Somehow Mario Bros seems like a step back DK and DK Jr., which at least had a variety of different stages. My bro and I had some fun playing the version in Super Mario 3, but it does get repetitive really quickly.
Mario Bros. definitely doesn't have the same pioneering spirit as DK or DK Jr., but strangely, I'd much rather play MB today than either of the others.
I like the idea that Bowser is just a turtle that Mario got mad too many times by flipping him without finishing him off. This feels like a common trope in fiction -- the hero is responsible for creating the monster he now must destroy -- though the only example I can think of is the animated Beowulf movie.
Also really cool information about the alternate versions of the game.
But B- seems high to me -- maybe it gets a lift because of its foundational importance. If it were reskinned with two throwaway characters, no pipes or turtles, would it be a C+?
I was thinking back to the fact that you gave Balloon Fight a B, and how much more I'd rather play Balloon Fight's 2P mode than Mario Bros. I make that comparison because at this point in the NES launch, Balloon Fight is the 2P game to beat. And that's without accounting for Balloon Trip!
It absolutely gets a lift because of its foundational importance - but not a huge one. I personally don't see B- as that great of a score, but then, I'm not going by school grading systems. The game is above average to me, but not by much. If it were reskinned, it would not be Mario Bros., and thus, would not have sown additional seeds (after Donkey Kong) for who Mario and Luigi would become.
Balloon Fight is slightly more fun than Mario Bros. to me, but only slightly. Honestly, I think it gets a B because I love Balloon Trip so much. You're right, though, Balloon Fight is the 2P game to beat, with Mario Bros. slightly below that.
Somehow Mario Bros seems like a step back DK and DK Jr., which at least had a variety of different stages. My bro and I had some fun playing the version in Super Mario 3, but it does get repetitive really quickly.
Mario Bros. definitely doesn't have the same pioneering spirit as DK or DK Jr., but strangely, I'd much rather play MB today than either of the others.
I like the idea that Bowser is just a turtle that Mario got mad too many times by flipping him without finishing him off. This feels like a common trope in fiction -- the hero is responsible for creating the monster he now must destroy -- though the only example I can think of is the animated Beowulf movie.
Also really cool information about the alternate versions of the game.
But B- seems high to me -- maybe it gets a lift because of its foundational importance. If it were reskinned with two throwaway characters, no pipes or turtles, would it be a C+?
I was thinking back to the fact that you gave Balloon Fight a B, and how much more I'd rather play Balloon Fight's 2P mode than Mario Bros. I make that comparison because at this point in the NES launch, Balloon Fight is the 2P game to beat. And that's without accounting for Balloon Trip!
It absolutely gets a lift because of its foundational importance - but not a huge one. I personally don't see B- as that great of a score, but then, I'm not going by school grading systems. The game is above average to me, but not by much. If it were reskinned, it would not be Mario Bros., and thus, would not have sown additional seeds (after Donkey Kong) for who Mario and Luigi would become.
Balloon Fight is slightly more fun than Mario Bros. to me, but only slightly. Honestly, I think it gets a B because I love Balloon Trip so much. You're right, though, Balloon Fight is the 2P game to beat, with Mario Bros. slightly below that.
Great write-up. I never really LIKED Mario Bros., but I RESPECTED it. I was also never aware of the different versions. Interesting stuff.
Thanks! I'm more in the respect camp as well.