Introduction
Cat Mario, also known as Syobon Action, is a Japanese freeware platformer developed by Chiku, released in February 2007. It’s a parody of Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros., featuring a white, cat-like character navigating side-scrolling levels filled with deceptive traps and unpredictable obstacles.
Unlike traditional platformers, Cat Mario is notorious for its extreme difficulty and “troll” mechanics, designed to frustrate players with unexpected hazards, such as blocks that kill you, misleading power-ups, or flagpoles that lead to instant death. Its quirky graphics, catchy soundtrack, and brutal challenge have made it a cult classic among gamers, often dubbed a “rage game” due to its ability to test patience through trial and error.
How to play
Controls
- ← and →: Move the cat left or right.
- ↑: Jump (hold for higher jumps).
- ↓: Enter pipes or crouch (in some versions).
- Enter Key: Start the game or select options in the menu.
- Home + Down Arrow: Go down sewer pipes (in some versions).
- End + Right Arrow: Move straight or to the right (in some versions).
Gameplay
- Movement and jumping: The cat moves side-to-side and jumps to navigate platforms, avoid enemies, and dodge traps.
- Enemies: Unlike Super Mario, you cannot stomp on enemies to defeat them. Most enemies (e.g., green turtles, ghosts, or mushrooms) kill the cat with a single touch. Some move predictably, while others are erratic.
- Power-Ups: Power-ups are deceptive. For example:
- A green mushroom might increase your size or give an extra hit point.
- A black mushroom or other items can instantly kill or shrink you, making you more vulnerable.
- Traps and obstacles: Levels are filled with hidden dangers, such as:
- Blocks that fall or sprout spikes when touched.
- Invisible blocks that appear when you jump, blocking your path.
- Seemingly safe platforms that collapse or lead to pits.
- Flagpoles or pipes that kill you instead of advancing the game.
- Lives: You start with a few lives (typically three), but when they run out, the game continues with negative lives, allowing infinite attempts. Blue checkpoint flags save your progress within a level.
- Levels: The game has four to six stages (up to 18 in mobile versions), each with unique themes (e.g., overworld, underground tunnels) and escalating difficulty. You must memorize trap locations through trial and error to progress
