90s Typing Games: Which One Did You Play?
Two typing programs dominated 90s school and home computers, and they took noticeably different approaches to keeping kids motivated through drills.
Distinctive characters
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, first released in 1987 by The Software Toolworks, used a fictional instructor character (Mavis Beacon) and stayed a school staple throughout the 90s. Mario Teaches Typing, released by Interplay on floppy disk in 1992 and on CD-ROM in 1993, licensed Nintendo's Mario character and aesthetics specifically to make the drills feel more like a game.
Try the typing program still sold today
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, discussed above, is still actively published in updated editions like this Family Edition.
Check price on Amazon →Keyboard challenges
Both programs built lessons around graduated difficulty, from individual letters up to full sentences, but reviewers at the time generally considered Mario Teaches Typing more approachable for younger kids, while Mavis Beacon leaned closer to a straightforward touch-typing course.
School vs. home editions
Mario Teaches Typing frequently placed in the top ten of educational software sales charts between 1992 and 1996, selling around 800,000 copies, and a sequel, Mario Teaches Typing 2, followed in 1997.
Modern alternatives
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing is still actively sold today in updated editions; Mario Teaches Typing hasn't seen a modern re-release, so browser-based typing tutors are the more common current alternative if you want that specific style of gamified lesson today.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between Mavis Beacon and Mario Teaches Typing?
Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing (1987) uses a fictional instructor and is closer to a straightforward touch-typing course. Mario Teaches Typing (1992), licensed from Nintendo, wraps the same kind of drills in Mario's characters and aesthetics, and was generally considered more approachable for younger kids.
How well did Mario Teaches Typing sell?
It frequently placed in the top ten of educational software sales charts between 1992 and 1996, selling around 800,000 copies.
Can I still buy Mario Teaches Typing today?
No modern re-release exists. Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, on the other hand, is still actively sold today in updated editions.
Sourcing and corrections
Release years and sales details for Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing and Mario Teaches Typing were checked via web search against sources including Wikipedia in September 2026.