Clu Clu Land Classic
Nintendo Entertainment System · Puzzle
Dr. Mario
Certified classic
| System | Nintendo Entertainment System |
|---|---|
| Released | 1990 |
| Genre | Puzzle |
| Developer | Nintendo |
| Publisher | Nintendo |
| Players | 1–2 players |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Series | Mario Bros |
| ESRB | E |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 27 |
Developed by Nintendo, Dr. Mario arrived on the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990 as a puzzle game.
It landed about 5 years into the NES's life. Other notable NES releases from 1990 include Final Fantasy III, Mega Man 3 and Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers. Among the 49 NES puzzle games in our database, it ranks #2 by legacy score.
It is part of the Mario Bros series. The series also appears on other systems with Super Mario Land (Game Boy) and Super Mario All-Stars (SNES). Nintendo also made Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario Bros. 2 for the NES.
Dr. Mario supports up to 2 players, whether that means taking turns or going head-to-head.
Pick it if…
- you want to think and plan
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you have a friend to play against
- you want to experience one of the NES's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you want story, exploration or action
What playing Dr. Mario is like
Puzzle games challenge pattern recognition, planning and quick thinking, from falling-block games to single-screen logic puzzles.
Tip for newcomers: Puzzle games are perfect for short sessions and often have endless or score-attack modes, so they never really end.
Dr. Mario cheats & codes
6 codes on file (Game Genie, Other codes). Here are a few Game Genie codes to start with:
| Vitamin Capsules Don't Fall | GZNEVIVT |
|---|---|
| Game Freezes After First Capsule | ZULOLZ |
| Glitched Graphics For Level Select Screen | POPOOP |
| Game Freezes, The Music Stops | PELOLZ |
| Funky Effects | T?LOLZ |
Dr. Mario walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Dr. Mario.
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Playing NES games today
NES games are short on paper but often famously tough, so expect to replay levels and learn patterns. Many first-party titles are available through Nintendo Switch Online, original cartridges remain easy to find, and you can play backups of games you own in an emulator such as Rec0m88.
Dr. Mario FAQ
When did Dr. Mario come out on the NES?
Dr. Mario was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1990.
Who made Dr. Mario?
It was developed by Nintendo.
Is Dr. Mario multiplayer?
Yes. Dr. Mario supports up to 2 players.
How long does Dr. Mario take to play?
As a puzzle game, Dr. Mario typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Dr. Mario on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.