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For fans of retro gaming and the legendary Super Mario Bros, "Mario & Luigi" presents a fascinating chapter in the world of unofficial remakes. Developed for DOS, this game was Mike Wiering's project to hone his skills in VGA programming on a 486 computer. Though it was never intended for release, "Mario & Luigi" offers a nostalgic trip into the Mushroom Kingdom with a unique twist. Let's dive into this DOS remake and its features.

Gameplay and Mechanics

In "Mario & Luigi," players experience the classic gameplay of Super Mario Bros with familiar mechanics. Mario jumps, collects pickups, and battles enemies across various levels. Key features include:

• Power-ups like mushrooms for growth and fire flowers for shooting fireballs.
• Classic controls with [Left] and [Right] for movement, [Alt] for jumping, and [Ctrl] to run faster and jump further.
• Fireball shooting with [Space], with the ability to aim using [Up] or [Down].

Development Background and Goals

Mike Wiering created "Mario & Luigi" to practice and showcase his VGA programming capabilities. His primary goal was to develop a PC game with smooth parallax scrolling that would perform well on his 25 MHz 486 computer. The game served as a precursor to his later work, "Super Angelo".

Game Features and Differences from the Original

While "Mario & Luigi" mirrors the original Super Mario Bros in many ways, it has its distinctions:

• A total of 6 levels, each offering a unique challenge.
• Absence of background music and the main antagonist, Bowser.
• The end of the underground castle leads to 'The End' label instead of the princess.
• No warp zones to shorten the journey between levels.

Super Angelo: A Successor to "Mario & Luigi"

In 1997, Wiering released "Super Angelo," a game similar to "Mario & Luigi" but with significant improvements. It built upon the foundation laid by the DOS remake, offering a refined gaming experience.

Conclusion

"Mario & Luigi" for DOS stands as a remarkable endeavor in the world of unofficial gaming. It showcases the creativity and skill of early game developers and provides a unique take on the beloved Super Mario Bros. Whether you're a long-time Mario fan or a connoisseur of retro games, "Mario & Luigi" offers an interesting glimpse into the world of fan-made remakes.

Have you played the "Mario & Luigi" DOS remake? Share your experiences, favorite levels, or how it compares to the original Super Mario Bros in the comments below! 🕹️🍄👾