Mario games only released in Japan (or very little distributed)
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While Mario is now a global figure in gaming, not all of his titles have enjoyed international distribution . Some Japanese-exclusive Mario games have gone unnoticed in the West , whether due to their experimental nature, educational format, or specific platform. Let's explore these little-known, sometimes cult , often forgotten , but always fascinating titles for curious fans.
Summary
- 1. Educational and cultural games
- 2. Experimental and alternative titles
- 3. Exclusive arcade games
- 4. Summary table of Japanese-only Mario games
- 5. FAQ
1. Educational and cultural games
In the 1990s , Nintendo developed several educational titles aimed at the Japanese audience. Often released on rare or experimental platforms , these games served to teach basic academic skills with a Mario theme.
- Mario no Shōgakkō (1995): series of educational software for PC , covering several subjects such as mathematics or the Japanese language.
- I am a Teacher: Super Mario no Sweater (1986): Software for creating sweater patterns, designed for the Famicom Disk System .
2. Experimental and alternative titles
Some games were developed for Japanese-specific machines, or as part of new services like the Satellaview or the Famicom Disk System . They were never officially translated or released elsewhere.
- BS Super Mario Collection (Satellaview): re-release of Mario games broadcast via satellite .
- Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium (1997): crossover broadcast only on Satellaview , mixing the gameplay of Excitebike with Mario characters.
- Super Mario Bros. Special (1986): Developed by Hudson Soft for the NEC PC-8801 and Sharp X1 , with gameplay modified from the original game.
- All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros. (1986): Special version of Super Mario Bros. inspired by a Japanese radio show, with modified sprites .
3. Exclusive arcade games
Mario has also made a few forays into Japanese arcades with titles that were either unreleased or barely distributed outside of Japan.
- Vs. Super Mario Bros .: A more challenging version of the original game, available only in arcades until its re-release on Switch.
- Mario Kart Arcade GP DX : Although partially distributed internationally, some updates and cabinets remain exclusive to Japan.
4. Summary table of Japanese-only Mario games
| Name of the game | Year | Platform | Kind | Special feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mario no Shōgakkō | 1995 | PC | Educational | Designed for Japanese schools |
| Super Mario Bros. Special | 1986 | NEC PC-8801 / Sharp X1 | Platform | Developed by Hudson Soft |
| I am a Teacher: Super Mario no Sweater | 1986 | Famicom Disk System | Creative | Allows you to create sweater patterns |
| BS Super Mario Collection | 1997 | Satellaview | Compilation | Game broadcast by satellite |
| Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium | 1997 | Satellaview | Race | Excitebike cover with Mario |
| All Night Nippon Super Mario Bros. | 1986 | Famicom Disk System | Platform | Radio-themed modified sprites |
5. FAQ
- Why were some Mario games never released outside of Japan? Usually for market reasons, language issues, or formats incompatible with Western consoles.
- Can you play these games today? Yes, through emulation or certain re-releases on virtual consoles like the Switch or Wii.
- Are Satellaview games recoverable? Partially . Some enthusiasts have backed up ROMs, but some content is lost.
- Is Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium a real official game? Yes, it was released exclusively through the Satellaview service in Japan.
- Is there an English version of Super Mario Bros. Special? Not officially, but fan translations exist.