Editing Super Mario Bros. Special

{{Infobox

|developer=[[Hudson Soft]], [[Nintendo]]

|publisher=[[Hudson Soft]] (Japan)<br>Caroline Software Incorporated (South Korea){{ref needed}}

|released={{released|Japan|1986}}{{released|South Korea|c. 1987<ref name=Lost/>}}

|genre=Platformer

|platforms=[[NEC PC-88|NEC PC-8801]]<br/>{{wp|X1 (computer)|Sharp X1}}<br/>Samsung SPC-1500<ref name=Lost/>

|media=5.25-inch floppy, Tape

'''''Super Mario Bros. Special''''' (スーパーマリオブラザーズ スペシャル) was developed by [[Hudson Soft]] and released in 1986 for the {{wp|PC-8801|NEC PC-8801}} and Sharp X1 series of Japanese computers, and later for the Samsung SPC-1500<ref name=Lost>[http://hg101.proboards.com/post/173288/thread Hardcore Gaming 101 ProBoards - Hudson Mario Trilogy]</ref> in South Korea. ''Super Mario Bros. Special'' was the second [[Nintendo]]-licensed follow-up to ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', released around two months after ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels]]''.<ref>http://nintendoera.com/discussing-hudsons-mario-games-with-native-japanese-speaker-bando/</ref> Two years prior, Hudson Soft had released ''[[Punch Ball Mario Bros.]]'' and ''[[Mario Bros. Special]]'', which were both based on the original ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]''

While superficially very similar to the original ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', the game features original new levels and has a screen-by-screen scrolling mechanism. The latter is implemented more smoothly in the Sharp X1 version, which features ''Zelda''-style scrolling, where the screen visually slides to the next lock point (with some overlap between screens), whereas the PC-88 version simply turns black for a moment while loading the next screen.

Jumping and dashing physics also differ from the original [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]], providing a more challenging experience than ''Super Mario Bros.'' Adding difficulty is the fact that the [[Time Limit|stage time]] is slightly faster than in the [[Super Mario Bros.|original NES game]]. Mario's [[Hammer]] from ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'' makes a re-appearance as a rare item, alongside a variety of past foes from earlier arcade Mario titles and new exclusive [[List of items|items]].

Due to the PC-88 and Sharp X1's technology being inferior to that of the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES]]/[[Family Computer|Famicom]], the graphics and audio differ slightly from the original game as well, although they are closely replicated. Additionally, the game does not include [[Luigi]] nor does it contain a multiplayer mode. The Sharp X1 version contains partial scrolling and slightly more colorful graphics, featuring all eight colors possible with 100% and 0% RGB, including lime-green, cyan, magneta and white. While the PC-88 is able to produce eight colors, ''Super Mario Bros. Special'' only uses half of the PC-88's hardware palette, restricted to only black, red, yellow, and blue, including dithered results with those four colors. Further, sprites exclude the use of blue to allow transparency in the sprites.

The [[Warp Zone]]s from the original were changed in such a way that ''Super Mario Bros. Special'' has no true Warp Zone. In World 1-2, reaching the area over the [[Warp Pipe|pipe]] instead leads to the single bonus room that could be accessed normally in the stage, but with a pipe that still leads to the overworld, thus to the end of the level. In World 4-2, a room that more resembles a true Warp Zone can be found, however the only pipe it holds does not have any destinations defined, likely due to an oversight by the developers. The pipe can still be entered, but the player will remain stuck there indefinitely, forcing the player to be killed by the timer.

==New enemies==

*'''Chokichoki''' ('''[[Sidestepper]]''') - Originally from ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' Can be defeated with a fireball or a bump from below.

*'''Nakaji''' ('''[[Fighter Fly]]''') - Originally from ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' Can be defeated with a fireball or a bump.

*'''Tsurara''' ('''[[Icicle]]''') - Originally from ''[[Mario Bros. (game)|Mario Bros.]]'' Can be defeated with a fireball.

*'''Sigebou''' ('''[[Fireball (Donkey Kong)|Fireball]]''') - Originally from ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]''.

*'''Tarusar''' ('''[[Barrel]]''') - Originally from ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]''. Can be defeated with a hammer or a bump.

The object of the game is to get to the goal flag to advance to the next level. While on his way to the goal, Mario encounters many enemies and power-ups.

 

{| style="text-align: center; width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="sortable"

|-style="background: #FAAAAA"

!Sharp X1 image

!Description

!align="center" |[[Super Mushroom|Magic Mushroom]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-SuperMushroom-SharpX1.png|32x32px]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-SuperMushroom-PC88.png]]

|Grab this to change into Super Mario. '''1000''' points awarded.

!align="center" |[[Fire Flower]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-FireFlower-SharpX1.png|32x32px]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-FireFlower-PC88.png]]

|Grab this to change into Fire Mario. '''1000''' points awarded.

!align="center" |[[Hammer|Hummer]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:HammerSMBS.png|28x32px]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-Hummer-PC88.png]]

!align="center" |[[Wing (Super Mario Bros. Special)|Wing]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:Smbswing.png|32x32px]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-Wing-PC88.png]]

{| style="text-align: center; width: 100%; margin: 0 auto; border-collapse: collapse;" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" class="sortable"

|-style="background: #FAAAAA"

!Sharp X1 image

!align="center" |[[1-Up Mushroom|1 up Mushroom]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-1UpMushroom-SharpX1.png|32x32px]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-1UpMushroom-PC88.png]]

|If Mario collects one, he'll get an extra life.

!align="center" |[[Coin]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-Coin.png|20x28px]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-Coin.png|20x28px]]

|Collect 100 Coins for a 1 up.

!align="center" |[[+ Clock|Clock]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMB Special Clock sprite.png|28x30px]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-Clock-PC88.png]]

|Upon picking this up, Mario will get an additional 100 seconds added to the [[Time_Limit|timer]]. Found in World 8-3. '''1000''' points awarded.

!align="center" |[[Hachisuke]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:HudsonBeeSMBS.png|32x32px]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-Hachisuke-PC88.png]]

|The bee from the [[Hudson Soft]] logo. If [[Mario]] finds this item, he will be awarded '''8000''' points. Found in World 1-1.

!align="center" |[[Lucky Star (Super Mario Bros. Special)|Lucky Star]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-LuckyStarItem.png|32x24px]]

|align="center" bgcolor="#00f"|[[File:SMBSpecial-LuckyStarItem-PC88.png]]

|Resembles an atom. If Mario collects it, all the enemies on-screen will be defeated and award their normal point values as if hit by a [[Super Star|Starman]] (similar to a [[POW Block]] except it also affects airborne foes). Found in World 4-1. '''1000''' points awarded.

Due to both the PC-88 and Sharp X1 technology being inferior compared to the NES/Famicom, some glitches and tricks that were previously not present in the original appear here.

 

When moving, Mario and some other sprites flicker. Due to the hardware ''Super Mario Bros. Special'' is built on, sprites do not have as fluid and smooth of a movement as they did in NES game ''Super Mario Bros.'' and Sharp X1 version. This "glitch" is more present in the PC-88 version.

===Infinite 1 up trick===

Like in the original ''Super Mario Bros.'', jumping continuously on a [[Koopa Troopa]] or a [[Buzzy Beetle]] when it's about three blocks away from an edge or wall won't make it move, thus allowing the player to remain hopping on the shell and gain infinite 1 ups. Unlike the original, the trick is much easier to perform due to the game's different collision physics launching the player higher after a stomp, and can be done in virtually any area with both a Koopa Troopa and an edge/wall.

The player can accumulate a maximum of 255 lives, with the number of current lives remaining represented in hexadecimal numbers (such as "85" for 133 lives and "DE" for 222 lives). Collecting any more will round the counter back to 0 lives.

Sometimes, hitting the most external part of a Fire-Bar won't deliver any damage, likely because of the game's limits in hardware and registering hitboxes with moving obstacles.

In World 8-4, in the room with five Fire-Bars, the game will lag, probably due to technical limitations with the number of sprites that can be projected on-screen exceeding the normal limit.

===Trap or glitch?===

In World 4-3, there is a [[beanstalk]] that leads to a [[Coin Heaven]]. When trying to leave, sometimes [[Mario]] will be unable to enter the exit pipe. It is assumed to be an overlooked program error, as the entrance back to the main level from this bonus area is present underneath the mushroom stairs leading to the [[flagpole]]. A similar error appears in 4-2, where a hidden pipe placed beyond the exit pipe can be entered, but it lacks a destination to take the player, thus causing Mario to be stuck inside the pipe until time runs out.

Compared to the original ''Super Mario Bros.'', the jumping board present in World 2-1 is much more difficult to perform a higher jump off of due to poor collision detection, sometimes being stuck in its animation frames when Mario jumps off. Sometimes holding the jump key while landing on the board will guarantee success in jumping off, and in the event that a player would have trouble, the set of [[Hidden Block|invisible blocks]] placed around the board allows players to bypass it.

===Disk error===

Some copies of the PC-88 version of ''Super Mario Bros. Special'' (notably ROM dumps that are run on computer emulators) are missing the data necessary to trigger the IPL switch needed to load World 8-4, and thus will load a blank screen reading "DISK ERROR! PLEASE RESTART GAME PUSH IPL SWITCH", after clearing World 8-3.<ref>MrPodoboo. (August 22, 2009). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8i3soQcUbU Let's Play Super Mario Bros. Special - World 8]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved June 30, 2018.</ref> This glitch is very likely not present in an authentic copy of the game.

===Stop music===

Due to bad pipe entering detection, if Mario gets too close to a horizontal pipe that can be entered and quickly turn around, the player will hear the pipe entering sound, and the music will stop until Mario actually enters the pipe. The player can do this multiple times in the same room, but all that will happen is that they will hear the pipe entering sound again.

===Programmed By===

===Course-Designed By===

===Sound Effected By===

*Fumihiko-Itagaki

===Produced By===

SMBS3.png|Hammer and barrels

SMBS5.png|Icicles and Sidesteppers

SMBS6.png|Fighter Flies

SMBS7.png|Fire

==External links==

*[http://wayback.archive.org/web/20160531211715/http://andre.facadecomputer.com/saw/pc88.html Strange and Wonderful NEC PC-8801 Games] (various games covered, including ''Super Mario Bros. Special'')

*[https://www.badgamehalloffame.com/blog/super-mario-bros-special/ Bad Games Hall of Fame] (various Hudson Soft Mario games and the South Korean Samsung SPC-1500 ad)

*[http://www.uvlist.net/game-159777-Mario+Bros.+Special Universal Game List entry for ''Super Mario Bros. Special'']

*[http://themushroomkingdom.net/games/smbs-x1 More information on Sharp X1 version]

{{MarioGames}}

{{CompGames}}

[[Category:Platforming Games]]