Original Plans for Super Mario Bros. Had Mario Wielding Rockets and Laser Guns

A booklet included in the garishly-named Super Mario Collection Special Pack contains Shigeru Miyamoto’s original plans for Super Mario Bros., which included Mario flying around with the help of a rocket and having rifles and beam guns available for use.

To accomodate the implements of murder that Mario was planned to have at his disposal, the controls were a bit different as well: Left and right on the D-Pad made Mario move accordingly, up and down made Mario jump and crouch, B made Mario run, speed up, or propel his rocket, and A would trigger the attacks from his rifles and lasers, or make Mario kick if he wasn’t equipped with weaponry.

That’s right, Mario with guns almost happened.

(N-Styles via Kotaku)