In the emulator, go to and select the disk image.
Includes the Wing (flight), Hammer (attack), Clock (time stop), and Lucky Star (invincibility).
Rediscovering a Lost Sequel: The Hunt for the Ultimate Super Mario Bros Special PC 88 ROM for the NEC PC-8801
A hidden item shaped like Hudson Soft's mascot. Collecting it awards the player 8,000 points.
(historically preserved as a .d88 disk image) allows retro gamers to experience a piece of history. Understanding the hardware limitations that shaped this bizarre title and selecting a stable disk image revision will significantly improve your gameplay experience. Why Super Mario Bros. Special is a Historical Treasure
Adds an extra 100 seconds to the timer, which is vital given how slow the flip-screen exploration can be.
To run your PC-88 ROM seamlessly, you need a reliable emulator that mimics the exact specifications of the NEC hardware. Recommended Emulators
While the game boasted fascinating ideas, the NEC PC-8801 hardware was built for business text and strategy games, not fast-paced action.
Features enemies from Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong .
Because you cannot see what is waiting on the next screen, the game requires pixel-perfect memory and intense trial-and-error.
: Numpad 2 (once you have a Super Mushroom) Pause : Esc Key Differences & Tips
: Due to hardware constraints, the PC-88 version lacks the color green. Famous green pipes appear as a blue and yellow mosaic, and enemies like Koopas are recolored with red eyes. Unique Power-Ups
. Because the PC-88 hardware couldn't handle smooth horizontal scrolling, the game uses a flip-screen mechanic
Playing Super Mario Bros. Special on its original 1980s hardware is incredibly difficult due to the scarcity and cost of the NEC PC-8801 computer. Utilizing a modern emulation setup with a clean ROM file provides a vastly superior experience. 1. Screen-Scrolling Workarounds