head to head
vs
Mario Bros.vsPenarium
Mario Bros. leans Execution (Pure Mechanics); Penarium leans Execution (Pure Mechanics).
Mario Bros.Penarium
Axis by axis
Execution7 vs 9
Penarium leans harder on execution: Reacting to deathtraps with precise movement is everything
Reads1 vs 1
Even - both lean on reads about the same.
Variance2 vs 3
Penarium leans harder on variance: Trap selection randomises each round's threats
Optimization4 vs 3
Mario Bros. leans harder on optimization: POW block usage and enemy routing have known best lines
Two games can score the same on an axis and still test it in very different ways - read each rationale, not just the number.