Mario Spinoff Titles

Dr. Mario (Game Boy)

Dr. Mario was one of those odd fits for the Game Boy considering the highly contrasting yellow, blue and red colors of the viruses were important for making split second decisions. Nintendo did the best they could with the monochrome shading, and of course the music was still really groovy.

(Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by user: "JeanFrancisFreitag")

Experience an 'Active Puzzle' from a whole new perspective!

"Using 6 types of capsules, knock out the viruses!"

The viruses won't be defeated by merely matching up their colors. They steadily increase in number, and get faster and faster. What can you do to keep their propagation in check?

Even more, within the 2-player battle game, you can lay into your opponent with special attacks.

Mario & Wario

I remember seeing a few shots of this game in Nintendo Power only for it to be quietly dropped from an American release. Some interesting trivia: This was originally developed as a Super Scope game, but was switched over to mouse controls due to the constraints of the light gun peripheral.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by RFH and Samthesamurai.)

Simple controls as you play with the 1 button mouse, in a new puzzle action experience.

The mischievous Wario has covered Mario's with a bucket, severely weakening him, as you would expect. 

[Like this, I can't see anything! Once I hurry up and meet with Luigi, I'll have him get this bucket off of me!]

Using the mouse to control the magic fairy Wanda, she'll protect Mario from the enemies and obstacles that are in Mario's path. Help her deliver Mario back to Luigi,

* A completely new sensation of control. Using the smooth movements of the mouse, your own sense of action has increased quite a bit. Even more, controls are simple in this 1-button game.

* Starting with a variety of blocks and stars, the game is full of unique gimmicks. Suspense and excitement is found among a rich variety of 100 screens.

Mario Clash

Love the griminess portrayed in the box art of this Mario adventure, bring 3D to the original 'Mario Bros' gameplay. Even though Nintendo likes to keep quiet about the Virtual Boy, I have a genuine interested in a compilation of software for this ill-fated system.

            

                                                                     (Images taken from MobyGames. Contributed by user: "Lasse")

Throw 'em, knock 'em out, make 'em fall! Mario goes 3D in VIRTUAL ACTION!!

You're atop dizzyingly high scaffolding, where an abundance of unique enemies wait to push Mario off! By throwing turtle shells, you're the only one who can knock them down!

From the front, to deeper in the back, Mario's range of movement expands as he moves all over this three dimensional world!!

Mario Pinball Land / Super Mario Ball

Very lowly rated, even for a Mario spinoff game. The pre-rendered graphics, all the rage in the mid 90s, looked awkward by the early 2000s if not done carefully. Watching some video while preparing this, I noticed it used sound effects form both Super Mario World and Super Mario 64. The more 'in your face' style artwork of the Japanese release is a plus. And of course, the Japanese commercial is pretty legendary.

(Images taken from Gamefaqs. Contributed by Starwolf_UK)

In order to rescue Princess Peach, Mario used the Sphere Changing machine to transform into a ball. With stages full of gimmicks and items, send ball Mario everywhere in this 'new sensation' adventure! Using the buttons to simply tap and balls and send them flying, with this simple control scheme, anyone can accidently get addicted to the fun!!