Mario Bros. (NES)

Mario Bros.

Plumbers Mario and Luigi must dispose of all the critters coming out of pipes in the action-packed arcade game that initiated the most popular video game franchise of all time. Two players can cooperate and compete in one of the first multiplayer hits of Nintendo.

As its title suggests, Mario Bros. marks the first appearance of Mario's brother Luigi when two players compete together. The game also introduces several staples of the franchise. Mario is now a plumber (instead of a carpenter in Donkey Kong), faces turtle-like enemies and can collect coins in bonus stages. However be careful, it is not yet possible to directly jump on enemies like in further episodes. Find a way to make them inoffensive beforehand.

Mario Bros. Review

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Review by Darren Calvert

Mario Bros. Screenshot

Long before Mario became ‘super’ he rid dirty sewers of pests with his brother Luigi. This is a faithful port of the 1983 arcade classic which has been bundled as a freebie in the Super Mario Advance games more recently.

Mario Bros. features an interesting and unique game design, especially if you play with two players. A couple of pipes at the top of the screen spew out several types of pests, including Koopa Troopas, angry crabs, and flies that hop around in a vaguely disturbing fashion. All these critters are deadly to the touch, but if you jump up and slam the ground underneath their footing, they flip over and you can knock them out of the arena. To make matters more complicated, fireballs sometimes show up to ruin your day.

Mario Bros. Screenshot

Mario Bros. takes place entirely on a single screen as waves of pests keep coming, with more, faster pests making your life increasingly difficult. You get occasional respite with a bonus stage, and there's the ever-tempting "POW" block to give the game a bit of strategy; bumping it affects all pests whose feet are planted on the ground.

With two players in the mix, things naturally get competitive as you try to bump off more pests than your friend. You can even bump the other guy straight into harm's way, either intentionally or by accident, a reality that makes both players stay on their toes.

For 500 Wii points it is hard to recommend this game, despite the fact it is still perfectly playable. It is really starting to show its age and will likely not hold your attention for very long, unlike later NES games. This is definitely one for gamers who played this to death when it was first out and want a quick kick of nostalgia.

2/5

Average reader rating: 2.88 (60 ratings)

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Screenshots

Mario Bros. Screenshot Mario Bros. Screenshot Mario Bros. Screenshot Mario Bros. Screenshot

Mario Bros. (Video Clip)

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Have your say about Mario Bros.

1. Shrapnel09 United States 20 Feb 2007, 10:49 GMT

i got this game, man i love the multiplayer action though, very competitive! me and my roommate tore this sucker up all day soon after i got it. he is still beating me in the highscore singleplayer aspect of the game though but i will get more than 240,000 points, you just wait!

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2. Bass X0 United Kingdom 28 Feb 2007, 11:00 GMT

Personally, I think Donkey Kong and Donkey Kong Jr. are more fun than this game. However, I've never played this game in Vs. mode.

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3. Dazza United Kingdom 28 Feb 2007, 11:14 GMT

This game is only really any fun in Vs mode IMHO. The race to steal the coins before the other player can get them is part of the fun and adds to the enjoyment. It's not a bad little game, just don't expect wonders.

4. kirbylova Netherlands 26 Mar 2007, 17:46 GMT

i really think this game is superfun

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5. Kevin United States 28 Mar 2007, 13:41 GMT

The game's a lot of fun. Download it. And yeah, two player mode is great!

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6. Kelvin United Kingdom 04 Apr 2007, 15:59 GMT

If I want to play a single screen two-player type game like this, it'll be Bubble Bobble I'm afraid. So where is the VC version of Bubble Bobble Nintendo? Hmm? :)

7. mario/zelda_fan Canada 23 Apr 2007, 01:49 GMT

Ok well just like a lot of other nes games, I would never download this game for two reasons.

1. Two player is the best and I would never have anyone to play with

2. A lot of my game boy games have this game built into it.
Otherwise it's a pretty good game.

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8. SKTTR Germany 11 Jun 2007, 10:13 GMT

This is definately recommended for 2 players.
One player only will get bored - the levels repeat after Stage 15 or so.
Back in the day it was one of the best multiplayer games.
I remember playing this for hours with my brother.
It's designed for 2 players since it's called Mario Bros. and not Mario Bro.
With two players you can push each other into enemies and that's always good for a laugh. ;)

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9. Mendez United Kingdom 07 Jul 2007, 11:00 GMT

An alright game, but it's already been given out free so many times on the gameboy advance it's a bit of a waste to spend 500 points..

10. josh t United States 15 Aug 2007, 01:07 GMT

i got this for my gameboy so theres no reason for me to buy this but i gotta agree...multiplayer is the best aspect of the game. i don't think it's worth buying if you're not gonna do multiplayer. buy donkey kong of super mario bros. before this, they are better games.

11. Mii be you United States 03 Sep 2007, 05:19 GMT

Daz, sorry to say this, but I think you under-rated the game.
This game's a welcome addtion to anyone's library of VC games.
Recommended to arcade fans.

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12. Link O' Fett United States 19 Nov 2007, 20:41 GMT

It's pretty fun to play with a friend and in short bursts, but it won't last terribly long.

13. Locke United States 20 Nov 2007, 06:17 GMT

Isn't worth the points, but the multiplayer is killer, just ridiculous. Play it in SMB3.

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14. Beau Skunk United States 23 Nov 2007, 10:17 GMT

I always enjoyed this game, even if it is a bit repetative. But It's still quite challenging to reach phase 99, or go for the highest score you can get in single player mode. 2 Players is fun to.
If you never tire of somewhat repetative games, or enjoy arcade-like classics like Pac Man, and Joust, you'll like this. If you already own one of the GBA version though, (In one of the Super Mario Advance games) you might wanna save your Wii points & money. The GBA version is definatelly better, and plays better, unless you wish to expirience the 8-bit classic graphics & sounds. It's still fun to play either game, I feel.

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15. Adamant Norway 25 Nov 2007, 04:54 GMT

There seems to be a lot of miinformation going around - this game is NOT available for the GBA - remakes of it is. In those remakes, te engine hasbeen redesigned, with the biggest change being the ability to control your jump a lot better, something that really takes a lot away from the game. Would you like to play a racing game where you had absolute complete control of your ca at any given time, making skidding, braking, timing and such ompletely obsolete, as the carwould stay glued to the road and turn exactly as you wanted it to at any given time? No, where's te challenge in that? The NES Mario Bros, however, provides the PURE Mario Bros feeling - the way the game was meant to be played. You can't get this in any of the remakes, and for 5$, this one's a no-brainer. A fantastic 2-player game where layers may either help or hinder eachother, chasing after the highest score of the two, or the highest combind score of all time. Of course, the game can be played alone as well, but is nowhere near as fun like that.
Mario's three original arcade games are some of the best games in thirrespective genres, and definitly not something to be missed. And remember, you can't get the real Mario Bros experience from the remakes.

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16. Clayfrd United States 03 Dec 2007, 04:46 GMT

I love the GBA version of this, but I have yet to try this version. I plan on downloading it soon, because, at least to me, this game has a very good "high score drive." I have tried to get high scores on the GBA games, and I have fun with it. I recommend it unless you have completely worn it out on a Mario GBA game, the arcade, or any other medium.

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17. Jogurt the Yogurt Canada 11 Dec 2007, 23:28 GMT

It's a fun little multiplayer romp, but it lacks the replay value or gameplay depth to warrant anything more than 2 stars. It's not a terrible game, it's just a product of an earlier, innocent age. :)

18. learn japanese ds Canada 09 Jan 2008, 21:06 GMT

This seems like it would be fun for some quick two player action.

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19. dexter United Kingdom 23 Jan 2008, 00:09 GMT

Very dated, but OK in 2 player mode... not really worth 500 points though.

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20. Clayfrd United States 24 Jan 2008, 00:21 GMT

Ah! I downloaded this and love it! It is a great little game, and this version doesn't fail to feed my high score appetite. Download if you've got 500 points and nothing to do with them.

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21. Clayfrd United States 29 Jan 2008, 04:43 GMT

Another update. I played the 2 player mode, and I must say, it is incredibly fun. There are not many other experiences in gaming more satisfying than bouncing off of the head of your greedy brother attempting a robbery of your cash, be it Mario or Luigi, to get that hard-earned coin! Classic! The hectic play with two players is very fun and almost completely justifies the download, and does if added to my previous points.

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22. mario221 Canada 02 Feb 2008, 22:24 GMT

Already have this game on my gba

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23. Virus United States 07 Feb 2008, 04:47 GMT

It's not worth it! Get a better version of it on a GBA game so you can at least get two games in one. The game isn't terrible but it isn't wonderful like some people have been saying it is. Again, if you want it, get it on the GBA. Better single-player, better co-op, better graphics, better everything. Nostalgia isn't even worth the five dollars.

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24. Nigel Canada 07 Feb 2008, 14:56 GMT

I have not downloaded this, but the next time my sister visits I will get it immediately. If you have memories of this game from back in the day (way back), it never gets old.

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25. yeeat Canada 14 Feb 2008, 03:16 GMT

I'll say go with donkey kong rather than this... but it's subjective :)

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26. GameGod3008 United Kingdom 22 Feb 2008, 16:32 GMT

I'm one of those people who have got it with the many GBA versions so i'll pass on this release. The game is okay but it gets repetitive and annoying after a little while

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27. Tony United States 28 Feb 2008, 20:57 GMT

I feel this is an underrated game. I played this game to death on Animal Crossing. It's so easy to pick up and play. Easily worth 500 points

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28. MasterMario United States 01 Mar 2008, 03:39 GMT

If you want to play this game, then your best bet is to play it on the GBA that came with many Mario games.

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29. stinssd United States 17 Mar 2008, 17:53 GMT

To recreate the experience of playing this game without spending points, wait for a rainy day and roll around in a big mud puddle. Then, get a friend in on the action by giving them a bear hug. That's about right.

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30. TheWiiMan Puerto Rico 20 Mar 2008, 20:04 GMT

It really should'nt be 2 stars ⌐_⌐ it's a great game!

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31. Tweek Canada 11 Jun 2008, 01:21 GMT

Pffft.

Why get this when you can get SM3 (which has this as a minigame) for the same price?

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32. Mr. Cheez United States 26 Jun 2008, 04:03 GMT

does Nintendo really expect us to download this when we have the graphically enhanced remake of the game with 4-player support included in 5 different GBA games? Just how dumb do they think we are??

This is a great game though, and an important one in Mario history. this version isn't very good (and a waste of points if you ask me.), but I think it deserves at least 3 stars.

33. King Jiggle United States 27 Jun 2008, 21:22 GMT

I bought this game and loved it. I think if you like classic skill games That keep you reaching for the highest score please buy this! but if you are are a contemperary gamer who only cares about completion then dont rag on this game or others like because if its "dated" feel. and no im not like 40 years old im 17.

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34. classicmike United States 29 Jun 2008, 21:42 GMT

This game is another arcade and pick-up-and-play type of games like balloon fight. This one, however, has better controls, has easier bonus levels,and is overall more fun. I would only recommend this to people who want all of the mario games, people who want to get the higher scores than their friend in 2-player mode, or who just want a game that would get harder a few levels after the first bonus game. If you want a really challenging mario game for the nes, I would recommend super mario bros: the lost levels instead of this game, but overall, this is a really fun mario bros. arcade game. 4/5

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35. angel m. rivera collazo Puerto Rico 14 Jul 2008, 15:35 GMT

arcade style games are my favorites! 4 stars!

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36. angel m. rivera collazo Puerto Rico 14 Jul 2008, 15:37 GMT

king jiggle,i am 39 and im with you. excellent comment!

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37. Beau Skunk United States 12 Aug 2008, 02:29 GMT

Adamant's wrong, the NES version of Mario Bros. HAS been availible for the GBA before via the E-Reader, and the 5-card Mario Bros. E-card pack. (Wich I acctually do own.)
And in Japan it was released as part of the "Famicom Mini/Classic NES Series" for GBA.

And by the way, Tweek.
The version in SMB3 isn't the complete Mario Bros. game. It onley lasts a few minutes, (and onley has one Mario Bros. level) and it doesn't have a single player mode.
So you don't really get the actual full Mario Bros. game in SMB3, but a watered down mini-game version.

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