Nintendo’s iconic character, Mario, has become synonymous with video games. He serves as a representative for its most successful franchise, Nintendo.
College student Josh Goldberg was behind Full Screen Mario, an HTML5 remake of Super Mario Bros that rose to popularity online last year before Nintendo threatened DMCA action against it. Additionally, Goldberg has built-in features such as level editing and map generation to keep his users satisfied.
Gameplay
Last year, college student Josh Goldberg created the Full-Screen Mario website, enabling gamers to enjoy Super Mario Bros. via HTML5. His HTML5 remake included level editors and random map generators – providing gamers a way to experience classic gaming without downloading new software or installing apps.
BoingBoing wrote an excellent write-up of this site, garnering considerable press coverage in gaming media outlets like BoingBoing. Unfortunately, Nintendo issued a Digital Millennium Copyright Act takedown notice against it, and while Goldberg admits being pleased by the response to his project, he’s saddened that Nintendo took action against it.
As an enthusiast of classic video games, Goldberg wanted to use HTML5’s capabilities to create something “impressive.” After considering various possibilities, he settled upon making a side-scrolling remake of an established title as his way forward – starting work in October 2012 and finishing a prototype the following month.
Full-Screen Mario is compatible with most web browsers, enabling players to enjoy it across desktop computers, tablets, and smartphones. Utilizing canvas elements to render levels, this game has been optimized for widescreen displays for optimal playback experience and is entirely ad-free and free to enjoy!
Goldberg announced his plan to use his engine to create an HTML5 adaptation of the first two generations of the Pokemon series, targeting its release by April next year. Furthermore, he believes Nintendo’s forthcoming Mario Maker release will serve as a natural continuation of his work.
It’s impressive to think of just one person being responsible for such a unique piece of software, yet it’s important to remember not everyone can program like Mr. Goldberg did. I am an awful programmer; had I spent three and a half years creating games, I would likely feel ashamed. That being said, I’m excited about what the future brings for games created by individual programmers.
Graphics
Full-screen Mario features crisp, detailed graphics that transport you into an exciting world entire of challenges and enemies. From familiar green pipes to sneaky Goombas, every element exudes classic charm – while its user-friendly controls let you explore Mario’s pixelated world easily.
Josh Goldberg, a computer science student from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and creator of this game, built it using HTML5 so that it can be played across most web browsers – making the site accessible for players worldwide to enjoy! The game quickly gained worldwide acclaim.
Goldberg has made it his mission to enhance Nintendo’s original and has done so in two ways. First is by adding a level editor, which makes it possible to arrange coins, question blocks, and mushroom-headed Goombas into any stage imaginable. Second is adding a random level generator, which provides millions of new levels beyond what can be created through collaboration between people – beyond what may exist now in 32 levels plus any new levels created through other humans’ efforts.
One significant advancement of the game is that it works on wide screens, making it easier to use modern devices. You can save your progress at any point and resume later – providing an incredible gaming experience wherever you may be in the world!
Full-Screen Mario was initially developed as an educational project for a college student; however, its popularity has caused his website to crash repeatedly and garner accolades from gaming publications like BoingBoing. Although Goldberg may be tempted to capitalize on his success financially, the better choice would be to take this chance to learn programming techniques.
Goldberg hopes to use his engine to develop other games. His next project will be a remake of Pokemon that will be unveiled as an April Fools joke on April Fools Day 2019.
Levels
Full-Screen Mario features all 32 levels from Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros, plus an interactive level editor and generator that creates random maps on demand. It was developed by Josh Goldberg, a computer science major at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, who originally came up with this HTML5 remake as a way of honing his programming skills.
Goldberg set out to recreate the original Super Mario Bros. as faithfully as possible using the browser’s canvas element, using his copy of Super Mario Bros. Deluxe for reference as well as images of its level designs on the Internet to help him manually recreate each of its 32 levels – this task required months of work!
Goldberg’s remake features an interactive level editor that allows players to organize its various elements – coins, question blocks, mushroom-headed Goombas, and Koopa Paratroopas – in any configuration they see fit. Although not an exact replication of the original game’s level editor, his version is very close; Nintendo recently unveiled their “Mario Maker” tool for Wii U, which appears similar in design to his editor; Goldberg believes they may have taken some ideas from him for future iterations of their flagship platformer game.
Sound
Full-Screen Mario is a free online game created by Josh Goldberg of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute using HTML5 to recreate classic Super Mario titles. The site boasts all 32 levels from its predecessor game, as well as level editor tools and random map generator features, plus classic sound effects from Nintendo.
Though its graphics may be simple and controls may not feel as comfortable as traditional controllers, the game remains very enjoyable to play. Furthermore, it’s free to download with no ads or in-game purchases. Plus, it boasts familiar music from previous titles that will bring back memories for anyone who has played them!
One remarkable aspect of the game is that it was programmed solely by one individual: Josh Goldberg. Josh is currently studying computer science at Rensselaer Polytechnic and began programming the game in October 2012. He completed it by November 2012 before launching its site that same month.
The website received extensive media attention, including being written about on BoingBoing, leading to massive amounts of traffic and several instances where it crashed multiple times. Since then, updates have been implemented and now appear stable.
This side-scrolling platformer challenges players to guide Mario through obstacles in each level to reach its endpoint, collecting coins and mushrooms for scoring points. Inspired by classic Mario games, but with some novel elements added for more excellent gameplay – for instance, using cash to jump higher or fall farther!
