Athens

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Athens
Tour Athens Dash in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Athens in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
First appearance Mario is Missing! (1992)
Latest appearance Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Booster Course Pass, Wave 5) (2023)
Greater location Greece

Athens (Greek: Αθήνα, Athína) is the capital city of Greece.

History[edit]

Mario is Missing![edit]

Athens in the DOS version of Mario is Missing!
Athens in the DOS release of Mario is Missing!

Athens appears in the DOS and SNES versions of Mario is Missing!. In both versions, it is part of the second set of five levels. During the events of the game, Athens is invaded by many Koopa Troopas, who steal a Caryatid from the Erechtheion Temple, a Brass Plaque from Hadrian's Arch, a column from the Parthenon, and (solely in the DOS and Deluxe releases) a Foustanella from the Presidential Palace. Luigi is required to find the stolen objects and return them to their respective landmarks.

Mario's Time Machine[edit]

Athens in the SNES release of Mario's Time Machine
Athens in the SNES release of Mario's Time Machine.

In Mario's Time Machine, Mario travels back in time to ancient Athens circa 369 BC after Bowser travels back to Athens himself to steal a copy of the Republic from Plato. At the time, Plato was actively teaching at the Academy that he founded, and his student, Aristotle, was also branching out into his own form of philosophy. As Mario did not know that the book in his possession belonged to Plato, he talked to the other inhabitants of Athens, including Aristotle, a councilman, a writer, and an enslaved woman, about the area. Most of them end up talking about Plato and his philosophy, though. Eventually, Mario can go to the Academy and return the Republic to Plato before leaving Athens.

Mario Kart series[edit]

Artwork for Athens for Mario Kart Tour
Two Yoshis and Toad in Athens in a postcard for Mario Kart Tour

A course set in Athens, known as Athens Dash, debuted in Mario Kart Tour in the Spring Tour. The course visits various landmarks atop the Acropolis in the city.

Athens Dash returns in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the fifth wave of the Booster Course Pass. In that game, it is the first course of the Feather Cup.

Information from Mario is Missing![edit]

In Mario is Missing!, Luigi must speak to the locals to find out what city he's in. He can then call Yoshi using the Globulator, allowing him to get rid of the Pokey blocking the exit to the city. He can receive the following information:

  • Boy:
    • "It's extremely easy. This nation is the southernmost country in Europe."
    • "Would you know if I slipped and joked that this place is 'Greece-y'?"
  • Tourist:
    • "I got the drachmas. Bring on those famous Greek dramas."
    • "Let's get loose and party with Zeus. He may be home on Olympus, I guess it's hit or myth."
  • Reporter:
    • "Can I convince you, sirrah, it's the southernmost tip of the Balkan Peninsula?"
    • "Just as it happens, I'm an expert on Athens. If you have any questions, keep asking."
  • Scientist:
    • "Athens became the capital of Greece in 1834. But it was founded three thousand years before."
    • "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts, is what they used to say. I don't believe it applies today."
  • Police Officer:
    • "Welcome to Athens, Greece, that is. Zorba was here but left for the Acropolis."

Gallery[edit]

Media[edit]

Audio.svg Mario's Time Machine (SNES)
File infoMedia:MTM SNES Florence, 1505 AD.oga
Audio.svg Mario's Time Machine (PC)
File infoMedia:MTM DX Athens, 369 BC.oga
Audio.svg Mario is Missing! (DOS)
File infoMedia:Mario is Missing! Mexico City Athens Buenos Aires Rio de Janeiro Pc Dos.oga
Audio.svg Mario is Missing! (SNES)
File infoMedia:MIM SNES Kenya and Greece.oga
Audio.svg Mario Kart Tour - Athens Dash
File infoMedia:MKT Athens Dash Theme.oga
Audio.svg Mario Kart 8 Deluxe - Athens Dash
File infoMedia:Switch Tour AthensDash BCP.oga
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

Trivia[edit]

  • The police officer's comment references the 1946 novel that was adapted into a 1964 film, Zorba the Greek.