Super Mario Bros. Special is a platform game that was developed by Hudson Soft and released in 1986 for the NEC PC-8801 and Sharp X1 series of Japanese computers, and later for the Samsung SPC-1500 in South Korea. Super Mario Bros. Special was the second Nintendo-licensed follow-up to Super Mario Bros., released around two months after Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. Two years earlier, Hudson Soft had released Punch Ball Mario Bros. and Mario Bros. Special, which were both based on the arcade game Mario Bros..
While superficially very similar to the original Super Mario Bros., the game features original levels and lacks a screen-scrolling mechanism. Jumping and running physics also differ from the original, providing a more challenging experience than Super Mario Bros.. Adding to the difficulty is the fact that the level timer runs much faster than in the NES/Famicom game.
Because the PC88's technology is slightly inferior to the Nintendo Entertainment System and Family Computer, the graphics and audio differ from Super Mario Bros. somewhat. However, they are closely emulated and does not include Luigi or a multiplayer mode.
The Sharp X1 version does contain partial scrolling and better graphics but gives Mario a slightly shorter jump.
New enemies[]
Hudson's staff took these enemies from earlier Mario games, none of which can be stomped, and provided them with new names:
- Tarusar (Barrel) - Originally from Donkey Kong. Can be defeated with a hammer or a bump from below.
- Sigebou (Fire) - Originally from Donkey Kong.
- Chokichoki (Sidestepper) - Originally from Mario Bros. Can be defeated with a fireball or a bump.
- Nakaji (Fighter Fly) - Originally from Mario Bros. Can be defeated with a fireball or a bump.
- Tsurara (Icicle) - Originally from Mario Bros. Can be defeated with a fireball.
New items[]
- Hachisuke (a.k.a. Hu-Bee) - The bee from the Hudson Soft logo. If Mario finds this item, he will be awarded 8,000 points.
- Hammer - The same power-up from Donkey Kong. It even behaves similarly.
- + Clock - Upon picking this up, Mario will get a "Time 100 Up" for the level's timer.
- Wing - Collecting this causes Mario to briefly act as if he is swimming in the air.
- Lucky Star - Found only in World 4-1, it has the appearance of an atom. If Mario collects it, all the enemies on-screen will be killed.
Gallery[]
External links[]
- Super Mario Bros. Special at Super Mario Wiki
- Strange and Wonderful NEC PC-8801 Games (various games covered, including Super Mario Bros. Special)
- Universal Game List entry for Super Mario Bros. Special
- More information on Super Mario Bros. Special
- More information on Sharp X1 version
