Super Mario Brothers: Trapped in the Perilous Pit

by Jack C. Harris, Art Ellis (Illustrator), Kim Ellis (Illustrator)

Mario and Luigi are repairing the palace's pipes while King Koopa traveled down the corridor intending to kidnap Princess Peach. Mario tries to fight King Koopa off by using his Super Mario form, but is defeated. Luigi saves Mario from King Koopa by using a Fire Flower. Afterwards, the Mario Bros. try to run off the Koopa Troop, but instead fell into a deep pit. King Koopa also threw Peach into the pit and locked the exit. The Mario Bros. have to cooperate to escape the pit. Mario grows larger by eating a Mushroom, allowing the to reach the top of the pit. Luigi uses the remaining fire in his Fire Flower to burn down the locked door. After their escape, the Mario Bros. defeat King Koopa and drive him off. Mario, Luigi, and Peach return to the castle to celebrate their victory.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

24 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1990

Reviews

[Chance Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's nice to see creative work come from big companies and not just cheap sticker like layouts.

Cover
It's interesting that it went on to use the classic title for this. I can't help but wonder if there was a plan to use the title play like how Sonic picture books had, but had SMB3 became too popular not to reuse.
I love that this is an original illustration. Love the detail of webs and chains in the corner and a not to the pit in the other corner.
It seems a little strange that they went with a blue flame for the cover a ice flower design. (I can't give too much flack it's 2 years before the next two were released.)

Interior
Story
The story is over all decent. And fits a fair amount of story.

There have been a few lore directions to the Brooklyn origin story. I find it interesting they went the man-hole cover direction and it seems to combine the Super Show sucked down a pipe with the direction of the 1993 film being under the streets. (Although the movie wasn't yet released.)

I'll admit there is a weird PSA moment about eating mushrooms but apart from that it does have a decent problem that the brothers have to work together to fix the problem.


Illustration
I really like the illustrations. You can see the passion in what each page. From the shadows to the back ground details it has a decent amount to look at. You really have to appreciate any Mario design that is old enough to have red overalls and a blue shirt. This is also the only one in the trilogy to have a unique title page illustrations.

After Thought
I do find it interesting that all three play off the same starting point. Last Thursday, Monday, September (and end with food.) I can't help but wonder if this is meant to be a nod to the passing of time in all three.
will have a more detailed description of it's own lore.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not expecting much from under 30 pages, so I'm just glad they advised against eating random mushrooms you find on the ground/sewer.

7/10

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wonder what editor inserted the bit about "only eat mushrooms if you are SURE they are safe" and how close to publication the book was when it was added.

"Um, boss, do we really want kids climbing into the sewer and eating whatever mushrooms they find?"

"Darn it Jenkins, just fix it!"

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and easy story with hilarious artwork for any Super Mario Bros loving family. The kids will have so much fun looking at the artwork and learning some Nintendo approves background stories about Mario and Luigi

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute little story about the power of team work! :-)