Director(s) Satoshi Tajiri Mode(s) Single-player Designer Satoshi Tajiri Publisher Nintendo | Composer(s) Junichi Masuda Initial release date 27 August 1993 Developer Game Freak Genre Puzzle video game | |
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Producer(s) Makoto Kano
Tsunekaz Ishihara Artist(s) Ken Sugimori
Motofumi Fujiwara Platform Super Nintendo Entertainment System Similar Game Freak games, Puzzle video games | ||
Mario & Wario (マリオとワリオ, Mario to Wario) is a 1993 Mario side-scrolling puzzle video game designed by Satoshi Tajiri and developed by Game Freak for the Super Famicom console. The game was released only in Japan on 27 August 1993 and requires the Super Famicom Mouse accessory to play.
Contents
The gameplay of Mario & Wario focuses on guiding Mario, who has various objects placed atop his head by his nemesis Wario, through a series of levels consisting of various obstacles and traps. Because Mario has been rendered sightless and is constantly in danger of walking into hazards, the player controls the fairy Wanda, who can protect Mario by changing the environment around him as he moves towards the levels' end. The game offers a total of 100 different levels and offers three playable characters.
Gameplay
Mario & Wario focuses on Mario, who has various objects, including buckets and vases, placed atop his head by the antagonist Wario. Because the objects render Mario sightless, it is the main goal of the player to guide Mario through each level, which consist of various obstacles and traps, to his brother Luigi, who can remove the offending object. The player must also complete each level within a specified time limit. Because Mario will constantly walk left or right regardless of any oncoming hazards, the player controls the fairy Wanda, who possesses the ability to manipulate the environment in order to protect Mario.
Wanda is controlled via a point-and-click interface with the SNES Mouse accessory, influencing objects on the screen when clicked. For example, Wanda can solidify block outlines for use as barriers or bridges for Mario to walk across, and can destroy certain obstacles and enemies. The player can also click Mario to turn him around and reverse his direction. The player is awarded points for defeating enemies, collecting items, and for any remaining time when the level is completed. Extra lives may also be awarded.
Mario & Wario contains a total of 100 levels allotted amongst ten unique locales, which include forest, desert, and underwater settings, each with a different offering of enemies or hazards. In addition to Mario, the player can select Princess Peach or Yoshi to be the character that is guided through each level. Princess Peach walks slower than Mario and Yoshi walks faster, which may offer advantages or disadvantages depending on how difficult a particular level is or how fast the player seeks to complete it.
Development
Mario & Wario was designed by Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri and developed by Game Freak. The game's music was composed by Junichi Masuda.
Reception and legacy
Jon Thompson of Allgame scored Mario & Wario 4 out of 5 stars, praising the colorful graphics and calling the gameplay "entertaining, being fast-paced enough to keep you constantly busy, without resorting to being fast and nearly impossible more than a couple of times."
While the game is Japan-exclusive, Mario & Wario was referenced in other Nintendo games released outside the region. The Game Boy role-playing game Pokémon Red and Blue, also developed by Game Freak, alludes to the game: checking the Super NES belonging to a non-playable character displays the message "A game with MARIO wearing a bucket on his head!" This reference returns in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. The bucket used to obscure Mario's vision is collectible both as an item in Kirby Super Star and as a trophy in Super Smash Bros. Melee.