Nintendo Entertainment System · 1989
Dian Shi Mali
A 1989 unlicensed NES casino title that spins a roulette-style wheel around a Mario-like character named Fortran.
- Publisher
- Publisher to verify
- Format
- Cartridge
- Genre
- casino game
- Released
- 1989
01
Overview
Dian Shi Mali, literally "TV Mario," presents a simple gambling loop in which button presses place bets and trigger musical notes while a wheel determines outcomes. A distinctive bootleg sprite of a Mario-like figure with an F on his cap heads the action, and the game includes the on-screen message "PUSH START TO RICH." The title circulated in unlicensed cartridge form tied to East and Southeast Asian markets, and its exact publisher attribution remains unresolved.
02
Why it matters
Dian Shi Mali is a notable artifact of unlicensed NES publishing, blending casino mechanics with a recognizable platformer character in a way official Nintendo titles never would. Its Fortran sprite and Mario-themed gambling premise later made it an internet meme, cementing its place in retro-gaming culture.
03
The physical edition
A typical complete copy pairs the game cartridge with whatever box or label the seller includes, though unlicensed titles rarely shipped with standardized packaging. Verify the exact physical edition, region, and package contents before approval.
04
Playing it today
The game is straightforward to play: press buttons to bet and watch the wheel determine the result. Emulation is common, and physical cartridges can be used on standard NES or Famicom-compatible hardware.