Mario Teaches Typing 2

Mario Teaches Typing 2 is the sequel to Mario Teaches Typing, an edutainment game produced for personal computers by Interplay Productions under license from Nintendo. This sequel was released for and  computers on October 31, 1996, and includes several new features, including a certificate of achievement, a keyboard that is color-coded for easy reference, an on-screen keyboard, specially customizable lesson plans, and new levels.

This is also the last educational Mario game to be released. As the Mario-themed educational titles were regarded as of lower quality compared to main series titles, Shigeru Miyamoto made clear to Interplay CEO Brian Fargo that his company would never again allow the Mario character to be used for edutainment and therefore, further production of all such games was discontinued.

Though a sequel by name, the game acts as more of a polished re-release of the CD-ROM Windows/Mac version of Mario Teaches Typing, with some key differences. Namely, all new cut scenes have been added between the levels to tell a more thorough and consequential story. The main menu is altered and primarily blue (opposed to the purple scheme in the first title), and the practice mode has been completely overhauled. In addition to that, there's other added gameplay features, including a customizable certificate of achievement, color-coded on-screen keyboard and customizable lesson plans.

Compatibility
The Windows version of the game can be installed and will work on, //, , , /, , and / (32-bit versions only; the 64-bit versions for both Intel Itanium- and X86-64 (AMD64)-based systems do not work as they lack both the and the  subsystem to play it). It will not work in 32-bit installations of as it will have problems installing. The program will install correctly in 32-bit installations of even without graphics card drivers. The game, however, is back to being broken in 32-bit versions of / and even if it is installed using compatibility settings.

The version will work on  all the way up to. Compatibility is not guaranteed under the Classic environment of PowerPC versions of up until, as  removed the Classic environment for PowerPC based systems. It will not run on Intel-based Macs or the latest Apple Silicon Macs due to their inability to run Mac OS 9 and below which is required to run pre-Carbon applications on Mac OS X/macOS as Rosetta (used in Intel versions of Mac OS X Tiger up until which runs exclusively on X86) only supports PowerPC Mac OS X applications and Rosetta 2 (used in ) will only run X86 Mac apps. Modern Mac users however can use programs like SheepShaver or Basilisk II which emulate older Macs that use Motorola 68000 or PowerPC-based Macs. Users of Intel-based Macs produced between 2006-2011 can also install Windows XP or a 32-bit version of Windows 7 using Bootcamp and run the Windows version of the game.

Story
Mario and Luigi are walking by Bowser's Castle when a mysterious typewriter suddenly appears in front of them. To their amazement, the typewriter starts typing by itself. When it is finished, Mario takes the paper out of the typewriter, causing it to transform into a scroll. The scroll reads:

"'The Magical Typewriter is the key to beating Bowser. You must type the magic words onto the scroll to cast the spell which will destroy Bowser's Castle. 'Be forewarned, however, that if the magic words are not typed exactly, the Magical Typewriter will self-destruct into pieces.'"

The Magical Typewriter then floats in front of Mario. Mario pockets the scroll and types:


 * Koooppa tTrupa pparraTroopaa Bbow

Before Mario can go on any further, the Magical Typewriter explodes into three pieces, which land in different places: one into a river, another somewhere on Mario and Luigi's side of the river, and the last one on the other side of the river. Mario and Luigi decide to recover all of the pieces and improve Mario's typing skills in order to type the spell correctly and ensure their victory.

As Mario and Luigi get the first piece from a dim Koopa Troopa, a Red Koopa Troopa detonates the river bridge with TNT and takes one of the pieces back to Bowser's Castle. Mario then dons a snorkel and dives into the river, attempting to get the piece that fell into it. Luigi goes in also after defeating some Cheep Cheeps that are attacking Mario.

Mario and Luigi, in their snorkels, dive to a sunken ship in the river, taking the typewriter piece from a sleeping octopus. However, the octopus awakens and chases the brothers, though they escape through the ship's windows.

Mario and Luigi then walk up to Bowser's Castle and knock on the door. They are surprised when the castle turns out to be alive, and swallows them. Mario and Luigi run into several traps such as falling Thwomps until finally defeating some Koopas playing poker for the final typewriter piece. The brothers then escape from the castle, and Mario types on the restored typewriter:


 * Koopa Troopa paratroopa Bowser's Castle go kablooka!

A giant typewriter suddenly falls from the sky and destroys Bowser's Castle. Mario and Luigi celebrate.

Levels

 * Mario's Smash and Dash - for beginners.
 * Mario's Wet World Challenge - for the intermediate typers.
 * Mario's Tunnel of Doom - for the advanced players.
 * Mario's Expert Express - the hardest level.

Trivia

 * Mario's "I'm a videogame!" routine involves bouncing across the screen and making simplistic noises when hitting the sides, imitating , an early arcade game.
 * The Koopa Troopas playing poker in Bowser's Castle is based on the painting