Consolation Prize

When I was a young whipper snapper, at the grand old age of eleven, my father went on a business trip to the land of the Rising Sun. I remember on his return he brought back lots of gifts for the family. One that was intended for yours truly, and something I still hold dear to this very day was Nintendo’s Mario Bros . One of the Game & Watch series of LCD games featuring a dual screen, clock with alarm, and all contained within a protective clamshell design that eventually became the inspiration for the Nintendo DS.

Although Mario Bros. was born in a time where technological limitations dictated the constraints of game design, where playability was distilled into one great idea, it is still as enjoyable to play today as it was back in 1983. It retains that Nintendo charm and there’s something fascinating about reveling in its unashamed simplicity.

The player controls both Mario on the right, and Luigi on the left, working in a bottling factory using the simple “up / down” switches to move the brothers between the different levels. As empty pallets roll off the machine at the bottom right Mario moves them onto the first conveyor belt where at the other end Luigi should be waiting to receive the pallet and move it up on to the next level where it heads back towards Mario. The brothers must “catch” and move the pallets up five levels of conveyors where eventually at the end of the machine Luigi, exhibiting a smile the “Cheshire Cat” would be proud of, throws the full box onto the back of a waiting truck. When fully loaded the truck zooms off into the sunset, earning the boys a well earned few seconds break until the supervisor tells them to get back to work.

The beauty of the game is co-ordinating both Mario and Luigi and trying to keep an eye on both screens at once. It all starts off at a mundane pace but it becomes increasingly more difficult as both the number of pallets on the conveyor and the speed increase. In some ways it’s akin to patting your head and rubbing your stomach at the same time and takes some practice and skill in order to achieve a high score.

Apart from having the distinction of being my first ever “handheld” game it also proved to be my introduction to co-operative multi-player gaming. Due to the very nature of the split screen and the separate controls setting up a game with a friend or family member could be achieved by giving one player control over Luigi and the other control of Mario. A simple workaround it may be, but one that was very effective and provided many hours of entertainment.

The case itself is lovingly crafted, solidly built from durable purple plastic with a beautiful gold reflective fascia emblazoned with the familiar images of Mario and Luigi. Interestingly enough the clamshell opens from left to right, a fact that I paid little attention to all those years ago, but is a mark of its Japanese origins.

From a historical point of interest it’s great to be reminded that Mario started off in in more humble surroundings before he became a plumber and ran off to save the Mushroom Kingdom. Presumably times were tough after he saved Pauline from Donkey Kong, needed some money and ended up working seven days a week in a factory with his brother to make ends meet. Whatever the reason Mario Bros. is nonetheless still an important part of the Mario legacy, a step back in time to Nintendo’s electronic beginnings, and one of my treasured possessions.

Dude, I had that exact game! That’s so awesome. I remember playing that back in elementary school. Wow, what a blast from the past.

Adrenis, that’s really cool! I’m glad the post brought back some memories, happy ones I hope

I wish I had got hold of more “Game & Watch” games when I was younger, the only other one I’ve still got is “Donkey Kong”. I suppose it’s easy enough to emulate them these days but there’s something about owning & playing the game on the original that’s fascinating.

I love these old Game & Watch games, but due to me growing up in the former Soviet Union it was impossible to get the originals, so I know all of them only through research and the Game Boy compilations. My favourite had to be Mario’s Cement Factory, but this one is a close second. I will go and play this game now!
A great article, you have a soothing writing style.

Glad you enjoyed the article Artemendo. Unfortunately I never had the pleasure of playing “Mario’s Cement Factory”, but you never know, hopefully I’ll get around to it one day.