The Times Mario Wasn’t A Nintendo Exclusive

The Times Mario Wasn’t A Nintendo Exclusive

When you think of Mario, you think of Nintendo. The two are linked so firmly in your mind it’s almost impossible to think that the beloved character’s games ever showed up on other systems. But it has happened — and more than once.

Donkey Kong (1981-1988)

The first Mario game (though he was only known as “Jumpman” at the time) was released on nearly every system in existence after the arcade proved to be such a hit.


Intellivision


ColecoVision


Atari 2600


TRS-80


Atari 8-bit


TI-99/4a


IBM PC Booter


Commodore 64 (Ocean)


Commodore 64 (Atarisoft)


Commodore VIC-20


MSX


ZX Spectrum


Amstrad CPC


Atari 7800


Donkey Kong Jr. (1982-1988)

Mario was relegated to villain status for this one; but like its forebear, it was released across many different systems in the early days of video game home consoles.


Atari 2600


ColecoVision


Commodore 64


Atari 8-bit


Atari 7800


Intellivision


Mario Bros. (1983-1988)

A lot of people seem to forget that there was a Mario Bros. game before Super Mario Bros. took off like no game before it.


Apple II


Atari 2600


Atari 5200


Amstrad CPC


Commodore 64 (Atarisoft)


Sinclair Spectrum


Atari 7800


Commodore 64 (Ocean)


Atari 8-Bit


Mario Bros. Special (1984)

NEC PC-8801

Instead of a straight port, this version of Mario Bros. was retooled with new levels and gameplay.


Punch Ball Mario Bros. (1984)

NEC PC-8801

Imagine if you were playing Mario Bros. and had a ball you could punch to stun enemies. That would be this game.


Super Mario Bros. Special (1986)

NEC PC-8801

This version of Super Mario Bros. comes with new levels and enemies (some even returning from Donkey Kong).


Hotel Mario (1994)

CD-i

While the Zelda CD-i games that came out of Nintendo’s 90s deal with Philips are arguably more famous, this Mario-themed puzzle game exists as well.


Mario Teaches Typing (1991)

PC

This Interplay-made game was Nintendo’s quite successful attempt to get into the typing game business.


Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up (1991)

PC

This game for young kids is more a colouring book than anything else.


Mario is Missing (1992)

PC

In this edutainment title, Luigi must use his knowledge of real world geography to find and save the missing Mario.


Mario’s Time Machine (1993)

PC

Much like Where in Time Is Carmen Sandiego?, this game uses the Mario series as a vehicle to test kids’ real world history knowledge.


Mario’s Early Years! Fun with Letters (1994)

PC

The first of three edutainment games to teach preschool-age children.


Mario’s Early Years! Fun with Numbers (1994)

PC

The second of three edutainment games to teach preschool-age children.


Mario’s Early Years! Preschool Fun (1994)

PC

The third of three edutainment games to teach preschool-age children.


Mario’s Game Gallery (1995)

PC

Mario is a dirty cheater when it comes to these classic board games.


Mario Teaches Typing 2 (1996)

PC

Because kids in the ’90s were such slackers, we have a second game to teach the wayward youth of that time how to type.


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