Armadillo - 1st Level

Armadillo was released only in Japan, on the Famicom (Family Computer), known as the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) outside Japan. There exists a hack replacing the main character's sprites with Mario sprites and changing the title screen to Super Mario IV. The game does have some similarities with Super Mario Bros. 3, especially the map screen where you move on squares to get to your destination, there is also an enemy moving on the map. Since the game had no release outside Japan, has no sequels and is practically unheard of by most people, it seems that this game never reached the level of popularity it could have. Bio Miracle Bokutte Upa is another game that was never officially released outside Japan (before its VC release), but it was hacked as Mario Baby. Even the real Super Mario Bros. 2 wasn't released outside Japan and we were left with an official "hack" made by nintendo of another entirely different game called Yume Koujou: Doki Doki Panic. Why was it that instead of the real deal North America had Mario hacks for these games? We may not know for sure, but it would seem that Super Mario Bros. 2 was seen as too difficult for Western gamers, which I'm guessing might be the same reason for Bio Miracle and Armadillo (or maybe they were judged too weird?)

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• Armadillo
• Super
• Mario
• Bros.
• IV
• 1st
• Level
• Stage
• Video
• Game
• Famicom
• Family
• Computer
• NES
• Nintendo
• Entertainment
• System
• Platformer

[Marcus062686]

How do you know this game was unpopular? I believe you but it's somewhat hard to believe since it is such a great game. Was it the ugly (IMO) box art that threw people off? Maybe it would have done better in the US, or in Japan with a cuter box art. Are you just guessing the reason why there wasn't a US release? Because the real reason is unknown. Anyway, nice video!

[DarkEvil87]

I think I read that on a Wikipedia article and it's unsourced, so it's unreliable. I modified the description just now and I think it's better suited. Thanks for the comment, I always respect critique, especially when valid points are made. The box art is really not inviting though, I gotta admit. I myself also think this is a great game and the fact that some people made a Mario hack must mean that they thought it was good enough to be a Mario game.

[Doom2Guy]

Red Mage + Sonic = Armadillo