Dr. Mario’s Diagnosis

Mario tosses capsules into the bottle in an attempt to stomp out the viruses that have taken over. It’s up to you to control the capsules so that their colors line up with the colors of the germs. A vertical column or horizontal row of four same-colored capsules and/or germs disappear—problem solved. When the bottle is clear of germs, you move on to the next emergency. If the capsules pile up to the top of the bottle, though, the patient’s a goner.

Capsule Control Capsules

Capsules move just like pieces in other puzzle games. Slide them left, right, and down using the Control Pad, and rotate them with the A and B Buttons.

Look at the Big Picture

When four capsule colors and viruses line up in a row, they disappear and make room for other colors to fill the space. Examine how placement of each capsule affects the colors around it, so that when you make matches, you drop the right colors in the most advantageous spaces. Some placements result in multiple matches.

This drop results in a lineup of three yellow capsules and viruses.

Make a two-color match in one move with this placement.

Three at a Time

With some practice and patience, you can set up the capsules so that three lines disappear in a single move.

A triple play comes in handy in a two-player game.

Plan Ahead

Dr. Mario always keeps one step ahead of the game by holding up the next capsule he plans to toss. Consult with him while you’re playing to better plan where to place each capsule.

Finish It Off

When you’re down to just one germ, don’t worry about how your moves affect the rest of the bottle. Concentrate on making a match to eliminate the bug.

Work from the Top Down

Since the capsules drop from the top, it’s a good idea to clear away the highest viruses first. That way, you open up maneuvering space and give yourself room to work into the lower areas. If the viruses are very high, consider making horizontal matches.

Fill the Space

Since the capsule control in this game is very much like the control in other vertical puzzle games, some techniques work here like they do in other games. One such maneuver is sliding pieces to the left or right into open spaces. That way, you fill spaces sideways that are surrounded on three sides. This is important to remember when the stacks have grown so high that you can no longer places capsules on top.

Two Can Play This Game; Doctors Duel over Dexterity

The best way to play is with two players in an all-out, split-screen, simultaneous battle! Race against another budding doctor to get your name in the medical journals. With the right moves, you can upset your opponent’s research and move on to critical acclaim.

Double Trouble

Line up your capsules so that you make two matches with one move, and your opponent receives two capsule-halves.

Try for a Triple

If you arrange three matches with one move, three colors drop down into the other player’s bottle. That could mess up anyone’s plans!