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{{Short description|1992 educational game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}{{Infobox CVG
| title = Mario Teaches Typing
| image = Mario Teaches Typing cover.jpg
| developer = [[Interplay Productions]]<br>	Presage Software (Macintosh)
| publisher = Interplay Productions
| series = ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]''
| producer = 
| designer = 
| programmer = 
| composer = 
| engine = 
| released = 1992<br>May 11, 1995 (Macintosh  Enhanced)<ref name="producer">{{cite web|url=http://macplay.com/website/pressbox/mttcd.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19981201062602/http://macplay.com/website/pressbox/mttcd.html|title=MacPlay Kicks off Hit Edutainment Title Mario Teaches Typing Enhanced CD-ROM|website=[[MacPlay]]|archivedate=December 1, 1998|date=May 11, 1995|accessdate=November 4, 2022}}</ref>
| genre = [[Educational video game|Educational]]
| platforms = [[MS-DOS]],<ref name="platforms"/> [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]],<ref name="ES"/> Macintosh<ref name="platforms">{{cite web|first=Joyce|last=Sunila|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-16-va-39392-story.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926234005/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-09-16-va-39392-story.html|title=For Kids: SOFTWARE REVIEW: Get in Touch: With typing technique programs, children will have computer savvy at their fingertips.|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|archivedate=September 26, 2020|date=September 16, 1994|accessdate=August 2, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref>
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| alt = 
}}
'''''Mario Teaches Typing''''' is an [[educational video game]] developed and published by [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay Productions]] for [[MS-DOS]] compatible operating systems, [[Microsoft Windows]], and [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]]. The game uses the [[Mario]] character, licensed from [[Nintendo]], to teach keyboard skills. Featuring several modes of difficulty, the software taught typing letters, words and sentences using aesthetics from existing ''Mario'' games.

Conceived by Brian Fargo, the developer aimed to replicate the success of the ''[[Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing]]'' software. ''Mario Teaches Typing'' is notable for being the first time Mario spoke in a video game, featuring the voice of [[Charles Martinet]], who first voiced the character in trade shows, in the enhanced CD release. Afterward, Martinet became the official voice of Mario, voicing the character for 32 years.

The game was well received by publications and went on to sell over 800,000 units. Praise focused on the title's competent yet enjoyable typing tutorials. Interplay continued the relationship with Nintendo to create additional Mario games. A sequel to the game, ''[[Mario Teaches Typing 2]]'', was developed by Brainstorm and published by Interplay in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112539580/the-winnipeg-sun/|title=Bits&Bytes|newspaper=[[Winnipeg Sun]]|page=14|date=June 2, 1997|accessdate=November 4, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|archive-date=November 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104201547/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/112539580/the-winnipeg-sun/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[File:Mario_Teaches_Typing_gameplay.png|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 a stage, blocks and enemies with letters appear. The player must type the corresponding letter to break the block or defeat the enemy. Game 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'' lets the player enter a name, select either [[Mario]], [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]], or [[Princess Peach]] as the [[player character]], and set their target [[words per minute]] (WPM) rate. In the base mode, the player must type out a given text without additional decor. There are three difficulty levels of typing challenges based on ''[[Super Mario World]]'': the chosen character continuously runs to the right until encountering an obstacle or enemy adorned with a letter (level 1), word (level 2), or sentence (level 3). Entering this string correctly allows the character to proceed. At the end of either mode, the game presents the player with statistics, including the reached WPM and error rate.<ref name="no, he's not">{{Cite news |title=Is Mario Your Type? |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103144565/the-richmond-and-twickenham-informer/ |date=1993-07-02 |pages=21 |access-date=2023-01-31 |work=[[Richmond and Twickenham Times]] |archive-date=2023-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131161311/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103144565/the-richmond-and-twickenham-informer/ |url-status=live|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://killscreen.com/previously/articles/pokemon-takes-typing-tutor-game-sub-genre/ |title=Pokémon Takes On the Typing-Tutor Game Sub Genre |date=2012-08-21 |access-date=2023-01-31 |website=[[Kill Screen]] |last=Crouch |first=Henry |archive-date=2023-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131161313/https://killscreen.com/previously/articles/pokemon-takes-typing-tutor-game-sub-genre/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PC Player 05/93">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/PC-Player-German-Magazine-1993-05/page/n23/mode/2up |title=Lass tippen, Mario |language=de |trans-title=Let's type, Mario |first=Heinrich |last=Lenhardt |magazine=[[PC Player (German magazine)|PC Player]] |date=May 1993 |publisher=DMV Daten- und Medienverlag |pages=24–25 |via=[[Internet Archive]] |access-date=September 21, 2023}}</ref> Localized versions exist, such as a German release that supports [[QWERTZ]] keyboards and [[Umlaut (diacritic)|umlauts]].<ref name="PC Player 05/93" />

==Development and release==
[[File:Brian Fargo – Game Developers Conference China 2011 (cropped2).jpg|thumb|right|alt=Portrait of a White man wearing a black jacket in front of a podium with two small goose-neck microphones. His hands are up near his chest while he speaks and looks to the left.|[[Interplay Productions]]' [[Brian Fargo]] (shown in 2011) conceived the game and approached Nintendo about licensing Mario.]]

''Mario Teaches Typing'' was conceived and developed by [[Brian Fargo]], who was the head of [[Interplay Entertainment]] at the time. Fargo was acquaintances with [[Les Crane]], a talk show host and radio announcer, who had developed the educational typing game ''[[Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing]]''. The game's 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. After considering who could be the face and teacher of the game, Fargo concluded that Mario would be a good fit. Fargo pitched the idea to Nintendo, who was enthusiastic about the concept and agreed to Mario's inclusion.<ref name="IGNI">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/20/interplay-founder-on-working-with-nintendo-on-mario-teaches-typing-a-ign-unfiltered |title=Interplay Founder on Working With Nintendo on Mario Teaches Typing — IGN Unfiltered |date=2017-06-20 |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=[[IGN]] |last=Osborn |first=Alex |archive-date=2019-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714033317/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/20/interplay-founder-on-working-with-nintendo-on-mario-teaches-typing-a-ign-unfiltered |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ign-unfiltered-20_interplay">{{cite AV media| url = https://www.ign.com/videos/interplay-founder-on-working-with-fallout-nintendo-and-blizzard-ign-unfiltered-20-episode-2| title = Interplay Founder on Working With Fallout, Nintendo, and Blizzard| date = June 21, 2017| website = IGN |series = IGN Unfiltered| number = 20| people = McCaffrey, Ryan (host) and Fargo, Brian (interviewee)| accessdate = April 30, 2025}}</ref> At the time, Nintendo felt that a few educational computer games would not damage their industry dominance.<ref name="how-nintendo-conquered_140">{{cite book |last= Ryan| first= Jeff |year = 2012|title= Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America|location= |publisher= Penguin Publishing Group|page= 140|isbn= 9781591845638}}</ref> Mario's creator, [[Shigeru Miyamoto]], was not involved with the ''Mario Teaches Typing''{{'}}s development.<ref name="how-nintendo-conquered_142">{{cite book |last= Ryan| first= Jeff |year = 2012|title= Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America|location= |publisher= Penguin Publishing Group|page= 142|isbn= 9781591845638}}</ref> The software reuses the [[title theme]] from ''Super Mario World''.<ref name="PC Player 05/93" /> The game was first released in the United States in 1992 and later in the United Kingdom in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103144213/daily-record/|title=What's New|newspaper=[[Daily Record (Scotland)|Daily Record]]|page=26|date=September 12, 1992|accessdate=June 4, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|archive-date=June 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604155253/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103144213/daily-record/|url-status=live}}</ref> An enhanced CD-ROM version was produced in 1995 by Thomas R. Decker.<ref name="producer"/><ref name="guardian-cd"/> A Macintosh version of the game was developed by Presage Software, who had also developed the 1995 ''[[Mario's Game Gallery]]'' for Interplay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presage.com/pMTTyping.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19970614015024/http://www.presage.com/pMTTyping.html|title=Presage Products - Mario Teaches Typing|website=Presage Software|archivedate=June 14, 1997|accessdate=December 3, 2023}}</ref>

''Mario Teaches Typing'' was the first time the Mario character spoke in a game. Ronald B. Ruben provided the voice for the MS-DOS version and was replaced by [[Charles Martinet]] for the CD version.<ref name="npr_mario">{{cite web| url = https://www.npr.org/2021/01/07/953936034/sweater-design-gin-rummy-typing-these-are-the-mario-games-youve-never-heard-of| title = Sweater Design? Gin Rummy? Typing? These Are The Mario Games You've Never Heard Of| first = Brittany| last = Vincent| date = January 7, 2021| website = [[NPR]]| accessdate = January 26, 2025}}</ref> He also performed the motions and expressions for the character through [[Remote manipulator|virtual actor tracking sensors]].<ref name="guardian-cd">{{Cite news |title=Microfile |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103141168/the-guardian/ |last=Schofield |first=Jack |date=1995-04-20 |work=[[The Guardian]] |access-date=2023-01-31 |archive-date=2023-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131155516/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103141168/the-guardian/ |url-status=live|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Martinet considered ''Mario Teaches Typing'' to be one of his favorite projects using the voice, as well as one of the most important; it helped him understand the character from a child's perspective. He declared that Mario would never be in a negative headspace, and when he saw the script containing criticism for failing, such as "Oh that wasn't very good, try again", he suggested that the dialogue encourages the user to continue trying, such as, "Not as good this time, but you're gonna do it better this time, let's go!'"<ref name="GR+I">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/legendary-mario-voice-actor-charles-martinet-on-his-favorite-characters-and-why-he-now-dreams-in-2d/ |title=Legendary Mario voice actor Charles Martinet on his favorite characters and why he now 'dreams in 2D' |date=2022-01-03 |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |last=Fisher |first=Andrew |archive-date=2023-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325140440/https://www.gamesradar.com/legendary-mario-voice-actor-charles-martinet-on-his-favorite-characters-and-why-he-now-dreams-in-2d/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception and legacy==
{{Video game reviews
|rev1=''[[Aktueller Software Markt]]''
|rev1Score=11/12<ref>{{cite web|first=Gerda|last=Arnold|url=https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=3005|title=Tippen mit Mario|magazine=[[Aktueller Software Markt]]|language=de|trans-title=Typing with Mario|date=1993|accessdate=June 4, 2022|archive-date=April 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423072715/https://www.kultboy.com/index.php?site=t&id=3005|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev2=''[[All Game Guide]]''
|rev2Score=3.5/5<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=34673&tab=review|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115201222/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=34673&tab=review|title=Mario Teaches Typing|website=[[All Game Guide]]|archivedate=November 15, 2014|accessdate=July 23, 2023}}</ref>
|rev3=''[[Evening Sentinel]]''
|rev3Score=80%<ref name="ES">{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Fountain|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103141216/evening-sentinel/|title=Mario keys into the typing pool|newspaper=[[Evening Sentinel]]|page=27|date=May 6, 1995|accessdate=June 4, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|archive-date=June 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220604144922/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103141216/evening-sentinel/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|rev4=''[[Electronic Games]]''
|rev4Score=B+<ref name="Electronic Games Review">{{cite web|first=Laurie|last=Yates|url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-games-1994-10z/page/n119/mode/2up|title=Mario Teaches Typing|magazine=[[Electronic Games]]|page=120|date=October 1994|accessdate=February 20, 2025}}</ref>
|rev5=''[[MacUser]]''
|rev5Score=4/5<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/MacUser9312December1993/page/n127/mode/1up|title=The MacUser 100|magazine=[[MacUser]]|page=132|date=December 1993|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref>
|rev6=''[[PC Review]]''
|rev6Score=5/10<ref>{{cite web|first=Sue|last=James|url=https://archive.org/details/pc-review-014/page/100/mode/2up|title=Mario Teaches Typing|magazine=[[PC Review]]|page=100,101|date=December 1992|accessdate=February 20, 2025}}</ref>
|rev7=''Play Time''
|rev7Score=73%<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/play-time-1993-06/page/n31/mode/2up|title=Mario Teaches Typing|magazine=Play Time|language=de|page=32|date=June 1993|accessdate=February 20, 2025}}</ref>
|rev8=''[[PCMag]]''
|rev8Score=3/4<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IfAR4gyw8RsC|title=After Hours|magazine=[[PCMag]]|date=August 1994|accessdate=February 20, 2025}}</ref>
}}

The title sold more than 800,000 copies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.learningco.com/news/news98/980406a.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19981203045526/http://www.learningco.com/news/news98/980406a.htm|title=The Learning Company Announces Exclusive Distribution Agreement With Interplay For Mario Teaches Typing|website=[[The Learning Company]]|archivedate=December 3, 1998|date=April 6, 1998|accessdate=June 4, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brainstormfun.com/press/mtt2.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980131173157/http://www.brainstormfun.com/press/mtt2.html|title=Best-Selling Children's Typing Software Doubles The Fun With Mario Teaches Typing 2|website=Brainstorm|archivedate=January 31, 1998|date=March 31, 1997|accessdate=June 28, 2023}}</ref> According to [[PC Data]], ''Mario Teaches Typing'' was the tenth best-selling Macintosh game of June 1996<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcdata.com/html/top_sellers/jun96_mac_home_ed.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980629000655/http://www.pcdata.com/html/top_sellers/jun96_mac_home_ed.html|title=PC Data Hits List of Top Selling Software June, 1996|website=[[PC Data]]|archivedate=June 29, 1998|date=June 1996|accessdate=July 2, 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref> as well as the eighth top selling software in the first half of 1996 for the Macintosh.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pcdata.com/html/top_sellers/fh96_mac_home_ed.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/19980628235903/http://www.pcdata.com/html/top_sellers/fh96_mac_home_ed.html|title=PC Data Hits List of Top Selling Software - First Half 1996|website=[[PC Data]]|archivedate=June 28, 1998|accessdate=August 20, 2024}}</ref> The game ranked the 5th best selling educational software for the week ending December 19, 1992 at [[Software Etc]] chain of stores.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA12898645&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=008a269d|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241128064324/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA12898645&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-GPS&asid=008a269d|title=Software Etc. Bestselling Titles|website=[[PR Newswire]]|archivedate=November 28, 2024|date=December 22, 1992|accessdate=November 28, 2024|via=[[Gale Research]]|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Mario Teaches Typing'' was well-received by contemporary publications. Steve Fountain of the ''[[Evening Sentinel]]'' reviewed the Windows CD version. While pointing out that the premise seemed out-of-character, he wrote that the program is not as enjoyable as a normal computer game but a "better than ploughing through a dull typing manual". Fountain also criticized Mario's voice, calling the Italian accent "ridiculous".<ref name="ES"/> Heinrich Lenhardt, the co-[[editor-in-chief]] of German magazine ''[[PC Player (German magazine)|PC Player]]'', regarded ''Mario Teaches Typing'' as a competent alternative to ten-finger [[typewriter]] courses, although he believed its usefulness would be limited to hobbyists as it could not satisfy the needs of experienced typers like [[secretaries]].<ref name="PC Player 05/93" /> Writing for ''[[Electronic Games]]'', Laurie Yates noted that ''Mario Teaches Typing'' stood out among the rise of kid-focused typing programs at the time and recommended the title, saying that it is a contender as the sole typing program for families.<ref name="Electronic Games Review"/> 

''[[The Oregonian]]'' writer Randy Chase praised the software for being engaging for kids as well as still practical for adults. He summarized his review commenting that the game can comfortably transition kids from familiar video games to the "sometimes intimidating world of home computers".<ref>{{cite web|first=Randy|last=Chase|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian/155473638/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917171331/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian/155473638/|title=Software Review|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|page=21|archivedate=September 17, 2024|date=October 13, 1992|accessdate=September 17, 2024|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|url-status=live}}</ref> Cameron Crotty of ''[[Macworld]]'' praised the software for providing challenges to all levels of typists while lessening the "drudgery".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/MacWorld_9312_December_1993/page/n43/mode/2up|title=Mario Teaches Typing|magazine=[[Macworld]]| first = Cameron| last = Crotty| page=43|date=December 1993|accessdate=September 17, 2024}}</ref> Writing for the ''[[The Daily Gazette]]'', Michael Himowitz noted that his kid enjoyed the title. He further complimented the inclusion of the 3D Mario head that offered guidance. Conversely, he criticized the character's Italian accent when speaking.<ref name="daily-gazette">{{cite news |last= Himowitz| first= Michael| date= September 11, 1994| title= Typing remains a crucial skill for students in the computer era| work= The Daily Gazette|location= Schenectady, New York, United States| page = C7}}</ref> Lonnie Brown of the ''[[The Ledger|Lakeland Ledger]]'' compared the game to ''Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing'', noting that while ''Mario Teaches Typing'' would appeal to children more, the other title provides more thorough lessons. He also commented that younger audiences would enjoy the 3D Mario head.<ref name="lakeland-ledger">{{cite news |last= Brown| first= Lonnie| date= October 16, 1994| title= Computer programs help teach typing| work= [[The Ledger|Lakeland Ledger]]|location= Lakeland, Florida, United States| page = 6C}}</ref>

Fargo considered ''Mario Teaches Typing'' a success. After its release, Crane expressed dissatisfaction at Fargo for creating a title that was a successful competitor against ''Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing''.<ref name="IGNI"/><ref name="ign-unfiltered-20_interplay"/> Following his performance in the game, Martinet would go on to become the official voice actor for Mario, voicing the character for decades in over 150 games.<ref name="GR+I"/> Fargo noted that Miyamoto was happy with the game.<ref name="IGNI"/><ref name="ign-unfiltered-20_interplay"/> The success of ''Mario Teaches Typing'' prompted Nintendo to explore educational computer games further.<ref name="how-nintendo-conquered_140"/> Interplay continued its relationship with the company, releasing additional ''Mario'' titles: ''[[Mario's Game Gallery]]'' and a direct sequel, ''[[Mario Teaches Typing 2]]''. However, Nintendo ceased all such endeavors, including with Interplay, after another outside company produced a game that was not up to its standards.<ref name="IGNI"/><ref name="ign-unfiltered-20_interplay"/>

The title has received an overall positive retrospective reception years after its release as well. In a 2016 retrospective of Mario games on non-Nintendo platforms, Vincent Ingenito praised the title for its use of the Mario franchise and being a capable typing tutor.<ref name="ign_non-nintendo">{{cite web| url = https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/09/09/8-mario-games-released-on-non-nintendo-platforms| title = 8 Mario Games Released On Non-Nintendo Platforms| website = IGN| first = Vince| last = Ingenito| date = September 9, 2016| accessdate = April 30, 2025}}</ref> Writing for NPR in 2021, Brittany Vincent noted that the inclusion of a kid-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.<ref name="npr_mario"/> In 2022, Dalton Norman of ''[[Screen Rant]]'' praised Interplay for integrating familiar Mario imagery. While he stated that ''Mario Teaches Typing'' could never be as exciting as a typical Mario game, the presentation was a "fair approximation of Nintendo's signature style".<ref>{{cite web| first=Dalton| last=Norman|url=https://screenrant.com/every-educational-mario-game-ranked/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904011040/https://screenrant.com/every-educational-mario-game-ranked/|title=Every Educational Mario Game, Ranked|website=[[Screen Rant]]|archivedate=September 4, 2022|date=September 3, 2022|accessdate=February 20, 2025|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19961220002412/http://www.interplay.com/games/salemari.html ''Mario Teaches Typing''] at Interplay Productions
*{{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/19981205182528/http://www.macplay.com/website/titles/marittc.html}} (archived)
*{{moby game|id=/3914}}

{{Mario educational games}}

[[Category:Mario educational games]]
[[Category:Children's educational video games]]
[[Category:1992 video games]]
[[Category:Interplay Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Typing software]]
[[Category:Classic Mac OS games]]
[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Presage Software games]]