Super Mario Bros Two Player Hack Released

Back in the day, consoles came with two controllers and at least one game. Depending on which version of the Nintendo Entertainment System you purchased, you could have gotten as many as three games packed in. Most people got two, Super Mario Bros and Duck Hunt (and the light gun as well in the box). Considering there were two controllers in the box it was slightly confusing why there were no two player simultaneous games included. Sure, Super Mario Bros offered two player alternating gameplay but it was not quite the same. Thanks to a fan, we can now enjoy Super Mario Bros with Mario and Luigi on the same screen at the same time. There are problems with this of course.

Those problems are probably why Nintendo did not do this in the first place. One, when one player dies, the level restarts. Yep, you read that right. I am sure this is something that can be fixed in an update that would allow the surviving player to continue onward. Maybe have the dead player revive at the start of the next level or when both players have met their fate on the current level. Something other than ending it for both.

Screen scrolling. This is always a problem with two player simultaneous games. Since the NES is not capable of scaling the screen to accommodate both players when they are far apart, ala many Neo Geo fighting games, you are stuck with what is on the screen at that time. This can cause unnecessary deaths and mistakes because the screen did not scroll as expected.

Powerups are not doubled. This is fine and to be expected. It also makes Super Mario Bros - Two Players Hack, as it is named by the hacker, a little more competitive. The powerups are varied and not all that commonplace in the levels so getting them when they appear is paramount - your partner be damned.

If you have ever wanted to play Super Mario Bros with Mario and Luigi on screen at the same time then grab the hack from ROMHacking.net, Nintendo still holds the rights to Super Mario Bros so if you need a copy to backup, grab it on eBay.

This article was originally posted on Retro Gaming Magazine a gaming website I own.