When I told you last month that I had a “nearly unplayable… historic Mario prototype for the NES” to share, I wasn’t joking. I do. In the most literal sense, the game is extremely hard to play through and sickeningly historical, indeed.

Mario is Missing! is a Mario-themed edutainment title developed by Radical Entertainment that teaches you about world history, geography, and soul-crushing disappointment.

For some disturbing reason, I decided to pursue a prototype of this game from a former game journalist, who obtained the cart from the offices of VideoGames & Computer Entertainment Magazine.

Check out the Mario is Missing! NES prototype article to learn more!

Happy April Fools’ Day!