an over charged amount on their virtual console service.
ya it kinda makes me sad that the eshop and virtual console sorta killed the idea of nintendo ever doing a compilation game like that cause it wouldve been nice to see that but also including games that didnt get totally accurate home ports like punch out and then earlier nintendo arcade games
@@videostak PUNCH OUT IS AN ARCADE GAME?????
@@AbsnormalCoolest it is, it's very different from the nes version, there's a arcade version of Super Punch Out too both on Nintendo Switch
Played the heck out of the Apple 2 version back in the day. One of the best arcade ports I had for it. Then played even more when it was released as a bonus game on all the SMB GBA titles.
The Atari XE version is easily one of the best versions of Mario Bros.
I agree, but retro core instead did the 5200 conversion Atari 800. Maybe he must've forgoten that it exists.
@@AnimationMaster167 that's exactly what I thought
I did indeed forget about the XE version.
fond memories of this game. i dont know if its the fact its mario or how its fun despite the super simplicity of it but i still love this game 35+ years later.
The ads on Kaettekita Mario Bros. reminds me of one cover of Transformers: Convoy no Nazo main BGM song which someone from Japan did almost 15 years ago on TH-cam: "If you're Japanese~, let's eat Ochazuke~, but only from Nagatanien~, hmm~ / delicious~"
Fun fact: the Famicom Disk System port of Mario Bros is also the European (not UK) NES port and those guys even got the tutorial cutscene that most ports don’t have.
Cool. I never knew that.
Interesting that there are so many versions released after the NES was released in the west, especially the 7800 version which clearly is a port of the NES version. I guess companies like Atari had a contract to port the game that had not expired yet at that point.
I guess so. It is a strange one.
@@RetroCore, there was also a second NES version of the game, released exclusively in Europe, as Mario Bros Classic.
This version features intermissions from the arcade, and allows you to change direction in mid-air, while some graphics from the arcade have also been retained, like the Koopas.
If you're someone like me whose childhood was mostly spent during the 1990s, then chances are the first time you played "Mario Bros." was actually in the 2-player battle stages featured in "Super Mario Bros. 3", which is how I was introduced to the game. ;)
The 8-bit Atari version was not what was shown. The version that came out when Atari put out the XEGS was done by Sculptured Software, and hot damn, was it good for the hardware. Even had the enemy intros.
There are people online who swears up and down that the Atari versions are better than the NES version. Thanks for setting the record straight.
4:11
Mario: Hi again!
Fly: Nope 😎
*Pwned*
you know, the arcade versions' music and sound effects are hard to come by, and instead you have to watch the playthroughs to hear it.
The best part about the Ocean port is just the title theme
I have to admit, I kinda liked hearing the Turkish March on the C64 UK version’s title screen :P
It was a very odd choice to put on there.
I remember playing the Ocean C64 version of this and it always stuck with me how bad it was! It's why I've never been a fan of this game!! I guess I should go back and give the much better versions of it a go!! As always, a great BotP Mark!
Oh man, I can understand why you would have never liked this game if it was the Ocean C64 version you had only played. That is so bad.
All the budget went on the title screen art and music.
@@fungo6631 And the magazine adverts in hope of gaining good review scores.
Never been a fan of the NES version, and I guess this is an issue with all versions save for the GBA one but I always hated how even if you were just slightly off with your jump, Mario would just jump through the platforms or pow block
It never made any sense to me and Ice Climber has the same issue.
Thankfully the GBA version exists in the various Mario Advance games. That one is still the best.
But I know it's not covered in this video as it's more of a remake than an actual port
There’s also a GBA version included in the 4 Super Mario Advance games as well as Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.
I loved this game growing up and still do to this day!
Even after all this time It's still weird seeing a Mario game on non-Nintendo platforms.
In the Super Mario Bros. 3 version, the shellcreepers got replaced by Lakitu's spinies. Not only that the game also featured two exclusive bonus stages for the game, a treasure pipe that constantly pop out coins and enemies and a construction level which had multiple coin blocks.
i remember playing the nes ports on the tv at my grandma's house i had a mini-nes at christmas so to be honest life in 2018 was nice
I have not seen an arcade cab of this game since 1984 or so, but have the NES version, and the GBA version on all 4 Super Mario Advance titles. There's the version in Mario 3, but it's more of a battle game, and can't be played 1 player.
There's also the Virtual Boy version called Mario Clash which is also a 3D remake of this same game too.
One of my son's favorite games
I don't understand why Nintendo doesn't celebrate Mario's anniversaries starting with this game instead of 1985's Super Mario Bros. I mean, this IS the first Mario game.
Yeah, that is a strange one.
When has Nintendo acknowledged any video game made before the NES??
@@MistaMaddog247 Uhh, Donkey Kong?
Yes, and even the character is from 1981...
In arcade Donkey Kong Jr, Mario was referred to as Mario rather than just carpenter or whatever.
You got the wrong version on the Atari 8-bit computers. Well, kinda. That version seems to have been released in disk or tape form in 1983. The 1988 version is so much different and was made with the XEVGS in mind. It even features the intros from the arcade.
Great video, Mark! One local pizza shop that was very close to me had Mario Bros and DK machines (and never any other machines) from when they opened in '85-ish until when they closed in the mid-90s. So, I played a fair bit more of those two than most other games just because it was so close. I was just too young when Mario Bros actually hit, but by the time the pizza place was open, I had played enough Atari 2600 and Coleco's Donkey Kong port on the VCS that I was quite interested in playing this new-to-me game with Mario (and only played DK a few times, since, though I really liked the arcade version, we already had it at home). We ended up with the 2600 port of Mario Bros. at my request, but, like you said, it's not too hot (I definitely like the 2600 DK port more). My uncle bought an NES in '86, and rented that port a couple of times when I over to his house. That was a significantly better, but I was more interested in playing Super Mario by then. By the time I got an NES in '89, I just never even thought to pick Mario Bros (did get DK Classics though). up. Even though I've played a fair amount of Mario Bros in the arcade, on the 2600, and the bonus versions in SMB3 and the Mario Advance series, I still prefer Donkey Kong over Mario Bros. to this day; however, Mario Bros. has one absolutely major thing going for it over Donkey Kong: you can play as Luigi. In DK, you are stuck playing with that fat, limp-noodle Mario; where as, in Mario Bros., if you have a friend or are willing to drop in 2 coins, you can play as mack-daddy, big-spaghetti Luigi!
Nice story of your history with this game. I've never actually seen a real Mario arcade cabinet. I've seen real popeye and Donkey Kong cabinets but never the original Mario Bros.
@@RetroCore I've seen 3 Mario Bros. cabs that I recall: the one I mentioned, a second in a bowling alley around the same time, and then more recently I've played the one at Galloping Ghost near Chicago, though it's been a couple years. I've only seen a Popeye cab once and that was at Galloping Ghost, never around when I was young. I did have the 2600 port and rented the NES version, but I much prefer DK and DK Jr.
You didn’t mention a few gameplay features - you can punch fireballs from below to destroy them if they’re on a platform (same for the traveling ice if it hasn’t activated) for points, enemy scores double if you knock several over in a row, and enemies speed up if they recover before you can knock them out. Good video as always regardless! 👍
Just when i thought i was going to bed. Happy new year!
The Apple ][ farting audio feels so nostalgic to me!
Lol, it reminds me on my Commodore Plus 4.
Some C64 versions bring me back to memories of when you'd actually produce a game or a demo or art or music in full on a week-weekend long party.
OCEAN in a nutshell?
The Ocean Software releases of Mario Bros. on the Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum and European-exclusive Commodore 64 versions look like they were made on a really low-budget.
Are you sure Ocean isn't LJN in disguise?
I read (a long time ago) in a magazine article that Spongebob's Mr.Krabs' final design was inspired by the Mario Bros crab enemies.
The character itself was based on a real restaurant manager but the cartoonish final design by the Mario crabs.
That seems very plausible 😊
The unpardonable sin of the original NES version, aside from being a rather sad port, is that you don't get to see the turtles in their underwear. It's worth sitting through a few rice and ramen commercials to get that action in the FDS version that came later.
Mama Mia, I thought a game of this magnitude would be episode 400
Thought I'd kick off the new year with a big requested title.
Due To This Being Released, We Could Possibly Get A Battle Of The Ports For Super Mario Bros. Later This Year.
Ooh, how did you know I was looking in to that.
@@RetroCore You Also Missed Tricks By Not Including The Enhanced Remake, Known As Mario Bros. Classic, Which Can Be Found In The Super Mario Advance Series Of Games, & Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga.
Excellent choice with Mario Bros to see on New Years Eve Mark. Wishing you and your love ones a Happy New Year, and always a pleasure to see your works on your channel my good man. 8^)
Anthony..
4:12 The original spawnkill
Fun Fact, the Atari 8-bit computer version looks identical to the 5200, but is actually not a copy-paste process, like many 5200/8-bit conversions. That's because in some point between the release of the two ports, Atari LOST the source code of the game, so they had to program again.
And they only released to annoy Nintendo.
That's wrong. It's a new version with new graphics and mechanics. The one showed here is just the 5200 version converted by the user's community some years ago.
The Atari 8 Bit Version is actually different, and not just a port of the 5200 Game.
Yeah, that's right. Sadly I wasn't aware of that when making this video.
A true classic. The curious thing, that obviously we discovered many years later, is that the game was released together with the NES in Japan, just when everyone was predicting the end of video games in America and Europe due to the great crisis of 1983.
Europe was thrilling to the C64 and Spectrum, so I have no idea what you're talking about.
They wouldn't suffer anything like a videogame crash until much later, when Japanese companies and American designed PCs could easily replace what was lost.
The "great video game crash" was just an American thing. There never was any crash in Japan or Europe.
@@RetroCore
Then why did every British hardware spec ultimately fail, beyond the 8-bit glory days of micro? It was a bit of a bloodbath.
Without foreign intervention, your videogame crash would have affected the general public, as well.
Most people often refer to this game as "regular Mario Bros." or other similar names to avoid confusion with the more iconic Super Mario Bros. 1 and the whole franchise.
There are other versions including the ones in the NES and Super Mario All*Stars versions of Super Mario Bros. 3 and the Super Mario Advance ones. The Game & Watch version and its Game & Watch Gallery ports don't count. They are completely different.
I played the 2600 version growing up and enjoyed it at the time. I guess even a crap version of a great game can still be pretty good. Or I had low standards when I was 6, take your pick.
If it's all you had at the time- it's easy to find nostalgia in these kinds of things ;P
Outside of the arcade, the 2600 version was the only one I had and I played the hell out of it. It was one of my favorite games on the system.
I bought a copy of the 2600 for a buck after I already had NES Super Mario Bros and a few other games. Really enjoyed it for how little I paid and I remember getting really far to the point where the difficulty ramped up.
Another good video and I appreciate the time it takes to put these things together :) Somebody needs to produce a homebrew conversion for the Spectrum actually worthy of the arcade as that early Ocean port was poor.
Thank you, alaggan.
Happy new year, man! God bless and may the good videos keep flowing. :D
Oh, and a silly story: bought this game in 1991 in a records store thinking it was Super Mario Bros. I thought the Super in the title wouldn't made a big difference, but how wrong I was. And disappointed. xD
Happy New Years man !
9:32 thats angus young of ac/dc lol
Love the game but I hate the ice enemy.
The Atari 8bit port you reviewed is actually a home brew port of the 5200 version. The actual released port by Atari for the 8bit is a completely different port believe it or not. Also note it has trouble working with emulators so the colors may look wrong if you decide to play it.
Thus is correct the XEGS version from 1989 is much better than the one shown.
Ah, the XE version. I had a rom of that but couldn't get it to work. Wish it did now.
🎶Mario! Where are You?🎶
Happy New Yea Everybody!
For some reason, the rom you used for the 2600 version is the Brazilian one, published here by a local company called CCE. They always found a way to hack their names into the games. That makes this version the only unlicensed one in your video, as it is the case with all CCE games. I thought you would like to know that 🤓
Hehe, I did have the Atari one but actually loaded up and recorded the CCE release. One I saw they were the same I just stuck with the CCE version. I wasn't aware it was an unlicensed release though.
@@RetroCore
When you have the time, here's a little history.
During the 70's and early 80's, Brazil was under a military dictatorship, which had put in place some nationalist laws that outlawed importing and made it extremely difficult for foreign companies to get into the national market. In summary, you could import parts and assemble here, but never import the final product. So Brazilian companies like CCE started making games and consoles for the Atari 2600 and later for the NES. There's a documentary made here (in Portuguese) where the president of the company said they reached out to both Atari and Nintendo for partnerships, but they declined. So CCE remaing unlicensed until the early 90's when both Atari and Nintendo finally partnered with two local companies Gradient and Playtronic. Playtronic was a brand new company created just so it could bring Nintendo to Brazil, a joint venture between Gradient and another Brazilian toy company. So Gradient suddenly became Atari and Nintendo here, and all unlicensed such as CCE had to stop production.
As an NES kid I got a 2600 for practically nothing at a garage sale and would buy carts for $1 at other garage sales. I actually was very happy with my Mario Bros cart for $1. In the 16 bit era people liked to dub things like Sega CD, 32X and even TG16 as "failed systems" but all of those were amazing experiences for the relatively low cost of the system compared to the poor schmucks who shelled out full price for a 5200 or 7800. Looking at the full price of those Atari consoles and games at the time...yikes. Famicom was such a powerhouse at the time of it's Japan launch.
I remember playing this after super mb and being thrown off by not being able to jump directly onto enemies lol.
Lol, that was the first thing I tried, too.
Adored the NES version.
And yes, I still prefer the 7800 and Atari 8 Bit (XE) versions over the original Famicom/NES one. Also there's a NES version released in Europe during the 90s.
Asides from the Speccy version being garbage, I remember discovering an interesting glitch with it as a kid...basically you can just stand on either the middle left or middle right platforms and headbutt the floor directly underneath the pipes at the top to kill enemies instantly the moment they emerge from them. Completely breaks the game (even more than it already is).
The only way to play a turd in my opinion.
Not an official version, I think, but theree was a MS DOS versión called Mario Brothers VGA :P It was fun but I never really played that much
This is where Ninja Turtles got its start
Played the heck out of the version featured in Super Mario Bros 3 multiplayer's with my sister : good memories
Another great video. The Famicon versions looked the best to me.
Great video, also interesting to see Nintendo release on multi platform
Back in the early days I guess they could make more money farming out licenses.
Snif, why did the Amstrad got such a terrible port after Donkey Kong being so great ?
Happy New Fkng Year Mark!
I didn’t see it on here, but I had “Mario Bros. VGA” for my dos computer. I think it was made by one guy that was an unofficial freeware port made in 1990. It didn’t control that well, but I did like it’s graphics even if they were a little dark
It was an unofficial port. There was quite a few of them out there.
For the longest time the Atari 2600 one was the one I knew the most, playing it on the hand me down system I got because my parents made me save up money for my own NES. There was something about it I rather liked and without comparison to any of the other versions, I guess it was okay. Even when I did manage to get the NES, I never got Mario Bros. My friend had it, but I played it at his house and didn't borrow it. I only recently tried the original arcade version, and unlike most of the Nintendo versions I've played, I find it slippery.
I think if the 2600 version was all that you knew, it would have been okay. Its only once compared to others can we see how poor it is.
@@RetroCore Oh, definitely. Once I played the NES version I just couldn't get back into that version. But I admit it has an unintentional so bad it's good charm looking back. Turning the coins into "wafers," the shuffly controls and sound when Mario was walking. Between this port and the hilariously bad ports of DK and DK Jr, no wonder Nintendo is so protective of their IP. Can't say I blame them.
Dude Happy new Year. May this year bring you many blessings and help you bring us many interesting videos.
Happy New Year and thanks for watching so far.
APPLE2로 옛날에 했던 게임.
컬러가 아닌 모니터로 1987년에
매일마다 했던 슈퍼마리오
The FamiCom, NES and the Nintendo Disk System versions come the closest to the arcade hands down.
I would be confident in saying if by some crazy miracle Nintendo Japan was able to launch the FamiCom in North America and even Europe in 1983... it would have been like seeing how close to the arcade Altered Beast was on the Sega MegaDrive Genesis from 1988 to 1990 (Japan, North America and Europe launches)
Also this really backs up how much of a smash hit the FamiCom was in Japan since 1983 to 1986, considering that once they launched... they had a close to the arcade experience... plus it was two players. Basically Nintendo could have utterly squashed Atari in 83 outside Japan because I recall that there was a lot of hype for Mario Bros and Donkey Kong as games on Atari and others and the crazy part is that even though it was made by Nintendo for a while it seemed like it was made by "Parker Brothers" until you noticed the fine print.
Pretty sure the FamiCom NES could easily handle a *nearly* fully arcade perfect version on a larger ROM Cartridge...than the already excellent conversion which must have driven sales records.
This is gonna be interesting when we get into Super Mario Bros since iirc there is a type of conversion for one of the Japanese PCs... probably the NEC 88 type and although in a certain way the Super FamiCom SNES lifecycle was technically cut short due to a crazed rising competition in the 90s that Nintendo didn't try to offer an arcade accurate version once Namco and a few others were somewhat doing that with early 80s conversions for the Nintendo 16bit machine.
As someone from the UK, Atari is a laughing joke of a company. They may have been the first to be a major home name in the West but man, their hardware all the way through to the Jaguar was subpar. The Famicom even outshone their 7800, a machine which was released many years after.
Mark, the real Atari XL/XE version is not like that. The one in the video is an unofficial 5200 conversion. The game published by Atari is a different build.
But a good choice of game for your video. Cheers!
It seems as though I'm often knocking your Atari 8-bit coverage. But I just try to clarify, not criticise. :-)
I has a XE rom as well but couldn't get it to work. I had no idea it was different from the one I showed. Oh well. It is good to know that Atari 8bit Micro users did actually get a bespoke version of the game.
Excelente video me encanta
*Nintendo and ATARI 2600 were the best and playable versions!*
You forgot the european exclusive nes version of this that makes it more like the arcade game.
Amstrad Mario looks like Brian Johnson from ACDC 😅😂
Thanks Mark 💕
P. S how come Nintendo allowed other conversion to be made for other platforms? Was it because of a late Nes arrival?
LOL, I thought Mario was trying out for AC⚡DC!
Lol, Brian Johnson. Nice one!
Not sure the deal was with the Ports. Maybe they knew Ocean would mess them up making the NES version look massively superior?
Ocean had very talented and skilled coders and musicians inhouse. I don't know how they published this :(
Ocean.. was an exception when they did release something playable.
Indeed. Companies such as Ocean and US Gold really did give the UK game industry an image of crap products.
@@RetroCore Titus, Gremlin, the list goes on. Good thing I didn´t knew any better back then what could have been.
You forget the Super Mario All-Star Version. It isn't hidding because it is a games collection D=
The best one in my opinion.
My most favorite version by far is the GBA version. :)
I still think the Super NES version which was included in Super Mario All-Stars within SMB3 is the better version despite only having 2-Players.
I remember playing the heck out of the US C64 port back in the day as a kid, and really liking it.
Far as the sound on the Apple II without something like a 3rd party Mocking Board card installed(few games supported it) that's just the way it was for a lot of software being nearly as bad as the IBM PC Speaker.
Just as well you weren't playing the UK C64 version. That's awful.
There is an NES version based on the FDS version too, I think it only came out in Germany.
I played the arcade in the 80s and it was great fun with two players.
I'd not seen the Amstrad one in action before now. When Mario / Old Dude stands still it looks as though he's wearing ice skates.
Lol, he may as well be considering how slippery the floor is.
Happy New Year to you and your family, I hope 2022 is a better year, at least hope is not lost.
I remember playing this game a lot in arcade, I hated it but it was addictive, I got it as a gift along with others for my atari 5200, strangely I enjoyed it more there.
Actually surprised there wasn’t more ports of this back in the day, especially with the lack of ports to Japanese home computers. Anyway the only versions that matter are on Nintendo’s own systems and I guess that makes sense. I’m shocked just how bad the Ocean published ports seem to play just from watching you try and play them although I will at least give credit to the Amstrad version for looking ok (well except for Mario himself anyway) and running decently (not a given on a system known for running many games slowly). The Atari made ports seem a mixed bag with probably the Apple II version being at least reasonably technically impressive for the hardware.
For some reason all Japanese home computers got a game called Mario Bros Special. It's quite different than the original so I didn't feature it.
@@RetroCore Huh, so like the odd home computer ports of Super Mario Bros. called Super Mario Bros. Special for the PC-8801 and Sharp X1 by Hudson Soft which did not scroll going from one screen to another and ran poorly compared to the NES original.
7800 version is great imo.
One does wonder, how the 1v1 version from SMB3 stacks up against these official ports. Can't say how complete that one was, but, first party Nintendo game? Could be good.
Couldn't say either. Never played that one.
My favourite Mario game of all time (despites it's a Donkey Kong franchise). I love it! And I love the NES port. The CPC and Specy ports are fuc... hilarious xD. Specially if you didn't buy it.
Thanks for this Battle of the Ports, Mark. Have a nice New Year in Japan!
I know others have already said it, but you're missing both the updated NES version (released only in Europe and dubbed the "Classic Series" version) and the GBA version that was included in pretty much every main Mario game for the GBA.
That aside; Great video and Happy New Year!
The GBA version is a remake, not a direct port otherwise he would had included the SMB3 version and the Virtual Boy version which is called Mario Clash and is a 3D remake of that game.
The updated NES version is just the Japanese disk System game with all the ads removed.
Big like drop from Old Nerd 👍😉
Finally A New Battle Of The Ports For Everyone’s Favorite Red Wearing Plumber!
It took a long time coming but it finally arrived.
Coin op is an all around classic. NES is among the best ports on the system. 2600 is bad. 5200 is middle of the road. Apple ][ is a somewhat lazy port. First C64 does decent business. Second C64 is awful like most Euro arcade ports on the system. CPC is a waste. ZX Spectrum is the drizzling shits. 7800 is a missed opportunity. Atari 8 bit PC is a me. FDS is breathtaking. I'm shocked by how I maintain my composure while drunk (it was almost midnight when I got home from work and got through 1/2 of bottle of rosé when the clock hit midnight) is surprisingly excellent. Happy new year.
Happy New year!
Happy New Year young lad! Another year stuck inside playing video games; harsh. 😁👍
Happy New Year🎉
Wasn't there a PC 8801 version by Hudson?Anyway I heard it was a little different ,so not the same game.
All Japanese PC's got a game called Mario Bros Special. It's actually quite different.
Go home Atari 7800 Mario Bros. You're drunk. lol.
You'd think even Ocean wouldn't be able to screw up a game this simplistic, but of course they couldn't even get it right.
Also feel the same about the Atari versions, even if they aren't quite that level of crap. Actually, I'm more surprised the Apple ][ got a port this good. Yeah the sound is awful, but that's almost always the case for the system. I'd say the Arcade>FDS>Famicom/NES>C64 US>Apple ][>>>>>all Atari consoles>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>any of the crap Ocean made
Ok, I hate to judge, but the Atari 2600 port is NOT CRAP. I played it and even if it looks sort of bad and plays weird, it IS playable. Just takes a bit getting used to. >=(
Sure. Maybe saying crap was a bit harsh. If it was the only version someone had ever played, I can see them enjoying it as they'd have no benchmark to go from.
Sooo the Atari 2600 version then..
That 2017 Atari fan review for it, 9/10 a lot of Fun to play..
Absolute nonsense by sounds of it?
Another excellent and slightly ear breaking vid thanks Mark. I've never been a fan of this game tbh but I'll tip my hat to the excellent nes version, however those Atari and 8 bit computer conversions are just diabolical, oh my the sound on that 7800 is like a recording of a rectum having a spasm. You make great vids and deserve a medal again for enduring the 8bit education for the masses.
I hear you on not being a fan of this game. Personally, I can't stand it at all. I also can't stand Super Mario. I just hate the jump physics. Sadly, I may be putting myself through pain again.
Wish you had showed the Colecovision version. It was pretty rare, but it looked fantastic.
Well, it wasn't an official release back in the day, so I guess that's why. Glad you liked it though! :)
@@tursilion Nice of you to reply. It would have shown the opposite of what Ocean did for every port.
I had no idea about this one. Sometimes it's tricky to find out about unofficial versions unless it's a system I follow.
There are versions missing from this video, such as the Atari XE port and Mario Bros. Classic for the GBA.
Mario Bros Classic isn't a port. It's a remake
@@solarflare9078 But still could be included.
You missed one of Mario bros is gba version not old one is form super Mario advance series all 4 has Mario bros ether one will do
It's emulation.
I thought the 7800 version was fine. I hadn't played the arcade version at that time. I knew it was better than the other 8bit ports available in the US.Since it was my first Mario Bros, I liked it better than the NES version for visuals and gameplay. Not sound of course.
Nice. Before watch this video, I thought that the first Mario game was only released in nintendo sistems. Also I didn't see the Gameboy Advance port of this game, that was included in the Mario Advance games. Is that port similar to the NES game or is different?.?. Thanks in Advance and happy new year 🎆 👀✌🏻. Here in south América rest a few hour till new year.
I wasn't aware of the GBA version besides the emulated Famicom port as part of the Famicom / NES classics series.
@@RetroCore oh! I understand, thanks for answer ✌🏻.