Mario's Picross

This page details one or more prototype versions of Mario's Picross.

Released in March 2026 by the preservation group Proto Challenge, this is a Japanese prototype of Mario's Picross dated January 23, 1995, about 2 weeks before the final build was submitted to lotcheck.

Sub-Pages#

Level DifferencesIn most cases, it's just the order of the stages that has been changed.

Debugging Content#

Debug Menu#

By using the Game Genie code "0CA-30A-F7E", you can access a debug menu after selecting the "Easy Picross" option.

Debug Features#

• There is a debug function that, when you press SELECT, will allow you to complete the puzzle automatically.

General Differences#

ROM Header#

The build date is present in the ROM header instead of the game's name.

Title Screen#

Prototype	Final (Japan)

• The left side of Mario's mustache, along with part of his left eye, is above the edge of the Super Game Boy, unlike the final version where they are in the background with their silhouettes visible on the console's casing.
• All the palettes are in a much lighter shade and less reddish than the final version.

Game Select#

Prototype	Final (Japan)

• Some of the background tiles are different.

Select A Problem#

Prototype	Final (Japan)

• Instead of "Game" is referred to as "Times" something that curiously remained in the American version.
• The blue bar has a slightly lighter color palette.

Prototype	Final

• The letters A through H are in black instead of blue.

Easy Picross#

Prototype	Final (Japan)

• The first pyramid is located further to the right, and the small temple is much further ahead.
• The Sphinx is not here. In its place is a small palm tree in the background.

Kinoko & Star Course#

Prototype	Final (Japan)

Prototype	Final (Japan)

• The background here is the same Egyptian landscape seen in "Easy Picross", unlike the final version which uses backgrounds based on Chichén Itzá and Angkor Wat.
• Neither "Kinoko Course" nor "Star Course" have their own original music. instead, they reused the music from "Easy Picross".

Tutorial & Puzzles#

Prototype	Final

• The font for the numbers was designed in a slightly different way.

Prototype	Final

• The yellowish-beige palette of the setting is much darker here.

Unused Graphics#

Flower Course#

Although all courses share the same background with only the nameplates differing, there is a graphic of an extra nameplate indicating that a "Flower Course" was originally planned for the game!