Introduction
Mario is a fictional video game character created by Nintendo in 1981. He is often depicted as an Italian-American plumber who lives in the Mushroom Kingdom and is known for his trademark outfit, which includes a red shirt, blue overalls, and a red hat with an “M” on it.
Mario is the main protagonist in the popular Super Mario Bros. video game series, which has sold over 330 million copies worldwide. He is known for his jumping abilities, which he uses to navigate through various levels and defeat enemies. He has become one of the most recognizable and iconic characters in the world of video games, and has appeared in a variety of spin-off games, merchandise, and media.
Creation
Mario is a video game character that was created by Shigeru Miyamoto, a Japanese video game designer, in the early 1980s. The development of Mario started in 1981 with the game Donkey Kong, where he was introduced as “Jumpman,” a carpenter who had to rescue his girlfriend from the clutches of a giant ape named Donkey Kong.
After the success of Donkey Kong, Miyamoto wanted to create a new game with the same character. He developed a new game that involved a character moving through underground tunnels, and Mario was born. Originally named “Jumpman,” the character was eventually renamed “Mario” after Mario Segale, the landlord of the warehouse that Nintendo of America was using at the time.
The first game that featured Mario as the main character was “Mario Bros.,” which was released in 1983. In this game, Mario and his brother Luigi were plumbers who had to battle creatures in the sewers of New York City.
In 1985, Nintendo released “Super Mario Bros.,” which became a massive success and established Mario as one of the most iconic video game characters of all time. The game introduced many of the elements that would become staples of the Mario franchise, including power-ups, enemies, and levels that could be completed in multiple ways.
Over the years, he has appeared in countless video games, becoming one of the most recognizable and beloved characters in the gaming world. He has also appeared in movies, TV shows, and other media, cementing his place in popular culture.
Characteristics
Mario is typically portrayed as a heroic, adventurous, and determined character. He is known for his courage, his willingness to help others, and his love for exploration and discovery. Mario’s most recognizable traits include his jumping ability, his affinity for mushrooms, his iconic red and blue outfit, and his mustache. In a 2005 interview, Miyamoto stated that the character’s physical age was about 24–25 years old, and Nintendo Power stated that his birthday is the 11th of October.
The character is also often depicted as a friendly and good-natured character, with a sense of humor and a positive attitude. He has a strong sense of justice and always tries to do what is right, often going to great lengths to save his friends and loved ones from danger. Overall, his characteristics have made him a beloved and enduring figure in the world of video games.
Abilities
Mario is known for his remarkable agility, athleticism, and strength. He is an expert jumper and is capable of performing acrobatic feats like double and triple jumps. He is also skilled in combat and can defeat enemies by jumping on them, throwing objects, or using power-ups like fire flowers and invincibility stars.
In addition to his physical abilities, he is also an accomplished plumber and engineer, and is capable of fixing machines and solving puzzles. In certain games, he can also perform other abilities, such as swimming, flying, or manipulating time. Overall, his wide range of abilities and skills have made him a versatile and adaptable character in the world of video games.
In the video game series, power-ups have played a significant role in enhancing the gameplay and expanding his abilities. These power-ups give him a range of different abilities, such as growing larger, throwing fireballs, or temporarily becoming invincible. There have been various mushroom power-ups in the series, including the 1-up Mushroom, Poison Mushroom, Mega Mushroom, and Mini Mushroom. Flight-based power-ups have also been present in the series, such as the Super Leaf, Raccoon Suit, Cape Feather, and Wing Cap, among others.
Later additions to the series introduced even more power-ups, including the Bee Mushroom, Boo Mushroom, Spring Mushroom, Ice Flower, Propeller Mushroom, Penguin Suit, Boomerang Flower, and Super Acorn. These power-ups provided him with unique abilities, including temporary invincibility, flight, freezing enemies, and traversing through different terrains.
Biography
Mario’s backstory has evolved over time as he has appeared in various games and media, but some basic elements have remained consistent.
He was born in the Mushroom Kingdom, a magical land ruled by Princess Peach. He was orphaned at a young age and was taken in by the kindly Toadstool family, who taught him the skills of plumbing and engineering.
As he grew up, he became fascinated with the wonders of the Mushroom Kingdom and developed a love for exploration and discovery. He soon became friends with Princess Peach and her loyal subjects, and would often assist them in times of need.
However, the Mushroom Kingdom was also home to a variety of dangers, including the evil Bowser, a fearsome Koopa who sought to take over the kingdom and conquer all its inhabitants. Mario and Bowser became bitter enemies, and Mario would go to great lengths to defeat him and protect the Mushroom Kingdom.
Over the years, he has faced many challenges and adventures, from rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser’s clutches to exploring the far reaches of the galaxy. Along the way, he has made many friends and allies, including his brother Luigi, the loyal Toadstools, and a variety of colorful characters from across the Mario universe.
Despite his many trials, he has remained true to his core values of bravery, compassion, and a never-say-die attitude. His adventures have made him one of the most beloved and enduring characters in the world of video games, and his legacy continues to inspire and delight gamers around the world.
Reception
Mario is one of the most beloved and iconic characters in the world of video games, and his reception has been overwhelmingly positive since his debut in 1981.
From his earliest appearances in games like “Donkey Kong” and “Mario Bros.” to his more recent adventures in games like “Super Mario Odyssey,” he has captivated generations of gamers with his charming personality, his exciting adventures, and his endearing quirks and abilities.
Over the years, he has been celebrated by gamers and critics alike for his engaging gameplay, colorful graphics, and memorable soundtracks. His games have consistently been among the best-selling and most critically acclaimed in the history of video games, with many of his titles considered to be landmarks in the medium.
He has also been recognized as a cultural icon beyond the world of gaming, with his likeness appearing in movies, television shows, merchandise, and more. He has inspired countless imitators and homages, and has been an enduring symbol of the creativity and innovation that has made the video game industry so vibrant and exciting.
Overall, his reception has been nothing short of extraordinary, and his legacy as a beloved and enduring video game icon is sure to continue for many years to come.
Trivia
While Mario is undoubtedly one of the most famous and beloved video game characters of all time, there are still many interesting and little-known facts about him that even the most diehard fans might not know. Here are some fun and surprising trivia about him, shedding light on the character’s many influences, hidden secrets, and enduring legacy in the world of video games:
- He was originally called “Jumpman” in the 1981 game “Donkey Kong.”
- His full name is Mario Mario.
- The character of Luigi was added to the game series as a “second player” option.
- His profession is listed as a “plumber” in early games, but this aspect is rarely featured in modern games.
- His signature move, the “Super Jump,” was not introduced until the 1988 game “Super Mario Bros. 2.”
- The franchise includes over 200 games across multiple platforms.
- His first 3D appearance was in the 1996 game “Super Mario 64” for the Nintendo 64.
- The Mario franchise has been adapted into various forms of media, including feature films, an anime series, and a live-action film.
- He has been voiced by Charles Martinet since 1990.
- Mario’s creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, also created other iconic video game series such as The Legend of Zelda and Star Fox.
- His first sports game appearance was in the 1985 game “Mario’s Tennis” for the Famicom Disk System.
- The game franchise is the best-selling video game franchise of all time. The game franchise has sold over 4.5 billion video games worldwide.
- The game franchise has sold over 1 billion copies in Japan alone.
- The game franchise has sold over 740 million copies in Asia.
- The game franchise has sold over 890 million copies in Europe.
- The game franchise has sold over 210 million copies in the United States.
- His first racing game appearance was in the 1992 game “Super Mario Kart” for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
- His first party game appearance was in the 1985 game “Mario Bros.”
- His first RPG appearance was in the 1996 game “Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars” for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
- His first fighting game appearance was in the 1999 game “Super Smash Bros.” for the Nintendo 64.
- He has appeared in over 200 video games.
- He has appeared in more than 25 different languages.
- His first educational game appearance was in the 1990 game “Mario is Missing!” for the NES
- His first mobile game appearance was in the 2005 game “Super Mario Bros.” for the Nintendo DS.
- His first pinball game appearance was in the 1992 game “Mario’s Pinball Land” for the Game Boy
- His first adventure game appearance was in the 1993 game “Yoshi’s Safari” for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.
- His first puzzle game appearance was in the 1984 game “Dr. Mario” for the NES.
- His first action-adventure game appearance was in the 1990 game “Super Mario Bros. 3” for the NES.
- His first open-world game appearance was in the 2002 game “Super Mario Sunshine” for the GameCube.
