Mario Bros

The iconic platformer on the Commodore 64/128

Released in 1987 for the Commodore 64/128, Mario Bros made its way from the arcades to home computers, with a 5.25″ disk version for Commodore users.

Mario Bros for the Commodore 64 CPC was a port of the original 1983 Nintendo game by UK software label Ocean Software Ltd. Coding was by Choice software. It was available in both cassette and disk-based versions.

Ocean was later acquired by Infogrames in 1996, the company that has evolved into Bandai Namco Entertainment UK Ltd. today.

Developed by Nintendo and published by Ocean Software, this version retained the core elements of the original arcade game while adapting it to the capabilities of the home computer. Players could now control Mario (or Luigi in two-player mode) as they cleared levels by flipping enemies and avoiding obstacles in the familiar pipe-filled environment.

A faithful port with classic platforming action

The 5.25″ disk version of Mario Bros kept the familiar arcade mechanics intact: players had to defeat enemies by flipping them over and clearing each stage before moving to the next. Although the graphics and sound were scaled back compared to the arcade version due to hardware limitations, the game still delivered tight platforming action, challenging players to overcome the variety of levels and obstacles. The disk format allowed for a larger, more detailed version of the game compared to the cassette release, providing a smoother experience.

Expanding Mario’s reach to home computers

Mario Bros on the 5.25″ disk for the Commodore 64/128 was a significant step in expanding Mario’s appeal beyond the arcade and into the world of home computing. By bringing this iconic game to home computers, it helped establish Mario as a household name in the gaming world, long before the release of Super Mario Bros on the NES. For collectors and retro gaming enthusiasts, the disk release remains a key piece of Mario history, showcasing the early steps in Mario’s journey from arcades to homes across the globe.

---