Mario Bros 2

Mario Bros 2 (Thundersoft - Microman) - the unofficial single screen
platformer for Commodore 64 - based on Ocean Software’s 1987 Mario Bros.

A scene hack that remixes phases, tightens timers, and ups enemy pace
while keeping the flip from below and kick to finish core intact. It plays
like a tougher sequel built on the same engine.

Core loop
- flip Shellcreepers - Sidesteppers - Fighter Flies from below
- kick flipped enemies off platforms before they recover
- clear every foe on the phase to advance

Systems and items
- POW block - flips all onscreen enemies - limited uses per phase
- fireballs and freezers - roaming hazards that punish stalling
- coin bonus phase - grab every coin for extra points
- trainer intros - many scene copies include toggles for lives or start phase

Level design and feel
New mixes of platform layouts and enemy groupings with slightly snappier
pace. Physics and collision match the Ocean version, so jumps and flips
feel familiar, but recovery windows are meaner.

Why it is notable
- circulated on C64 as “MarioBros2.Thundersoft.Microman” in the scene
- unofficial level hack posing as a “2” while using Ocean’s C64 engine
- retains two player simultaneous co op on one screen

Tips
- save the POW for crowded Sidestepper waves or emergency flips
- use side wraps to appear behind targets for safe kicks
- move immediately after a flip - late kicks are punished at higher speed

At a glance
Year - Unofficial scene release (date varies by copy)
Original code - Ocean Software (1987) - Allan Shortt
Hack credits - Thundersoft - Microman
Graphics - Jane Lowe (original)
Music - Fred Gray (original)
Publisher - none (scene distribution)
Genre - Platformer (single screen)
Players - 1 or 2 simultaneous
Controls - Joystick in port 2 - second stick in port 1 for 2P