![The story of Punch Ball Mario Bros., as told in the instruction manual: [scan of manual in Japanese] The gameplay is nearly identical to Mario Bros., except that Mario has a ball. Translation of the story: At some point, humans gained the ability to use tools... At first, they were simple things using the bones of animals and fragments of rock. Using their wisdom, humans improved their tools. Harnessing fire, wind, and nowadays even atomic energy, they began to build up a sophisticated culture. On the other hand, however, there are people who still only use stone. How do they catch game and defend themselves from outsiders? Using only their strong jumping power and stone spheres. They use those skillfully to defend themselves. Here, we introduce two such people. It seems their names are Mario and Luigi. Will they ever learn about sophisticated culture? Source: mariowiki.com/Punch_Ball_Mario_Bros.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GhRY8ngWsAAIiKs.jpg?name=orig)
ALT The story of Punch Ball Mario Bros., as told in the instruction manual: [scan of manual in Japanese] The gameplay is nearly identical to Mario Bros., except that Mario has a ball. Translation of the story: At some point, humans gained the ability to use tools... At first, they were simple things using the bones of animals and fragments of rock. Using their wisdom, humans improved their tools. Harnessing fire, wind, and nowadays even atomic energy, they began to build up a sophisticated culture. On the other hand, however, there are people who still only use stone. How do they catch game and defend themselves from outsiders? Using only their strong jumping power and stone spheres. They use those skillfully to defend themselves. Here, we introduce two such people. It seems their names are Mario and Luigi. Will they ever learn about sophisticated culture? Source: mariowiki.com/Punch_Ball_Mario_Bros.
ALT A piece of burning wood - 'brand', a word mentioned in our etymology notes, comes ultimately from the Germanic base of burn. In early use in English it frequently shows the meaning ‘piece of burning wood’.
