History VideoGame / MarioIsMissing

[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/MarioIsMissing_3591.jpg]]

!Relevant tropes:

* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: The Super Nintendo game had Bowser [[LiterallyShatteredLives shatter]] after being cracked in ice. The PC version had his kids get burned alive. [[VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld Considering]] [[VideoGame/YoshisSafari their]] [[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3 other appearances,]] it's not much of a surprise. [[IdiotBall What is surprising the fact that Larry outright tells Luigi that's how he can kill them.]]

*** In the PC game, he eats the food Bowser offers him, which makes him lower his guard enough to get ensnared in a net.

* RhymesOnADime: Iggy Koopa speaks in rhymes in the DOS version. Luigi also indulges in this a bit in some dialogue DummiedOut [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntvLTrb3Szk from the ending]].

* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: While each city's mayor acknowledges that a bunch of Koopa Troopas with stolen artifacts are running loose, the citizens don't seem to be bothered by the problem or the fact that there's sentient turtle-like beings roaming the streets. The PC version softens the blow slightly when a civilian, when asked, will tell you where the nearest Koopa is, but that is all you will get in terms of acknowledgement.
** And, as AVGN pointed out, the citizens of New York are not nonplussed about King Kong being abducted by the Koopas.

''Mario Is Missing!'' is a geography-based [[EdutainmentShow educational game]] released for the PC in 1992 and UsefulNotes/{{Nintendo|EntertainmentSystem}} [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendo consoles]] in 1993. It is the first game with Luigi as the main character, and the only one until ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion'' came out in 2001. The PC version is notable for giving birth to the "Weegee" internet meme, based on Luigi's [[UncannyValley creepy sprite]]. [[WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd AVGN]] did a [[http://cinemassacre.com/2009/07/01/mario-is-missing/ review]] of the game in summer 2009.

* ShoutOut: When Luigi is asked who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the SNES version, the choices are [[Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Splinter]]. WebVideo/TheIrateGamer admitted this was probably the most amusing thing in the game.

''Mario Is Missing!'' is a geography-based [[EdutainmentShow educational game]] released for the PC in 1992 and {{Nintendo|EntertainmentSystem}} [[SuperNintendo consoles]] in 1993. It is the first game with Luigi as the main character, and the only one until ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion'' came out in 2001. The PC version is notable for giving birth to the "Weegee" internet meme, based on Luigi's [[UncannyValley creepy sprite]]. [[WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd AVGN]] did a [[http://cinemassacre.com/2009/07/01/mario-is-missing/ review]] of the game in summer 2009.

The premise is that [[{{BigBad}} Bowser]] [[EvilPlan plans to]] [[TheGreatFlood flood Earth]], and he sends Koopas to steal famous landmarks to help fund his operation. Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi travel to Bowser's castle to stop him. Mario enters all by himself and gets captured, prompting Luigi to go and rescue him.

* LimitedSpecialCollectorsUltimateEdition: Besides the basic floppy disk based DOS version, there was also a deluxe CD version, which had enhanced audio and full voice acting. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT9Nu9qe3J0 TERRIBLE voice acting.]]

* OffscreenVillainDarkMatter: Averted. The whole reason Bowser's even doing the landmark stealing to get the cash to fun his latest plan. The exchange rate to Earth currency for coins that float in the air and are hidden in blocks must be terrible.

* {{Unwinnable}}: Alcatraz can only be reached by taxi token. If you use your last token to get there, you're stuck.

''Mario Is Missing!'' is a geography-based [[EdutainmentShow educational game]] released for the PC in 1992 and {{Nintendo|EntertainmentSystem}} [[SuperNintendo consoles]] in 1993. It was the first game with Luigi as the main character, and the only one until ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion'' came out in 2001. The PC version is notable for giving birth to the "Weegee" internet meme, based on Luigi's [[UncannyValley creepy sprite]]. [[WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd AVGN]] did a [[http://cinemassacre.com/2009/07/01/mario-is-missing/ review]] of the game in summer 2009.

* HarmlessVillain: The Koopalings, who don't even ''try'' to attack you in any of the games, even after telling you their one weakness!

** In the NES game, Mario notices Roy and a sack with his name on it, but doesn't think to run.

** Bowser in the PC version has brown hair instead of orange (which was his default color before later games were able to show him as a redhead) and his tail is somehow a part of the shell rather than his body, which also shows that his actual body has no tail after Luigi yanks the shell off. The SNES version has Bowser with a very small belly/body, making his legs and arms looking too big by comparison. Strangely, the NES version has most of Bowser sprites being a direct copy from the ones used in ''VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3'' with some slight discoloration.

** Yoshi in the PC version looks like someone who had tried to draw him after only seeing him once. Yoshi's body is very elongated and his head is laughly small, along with having a pair of comically small arms. When viewed from the front, Yoshi looks like he suddenly became obese and very wide.
* The Koopalings in the SNES version not only suffer HeadSwap syndrome, but their bodies have the same green shell, even though they typically have shells of different colors and sizes to reflect their character.

* RhymesOnADime: Iggy Koopa. Luigi also indulges in this a bit in some dialogue DummiedOut [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntvLTrb3Szk from the ending]].

* WrittenInAbsence: Lemmy Koopa and Morton Koopa Jr. were the only ones not appearing in the PC game. Only Lemmy's absence was explained: He wanted to play in the snow.

-->-- '''Policewoman''', ''Mario is Missing!''

''Mario is Missing!'' is a geography-based [[EdutainmentShow educational game]] released for the PC in 1992 and {{Nintendo|EntertainmentSystem}} [[SuperNintendo consoles]] in 1993. It was the first game with Luigi as the main character, and the only one until ''VideoGame/LuigisMansion'' came out in 2001. The PC version is notable for giving birth to the "Weegee" internet meme, based on Luigi's [[UncannyValley creepy sprite]]. [[WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd AVGN]] did a [[http://cinemassacre.com/2009/07/01/mario-is-missing/ review]] of the game in summer 2009.

* PaintingTheMedium: In all versions of the game, Mario notices the title of the game, and does a double take as if to say "'Mario is Missing'? But I'm not missing!" And then he goes missing.

* And, as AVGN pointed out, the citizens of New York are not nonplussed about King Kong being abducted by the Koopas.

The premise is that {{B|igBad}}owser [[EvilPlan plans to]] [[TheGreatFlood flood Earth]], and he sends Koopas to steal famous landmarks to help fund his operation. Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi travel to Bowser's castle to stop him. Mario enters all by himself and gets captured, prompting Luigi to go and rescue him.

* EdutainmentGame

* ExcitedShowTitle

* IdiotBall: There are quite a few moments.

** Yoshi in the PC version looks like someone who had tried to draw him after only seeing him once. Yoshi's body is very elongated and his head is laughly small, along with having a pair of just as comically small arms. When viewed from the front, Yoshi looks like he suddenly became obese and very wide.

* WarpWhistle: The PC version allows you to travel to any location in the city you're in as long as you have taxi tokens to hail a cab.

** In the PC version, at least two castle hallways have shields bearing the faces of Larry, Roy, Iggy, Ludwig, and Lemmy... except Lemmy is blatantly Larry with Lemmy's hair in a glaring example of cutting corners. Bowser in the PC version has brown hair instead of orange (which was his default color before later games were able to show him as a redhead) and his tail is somehow a part of the shell rather than his body, which also shows that his actual body has no tail after Luigi yanks the shell off.
** Mario in the SNES version has purple overalls instead of the usual blue.

* OffModel: For a specific example, in the PC version, at least two castle hallways have shields bearing the faces of Larry, Roy, Iggy, Ludwig, and Lemmy... except Lemmy is blatantly Larry with Lemmy's hair in a glaring example of cutting corners. Bowser in the PC version has brown hair instead of orange (which was his default color before later games were able to show him as a redhead) and his tail is somehow a part of the shell rather than his body, which also shows that his actual body has no tail after Luigi yanks the shell off.
** Also, the SNES version has Mario with purple overalls.

* ParallelPornTitles: Disturbingly enough, even with safe search on, an H-Game of the same name is featured on Google ''before'' the actual licensed game. [[DisturbingStatistic Even more disturbingly, that means those searches are more relevant than the original game itself.]]

* OffModel: For a specific example, in the PC version, at least two castle hallways have shields bearing the faces of Larry, Roy, Iggy, Ludwig, and Lemmy... except Lemmy is blatantly Larry with Lemmy's hair in a glaring example of cutting corners.

* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: The Super Nintendo game had Bowser shatter after being cracked in ice. The PC version had his kids get burned alive. [[VideoGame/SuperMarioWorld Considering]] [[VideoGame/YoshisSafari their]] [[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros3 other appearances,]] it's not much of a surprise. [[IdiotBall What is surprising the fact that Larry outright tells Luigi that's how he can kill them.]]

* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: The Super Nintendo game had Bowser shatter after being cracked in ice. The PC version had his kids get burned alive. [[SuperMarioWorld Considering]] [[YoshisSafari their]] [[SuperMarioBros3 other appearances,]] it's not much of a surprise. [[IdiotBall What is surprising the fact that Larry outright tells Luigi that's how he can kill them.]]
FunWithAcronyms: The Koopas and Luigi travel across the world using a machine found in Bowser's castle called the "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin PORTALS]]", or "Passcode Operated Remote Transport And Larceny System".

* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: One version of the game has Bowser get cracked in half after being frozen in a block of ice.
* FunWithAcronyms: The Koopas and Luigi travel across the world using a machine found in Bowser's castle called the "[[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin PORTALS]]", or "Passcode Operated Remote Transport And Larceny System".

* AdventureGame

* InsurmountableWaistHeightFence: The exits back to Bowser's Castle are blocked off by a Pokey. The player has to figure out where in the world they actually are in order to get Yoshi to come and eat the Pokey so they can leave the stage.

** Also, the SNES version has Mario with purple overalls.

* ParallelPornTitles: Disturbingly enough, even with safe search on, an H-Game of the same name is featured on google ''before'' the actual licensed game. [[Main/DisturbingStatistic Even more disturbingly, that means those searches are more relevant the original game itself.]]

* ShoutOut: When Luigi is asked who painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the SNES version, the choices are [[Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Splinter]]. TheIrateGamer admitted this was probably the most amusing thing in the game.

* UnusualEuphemism: Mario exclaims "Sewage!" during his first call on the videophone.