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Mario's Cement Factory

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Mario's Cement Factory screenshots
Game & Watch Table Top version
Developer(s)Nintendo R&D1
Publisher(s)Nintendo
SeriesMario
Platform(s)
Release
  • Table Top:
  • April 28, 1983
  • New Wide Screen:
  • June 8, 1983
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Mario's Cement Factory[lower-alpha 1] is a 1983 LCD game developed and published by Nintendo under their Game & Watch series. It follows earlier Mario games, like the arcade and Game & Watch versions of Donkey Kong. Players control Mario as he navigates elevators and funnels cement through a factory, while trying to prevent the cement from crushing his fellow workers. Two versions of the game were released — a Table Top unit and a handheld game akin to most other Game & Watch titles. Development was headed by Nintendo R&D1, led by engineer Gunpei Yokoi.

The game has been re-released several times; it was featured as part of Game Boy Gallery for the Game Boy, Game & Watch Gallery 4 for the Game Boy Advance, and as a digital download for the Nintendo DSi. It has been described by critics as one of the strangest games in the Mario franchise.

Gameplay[]

Mario's Cement Factory puts players in control of Mario, who works at a cement factory where he funnels cement into cement trucks. Mario must navigate two dangerous elevators and avoid falling or being crushed and losing a life. He must also continually empty cement into the trucks, or else the cement will overflow and crush one of the workers below, which costs players a life. There are two game modes: A and B, the latter being faster paced and more difficult.[2][3][4]

Development[]

Mario's Cement Factory was developed by Nintendo R&D1, which at the time was led by Gunpei Yokoi, and published by Nintendo.[5] Like all Game & Watch releases, each unit is a standalone portable device that doubles as a clock and can only play the one game.[6] Hirokazu Tanaka composed the game sounds.[1]

Two versions of the game were released. The first is part of the Game & Watch Table Top series and debuted on April 28, 1983. It has a full color illuminated screen, and approximately 250,000 models were produced.[7] The Table Top series did not sell as well, leading to Mario's Cement Factory being one of only four Table Top units ever produced.[8] A smaller handheld version was later released on June 8 as part of the New Wide Screen series. It has a monochrome screen with a color overlay, and approximately 750,000 units were produced.[9][10][11]

The game was released the same year that Nintendo's Famicom system debuted in Japan, and two years after the first Mario title (the arcade game Donkey Kong).[12]

The first revision of the tabletop version is notable for playing a brief excerpt of the Queen song Another One Bites The Dust whenever a new game is started.[13] In later revisions of the game, this excerpt was replaced with a generic melody.[14]

Re-releases[]

See also: Game & Watch ports and remakes

Mario's Cement Factory has been re-released in various forms. It was included in the 1995 Game Boy Gallery for Game Boy, featuring updated graphics.[15][16] It was also re-released in the Nintendo Mini Classics line, which repackaged Game & Watch games in small Game Boy-like devices.[17][18] Both the New Wide Screen and an updated version were included in the 2002 Game & Watch Gallery 4 for the Game Boy Advance.[15] In 2009, the game was re-released for the Nintendo DSi's DSiWare download service (along with other Game & Watch games).[19][20] The DSi version was released in Japan on August 18.[21] It was released in North America and Europe in March 2010.[19][22] The DSi version was also given as a reward on Nintendo's now-defunct Club Nintendo service.[23]

Reception[]

Mario's Cement Factory (Tabletop) - Game&Watch - Nintendo

The Table Top unit of Mario's Cement Factory

Mario's Cement Factory has been called one of the best Game & Watch games, and praised for its relative complexity.[3][24] One critic called it fun,[25] another an "old favorite",[4] while another praised its replay value.[24] Staff for the magazine Video Games regarded it as a more difficult game than many before it.[26] Yet, it received some criticism; it has been called primitive by the standards of today,[3][27] and one review of the DSiWare release complained that the controls were too "picky and precise".[28]

It has been called one of the stranger entries in the Mario series.[29][30][31] Mario's role as a cement factory worker has been mentioned in multiple articles that cover the array of professions Mario has undertaken.[32][6]

The original units have become collector's items and, like many Game & Watch titles, a complete-in-box unit can sell for over US$100.[29][25] The game was featured in a Gunpei Yokoi exhibit in Harajuku in 2010.[33]

Notes[]

  1. ↑ Japanese: マリオズ・セメント・ファクトリー[1] Hepburn: Mariozu Semento Fakutorī?

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Tanaka, Hirokazu. "Nintendo Archive - Works". Sporadic Vacuum (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2014.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  2. ↑ "Game & Watch™ Mario's Cement Factory". Nintendo of Europe. Retrieved August 28, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Gilbert, Henry (March 20, 2011). "The 8 best Game & Watch games". GamesRadar. Retrieved May 17, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Robertson, Andy (April 23, 2010). "DSi Ware's Game and What?". Wired. https://www.wired.com/2010/04/dsi-wares-game-and-what/. Retrieved May 17, 2019. 
  5. ↑ Marrujo, Robert (August 2, 2018). "The History of Game Boy (Revised for 2019)". Nintendojo. Retrieved August 27, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ryan, Jeff (2012). Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America. Penguin. p. 61. ISBN 978-1591845638. https://books.google.com/books?id=9_JvDwAAQBAJ. Retrieved May 26, 2019. 
  7. ↑ Panayiotakis, Michael (June 24, 2008). "Game & Watch: A Retrospective: Just add table". DS Fanboy. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  8. ↑ McFerran, Damien (January 1, 2021). "Feature: How Nintendo's Game & Watch Took "Withered Technology" And Turned It Into A Million-Seller". NintendoLife. Retrieved July 25, 2021.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  9. ↑ Panayiotakis, Michael (June 24, 2008). "Game & Watch: A Retrospective: Not just any old Wide Screen ..." DS Fanboy. Archived from the original on July 5, 2008. Retrieved May 26, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  10. ↑ Powers, Rick (August 29, 2002). "Mario, This Is Your Life". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved August 24, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  11. ↑ Nintendo (October 23, 2018) (in en). Super Mario Encyclopedia: The Official Guide to the First 30 Years. Dark Horse Comics. pp. 237–238. ISBN 9781630089450. https://books.google.com/books?id=qzdcDwAAQBAJ. Retrieved September 14, 2019. 
  12. ↑ "Game And Watch: Mario's Cement Factory". YouTube. Event occurs at 0:13.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  13. ↑ "Mario's Cement Factory (Alternate)". YouTube. Event occurs at 0:23.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  14. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Frear, Dave (January 4, 2016). "Game & Watch Gallery Advance Review (Wii U eShop / GBA)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved May 17, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  15. ↑ Thomas, Lucas M. (July 17, 2011). "Game & Watch Gallery Review". IGN. Retrieved August 27, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  16. ↑ North, Dale (August 5, 2009). "Nintendo's Game & Watch come back as Mini Classics". Destructoid. Retrieved May 17, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  17. ↑ Thompson, Michael (August 5, 2009). "Nintendo Mini Classics resurrects Game & Watch titles". Arstechnica. Retrieved August 25, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  18. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Aaron, Sean (March 22, 2010). "Nintendo Download: 22nd March 2010 (North America)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved May 15, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  19. ↑ Van Duyn, Marcel (July 10, 2009). "Game & Watch Games to be Released on DSiWare". Nintendo Life. Retrieved May 15, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  20. ↑ "Game & Watch Mario's Cement Factory (2010)". Nintendo Life. 15 April 2010. Retrieved May 15, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  21. ↑ Van Duyn, Marcel (March 25, 2019). "Nintendo Download: 26th March 2010 (Europe)". Nintendo Life. Retrieved May 15, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  22. ↑ Whitehead, Thomas (January 14, 2014). "Club Nintendo Rewards Updated for January". Nintendo Life. Retrieved May 15, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  23. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Knight, Rich (November 28, 2011). "Portable Plumber: The Complete History of Mario in Handheld Games". Complex. Retrieved May 17, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  24. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Cipriano, Jason (May 3, 2010). "Game & Watch Revival - 30 Years Later And Still Ringin'". MTV.com. Retrieved May 26, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  25. ↑ "Video Games". Video Games (Pumpkin Press) 2 (1): 76. October 1983. 
  26. ↑ Riley, Adam (April 11, 2010). "Game & Watch: Mario's Cement Factory (Nintendo DS) Review". Cubed3. Retrieved May 17, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  27. ↑ Thomas, Lucas M. (July 27, 2010). "DSiWare Capsule Reviews: Third Week of July". IGN. Retrieved May 26, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  28. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Lynch, Gerald (March 11, 2017). "The weirdest Super Mario games ever". TechRadar. Retrieved May 15, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  29. ↑ Rouner, Jeff (August 29, 2013). "10 Mario Games You've Probably Never Heard Of". Houston Press. Retrieved May 17, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  30. ↑ Gaspin, Ben (June 30, 2017). "The 7 Weirdest MARIO Spin-Off Games". Nerdist. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved May 26, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  31. ↑ Houghton, David (October 9, 2017). "26 jobs that Mario is inexplicably qualified for". GamesRadar. Retrieved May 26, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  32. ↑ Walker, Matt (August 24, 2010). "Gunpei Yokoi Exhibit in Harakuju: "The Man Who Was Called the God of Games"". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved May 26, 2019.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
Game & Watch games The official Game & Watch series logo
List of games • Zelda series LCD games • Mario series LCD games (Mario's Cement Factory) • Remakes (Game & Watch Gallery • Nintendo Mini Classics)
Mario emblem Mario franchise
Game series Main Super Mario • Mario Kart • Mario Party
By genre Educational games • Puzzle games (Dr. Mario • Mario vs. Donkey Kong) • Role-playing games (Paper Mario • Mario & Luigi) • Sports games (Racing games • Mario & Sonic)
Connected series Donkey Kong • Luigi • Wario • Yoshi
Other games LCD games • Mario Bros. • Pinball • Mario Paint • Mario Clash • Mario Artist • Mario Pinball Land • Mario's Early Years! • Super Princess Peach • Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
Cancelled games Super Mario's Wacky Worlds • Super Mario 128
Universe Characters Mario • Luigi • Princess Peach • Princess Daisy • Donkey Kong • Diddy Kong • Bowser • Bowser Jr. • Wario • Waluigi • Rosalina • Toad • Yoshi • Birdo • Koopalings • Pauline • King K. Rool • Fawful • Vivian • Rabbid Peach
Other Mushroom Kingdom (Goomba • Piranha Plant • Koopa Troopa • Hammer Bro • Lakitu • Boo • Chain Chomp) • Super Mario Bros. theme • World 1-1 • Minus World • Blue shell • Rainbow Road
Other media Film 1986 anime film • 1993 live-action film • 2023 animated film
Anime, manga, and OVA Amada Anime Series: Super Mario Bros. • Super Mario no Kōtsū Anzen • Super Mario no Shōbōtai • Super Mario World: Mario to Yoshi no Bōken Land
Television Saturday Supercade • The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (King Koopa's Kool Kartoons) • The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 • Super Mario World • Mario Ice Capades • Club Mario • The Super Mario Challenge • Mario All Stars
Web shows Finding Luigi - Legend of Parkour • The Cat Mario Show • Mario Kart 8 From the Pit • Mario Myths with Mr Miyamoto
Literature Gamebooks • Nintendo Comics System • Super Mario Adventures • Super Mario-kun • Archie Comics pitch
Other Unofficial media (SMG4 • Super Mario 64 hacks, mods, and ports • Super Mario Bros. Z • Stupid Mario Brothers) • Year of Luigi • 35th Anniversary • Lego Super Mario
People Charles Martinet • Koji Kondo • Mahito Yokota • Satoru Iwata • Shigeru Miyamoto • Takashi Tezuka • Yasuhisa Yamamura • Yōichi Kotabe • Yoshiaki Koizumi
See also Nintendo • List of video games featuring Mario • Super Smash Bros.
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