Mario Bros is a 64KB ROM for the TI-99/4A. It requires 32KB memory expansion and joysticks to run.

To run:
- turn off your system
- insert the cartridge
- turn it on
- make sure your 32k is on too
- press a key
- press 2, unless your menu shows Mario somewhere else
- it's been nearly 40 years, you know how to run a cartridge

To play:

Mario Bros is a 1 or 2 player simultaneous game where the objective is to clean up the sewers.

First, you can press the '5' key for credits. 1 credit is needed for a single player game, and 2 credits are needed for two players.

Then, as the screen instructs, press '1' for single player, or '2' for two player. Each player uses one joystick - the first joystick always controls Mario, and the second Luigi.

Use the joystick to move left and right, and the fire button to jump.

You can also play with keyboard - press 'K' before selecting the number of players. The mode will be updated on the screen. In keyboard mode:

Mario: LEFT: S  RIGHT: D  JUMP: Q or SPACE
Luigi: LEFT: J  RIGHT: K  JUMP: Y or P

Jump has two options so you can space your hands out on the keyboard when playing together. It is not possible to play with one joystick and one keyboard.

NOTE: if your joystick doesn't work:
    - make sure it is plugged in on the left side
    - make sure it is a TI compatible stick
    - make sure it is joystick 1 for a single player game
    - Make sure "J JOY" is highlited (white and parenthesis) on the player select screen

NOTE: In joystick mode, Q and Y will also map to the joystick buttons

You can also press comma (,) to pause the game.

You start at the bottom. Enemies will emerge from the pipes at the top. To defeat enemies, jump underneath them to flip them over. You must then get up there and kick them off by running over them before they get back up. Enemies will change color just before they get up, and if they get up, they will move faster.

After enemies are kicked off, a coin will emerge from the pipe. Collect the coin for bonus points.

A large block named POW is near the bottom - hitting this from underneath will flip all enemies touching the ground. It can be used three times, then it will disappear. It will be restored every so many stages.

Occasionally you will face a bonus stage, where you will have a limited time to collect 8 floating coins. A bonus is awarded if all coins are collected in time.

A short intermission will introduce each enemy. You can also press no keys at the title page to watch a demonstration.

KEYS:
    5 - add credit (up to 9)
    1 - start one player game (if one credit available)
    2 - start two player game (if two credits available)
    J - switch to joystick control (on player select screen)
    K - switch to keyboard control (on player select screen)
    , - pause game, press again to unpause
    
CHEAT
You can start at a higher level. Before you insert credits, just press one of these keys:
    1 - start on stage 2
    2 - start on stage 3
    3 - start on stage 4
    4 - start on stage 5
    6 - start on stage 7
    7 - start on stage 8
    8 - start on stage 9
    9 - start on stage 64
    , or . - start on stage 15
    
    Jumping ahead may cause glitches. ;)
    


    

