This ain’t no game. A three-disc 4K Blu-ray of the 1993 Super Mario Bros. is getting a release from Umbrella

The original video game adaptation

It’s the norm now to adapt video games into live-action movies or TV shows, but with the 1993 Super Mario Bros., Hollywood Pictures ambitiously tried to bring the Mushroom Kingdom to life without any previous blueprint. What we ended up getting was a film that was a nightmare to make for everyone involved, and it would ultimately flop at the box office, as Jurassic Park stomped on the competition. The movie was panned by critics and divisive among fans. Fast forward to today and Super Mario Bros. now has a cult following with fans who appreciate the strangeness of the final product.

Count me in as a cult member. It may be partly due to nostalgia, but the absurd and beautiful Blade Runner-esque production design and tonal whiplash are really something to behold. It may not gel together perfectly, but it is an incredibly fascinating and entertaining watch.

This ain’t no game

Umbrella ain’t playin’ around in the announcement of its new 4K Blu-ray release of Super Mario Bros. Dawn of the Discs has passed along the announcement of a three-disc 4K Blu-ray set filled to the brim with new extra features for a definitive collector’s item for fans of the film. So, yes, Umbrella is an Australian company, but their discs are generally region-free. However, it has not been confirmed yet whether all discs will be region-free. Hopefully, they will be because one of the exclusive special features includes a newly remastered version of the workprint version that had previously been available in a rough VHS format.

The description reads,
“Buckle up and hang on tight – the discovery of a parallel universe launches you into the adventure of a lifetime! Mario and Luigi, two wacky plumbers, undertake a daring quest to save a princess in “Dinohattan” – a hidden world where the inhabitants evolved from dinosaurs! Mario (Bob Hoskins – WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT) and Luigi (John Leguizamo, MOULIN ROUGE!) face deadly challenges from a diabolical lizard king (Dennis Hopper – APOCALYPSE NOW) and must battle giant reptilian goombas, outwit misfit thugs, and undermine a sinister scheme to take over the world!”

Special Features:

Only available from the Umbrella webstore, the Super Mario Bros. Steelbook Collector’s Edition includes:

• 4K restoration from original camera negative
• Over 480 page hardback bound book including a host of production materials, interviews and artwork
• Classic artwork designed outer rigid slipcase
• Classic artwork design slipcase
• Limited Edition numbered release

DISC 1 – 4K Feature

• Feature film from 4K master
• Audio Commentary with Parker Bennett (screenwriter)
• Audio Commentary with Fred Caruso (co-producer) and David L. Snyder (production designer)
• Audio Commentary with Jeff Goodwin (key makeup artist), Mark McCoy (special effects crew) and Craig Edwards (production assistant)
• Audio Commentary with Steven Applebaum & Ryan Hoss (Super Mario Bros. The Movie archivists)
• Newly restored 4K deleted scenes
• Newly restored 4K Ain’t No Game trailer
• Newly restored 4K I’ve Got The Power trailer

DISC 2 – Blu-ray Feature

• Feature film from brand new 4K master
• Audio Commentary with Parker Bennett (screenwriter)
• Audio Commentary with Fred Caruso (co-producer) and David L. Snyder (production designer)
• Audio Commentary with Jeff Goodwin (key makeup artist), Mark McCoy (special effects crew) and Craig Edwards (production assistant)
• Audio Commentary with Steven Applebaum & Richard Hoss (Super Mario Bros. The Movie archivists)
• Newly restored deleted scenes
• Newly restored Ain’t No Game trailer
• Newly restored I’ve Got The Power trailer

DISC 3 – Blu-ray Extras

• Newly restored workprint in HD
• Storyboard to Screen animatics
• Academic Featurettes
  • Katabasis of the Lost Girl
  • Anarcho-Dino-Sado Chic: The Fashion of Dinohattan
  • The Hero Moment: Super Mario, Superhero
  • (D)evolution, Dystopia, and Trusting the Fungus
• Spike & Iggy Revolutionary Rap music video restored with new music composed by Richard Edson
• Anti-Koopa protest music video
• Collection of archival Japanese trailers
• Collection of archival commercials
• This Ain’t No Video Game Featurette (55mins)
• ‘Making Of’ Featurette (25mins)
• Original electronic press kit with cast interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
• Galleries: Stills, storyboards and concepts

You can pre-order the set on the Umbrella website HERE. It officially releases on December 2.