Mario Bros. (‘Pulse Line’ version)

The arcade classic arrives on Famicom

Mario Bros. brought Mario and Luigi together for their first co-op adventure on the Famicom in 1983. This home version of the arcade hit challenged players to clear waves of enemies in a single-screen stage while avoiding hazards like fireballs and icy floors.

Sibling rivalry and teamwork

Unlike later Mario platformers, Mario Bros. didn’t feature running and jumping through levels. Instead, players knocked over enemies like Shellcreepers and Sidesteppers by hitting the platforms beneath them before kicking them off-screen. In two-player mode, cooperation often turned to competition, as players could sabotage each other for points.

The ‘Pulse Line’ edition

This Mario Bros. release belongs to the Famicom’s early “Pulse Line” series, recognizable by the distinctive vertical line on its packaging. These first-run editions are highly sought after by collectors, making this version a standout among classic Nintendo releases.

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