Mario Bros. (Atari 7800 review)

Developer: International Technology Development Corporation
Publisher: Atari Corporation
Released: 1988

Mario Bros. is an action-platformer that was first released in the Arcade in 1983.

+ Two-player co-op mode is enjoyable, with much of the fun coming from trying to beat your friend for the high score.

+ Quickly forming a plan to defeat the unique enemy types in rather cramped environments is part of the games' charm.

+ POW block evens the playing field in precarious situations, and the collectable coins add a neat risk-reward element.

- Movement and momentum feel entirely wrong and the odd physics don't afford you the level of precision that's required.

- Each stage features an identical layout, and the Challenge stage's coins are always located in the same places.

- Graphics have a horribly stretched-out look, and it's often weirdly difficult to avoid hitting the POW block.

- Sound is hideous and the off-key tones clash to create something more akin to noise than musical jingles.