Each stage in PiCTOBiTS is based on an NES game, accompanied by an 8-bit-style music remix and a character sprite on the top screen. As you clear the falling blocks in the bottom screen, more instruments are added to the background music and the sprite is built pixel by pixel. The sprites include Mario, Goomba, and Bowser from Super Mario Bros., and Mario from Wrecking Crew.

PiCTOBiTS also borrows elements from Mario games, including the POW block, Coins, and Starman. Tap the "POW" icon to make all the floating blocks fall to the bottom of the screen. Coins, which are collected from clearing blocks, are used for reopening palette squares (using the POW closes one of your squares), buying extra stages, and buying music in the "PiCTOBiTS Sound System." If your high score in a stage is over a certain amount, a Starman icon will appear next to the score.

Here's a breakdown of the Mario cameos:

Standard stages:

• Stage 1: "Super Mario Bros. Part 1"
  Sprite: Small Mario
  Music: Aboveground theme
• Stage 2: "Super Mario Bros. Part 2"
  Sprite: Goomba (blue)
  Music: Underground theme
• Stage 6: "Wrecking Crew"
  Sprite: Mario
  Music: BGM A
• Stage 13: "Super Mario Bros. Part 3"
  Sprite: Cheep-Cheep (red) and Cheep-Cheep (gray)
  Music: Underwater theme
• Stage 14: "Super Mario Bros. Part 4"
  Sprite: Bowser
  Music: Castle theme
• Stage 15: "Super Mario Bros. Part 5"
  Sprite: Toad
  Music: Stage Clear / Ending theme

In stage 15, the blocks take the shape of letters that spell out Toad's message from Super Mario Bros.: "THANK YOU MARIO! BUT OUR PRINCESS IS IN ANOTHER CASTLE!"

Dark stages:

• Stage 1: "Super Mario Bros. Part 1"
  Sprite: Luigi (Super) and Koopa Troopa (red)
  Music: Aboveground theme
• Stage 2: "Super Mario Bros. Part 2"
  Sprite: Buzzy Beetle (blue; x2)
  Music: Underground theme
• Stage 6: "Wrecking Crew"
  Sprite: Eggplant Man (x3)
  Music: BGM A
• Stage 13: "Super Mario Bros. Part 3"
  Sprite: Blooper (x3)
  Music: Underwater theme
• Stage 14: "Super Mario Bros. Part 4"
  Sprite: Bowser
  Music: Castle theme
• Stage 15: "Super Mario Bros. Part 5"
  Sprite: Mario (small), Princess, and Toad
  Music: Stage Clear / Ending theme

In dark stage 15, the blocks take the shape of letters that spell out Princess's message from Super Mario Bros.: "THANK YOU MARIO! YOUR QUEST IS OVER. WE PRESENT YOU A NEW QUEST. PUSH BUTTON B TO SELECT A WORLD".

Game credits:

More Mario characters appear as silhouettes during the staff roll. Cameos include Shy Guy, Birdo spitting an egg, Lakitu throwing a Spiny Egg, Spiny, and a cropped flagpole-and-castle combo from Super Mario Bros.

Screen shots

• Mario
• Bowser