Mario Bros VGA – A Forgotten PC Gem From the Early DOS Days
The world of early PC gaming is filled with fascinating reinterpretations of arcade classics, and Mario Bros VGA stands out as one of the most interesting—and obscure—entries in that history. Developed by Dave Sharpless and released in 1990, this unlicensed PC remake of Nintendo’s iconic Mario Bros. arcade game brought plumbers, pipes, and platform-flipping action into the world of MS-DOS at a time when the PC wasn’t known for smooth, console-style gameplay.
A Fan-Made Homage for VGA PCs
As the title screen proudly displays, Mario Bros VGA was built specifically to take advantage of the then-impressive VGA graphics standard. While many DOS games in 1990 still relied on CGA or EGA color modes, this version offered bold, high-contrast visuals and smooth sprite animation for a fan-developed title.
The game closely follows the structure of the 1983 Mario Bros. arcade experience:
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Enemies pop out of pipes
You flip them by striking platforms from below
You kick them off the stage
Bonus stages appear periodically
Even though it’s not an official Nintendo release, Sharpless did an excellent job capturing the arcade’s core mechanics within the limitations of DOS hardware.
Shareware-Style Distribution
The title screen message—“For (UNREGISTERED)’s use only!”—is a classic sign of the era’s shareware distribution model. Players could download and try the game for free, and registering would remove restrictions or unlock additional content. Many DOS games followed this format, but seeing it applied to a Mario remake makes this title even more of a curiosity today.
Sound, Controls, and Compatibility
While not as polished as Nintendo’s original hardware, Mario Bros VGA offered:
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Simple keyboard controls
Basic PC-speaker sound effects
Support for a range of DOS-compatible machines from the late ’80s and early ’90s
It ran well even on modest hardware, making it accessible to a large portion of early PC users.
A Snapshot of Early PC Fan Creativity
Unlicensed PC recreations of console classics were surprisingly common before the era of strict licensing and modern IP enforcement. Mario Bros VGA is a perfect time capsule:
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A passionate fan developer.
A popular arcade game recreated for home computers.
VGA graphics showing off the capabilities of DOS gaming
Distributed through the grassroots shareware scene
Today, it stands as a charming relic from a time when the PC gaming landscape was wild, experimental, and full of surprises.
Final Thoughts
If you’re exploring vintage DOS and Windows gaming, Mario Bros VGA is a must-see curiosity. It represents both the enthusiasm of early PC developers and the technical creativity that defined the shareware era. Whether you’re a Mario historian, a retro PC collector, or simply someone who enjoys digital archaeology, this 1990 fan-made platformer is a fun and fascinating piece of gaming history.
