Punch Ball Mario Bros. (3.5″ disk version)

A unique take on Mario’s early arcade days

Punch Ball Mario Bros. was an alternative version of Mario Bros., developed by Hudson Soft for Japanese home computers. Unlike the original, where players flipped enemies by hitting the platforms beneath them, this version introduced “Punch Balls”—small bouncing projectiles Mario and Luigi could throw to stun enemies before kicking them away. It was an interesting twist that changed the rhythm of the classic arcade gameplay.

The NEC PC-6601 release

This version was released on a 3.5″ floppy disk for the NEC PC-6601, a higher-end model in NEC’s PC-6000 series. Compared to cassette-based releases, the disk format offered faster loading times and slightly improved performance. The PC-6601’s hardware allowed for better graphics and sound than some of its competitors, but it still retained the simplistic charm of early Mario games. The game’s core mechanics remained faithful to Hudson Soft’s other home computer versions, providing a unique yet familiar experience for players of the time.

A rare Mario curiosity

Since Punch Ball Mario Bros. never made its way to consoles, it remains one of the more obscure titles in Mario’s early history. The NEC PC-6601 version is especially rare, as the system itself wasn’t as widely adopted as some of NEC’s later models. Today, finding a working copy is a challenge, making it a prized item for collectors interested in Nintendo’s early licensing deals and forgotten adaptations.

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