Mario Originally Intended to Shoot Rifles and Lasers?

In the Japanese release of Super Mario History 1985 - 2010, design documents have unveiled that in the original Super Mario Bros. game, that Mario was able to kick and shoot lasers.

The documents when translated to English say that the "Up" arrow on the D-pad was originally supposed to make Mario jump and that the "A" button was going to be used as Mario's attack move, which would have been a kick. It also would have been used to fire different weapons that Mario could acquire over the course of the game such as a rifle or ray gun.

The official documents are signed at the top saying 'Creative Division Head Miyamoto,' and are dated only seven months prior to the official release of the game, meaning Mario was extremely close to shooting a rifle far into development.

Super Mario All-Stars will receive a European release this December, but the documents will remain in Japanese. Stay tuned as more shocking Mario details are unveiled when translated.