Dr. Mario (1990-)

• Developer: Nintendo

• Publisher: Nintendo

• Genre: Puzzle

• Designer: Takahiro Harada

• Composer: Hirokazu Tanaka

Dr. Mario for the NES was developed by Nintendo R&D1 and released in 1990. Published by Nintendo, the game marked a unique turn for the Mario series, moving away from traditional platforming into the puzzle genre. It was released simultaneously for the NES and the Game Boy, allowing players to enjoy it both at home and on the go. Over the years, it has been ported to numerous platforms, including the Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, Wii Virtual Console, and Nintendo Switch Online. The title stood out as one of Nintendo’s earliest major attempts to diversify the Mario brand into non-platforming gameplay.

The game’s premise is set in a medical-themed scenario where Mario, now a doctor, works to eliminate viruses that have infected a jar. Inspired by the rising popularity of puzzle games like Tetris, the gameplay focuses on dropping differently colored capsules into the jar to align with matching viruses. When four of the same color line up either vertically or horizontally, they disappear, and the goal is to clear all viruses from the screen. The concept combines falling-block mechanics with match-based strategy, offering a more deliberate pace and planning element compared to faster reflex-based puzzle titles.

Players can choose their starting speed and virus level, allowing for customizable difficulty. Single-player mode involves clearing increasingly challenging stages, while the two-player competitive mode pits opponents against each other in a race to clear their jars first, with successful matches sending additional capsules to the rival’s screen. The soundtrack, composed by Hirokazu Tanaka, became iconic for its two selectable background tunes—“Fever” and “Chill”—each contributing a distinctive tone to the gameplay. The audio design, combined with the bright, colorful visuals, gave Dr. Mario a lighthearted but competitive atmosphere.

Dr. Mario was promoted as part of Nintendo’s push to expand its franchise characters into new gameplay styles, and it was well received for its addictive mechanics and competitive appeal. It spawned multiple sequels, including Dr. Mario 64, Dr. Mario Online Rx, and Dr. Mario World, each refining the formula and introducing new modes and visuals. While not as revolutionary as Tetris, it became a lasting part of Nintendo’s puzzle game legacy and remains popular among fans for its simple yet challenging design. Its continued presence across Nintendo systems demonstrates its enduring appeal as both a solo challenge and a competitive multiplayer experience.

Images from MobyGames