Kaettekita Mario Bros.

Kaettekita Mario Bros. is a Famicom Disk System version of Nintendo's Mario Bros. made available in Japan through the Disk Writer service on November 30, 1988. Its title translates as “The Return of Mario Bros.” The Disk System used rewritable magnetic disks, and this release was distributed as a write-only Disk Writer title rather than as a standard packaged disk game.

The game retains the single-screen, one- or two-player action of Mario Bros. Mario and Luigi run across a network of platforms and pipes, clearing each phase by defeating the creatures that emerge. Enemies are knocked over by striking the floor beneath them and then kicked away while they are vulnerable; players must also avoid dangerous enemies, fireballs, and falling icicles.

As in the earlier game, the screen wraps horizontally and the POW block can overturn enemies standing on a platform. Bonus stages interrupt the regular phases with a coin-collecting challenge. The Disk System version restores falling icicles in later stages and the disappearing platforms of bonus stages, and it allows players to steer in midair while jumping.

Kaettekita Mario Bros. presents an Original Mario Bros. mode and a Nagatanien World mode. Both use the same underlying game, while the Nagatanien mode adds personalized encouragement messages before play and a slot-style chance to continue after a game over. Player names can be registered for Mario and Luigi.

Nagatanien sponsored the release, which made its Disk Writer rewrite fee 400 yen—100 yen below the usual price. Nintendo’s own retrospective identifies the game as “Nagatanien Mario” and notes that Nagatanien commercials run during play. The advertising features the company’s food products, making the sponsorship part of the game’s presentation rather than a change to its platform-and-pipe action.

The release also includes new music for its title screen and Nagatanien World mode. Its visuals move closer to the arcade Mario Bros. presentation, including enemy artwork and the turtle enemy’s shell-changing animation. Kaettekita Mario Bros. is therefore a revised Famicom version built around the familiar Mario Bros. rules, with a Disk Writer-exclusive commercial tie-in and several mechanical and presentation additions.