Mario Teaches Typing is an educational video game developed and published by Interplay Productions for MS-DOS compatible operating systems, Windows, and Macintosh. It uses the Mario character, licensed from Nintendo, to teach keyboard skills. Featuring several modes of difficulty, it teaches typing letters, words, and sentences using aesthetics from Mario games.

Interplay aimed to replicate the success of the Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing software. Nintendo agreed as it was expanding into more creative and educational products. Interplay released Mario Teaches Typing on floppy disk in 1992 and then published an enhanced version on CD-ROM in 1993.

A sequel, Mario Teaches Typing 2, was developed by Brainstorm and published by Interplay in 1997. Like the enhanced version, it updated the interface and added features. Mario Teaches Typing was the first time Mario spoke in a video game, originally by Ronald Ruben for the initial release and then by Charles Martinet in the CD release. Afterward, Martinet became the official voice of Mario, voicing him for 32 years.

Mario Teaches Typing frequently appeared in top ten sales charts of educational software from 1992 to 1996 and sold 800,000 copies. All versions received a mixed reception by publications, with the earlier releases receiving more favorable reviews than the sequel. Praise focused on the use of the Mario franchise in the presentation and its appeal to children. Critics were divided as to its competency as a typing tutorial. Reviewers felt Mario Teaches Typing was more suitable for children than Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. Nintendo continued the relationship with Interplay until ceasing endeavors outside Nintendo systems in the late 1990s.

Gameplay

thumb|left|alt=A rectangular video game screenshot that is a digital representation of a brick road. An Italian plumber in blue overalls, a red shirt, and red hat runs to the right. Two brick blocks, the first with the letter "F" and the second with the letter "D", float above the plumber. On the far right, a green turtle with the letter "S" on its shell walks to the left.|As [[Mario (center) moves through the beginner stage, blocks and turtles with letters appear. The player must type the corresponding letter to break the block or defeat the Koopa Troopa. Statistics like time and words per minute are tracked at the bottom of the screen along with a teaching aid that displays which finger should be used to type at the time.]]

Mario Teaches Typing is a single-player educational typing game aimed at teaching children touch typing. From the Main Menu screen, the player can select lessons as well as manage student profiles and lesson settings. As part of their profile, the player can set a words per minute (WPM) goal and change the player character to Mario, Luigi, or Princess Peach. Reaching the WPM goal will provide the player with a printable certificate.

There are three lessons of increasing difficulty. During lessons, the status bar displays statistics that track the player's progress: play time, number of keys typed, WPM, and number of errors. The bar includes a diagram of a pair of hands as a teaching aid; the finger needed to type the next letter will be highlighted.

The first stage, "Mario's Smash & Dash", is a beginner lesson—the player types individual letters—set outdoors where the player character smashes blocks and jumps on Koopa Troopas. The next stage, "Mario's Wet Word Challenge", is an intermediate lesson in which the player must type words. Set underwater, the player character swims ahead of dangerous sea creatures by completing words. The final stage, called "Mario's Tunnel of Doom", is an advanced lesson set in an underground castle that tasks the player with typing complete sentences in order for the player-character to run past falling Thwomps and escape segments of quicksand. A typing drill practice mode named "Mario's Expert Express" is also available from the main menu screen. Ronald B. Ruben provided the voice for Mario; it was the first time that the character had spoken in a game. The success inspired Fargo to create a typing game of his own. He had heard that the majority of the purchases were by parents wanting to teach their children how to type. Fargo pitched the idea to Nintendo, who was enthusiastic about the concept and agreed to Mario's inclusion. Additionally, the corporation felt that a few educational computer games would not damage their industry dominance at the time. Mario's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, was not involved with Mario Teaches Typings development.

Release and versions

Mario Teaches Typing was released in the United States in 1992 and in the United Kingdom in 1993. Interplay promoted it at the Summer Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in June 1992. The next month, software retailers began advertising they had Mario Teaches Typing in stock for sale. Interplay first released Mario Teaches Typing on floppy disk for MS-DOS compatible home computers. The software displays in either EGA and VGA graphics. Interplay later provided a downloadable demo version of the MS-DOS release on its website, as well as a software patch related to problems with Sound Blaster 16 sound cards.

Near the end of 1992, Interplay advertised its intent to release a version for Macintosh computers. Like the original release, Interplay promoted the Macintosh port at the Winter CES in January 1994.

Enhanced CD-ROM

thumb|upright|right|alt=Closeup of a white-haired man smiling as he looks towards the camera.|Following his performance, [[Charles Martinet (shown in 2010) voiced Mario in multiple games for decades.]]

Interplay later produced an enhanced version on CD-ROM. In addition to an updated interface, the developers added videos of Mario-In-Real-Time using VActor (Virtual Actor) Character Animation technology developed by SimGraphics Engineering. Mario-In-Real-Time began as a technology demonstration at video game trade shows. Nintendo's exhibit had a monitor that displayed a 3D floating Mario head, which was controlled by an off-stage actor who would make the onscreen Mario interact with attendees. Charles Martinet took over Mario's voice acting duties for the CD version;

Martinet considered Mario Teaches Typing one of his favorite and most important Mario projects as it helped him understand Mario from a child's perspective. He concluded that the character would never be in a negative mindset. When he saw criticism for failing in the script, such as "Oh that wasn't very good, try again", he suggested that the dialogue encourage the user to continue trying, such as, "Not as good this time, but you're gonna do it better this time, let's go!"

At the 1993 Summer CES, Interplay announced that the CD version would be released later that year. Retailers began advertising it for sale by November 1993. MacPlay later released the enhanced CD-ROM version on Macintosh computers running System 7 or higher in May 1995. Decker again served as producer. The division was formed in late 1996 to focus on Interplay's educational software for children. The sequel features the lessons from the original and adds an onscreen color-coded keyboard as well as the option to customize lesson plans. The onscreen keyboard mode displays a keyboard with the keys color coded to corresponding fingers in order familiarize players with touch typing finger placement. Pressing the keys produce a Mario-themed animation.

News of the sequel emerged in late 1995. When unveiling the division's creation on November 1, 1996, Brainstorm also announced its intent to publish Mario Teaches Typing 2 on a hybrid CD. Brainstorm launched its website, which included product information, around the same time. Fargo considered it a success. The following month, the organization reported that it was the sixth-bestselling software in home education and the ninth top-selling education game. PC Research also reported that Mario Teaches Typing was the sixth top-selling IBM PC education game in September 1992. It dropped to ninth the following month and tenth in December 1992. At the Software Etc. chain of stores, it was the fifth-bestselling educational software for the week ending December 19, 1992. By January 1993, the title remained number ten on PC Research's list of top-selling IBM PC education games before returning to number nine in February.

According to PC Data, Mario Teaches Typing was the number eight top education software in July 1994. In November 1995, MultiMedia Merchandising magazine listed the game eighth on its top education bestsellers chart, based on a compilation of industry surveys and retail reports across the four formats. It remained on the list the following months, dropping to number 15 in December and then rising to number 12 in January 1996. The next month, Mario Teaches Typing dropped back to fifteenth place, based on sales of only the PC and Mac CD-ROM versions. Also in 1996, PC Data noted that the enhanced CD-ROM Macintosh version was the tenth best-selling Macintosh software of June 1996, as well as the eighth top-selling software for the Macintosh in the first half of the year.

Critical response

Mario Teaches Typing received mixed reviews. Commentators were split as to whether all audiences would benefit. Several reviewers compared it to Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing; they felt Mario Teaches Typing was a better fit for children and suggested the former for older users. Despite the commentary, Crane reportedly expressed dissatisfaction towards Fargo for creating a successful competitor against Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing. PC Magazine echoed similar statements, writing that the familiarity of Mario and the excitement of gaming would keep children interested in typing lessons. Similarly, the editors of HomePC magazine named it one of the best software titles of 1994 in their holiday shopping guide.

Writing for Electronic Games, Laurie Yates felt that PC CD-ROM release of Mario Teaches Typing stood out among the rise of child-focused typing programs at the time and recommended it, saying that it is a contender as the sole typing program for families. Lonnie Brown of the Lakeland Ledger compared it to Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, noting that while Mario Teaches Typing would appeal to children more, the other title provides more thorough lessons.

The reception in the United Kingdom was mixed. Sue James of PC Review was critical, finding it less effective and more "gimmicky" than similar games. While she noted the addition of the teaching aid on the status bar, James felt the amount of activity on the screen precludes players from using it. She wrote that the animations and sound effects hindered rather encouraged learning. James considered the passive error tallying, which did not interrupt the user's pace, and the less distracting drill-based mode as positive aspects along with the statistical feedback during and after lessons.

| MW = 4.1/10

| rev1 = MacHome Journal

| rev1Score = 3/5

| rev2 = The Oregonian

| rev2Score = C−

The sequel was not as well received by publications, who focused on the program's audiovisuals and effectiveness. Reviewers were critical of the presentation for being geared towards young children and alienating older users. The Oregonians reviewer wrote that the audiovisuals had "cheesey graphics and carnival music" but noted that Nintendo fans would find it familiar.

Retrospective

Mario Teaches Typing received mixed retrospective reviews in the decades since. Kill Screens Henry Crouch recalled a negative impression from using it in elementary school, describing it as "lazily constructed" and "no fun". He noted that he could advance by "frantically [mashing] the keyboard," negating the usefulness. While acknowledging that Mario Teaches Typing was not as exciting as the Mario platform games, Brett Alan Weiss of Allgame felt it could "keep most kids entertained for a while". Reviewing the Macintosh version, he praised the learning curve, audiovisuals, and interface, specifically the hand diagram teaching aid. Conversely, Eurogamers Johnny Chiodini lambasted the game, calling it a "horrible spin-off" and recommending against it. The next year, Innovation & Tech Todays Anthony Elio recommended that players avoid the software citing its ineffectiveness and the frightening Mario head. Writing for NPR in 2021, Brittany Vincent noted that the inclusion of a child-friendly character like Mario in an educational game makes sense now but acknowledged that it was strange at the time. She commented that one of the strange parts was the "creepy" 3D floating Mario head.

Legacy

Following Mario Teaches Typing, Martinet became the official voice actor for Mario, voicing him for decades in over 150 games. Fargo noted that Miyamoto was happy with Mario Teaches Typing. it partnered with The Software Toolworks to release the several Mario-themed educational games in 1993. Interplay maintained its relationship with Nintendo, releasing Mario's Game Gallery. However, Nintendo ceased endeavors on non-Nintendo systems, including with Interplay, after another outside company produced a game that was not up to its standards.