Software:Mario Teaches Typing

From HandWiki
Short description: 1992 educational game
Mario Teaches Typing
Developer(s)Interplay Productions
Presage Software (Macintosh)
Publisher(s)Interplay Productions
SeriesMario
Platform(s)MS-DOS,[1] Windows,[2] Macintosh[1]
Release1992
May 11, 1995 (Macintosh Enhanced)[3]
Genre(s)Educational
Mode(s)Single-player

Mario Teaches Typing is an educational video game developed and published by Interplay Productions for MS-DOS compatible operating systems, Microsoft Windows, and Macintosh. The game uses the Mario character, licensed from Nintendo, to teach keyboard skills. Featuring several modes of difficulty, the software taught typing letters, words and sentences using aesthetics from existing Mario games.

Conceived by Brian Fargo, the developer aimed to replicate the success of the Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing software. Mario Teaches Typing is notable for being the first time Mario spoke in a video game, featuring the voice of Charles Martinet in the enhanced CD release. Afterward, Martinet became the official voice of Mario, voicing the character for 32 years.

The game was well received by publications and went on to sell over 800,000 units. Praise focused on the title's competent yet enjoyable typing tutorials. Interplay continued the relationship with Nintendo to create additional Mario games. A sequel to the game, Mario Teaches Typing 2, was developed by Brainstorm and published by Interplay in 1997.[4]

Gameplay

A rectangular video game screenshot that is a digital representation of a brick road. An Italian plumber in blue overalls, a red shirt, and red hat runs to the right. Two brick blocks, the first with the letter "F" and the second with the letter "D", float above the plumber. On the far right, a green turtle with the letter "S" on its shell walks to the left.
As Mario (center) moves through a stage, blocks and enemies with letters appear. The player must type the corresponding letter to break the block or defeat the enemy. Game statistics like time and words per minute are tracked at the bottom of the screen along with a teaching aid that displays which finger should be used to type at the time.

Mario Teaches Typing lets the player enter a name, select either Mario, Luigi, or Princess Peach as the player character, and set their target words per minute (WPM) rate. In the base mode, the player must type out a given text without additional decor. There are three difficulty levels of typing challenges based on Super Mario World: the chosen character continuously runs to the right until encountering an obstacle or enemy adorned with a letter (level 1), word (level 2), or sentence (level 3). Entering this string correctly allows the character to proceed. At the end of either mode, the game presents the player with statistics, including the reached WPM and error rate.[5][6][7] Localized versions exist, such as a German release that supports QWERTZ keyboards and umlauts.[7]

Development and release

Portrait of a White man wearing a black jacket in front of a podium with two small goose-neck microphones. His hands are up near his chest while he speaks and looks to the left.
Interplay Productions' Brian Fargo (shown in 2011) conceived the game and approached Nintendo about licensing Mario.

Mario Teaches Typing was conceived and developed by Brian Fargo, who was the head of Interplay Entertainment at the time. Fargo was acquaintances with Les Crane, a talk show host and radio announcer, who had developed the educational typing game Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. The game's success inspired Fargo to create a typing game of his own. He had heard that the majority of the purchases were by parents wanting to teach their children how to type. After considering who could be the face and teacher of the game, Fargo concluded that Mario would be a good fit. Fargo pitched the idea to Nintendo, who was enthusiastic about the concept and agreed to Mario's inclusion.[8][9] At the time, Nintendo felt that a few educational computer games would not damage their industry dominance.[10] Mario's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, was not involved with the Mario Teaches Typing's development.[11] The software reuses the title theme from Super Mario World.[7] The game was first released in the United States in 1992 and later in the United Kingdom in 1993.[12] An enhanced CD-ROM version was produced in 1995 by Thomas R. Decker.[3][13] A Macintosh version of the game was developed by Presage Software, who had also developed the 1995 Mario's Game Gallery for Interplay.[14]

Mario Teaches Typing was the first time the Mario character spoke in a game. Ronald B. Ruben provided the voice for the MS-DOS version and was replaced by Charles Martinet for the CD version.[15] He also performed the motions and expressions for the character through virtual actor tracking sensors.[13] Martinet considered Mario Teaches Typing to be one of his favorite projects using the voice, as well as one of the most important; it helped him understand the character from a child's perspective. He declared that Mario would never be in a negative headspace, and when he saw the script containing criticism for failing, such as "Oh that wasn't very good, try again", he suggested that the dialogue encourages the user to continue trying, such as, "Not as good this time, but you're gonna do it better this time, let's go!'"[16]

Reception and legacy

Reception
Review scores
PublicationScore
Aktueller Software Markt11/12[17]
All Game Guide3.5/5[18]
Evening Sentinel80%[2]
Electronic GamesB+[19]
MacUser4/5[20]
PC Review5/10[21]
Play Time73%[22]
PCMag3/4[23]

The title sold more than 800,000 copies.[24][25] According to PC Data, Mario Teaches Typing was the tenth best-selling Macintosh game of June 1996[26] as well as the eighth top selling software in the first half of 1996 for the Macintosh.[27] The game ranked the 5th best selling educational software for the week ending December 19, 1992 at Software Etc chain of stores.[28]

Mario Teaches Typing was well-received by contemporary publications. Steve Fountain of the Evening Sentinel reviewed the Windows CD version. While pointing out that the premise seemed out-of-character, he wrote that the program is not as enjoyable as a normal computer game but a "better than ploughing through a dull typing manual". Fountain also criticized Mario's voice, calling the Italian accent "ridiculous".[2] Heinrich Lenhardt, the co-editor-in-chief of German magazine PC Player, regarded Mario Teaches Typing as a competent alternative to ten-finger typewriter courses, although he believed its usefulness would be limited to hobbyists as it could not satisfy the needs of experienced typers like secretaries.[7] Writing for Electronic Games, Laurie Yates noted that Mario Teaches Typing stood out among the rise of kid-focused typing programs at the time and recommended the title, saying that it is a contender as the sole typing program for families.[19]

The Oregonian writer Randy Chase praised the software for being engaging for kids as well as still practical for adults. He summarized his review commenting that the game can comfortably transition kids from familiar video games to the "sometimes intimidating world of home computers".[29] Cameron Crotty of Macworld praised the software for providing challenges to all levels of typists while lessening the "drudgery".[30] Writing for the The Daily Gazette, Michael Himowitz noted that his kid enjoyed the title. He further complimented the inclusion of the 3D Mario head that offered guidance. Conversely, he criticized the character's Italian accent when speaking.[31] Lonnie Brown of the Lakeland Ledger compared the game to Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, noting that while Mario Teaches Typing would appeal to children more, the other title provides more thorough lessons. He also commented that younger audiences would enjoy the 3D Mario head.[32]

Fargo considered Mario Teaches Typing a success. After its release, Crane expressed dissatisfaction at Fargo for creating a title that was a successful competitor against Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.[8][9] Following his performance in the game, Martinet would go on to become the official voice actor for Mario, voicing the character for decades in over 150 games.[16] Fargo noted that Miyamoto was happy with the game.[8][9] The success of Mario Teaches Typing prompted Nintendo to explore educational computer games further.[10] Interplay continued its relationship with the company, releasing additional Mario titles: Mario's Game Gallery and a direct sequel, Mario Teaches Typing 2. However, Nintendo ceased all such endeavors, including with Interplay, after another outside company produced a game that was not up to its standards.[8][9]

The title has received an overall positive retrospective reception years after its release as well. In a 2016 retrospective of Mario games on non-Nintendo platforms, Vincent Ingenito praised the title for its use of the Mario franchise and being a capable typing tutor.[33] Writing for NPR in 2021, Brittany Vincent noted that the inclusion of a kid-friendly character like Mario in an educational game makes sense now but acknowledged that it was strange at the time. She commented that one of the strange parts was the "creepy" 3D floating Mario head.[15] In 2022, Dalton Norman of Screen Rant praised Interplay for integrating familiar Mario imagery. While he stated that Mario Teaches Typing could never be as exciting as a typical Mario game, the presentation was a "fair approximation of Nintendo's signature style".[34]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sunila, Joyce (September 16, 1994). "For Kids: SOFTWARE REVIEW: Get in Touch: With typing technique programs, children will have computer savvy at their fingertips.". Archived from the original on September 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200926234005/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-16-va-39392-story.html. Retrieved August 2, 2023. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Fountain, Steve (May 6, 1995). "Mario keys into the typing pool". p. 27. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103141216/evening-sentinel/. Retrieved June 4, 2022. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "MacPlay Kicks off Hit Edutainment Title Mario Teaches Typing Enhanced CD-ROM". May 11, 1995. Archived from the original on December 1, 1998. https://web.archive.org/web/19981201062602/http://macplay.com/website/pressbox/mttcd.html. Retrieved November 4, 2022. 
  4. ↑ "Bits&Bytes". June 2, 1997. p. 14. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112539580/the-winnipeg-sun/. Retrieved November 4, 2022. 
  5. ↑ "Is Mario Your Type?". Richmond and Twickenham Times: pp. 21. 1993-07-02. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103144565/the-richmond-and-twickenham-informer/. 
  6. ↑ Crouch, Henry (2012-08-21). "Pokémon Takes On the Typing-Tutor Game Sub Genre". https://killscreen.com/previously/articles/pokemon-takes-typing-tutor-game-sub-genre/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Lenhardt, Heinrich (May 1993). "Lass tippen, Mario" (in de). PC Player (DMV Daten- und Medienverlag): 24–25. https://archive.org/details/PC-Player-German-Magazine-1993-05/page/n23/mode/2up. Retrieved September 21, 2023. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Osborn, Alex (2017-06-20). "Interplay Founder on Working With Nintendo on Mario Teaches Typing — IGN Unfiltered". https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/20/interplay-founder-on-working-with-nintendo-on-mario-teaches-typing-a-ign-unfiltered. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 McCaffrey, Ryan (host) and Fargo, Brian (interviewee) (June 21, 2017). Interplay Founder on Working With Fallout, Nintendo, and Blizzard. IGN. IGN Unfiltered. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Ryan, Jeff (2012). Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America. Penguin Publishing Group. p. 140. ISBN 9781591845638. 
  11. ↑ Ryan, Jeff (2012). Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America. Penguin Publishing Group. p. 142. ISBN 9781591845638. 
  12. ↑ "What's New". September 12, 1992. p. 26. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103144213/daily-record/. Retrieved June 4, 2022. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Schofield, Jack (1995-04-20). "Microfile". The Guardian. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103141168/the-guardian/. 
  14. ↑ "Presage Products - Mario Teaches Typing". Archived from the original on June 14, 1997. https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015024/http://www.presage.com/pMTTyping.html. Retrieved December 3, 2023. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Vincent, Brittany (January 7, 2021). "Sweater Design? Gin Rummy? Typing? These Are The Mario Games You've Never Heard Of". https://www.npr.org/2021/01/07/953936034/sweater-design-gin-rummy-typing-these-are-the-mario-games-youve-never-heard-of. Retrieved January 26, 2025. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Fisher, Andrew (2022-01-03). "Legendary Mario voice actor Charles Martinet on his favorite characters and why he now 'dreams in 2D'". https://www.gamesradar.com/legendary-mario-voice-actor-charles-martinet-on-his-favorite-characters-and-why-he-now-dreams-in-2d/. 
  17. ↑ Arnold, Gerda (1993). "Tippen mit Mario" (in de). https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=3005. Retrieved June 4, 2022. 
  18. ↑ "Mario Teaches Typing". Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141115201222/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=34673&tab=review. Retrieved July 23, 2023. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Yates, Laurie (October 1994). "Mario Teaches Typing". p. 120. https://archive.org/details/electronic-games-1994-10z/page/n119/mode/2up. Retrieved February 20, 2025. 
  20. ↑ "The MacUser 100". December 1993. p. 132. https://archive.org/details/MacUser9312December1993/page/n127/mode/1up. Retrieved September 17, 2024. 
  21. ↑ James, Sue (December 1992). "Mario Teaches Typing". p. 100,101. https://archive.org/details/pc-review-014/page/100/mode/2up. Retrieved February 20, 2025. 
  22. ↑ "Mario Teaches Typing" (in de). June 1993. p. 32. https://archive.org/details/play-time-1993-06/page/n31/mode/2up. Retrieved February 20, 2025. 
  23. ↑ "After Hours". August 1994. https://books.google.com/books?id=IfAR4gyw8RsC. Retrieved February 20, 2025. 
  24. ↑ "The Learning Company Announces Exclusive Distribution Agreement With Interplay For Mario Teaches Typing". April 6, 1998. Archived from the original on December 3, 1998. https://web.archive.org/web/19981203045526/http://www.learningco.com/news/news98/980406a.htm. Retrieved June 4, 2022. 
  25. ↑ "Best-Selling Children's Typing Software Doubles The Fun With Mario Teaches Typing 2". March 31, 1997. Archived from the original on January 31, 1998. https://web.archive.org/web/19980131173157/http://www.brainstormfun.com/press/mtt2.html. Retrieved June 28, 2023. 
  26. ↑ "PC Data Hits List of Top Selling Software June, 1996". June 1996. Archived from the original on June 29, 1998. https://web.archive.org/web/19980629000655/http://www.pcdata.com/html/top_sellers/jun96_mac_home_ed.html. Retrieved July 2, 2023. 
  27. ↑ "PC Data Hits List of Top Selling Software - First Half 1996". Archived from the original on June 28, 1998. https://web.archive.org/web/19980628235903/http://www.pcdata.com/html/top_sellers/fh96_mac_home_ed.html. Retrieved August 20, 2024. 
  28. ↑ "Software Etc. Bestselling Titles". December 22, 1992. Archived from the original on November 28, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20241128064324/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA12898645&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=008a269d. Retrieved November 28, 2024. 
  29. ↑ Chase, Randy (October 13, 1992). "Software Review". p. 21. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240917171331/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian/155473638/. Retrieved September 17, 2024. 
  30. ↑ Crotty, Cameron (December 1993). "Mario Teaches Typing". p. 43. https://archive.org/details/MacWorld_9312_December_1993/page/n43/mode/2up. Retrieved September 17, 2024. 
  31. ↑ Himowitz, Michael (September 11, 1994). "Typing remains a crucial skill for students in the computer era". The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, New York, United States): p. C7. 
  32. ↑ Brown, Lonnie (October 16, 1994). "Computer programs help teach typing". Lakeland Ledger (Lakeland, Florida, United States): p. 6C. 
  33. ↑ Ingenito, Vince (September 9, 2016). "8 Mario Games Released On Non-Nintendo Platforms". https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/09/8-mario-games-released-on-non-nintendo-platforms. Retrieved April 30, 2025. 
  34. ↑ Norman, Dalton (September 3, 2022). "Every Educational Mario Game, Ranked". Archived from the original on September 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220904011040/https://screenrant.com/every-educational-mario-game-ranked/. Retrieved February 20, 2025. 
  • Mario Teaches Typing at Interplay Productions
  • Official website (archived)
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This lengthy approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  • No URL found. Please specify a URL here or add one to Wikidata.

Template:Atari



Template:Mario educational games



Retrieved from "https://handwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=Software:Mario_Teaches_Typing&oldid=3961750"