Back in the early days of PC gaming, when DOS was still a household name, fans of classic console heroes often tried their hand at bringing those experiences to home computers. One of the more interesting projects from that era is Mario & Luigi, a DOS-based fan game inspired by Nintendo’s iconic plumbers.
Developed by an independent programmer in the mid-to-late 1990s, Mario & Luigi aimed to capture the look and feel of the classic Super Mario Bros. series, all within the technical limitations of DOS. The game features familiar side-scrolling action, bright 16-bit inspired graphics, and catchy chiptune music that evokes nostalgia for the SNES era.
The title screen—simple yet charming—invites players to choose between Start, Options, or End, just like many console classics of the time. The colorful logo, rendered in blocky DOS graphics, immediately sets the tone for a fun, retro experience.
While not an official Nintendo release, Mario & Luigi was one of many fan projects distributed through early internet forums and shareware collections. It showcased the creativity of indie developers long before the modern indie boom and stands as a time capsule of 90s PC gaming culture.
If you’re interested in reliving this piece of fan history, the game can often be found archived on vintage DOS gaming websites. Just remember—you’ll likely need a DOS emulator like DOSBox to get it running smoothly on modern systems.
Release: Circa 1994
Platform: DOS / Windows-compatible via DOSBox
Genre: Platformer / Fan-made
