Mario

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This article is about Mario, the main character of the namesake franchise. For the overall franchise, see Super Mario (franchise). For the portrayal of Mario in the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film, see Mario (film character). For his infant counterpart, see Baby Mario.
"Jumpman" redirects here. For information about the badge of the same name, see Jumpman (badge). For the Donkey Kong minigame from Mario Party 7, see Jump, Man.
Mario
Mario in Mario vs. Donkey Kong for the Nintendo Switch
Artwork from Mario vs. Donkey Kong for the Nintendo Switch
Full name Mario Mario[1]
Species Human
First appearance Donkey Kong (1981)
Latest appearance Mario vs. Donkey Kong (Nintendo Switch) (2024)
Latest portrayal Kevin Afghani (2023–present)
Charles Martinet (19932022, 2024)
“It's-a me, Mario!”
Mario, Super Mario 64

Mario is the main character and titular protagonist of the long-running and highly successful Super Mario franchise. He was created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto and serves as the main mascot of Nintendo. Mario made his first appearance as the protagonist of the arcade game Donkey Kong, released in 1981 (in which he took the alias "Jumpman"). Since Super Mario Bros., his trademark abilities have been his jumping and stomping powers, with which he defeats most of his enemies, and his ability to gain even more powers with a plethora of items, such as the Super Mushroom, the Fire Flower, and the Super Star. Games have usually portrayed Mario as a silent, straightforward character. According to Nintendo's philosophy, this allows Mario to fit in many different genres and roles. In most games, he is the hero that goes on an adventure to save Princess Peach from his arch-nemesis, Bowser, but he has been shown doing many other activities besides adventuring, such as racing and sporting with his younger but taller twin brother, Luigi; his friends such as Yoshi and Toad; and others.

Creation

Concept art of Mario for the arcade game Donkey Kong
Concept art for Mario

Following the failure of Radar Scope in North America, Nintendo's then-president, Hiroshi Yamauchi, requested designer Shigeru Miyamoto's aid in converting unsold Radar Scope units into something that would sell well. Miyamoto conceived the concept of a love triangle and decided to make a game based on Popeye. This was abandoned due to technical reasons, so he decided to come up with a new idea using his own characters.[2]

For use in his arcade game Donkey Kong, Miyamoto created a player character originally known during development as Ossan (the Japanese term for "middle-aged man," which coincidentally would be the name given to a Mario look-alike in the game Golf), then Mr. Video Game or Mr. Video and Jumpman.[3][4] This character was given red overalls and a blue shirt in order to make the arms more visible as well as a cap and mustache, as hair and a mouth were impossible to animate on the arcade system.[5] When the game was released in Japan, he was simply a nameless "player" (プレイヤー) in the Japanese arcade instructions and flyer. In the American arcade instructions, he was called Jumpman, but Nintendo of Japan asked Nintendo of America if it wanted to rename him during the Western localization. President Minoru Arakawa and warehouse manager Don James thought it would be funny to call the character Mario after the reclusive Italian American landlord of storage and company housing, Mario Segale.[6][7][8][9] It was too late to replace the Jumpman name from the instructions, but the "Mario" name appeared on the flyerMedia:DK English Flyer.jpg that debuted alongside the game. In Japan, he became known as Mario with the release of Donkey Kong Jr. Prior to this, the Japanese instructions for the Game & Watch version of Donkey Kong called him Kyūjo Man (救助マン, lit. "rescue man").

While Mario was initially described as a carpenter, Mario Bros. subsequently changed his occupation to a plumber because "the scenario dictates his role."[10] Miyamoto in a 2009 radio interview stated that he wanted to create a hero resembling an "ordinary odd-job man"; he did not like the idea of a perfect hero, preferring the idea of "ordinary citizens doing something really good for society," and would be "embarrassed" for making a perfect hero. He stated, "I like the idea of a middle-aged ordinary man doing something nice for other people."[11]

History

Main article: History of Mario
Promotional image of the Super Mario series' game packagings (plus an iPhone).
Promotional image celebrating Mario's history in the mainline platformers

Due to being a recurring major protagonist of a long-running video game series, Mario has extensive history spanning decades and across various media from video games to TV shows to comics and even full-length featured films. Although his history does not follow a clear established canon, some of Mario's earliest games chronologically are in the Yoshi's Island series, depicting Mario's birth as part of a twin delivery, with Luigi, by a stork. Sometimes, Mario has even interacted with his baby self, especially in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. While most of Mario's adventures are told in straightforward narratives that involve rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser, various RPGs, comics, and animated films, including some Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi games, involve a more extensive plot, sometimes with Mario even allying with Bowser to defeat a greater villain. Mario has also been involved in some crossovers, including with other Nintendo properties in the Super Smash Bros. series, Sonic the Hedgehog in the Mario & Sonic series, Dragon Quest in Itadaki Street DS and Fortune Street, and Rabbids in the Mario + Rabbids series. Mario's history also includes some appearances outside his own series, usually cameos.

Cultural impact

Main article: Super Mario (franchise) § Reception and legacy
The wax statue of Mario in 2002

Mario is often said to be the most famous video game character in history. A Q Score survey made in the early 1990s showed Mario was even more popular than Mickey Mouse,[12] and Mario has the only wax statue of a video game character, which stands in the Hollywood Wax Museum.

Statue of Mario at in front of Bergsala's offices during the unveiling event that replaced the old statue on August 25, 2016.
A Mario statue in Sweden

The Super Mario franchise is the best-selling video game franchise in history; the sales include 528.534 million, whereas the second-best-selling franchise, Pokémon, totals 300 million.[13] Even with spinoff series excluded, the main Super Mario franchise has sold 311.46 million games (as of September 2015).[14] Furthermore, Super Mario is the flagship franchise of Nintendo, and Mario is the company's mascot, furthering his publicity even more. According to Guinness World Records 2008: Gamer's Edition, Mario has appeared in a total of 116 separate games, which is more than any other video game character,[15] and more recent sources such as the Game On 2.0 traveling exhibit place the number at over 200.[16]

General information

Physical description

Artwork of Mario jumping in Super Mario 64. Mario from Mario Party 10.
Mario's appearance from the Nintendo 64 era (left) and his current appearance (right)
Artwork of Mario from Donkey Kong. Mario
Mario's initial appearances in the cabinet art (left) and in the poster art (right) for Donkey Kong

Mario's distinctive look is due to technology restrictions in the mid-1980s, particularly Nintendo's inability to depict Popeye. With a limited number of pixels and colors, the game developers, including Mario's creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, could not animate Mario's movement without making his arms "disappear" if his shirt was a solid color, so they gave Mario overalls. The developers additionally did not have the space to give him a mouth, the result of Mario's mustache. Mario has a big nose to have his face read better in the limited pixel space. Mario was made stocky so he covers best in the space he was allocated in. Finally, the developers used a cap to bypass the problem of animating and drawing hair. Mario's gloves were a later addition by the artist Zavier Leslie Cabarga for the North American poster for Donkey Kong.[17]

Mario has undergone major changes since his initial appearance in Donkey Kong up until Super Mario Bros. In Donkey Kong, Mario initially appears lankier with a more realistic-looking red nose and a cleft chin. In some portrayals in Donkey Kong Jr., however, he appears stouter with a round nose, which resembles more closely to Mario's current design, although some promotional art retains his original Donkey Kong design. The stubbier design is retained in Mario Bros., with a few changes. It is not until Super Mario Bros. where he resembles as he is today, with the familiar blue eyes, full hair, a red cap with an insignia, a distinct mustache, a large round nose, large hands, and other features. However, due to color limitations at the time, his in-game design did not fully match the artwork, such as having black hair like his mustache instead of brown, white overall buttons instead of yellow ones in Super Mario World, and hair that had a more reddish-brown color and was not very defined in shape below his hat in Super Mario 64. Before Super Mario Bros. 2, the colors of his shirt and overalls were reversed until Super Mario World and the remade sprites of Super Mario All-Stars, and he also did not wear his gloves. His neck is very short and rarely visible due to his round and slightly disproportionate head compared to the rest of his body and the position of his chin.

Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!
Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen! pamphlet

Though Mario was originally imagined as middle-aged, his changes in design made him noticeably younger, and his age has been approximated to be about 26 years old,[18] while Miyamoto later placed it at either 24 or 25.[19] The pamphlet for Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen! estimates Mario's age at around 25. The comic Mario vs. Wario also implies Mario (and Wario) is roughly in his late 20s or early 30s, as he recalls his childhood 20 years ago.

While Mario is consistently portrayed as a short character, his precise height and proportions vary across media, without a specified height from most video game material. An Amazon listing for a figure of Mario that is marketed as "life-size" lists its height as 150 cm (4 ft 11 in.) tall.[20] The pamphlet for Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen! gives his height as 150 cm and weight as 70 kg (154 lbs.) Crossover artwork featuring Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog (who stands at 1 m / 3 ft 3 in.) shows Mario at around the same height as him, if not two or three inches shorter due to Sonic's quills. Mario's height relationship with other humans has been varied. Some media, such as Super Mario Odyssey and Mario's Time Machine, show Mario as much shorter than a realistic human, while others, including Mario Golf and the DIC cartoons, show Mario's height closer relative to other humans. The director of Super Mario Odyssey, Kenta Motokura, stated in an interview that New Donk City was realistic to showcase the extent of Mario's abilities in a realistic environment for a scale that is easy to understand,[21] while Miyamoto referred to the humans of New Donk City as "normal people."[22]

Merchandise for the original Donkey Kong showed Mario as balding, although most media depict Mario with a full set of hair. He has short chocolate brown hair with three front locks, four back locks, and a sprout-shaped cowlick on the top of his head. The most notable change Mario has received over the years since Super Mario Bros. (omitting stylistic variations such as depictions in Paper Mario) is his change in stature; Mario is shown to be much stubbier in his earlier appearances compared to his more recent appearances, starting with Super Mario 64. Mario's legs and arms have grown longer over the years, giving him a slimmer look. This may have been the result of Miyamoto's response to Mario's and Luigi's "cute" appearances, and he considered redesigning the Mario Bros. to "become a bit more grown-up" in the GameCube era—for instance, by removing their trademark V sign.[23]

Mario's most prolific early 3D iteration is from Super Mario 64, where he and other characters were created from Silicon Graphics workstations. Mario is depicted with darker blue overalls and bigger eyes than in his current appearance based on the one in Luigi's Mansion. He has a slightly darker skin, his ears are also rounder, his overall straps are longer, and his cap is less round. Ever since Luigi's Mansion, however, Mario has received only minor proportion changes to his general appearance, becoming taller and slimmer, though still chubby and with brighter colors on his clothes, skin, and hair; pockets on his overalls; and added detail in his shoes, eyes, hat, and clothes in 3D artwork since Super Mario 3D World. While he always has a fair complexion, the tone of his skin has become inconsistent over the course of the more recent games, sometimes taking on a peach tone like in the more recent artwork, including the updated versions of the existing ones, and at times not.

Mario has a few stylistic variations across some games, sometimes within series. One variation is Mario's overall appearance in the Paper Mario games: It is generally the same, with black dots for eyes and no eyebrows, although he has a shorter stature. Since Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, however, Mario's body is more simplistic, with legless feet, a rounder face, and a full outline around the arms, while his mustache became brown like his hair. In addition, starting with Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, all of Mario's paper appearances have depicted him with a white outline around his entire body. Another variation is Mario's depiction in the Mario & Luigi games, although it is more subtle, where Mario is given black eyes rather than blue, and in artwork for all games in the series except for Mario & Luigi: Dream Team, Mario is shown with a brown mustache instead of black. The artwork for the series also shows Mario with a serious or neutral expression that never leaves his mouth visible, unlike Luigi, who is shown with a larger variety of expressions.

The Super Smash Bros. series also has Mario's appearance change between games. In the original Super Smash Bros., Mario's appearance is derived from Super Mario 64 but with minor alterations, such as a slimmer appearance. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, Mario's design incorporates elements from Mario Kart 64 and Super Mario World, as well as official artwork from the Nintendo 64 era. Mario's hair and clothing are darker and have more detail in them, with his overalls particularly sporting back pockets and having denim textures, similar to his sprite in Super Mario World, and his skin having a more original tan complexion. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario's back pockets return, but his overall design is updated to resemble his appearances in Super Mario Sunshine and later games. However, Mario's color scheme is darker than before, while his hair and clothing have more-realistic detailing. In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U, Mario's design is slimmer and more vibrant, matching his appearances in games such as Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D World, and Mario Kart 8. As an accompaniment, Mario's hair and clothing have much less detailing. In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario's design is mostly the same, aside from a more subdued color scheme and simple detailing in his hair and clothing, but not to the same extent as Melee and Brawl. Super Mario Odyssey has realistic details on his hair and overalls, and some other games also retain the realistic details to an extent.

According to the Insiders' Calendar included in the second issue of Nintendo Power, Mario's birthday is October 11.[24][25]

Clothing

Mario artwork for My Nintendo.
Mario wearing his trademark outfit consisting of a red shirt, a red cap, blue overalls with yellow buttons, white gloves, and brown shoes

Mario is typically shown wearing his trademark outfit wherever he goes. He has a long-sleeved red shirt, which is tucked under a pair of white gloves and has a noticeable collar at the neck. He also wears blue overalls with yellow buttons layered over his shirt. On his feet is a pair of light-brown work shoes. In the Paper Mario series, these are known as boots and they are shown to have a rim on the top, although Mario's shoes in most media do not have this rim.

Originally, Mario wore red overalls on top of a blue shirt—nearly the opposite colors of what he wears now. The Famicom version of Mario Bros. is the first game to depict Mario with blue overalls and a red undershirt (although on the box art, he is depicted entirely in blue), but Super Mario Bros. 2 standardized Mario's current colors.

Mario's trademark is his red cap with his red M insignia. Mario's cap is sometimes an important and even mandatory accessory in some games, such as Super Mario 64, where he takes more damage without his cap. In Super Mario Sunshine, if Mario loses his cap, he acquires damage over time from the heat of the sun. In most media, however, Mario's cap is treated as a mere accessory, and Mario can go capless in some games without any additional effect, such as in New Super Mario Bros. Wii after obtaining 99 lives. In some games, such as Super Mario 3D Land, if Mario is in Small form, he is seen without his cap, although it is no different from the other incarnations of the Small form. In Super Mario Odyssey, Mario's default cap is replaced with Cappy, which can be replaced with other hats in the Crazy Cap stores as well. Additionally, Mario has over 40 outfits available to wear, which can range from recolors to resemble Luigi, Wario, or Waluigi to unique outfits that see Mario dressed as a pirate, as an astronaut, as a knight, as a musician, in swim attire, or even as Princess Peach in her wedding gown.

Although mostly seen with his default plumber attire, Mario has also worn several alternate outfits in the spinoff games, including but not limited to Mario Party games, Dr. Mario, NES Open Tournament Golf, Mario's Picross, the Mario Strikers games, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and Mario Golf: Super Rush. In Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, Mario wears different outfits depending on the sport or activity being played. In some sports, Mario wears the same red sneakers he originally wore in Mario Tennis Aces.

Mario has seen some variations to his outfit in the games. In Super Mario Sunshine, for instance, Mario has shorter sleeves. In addition, Mario can wear a tropical shirt over his normal shirt, along with sunglasses that darken the screen, if he talks to the Sunglasses vendor. Mario also usually gains alternate outfits when using power-ups, from simple recolors to covering his whole body, such as Fire Mario, Tanooki Mario, Propeller Mario, Flying Squirrel Mario, and Cat Mario. Finally, Mario can resemble different characters, even outside the Super Mario franchise, by using a Mystery Mushroom to change into one of the various forms of Costume Mario in Super Mario Maker.

Within the Super Smash Bros. series, Mario has several alternate colors to use, with two costumes in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, most referencing existing characters throughout the Super Mario franchise.

Name

Mario's family name is given as "Mario" in the live-action segments "Dance" and "Treasure of the Sierra Brooklyn" of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! and made popular in the live-action movie Super Mario Bros. This occasionally occurs in other media—for instance, the Prima guidebook for Mario Party 2 lists his name as Mario Mario in a note section,[26] and the Prima guide for Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga similarly shows Mario's full name as Mario Mario in the list of major characters.[27] The arcade flyers for Donkey Kong/Donkey Kong Jr./Mario Bros. use the full name as well. Also, when people asked Mario (voiced by Charles Martinet) on MIRT what his last name was at San Diego Comic-Con 2012, he responded with this: "What's my last name? Ah, that's a very good question! ... That's right! It's-a Mario. My name-a Mario Mario. Of course, my brother name, a-Luigi Mario. And of course, my mama's-a Mama Mia Mario; my papa Papa Pio Mario. Of course, my grandmama Grandmama Mia Mario, and my grandpapa Grandpa—et cetera, et cetera. Yeah, first name Mario, last name-a Mario. Yahoo!"[28] However, Nintendo of America earlier claimed that "there are no last names."[29] This was later stated by Nintendo president Satoru Iwata.[4] Additionally, Shigeru Miyamoto previously stated that Mario and Luigi do not have last names, contrary to their depiction in the movie, although he later redacted that stance, confirming at the Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary festival in September 2015 that Mario's and Luigi's last names are indeed "Mario."[1]

Personality

In a Mario vs. Luigi segment (from New Super Mario Bros.) of Super Mario-kun, Mario attacks Mega Luigi, shrinking and sending him on the edge of the cliff. Mario panics and grabs his arm, nearly saving him. Then, this happens.
Mario rescues Luigi after a badly ending sibling rivalry, until he is distracted in Super Mario-kun.
“One of the things that's interesting about Mario is that there's very little character to him. You know very little about him. So despite the fact that he's incredibly well-known, incredibly visible and recognized, we know very little about his backstory, his history, or his motivations, so he's not much of a character in the traditional film or TV sense.”
James Newman, senior lecturer of cultural studies of Bath Spa University, 2009 radio interview[11]

Mario is a heroic Italian plumber, with media outside the games depicting him from Brooklyn. Mario is known for being kind, cheerful, playful, encouraging, courageous, and headstrong, and he is also eager and cocky on certain occasions. Officially, however, Nintendo producers have stated that Mario's biography is kept simple in order to make the character versatile and reusable in many different games and situations.[30]

Mario loves food, especially Italian food, which is most notably seen in the DIC cartoon trilogy but is also shown in the games such as in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario Odyssey, where he dreams about Italian food; Super Mario Sunshine, where he is attracted to the promise of seafood; Luigi's Mansion 3, where Mario is drawn to a food display in the Grand Lobby; and Fortune Street, where he offers Yoshi to help look for cookies before suggesting that he has already eaten the cookies ("just give me a second to brush these cookie crumbs out of my mustache!"). Mario is pickier in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, however, showing his disgust at mushrooms. Characters also occasionally suggest he pay attention to his diet, such as Hoot from Super Mario 64 and the Star Temple gate from Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time.

Mario, although competitive, shows generally good sportsmanship, even complimenting his opponents, as shown in instances such as Mario Kart 8 (there is a chance he says, "Good play!" when he is in second to sixth place) and Fortune Street (see his various losing quotes). He still shows disappointment when he loses, however, such as wiping a tear in Mario Kart 64. He is occasionally visibly frustrated but restrained, such as when he throws a small fit when he gets a double bogey or worse in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, exhales to contain his anger in Mario Strikers Charged, and stomps his foot in frustration before sitting in resignation in all console entries for the Mario Party series starting with Mario Party 10.

Mario has occasionally shown assertive tendencies throughout his appearances, albeit in a lighthearted and comic-relief manner. In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Mallow had to physically restrain Mario from charging in, such as before the battle with Bowyer, so that the heroes can figure out what is happening to their surroundings.

There is also several one-off miscellaneous information. The 1993 Nintendo Character Manual, for instance, has stated that Mario loves animals, especially the most unusual ones,[31] and he also enjoys music, particularly opera or new-wave Europop,[31] although there is no further comment for these statements. Mario Strikers Charged gives Mario a rock-'n'-roll theme for his entrance and scoring animations and an orchestrated theme for his Super Ability. Finally, game art and gameplay depict Mario playing the saxophone.[32][33][34] Mario is also said to be an avid All Night Nippon listener.[35]

Speech

Like many other protagonists of Nintendo games, Mario rarely fully speaks in the mainline video games, making him a mostly semi-silent protagonist. In early games, however, Mario fully speaks for long periods of time, such as in Mario's Game Gallery and Mario Teaches Typing 2. Mario, originally voiced by Charles Martinet before being replaced by Kevin Afghani, speaks sometimes broken English with a heavy Italian accent and in a soft, high-pitched voice, often referring to himself in the third person as illeism. When he screams or is happy or excited, his voice tends to go falsetto. There are some games where Mario has also been given complete dialogue bubbles, such as Itadaki Street DS and Fortune Street. Mario has also spoken in full sentences in various promotional events, such as the 2006 interview for New Super Mario Bros.,[36] a press conference released for Mario Sports Mix, the Nintendo 3DS system demonstration,[37] and Play Nintendo's series Mario Reads Your Letters. In promotional venues with MIRT, people can communicate with Mario by asking various questions; there, too, Mario speaks for long periods of time.[28][38][39] In The Cat Mario Show, Mario can speak fully, but he has an entirely different voice. After the GameCube era, Martinet made a slight change to the way he voices Mario, using his tenor voice more consistently and taking on a slightly lower pitch to make him more expressive, while in the Super Smash Bros. games from Super Smash Bros. Brawl onwards, Mario's voice became deeper and raspier than usual, similarly to Super Mario Galaxy. In Super Mario 3D World, as well as various games from the Nintendo Switch era (including Super Mario Odyssey and Luigi's Mansion 3), Mario's voice has become noticeably deeper and slightly weaker in energy due to Martinet aging. In Super Mario Bros. Wonder, after Martinet stopped voicing Mario, Afghani succeeded him and gave Mario a similar but higher-pitched voice.

Most non-game media, such as the comics, manga, anime films, and the cartoons, also show Mario speaking. In the cartoons and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario is usually associated with a Brooklyn accent, the former with a gruff voice. Mario speaks in the various anime films and shorts such as in Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!, though his voice is not as gruff as in the cartoons.

Likewise, in some cases, Mario is a true silent protagonist, or he does not speak in English. In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Mario is completely silent, communicating solely through pantomime. In the Paper Mario titles, he mainly communicates through simple nodding and hand gestures; while he is completely silent in Paper Mario, however, he is given his usual voice in Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door and Super Paper Mario. Mario is also silent during dialogue scenes in the Mario Baseball series, Mario Tennis Aces, the Mario Golf series, and the Mario & Sonic series, although he does say the usual catchphrases in a game session. In these games, other characters speak for him, mainly Lakitu and Toad. In the Mario & Luigi titles, Mario and Luigi speak in unintelligible Italian-sounding gibberish that the other characters can understand.

Audio.svg Mario Teaches Typing 2 - Mario's voice
File infoMedia:MTT2 - Mario Thanks the Player.oga
0:11
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

Powers and abilities

Artwork of Mario, from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS / Wii U.
Mario, usually in the spinoffs, such as Super Smash Bros., is associated with fire.

Mario's primary ability is his jump, which he relies on to defeat enemies, avoid hazards, and activate helpful items, such as ? Blocks and P Switches. Although Luigi jumps higher, Mario is more well-known. Mario is also agile, capable of several acrobatic maneuvers, including the Long Jump, Backward Somersault, Spin Jump, and Wall Jump, with the Wall Jump being one of his most recurring abilities. Several of these abilities are later shared with other Super Mario characters. Some games depict Mario as immune to fall damage, such as in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Odyssey, though landing still impacts him, while other games such as Super Mario 64 have him taking damage; Mario can be instantly defeated by falling great heights in the Donkey Kong games. While Mario usually jumps for his attack, he can punch and kick in a few other games such as Super Mario 64, the Mario Party series, and the Super Smash Bros. series.

Mario's main weapon is the hammer in Donkey Kong, although Mario often uses the hammer as a weapon in Super Mario RPGs. Mario is usually associated with fire in the spinoffs, based on his Fire Mario form from Super Mario Bros. Mario can, in some games, such as Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, control fire without a Fire Flower, although the first game where he actually starts using this power regularly is Super Smash Bros. Melee.

Artwork of Mario swinging Bowser by the tail in Super Mario 64.
Despite his small size, in Super Mario 64, Mario can pick up large enemies, including Bowser.

Mario can carry objects much larger than himself in some games. In Super Mario 64, he can carry and throw the Big Bob-omb, although with some difficulty. During the battles with Bowser, Mario can grab him by the tail, spin him, and throw him. His strength is also shown in Super Mario Galaxy, where he can easily stun a Grand Goomba with a Star-Spin despite its great size and can knock Bowser around during battles with him. In Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, although Mario is visibly straining, he is able to lift and throw a swollen Luigi when using the Snack Basket move. In the spinoffs, Mario, although usually balanced, boasts generally slightly above-average power, and in golf, he has one of the strongest drives.

Mario has been designed to be a versatile character. As a result, his abilities reflect a balanced playstyle, allowing him to participate and perform well in many situations. Indeed, his bios have frequently and consistently described him as a "jack of all trades." Another result of his versatility is the number of occupations he holds.

Mario can also take advantage of several power-ups and transformations.

Occupations

Animation sequence taken from French TV advertisement for Mario Pinball Land and Mario vs. Donkey Kong
Mario in a one-off occupation as a rapper, as seen in the Japanese and French commercials for Mario Pinball Land

Mario is typically known as a plumber since Mario Bros., although he started as a carpenter in Donkey Kong. Although he is best known for being a plumber, the games rarely portray Mario being directly involved in plumbing. Other media, such as The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, however, put a much bigger emphasis on Mario's job. According to the live-action segments in The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, Mario works a menial job at Mario Brothers Plumbing in Brooklyn, just barely able to make enough money, and sometimes complains about a dull life. Despite this, he and Luigi seem to excel at their jobs, as it is stated that they have one of the best plumbing in New York City. Also according to the show, Mario has received his plumber training from the Brooklyn Plumbers Academy, founded by Salvador Drainotto, whom Mario holds to great respect. Mario is also skilled with various plumbing tools throughout the show's episodes, such as the All Purpose Portable Plumber's Helper and Plumber's Putty, which he uses to assist him and his friends in some hazardous situations. In 2016, a bio on the Kids section of the Nintendo Co., Ltd. site indicates that plumbing was Mario's former occupation; the bio on Mario Portal reconfirmed this.[40] However, as of March 2018, the Japanese profile was updated to state that Mario is still a plumber,[41] and that statement is further confirmed by Super Mario Bros. Wonder.[42]

In addition to plumbing, Mario has dabbled in various other occupations. One of his most notable recurring alternate careers is in medicine, as his alter-ego Dr. Mario, who stars in an entire spinoff series and is even a separate character in the Super Smash Bros. games. Mario is also known for his participation in a wide variety of spinoff sports games, including but not limited to golf, tennis, basketball, hockey, soccer, and both kart and motocross racing. He also participates in a wide array of Olympic events and has even made a cameo as a referee in Mike Tyson's Punch Out!! Another series-specific recurring role Mario takes is as the president of the Mario Toy Company in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong games.

In addition to these, Mario has also had numerous one-off jobs, again including but not limited to a demolition worker in Wrecking Crew, an archaeologist in Mario's Picross, a baker in Yoshi's Cookie, a factory worker in Mario's Cement Factory and Mario Bros. for the Game & Watch, a soldier who delivers bombs in Mario's Bombs Away, a grocery worker in Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyūshutsu Dai Sakusen!, a psychotherapist in Super Mario Adventures (albeit as a gag), and potentially a sensei in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Finally, Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up depicts Mario in various occupations, intending to educate children on several careers they can explore.

Relationships

Family

Main article: Mario and Luigi's family
Tanooki Mario rescues Luigi in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Mario and Luigi embrace each other in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, with Mario reminding Luigi in his promise to protect him.
“I'm telling you, nothing can hurt us as long as we're together!”
Mario before he and Luigi get separated, The Super Mario Bros. Movie

Luigi is Mario's younger but taller twin brother. Luigi often joins Mario on his adventures, and the two are normally paired in sports titles and spinoffs. They share a strong brotherly bond ever since they were babies, and Mario has always shown protective instincts towards Luigi, as in the Yoshi's Island series, he can sense Luigi's location and leads the Yoshis to rescue him. Even after they became adults, they still live together and remain very close and committed to each other, such as in Luigi's Mansion, the Mario & Luigi series, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Mario also is shown to be proud of Luigi when he faces his fears for him, such as when Luigi fights King Boo on three different occasions to rescue Mario, and when Mario is saved in Luigi's Mansion 3, he is very happy that Luigi came to free him, and congratulates him before jumping in his arms and giving him a big hug. The 1993 official Nintendo Character Manual states that Mario, when he retires, plans to give his plumbing business to Luigi (while also implying a distinct age contrast, which conflicts with the idea that they are twins).[31]

While Mario and Luigi love each other, in Paper Mario, Luigi admits that he also feels jealousy towards Mario at times and has also expressed that he is "tired of being Player 2," for, despite being a hero in his own right, he is often overshadowed by Mario. While Mario teases that Luigi's quote of being Player 2 is taken out of context, adding that "Luigi loves being [his] sidekick" in the Mario Sports Mix press conference, in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story, he is quick to give Luigi proper credit for defeating the Shroobs in the previous game. At times, Mario does compete with Luigi, such as when he intentionally steps and squirms on Luigi's foot when Luigi receives a trophy in Mario Power Tennis, making him uneasy and embarrassed. Despite this and his tendency not to receive the same credit as Mario, Luigi has always admired him and shown a strong loyalty to him that pushes him to face his fears if he needs his help. Mario & Luigi: Dream Team also shows his subconscious, known as Dream's Deep, where he has nothing but positive feelings and thoughts about Mario. Several pieces of artwork also show them posing together, with a few more and an animated sticker showing them giving each other a high-five.

In the LEGO Super Mario line, if Mario is woken up after being left asleep for a while, he calls out to Luigi looking worried. He can connect to Bluetooth with Luigi, allowing them to interact with each other. If Luigi is knocked down, gets dizzy from being shaken too much, is incapacitated by excessive damage from lava, or gets poisoned, Mario reacts in concern. Luigi does the same vice versa. After reaching the Goal Pole, they can high-five each other. Princess Peach also shares these interactions with each of the brothers.

Mario and Luigi's mother and father
Mario and Luigi's supposed parents

The rest of Mario's family has not been extensively explored, though more often outside the games. Mario and Luigi's supposed parents make a cameo at the end of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, although their faces are not seen and their names are not given, same as in their appearances in "Family Album 'The Early Years'" and Super Mario Issun-bōshi. Furthermore, Yoshi's New Island has stated that those two are not Mario and Luigi's parents. The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!, on the other hand, mentioned or featured Mama Mario in a number of episodes, depicting her as a strict woman who loves her boys very much. Their father did not appear in the show, and very little is known about him. The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! and the comics also make references or depict various other relatives of Mario, including aunts, uncles, and cousins, although none have appeared in any games.

The Super Mario Bros. Movie depicts Mario and Luigi as living with their parents and several other extended family members, including two paternal uncles, an aunt, a grandfather, and a niece, in a small apartment in Brooklyn.[43] However, at the end of the movie, the two are seen living by themselves in the Mushroom Kingdom.

Friends and love interests

One of Mario's earliest friends is Yoshi, who, along with other Yoshis, saved him and Luigi from the Koopa Troop when they were still babies. In Yoshi's New Island, Mario has also reciprocated by traveling to the past to help Baby Mario and Yoshi save Baby Luigi. In the present day, Yoshi continues to help Mario against Bowser, usually serving as his steed. Overall, Mario and Yoshi get along well, and they always support each other through tough times.

Another of Mario's closest friends is Toad, who occasionally goes on adventures with him, as in Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario 3D World, Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix, Mario Tennis Aces, various Super Mario cartoons, and the Nintendo Comics System. Toad trusts that Mario always saves the day and, even when not fighting alongside him, is quick to offer advice and encouragement.

Mario gets a kiss from Princess Peach in Mario Power Tennis.
Peach rewards Mario with a kiss after he wins a trophy in Mario Power Tennis.

Mario and Princess Peach have been friends since childhood. As adults, Mario often saves Peach, and she usually rewards him with a kiss on the cheek or nose, a cake, or even both. The German Club Nintendo comic "Warios Weihnachtsmärchen" even reveals that they spent their graduation ball in school together, and in the official guide of Yoshi's Island DS, the description for the level Baby Mario and Baby Peach: Dynamic Duo states they have teamed up as babies to stop evil before the "romantic entanglements" of their adult lives. Contrariwise, in a video published on the Play Nintendo channel on YouTube, Mario and Peach are described simply as friends.[44] In Super Paper Mario, while both Mario and Luigi deny a relationship when Luvbi asks if Peach was Mario's "lady friend," Luvbi also comments that the princess "looms large in his regard" and then wonders if Mario had a "one-sided crush." Many other sources, however, do portray Mario and Peach as having an ongoing romantic relationship as well as a friendship, such as the official European Super Mario website listing Peach as Mario's girlfriend and Mario Party 5 calling Peach and Mario's team "Cutest Couple." When Mario gets kissed by Peach, he often blushes heavily and becomes embarrassed and/or infatuated before celebrating. In Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Peach calls Mario her "knight in shining armor," and in the first Paper Mario, one of the Toads tells Mario to take Peach on a date to Shooting Star Summit. In Super Princess Peach, after Peach rescues Mario, she enthusiastically calls and runs towards him, and they happily dance together in celebration, with Mario revealing flowers in his hat and another one in between his hair as he holds her in his arms. Rosalina refers to Peach as Mario's "special one" in Super Mario Galaxy, with the two seen holding hands toward the ending of the game. Lubba refers to Peach as Mario's "special someone" in Super Mario Galaxy 2. Mario Power Tennis even goes as far as showing Mario himself telling Peach of his love for her in her victory scene, which she responds to by smiling and blowing a kiss to him and Luigi, causing them to become lovestruck. Also, in Mario's victory scene in Mario Power Tennis, Peach gives him a small kiss on the cheek. In Super Mario Odyssey, after kidnapping her, Bowser declares his intention to make Peach marry him, and Mario's main motivation is to stop Bowser from taking Peach's hand in a forced marriage, separating her from him. In Luigi's Mansion 3, after Luigi rescues him, Mario refuses to escape and leads Luigi to rescue Peach, and when he finds her imprisoned in a painting, he is devastated, crying in despair for her. When Luigi catches up to him, Mario pleads with him to free her if he is talked to.

Peach has not been Mario's only romantic interest, however. In the original Donkey Kong, Pauline was Mario's first girlfriend and damsel-in-distress, but while he still has to occasionally rescue her in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series, the two are considered just friends now. In addition, when Mario saved Princess Daisy in her debut appearance in Super Mario Land, a heart appeared overhead, implying a romantic connection. This was never explored further, however, and while Mario Party 4 gave them the team name "Nice Couple," most games link Daisy with Luigi instead, with her and Mario simply being friends, not even sharing any player chemistry in the Mario Baseball series.

In Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time, Mario has also shown to be a caring parental figure over Baby Mario, but he also steps in if any of his teammates misbehave. Mario appears to enjoy the babies' company. Before Baby Mario returns to his own time period, he gives Mario his hammer as a parting gift, showing his pleasure to be with his adult self.

Mario appears to be friendly rivals with Sonic the Hedgehog, extremely competitive in sports and events. Though rivals, they have a good friendship and partnership as the two have teamed up several times to stop their respective archenemies, Bowser and Dr. Eggman. According to an informal conversation with Mario, he stated in response that he likes Sonic and views him as a friendly archrival than an enemy. This is further supported in recent installments of the Mario & Sonic series, where they often share a high-five.

Foes and rivals

A picture on a special poster from Club Nintendo.
Mario with his many friends and foes

Bowser is Mario's arch-nemesis. Bowser constantly tries to take over the Mushroom Kingdom, harm Mario's brother and his friends, and/or kidnap Peach, while Mario usually defeats him. While Bowser resents Mario, he is often more than happy to forgive Bowser, such as in Mario Party DS, where they enjoy playing Triangle Twisters together. Even so, the resentment appears mutual, given their victory animations in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games and Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Bowser often calls Mario a variety of disparaging nicknames, especially in the cartoons. Mario sometimes returns the insults, but such retorts are usually restricted to the cartoons and other non-game media. When Mario does lose to Bowser, generally in spinoffs, he acknowledges it in good nature, such as in Fortune Street, although he expects himself to be a competent adversary for Bowser. Occasionally the two team up to defeat greater evils, such as in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, Super Paper Mario, and Paper Mario: The Origami King.

Mario's first enemy, however, was Donkey Kong (later known as Cranky Kong), who kidnapped Mario's girlfriend and whom Mario had to defeat. The current Donkey Kong and Mario are on much better terms and often participate in sports and spinoffs together. Although they do maintain a friendly and somewhat competitive rivalry, Mario must defeat Donkey Kong a couple times in the Mario vs. Donkey Kong series because Donkey Kong went into mischief, stemming from his passion and frustration for Mini Marios and Pauline. Even after his victory, after noticing Donkey Kong upset, Mario reconciles by offering his toys.

Mario's archrival is Wario, with various comics depicting their antagonistic relationship starting in childhood, and it is a major theme in Super Mario-kun. In Wario's first appearance, in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, he stole Mario's castle, and in Mario Super Sluggers, he tried to destroy Mario, although for the most part, their rivalry is far more mild in nature, and the two even team up to defeat Bowser in Super Mario 64 DS. Finally, according to Wario in Wario's Warehouse, both Wario and Waluigi hang out with him, although Mario frequently peeks at Wario's Warehouse. Wario has shown mostly contempt for Mario, but he does not have the same level of dislike as Bowser, whereas Mario, although he has been initially bitter and even called Wario an "evil creep,"[45] maintains his cheerful and positive attitude as he does with most of his enemies.

List of game appearances

This section is under construction. Therefore, please excuse its informal appearance while it is being worked on. We hope to have it completed as soon as possible.

This is a list of game appearances for Mario. Minor appearances, including cameos, are not counted.

Title Year System Role
Donkey Kong 1981 Arcade Playable character
Crazy Kong 1981 Arcade Playable character
Donkey Kong 1982 Game & Watch Playable character
Donkey Kong Jr. 1982 Arcade Antagonist
Donkey Kong Jr. 1982 Game & Watch Antagonist
Donkey Kong II 1983 Game & Watch Antagonist
Mario Bros. 1983 Game & Watch Playable character
Mario's Cement Factory 1983 Game & Watch
Mario Bros. 1983 Arcade
Mario's Bombs Away 1983 Game & Watch
Pinball 1984 Nintendo Entertainment System
Golf 1984 Nintendo Entertainment System
VS. Wrecking Crew 1984 VS. System
Mario Bros. Special 1984 Home computers
Donkey Kong Circus 1984 Game & Watch
Punch Ball Mario Bros. 1984 Home computers
Donkey Kong Hockey 1984 Game & Watch
Wrecking Crew 1985 Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Mario Bros. 1985 Nintendo Entertainment System
VS. Super Mario Bros. 1986 Arcade
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels 1986 Family Computer Disk System
Super Mario Bros. 1986 Game & Watch
Super Mario Bros. Special 1986 PC-88, X1
I am a teacher: Super Mario Sweater 1986 Family Computer Disk System
All Night Nippon: Super Mario Bros. 1986 Family Computer Disk System
Golf: Japan Course 1987 Family Computer Disk System
Golf: U.S. Course 1987 Family Computer Disk System
Famicom Grand Prix: F1 Race 1987 Family Computer Disk System
Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally 1988 Family Computer Disk System
Super Mario Bros. 2 1988 Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Mario Bros. 3 1988 Nintendo Entertainment System
Kaettekita Mario Bros. 1988 Family Computer Disk System
Pinball 1989 Family Computer Disk System
Tetris 1989 Game Boy
Wrecking Crew 1989 Family Computer Disk System
Super Mario Bros. 1989 Nelsonic Game Watch
Alleyway 1989 Game Boy
Super Mario Land 1989 Game Boy
Dr. Mario 1990 Nintendo Entertainment System
Dr. Mario 1990 Game Boy
VS. Dr. Mario 1990 Arcade
Mario's Egg Catch 1990 Super Mario Bros. Watch
Super Mario World 1990 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Mario Bros. 3 1990 Nelsonic Game Watch
Super Mario World 1991 Nelsonic Game Watch
Mario Roulette 1991 Arcade
NES Open Tournament Golf 1991 Nintendo Entertainment System
Mario Teaches Typing 1991 Personal computer
Super Mario Bros. & Friends: When I Grow Up 1991 Personal computer
Mario the Juggler 1991 Game & Watch
Yoshi 1991 Game Boy
Yoshi 1991 Nintendo Entertainment System
Mario is Missing! 1992 Personal computer
Mario is Missing! 1992 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Mario Bros. (pinball) 1992 Arcade
Super Mario Bros. Mushroom World 1992 Arcade
Terebi Denwa: Super Mario World 1992 Arcade
Super Mario Kart 1992 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Mario Paint 1992 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Yoshi's Cookie 1992 Nintendo Entertainment System
Yoshi's Cookie 1992 Game Boy
Super Mario Race 1992 Gamewatch Boy
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins 1992 Game Boy
Būbū Mario 1993 Arcade
Mario Undōkai 1993 Arcade
Super Mario World 1993 Arcade
Mario's Time Machine 1993 Personal computer
Mario is Missing! 1993 Nintendo Entertainment System
Mario's Time Machine 1993 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Mario & Wario 1993 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Mario All-Stars 1993 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Mario's Early Years! Fun with Letters 1993 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Mario's Early Years! Fun with Numbers 1993 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Mario's Early Years! Preschool Fun 1993 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Yoshi's Cookie 1993 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Yoshi's Safari 1993 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Dr. Mario 1993 Gamewatch Boy
Super Mario Kart: Doki Doki Race 1994 Arcade
Tetris & Dr. Mario 1994 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3 1994 Game Boy
Mario's Time Machine 1994 Nintendo Entertainment System
Hotel Mario 1994 CD-i
Super Mario All-Stars + Super Mario World 1994 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Donkey Kong 1994 Game Boy
Donkey Kong 1994 Nelsonic Game Watch
Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest 1995 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island 1995 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Mario's Game Gallery 1995 Personal computer
Undake30 Same Game 1995 Satellaview
Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium 1995 Satellaview
BS Super Mario USA 1995 Satellaview
Mario's Picross 1995 Game Boy
Mario's Super Picross 1995 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Mario's Tennis 1995 Virtual Boy
Mario Clash 1995 Virtual Boy
Donkey Kong (slot machine) 1996 Arcade
Mario Teaches Typing 2 1996 Personal computer
Super Mario 64 1996 Nintendo 64
Mario Kart 64 1996 Nintendo 64
Mario Kart 64 (slot machine) 1996 Arcade
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars 1996 Super Nintendo Entertainment System
Super Mario Attack 1996 Arcade
Mario Paint: BS Ban 1997 Satellaview
BS Mario Paint: Yuushou Naizou Ban 1997 Satellaview
Dr. Mario BS Version 1997 Satellaview
Game & Watch Gallery 1997 Game Boy
Game & Watch Gallery 2 1997 Game Boy
Mario no Photopi 1998 Nintendo 64
Wrecking Crew '98 1998 Satellaview
Super Mario Bros. Deluxe 1998 Game Boy Color
Mario Golf 1998 Nintendo 64
Mario Party 1998 Nintendo 64
Mario Party 2 1999 Nintendo 64
Super Smash Bros. 1999 Nintendo 64
Game & Watch Gallery 3 1999 Game Boy Color
Mario Golf 1999 Game Boy Color
Mario Artist: Paint Studio 1999 Nintendo 64DD
Mario Artist: Talent Studio 2000 Nintendo 64DD
Mario Artist: Communication Kit 2000 Nintendo 64DD
Mario Artist: Polygon Studio 2000 Nintendo 64DD
Mario Tennis 2000 Nintendo 64
Paper Mario 2000 Nintendo 64
Mario Party 3 2000 Nintendo 64
Dr. Mario 64 2001 Nintendo 64
Mario Family 2001 Game Boy Color
Luigi's Mansion 2001 Nintendo GameCube
Super Smash Bros. Melee 2001 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Tennis 2001 Game Boy Color
Mobile Golf 2001 Game Boy Color
Mario Kart: Super Circuit 2001 Game Boy Advance
Super Mario Advance 2001 Game Boy Advance
Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 2001 Game Boy Advance
Super Mario Sunshine 2002 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Party 4 2002 Nintendo GameCube
Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3 2002 Game Boy Advance
Game & Watch Gallery 4 2002 Game Boy Advance
Mario Party 5 2003 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Kart: Double Dash!! 2003 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour 2003 Nintendo GameCube
Nintendo Puzzle Collection 2003 Nintendo GameCube
Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 2003 Game Boy Advance
Super Mario Fushigi no Janjan Land 2003 Arcade
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga 2003 Game Boy Advance
Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door 2004 Nintendo GameCube
Classic NES Series: Super Mario Bros. 2004 Game Boy Advance
Classic NES Series: Dr. Mario 2004 Game Boy Advance
Mario Party 6 2004 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Power Tennis 2004 Nintendo GameCube
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2004 Game Boy Advance
Mario Golf: Advance Tour 2004 Game Boy Advance
Mario Pinball Land 2004 Game Boy Advance
Super Mario Fushigi no Korokoro Party 2004 Arcade
Super Mario 64 DS 2004 Nintendo DS
WarioWare: Touched! 2004 Nintendo DS
Yakuman DS 2004 Nintendo DS
NBA Street V3 2005 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Superstar Baseball 2005 Nintendo GameCube
Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix 2005 Nintendo GameCube
SSX on Tour 2005 Nintendo GameCube
Mario Kart DS 2005 Nintendo DS
Mario Party 7 2005 Nintendo GameCube
Super Mario Strikers 2005 Nintendo GameCube
Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time 2005 Nintendo DS
Yoshi Touch & Go 2005 Nintendo DS
Mario Party Advance 2005 Game Boy Advance
Mario Tennis: Power Tour 2005 Game Boy Advance
Dr. Mario & Puzzle League 2005 Game Boy Advance
Mario Kart Arcade GP 2005 Arcade
Super Mario Fushigi no Korokoro Party 2 2005 Arcade
Super Princess Peach 2006 Nintendo DS
New Super Mario Bros. 2006 Nintendo DS
Mario Hoops 3-on-3 2006 Nintendo DS
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis 2006 Nintendo DS
Yoshi's Island DS 2006 Nintendo DS
Tetris DS 2006 Nintendo DS
Super Paper Mario 2007 Wii
Mario Party 8 2007 Wii
Mario Strikers Charged 2007 Wii
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games 2007 Wii
Super Mario Galaxy 2007 Wii
Mario Party DS 2007 Nintendo DS
Itadaki Street DS 2007 Nintendo DS
Mario Kart Arcade GP 2 2007 Arcade
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games 2007 Nintendo DS
Super Smash Bros. Brawl 2008 Wii
Dr. Mario Express 2008 DSiWare
Dr. Mario Online Rx 2008 WiiWare
Mario Kart Wii 2008 Wii
Game & Watch Collection 2008 Nintendo DS
Mario Super Sluggers 2008 Wii
Mario Power Tennis (New Play Control!) 2008 Wii
Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher 2009 Arcade
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games 2009 Wii
New Super Mario Bros. Wii 2009 Wii
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story 2009 Nintendo DS
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games 2009 Nintendo DS
Super Mario Galaxy 2 2010 Wii
Game & Watch Collection 2 2010 Nintendo DS
Super Mario All-Stars Limited Edition 2010 Wii
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! 2010 Nintendo DS
Mario Sports Mix 2010 Wii
New Super Mario Bros. Wii Coin World 2011 Arcade
Super Mario 3D Land 2011 Nintendo 3DS
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games 2011 Wii
Mario Kart 7 2011 Nintendo 3DS
Fortune Street 2011 Wii
Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games 2012 Nintendo 3DS
Mario Party 9 2012 Wii
Mario Party Kurukuru Carnival 2012 Arcade
Mario Tennis Open 2012 Nintendo 3DS
New Super Mario Bros. 2 2012 Nintendo 3DS
Paper Mario: Sticker Star 2012 Nintendo 3DS
New Super Mario Bros. U 2012 Wii U
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon 2013 Nintendo 3DS
Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move 2013 Nintendo 3DS (eShop)
Mario & Luigi: Dream Team 2013 Nintendo 3DS
Mario Kart Arcade GP DX 2013 Arcade
Mario Party Fushigi no Korokoro Catcher 2 2013 Arcade
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games 2013 Wii U
Super Mario 3D World 2013 Wii U
Mario Party: Island Tour 2013 Nintendo 3DS
Yoshi's New Island 2014 Nintendo 3DS
Mario Golf: World Tour 2014 Nintendo 3DS
Mario Kart 8 2014 Wii U
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS 2014 Nintendo 3DS
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U 2014 Wii U
Mario Party 10 2015 Wii U
Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition 2015 Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Maker 2015 Wii U
Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash 2015 Wii U
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam 2015 Nintendo 3DS
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games 2016 Nintendo 3DS
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Arcade Edition 2016 Arcade
Mario Party Challenge World 2016 Arcade
Minecraft: Wii U Edition 2016 Wii U
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games 2016 Wii U
Paper Mario: Color Splash 2016 Wii U
Mario Party: Star Rush 2016 Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS 2016 Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Run 2016 iOS
Mario Sports Superstars 2017 Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Run 2017 Android
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 2017 Nintendo Switch
Minecraft: Nintendo Switch Edition 2017 Nintendo Switch
Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle 2017 Nintendo Switch
Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions 2017 Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Odyssey 2017 Nintendo Switch
Mario Party: The Top 100 2017 Nintendo 3DS
Minecraft: New Nintendo 3DS Edition 2018 New Nintendo 3DS
Minecraft (Bedrock version) 2018 Nintendo Switch
Mario Tennis Aces 2018 Nintendo Switch
WarioWare Gold 2018 Nintendo 3DS
Super Mario Party 2018 Nintendo Switch
Luigi's Mansion 2018 Nintendo 3DS
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate 2018 Nintendo Switch
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey 2018 Nintendo 3DS
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe 2019 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Maker 2 2019 Nintendo Switch
Dr. Mario World 2019 iOS, Android
Mario Kart Tour 2019 iOS, Android
Luigi's Mansion 3 2019 Nintendo Switch
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 2019 Nintendo Switch
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 - Arcade Edition 2020 Arcade
Paper Mario: The Origami King 2020 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario 3D All-Stars 2020 Nintendo Switch
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit 2020 Nintendo Switch
Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. 2020 Game & Watch
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury 2021 Nintendo Switch
Mario Golf: Super Rush 2021 Nintendo Switch
WarioWare: Get It Together! 2021 Nintendo Switch
Mario Party Superstars 2021 Nintendo Switch
Mario Strikers: Battle League 2022 Nintendo Switch
Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope 2022 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Bros. Wonder 2023 Nintendo Switch
WarioWare: Move It! 2023 Nintendo Switch
Super Mario RPG 2023 Nintendo Switch Playable character

Profiles and statistics

Main article: List of Mario profiles and statistics
An example of Mario's balanced characteristics
Mario emblem from Mario Kart 8Mario's horn emblem from Mario Kart 8
Mario's emblems from Mario Kart 8

Mario has consistently and frequently appeared in every game as a balanced player designed to be mastered easily. The only notable exceptions are the Mario Golf games, where he has a high drive, higher than most of the cast, including known power characters such as Wario and Donkey Kong (in Mario Golf: World Tour, for instance, his drive is surpassed only by Bowser, Rosalina, and Donkey Kong). Additionally, in Mario Strikers: Battle League, Mario is classified as a technique character (albeit his bio mentions his balanced stats); Shy Guy, later added in an update, is later classified as an all-around character. Otherwise, since Mario is designed as a versatile character, his stats reflect the "jack of all trades" quality. In games where Mario's stats are not equally balanced, he generally leans slightly toward power and agility. While Mario is fairly nimble in games such as Super Smash Bros., Mario Super Sluggers, the Mario & Luigi series, and the Mario & Sonic series, he is sometimes portrayed with average or even below-average mobility in other games, including Mario Superstar Baseball, Mario Tennis games, and Mario Strikers Charged.

Most bios have described Mario as a well-known icon in the Mushroom Kingdom, in Nintendo, and in video gaming in general. They may also celebrate his numerous accomplishments or his previous forays.

Mario's most frequent associated color scheme has been red, although his scheme may sport blue or white motifs. His emblem is the letter M as seen on his cap.

Portrayals

Mario has been voiced by the following people:

Gallery

For this subject's image gallery, see Gallery:Mario.

Quotes

Main article: List of Mario quotes
Mario head smaller.png This section is a stub. You can help the Super Mario Wiki by expanding it.

Games

Animation

The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
Main article: List of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! quotes § Mario
The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3
Main article: List of The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 quotes § Mario
Super Mario World
Main article: List of Super Mario World (television series) quotes § Mario
The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Main article: List of The Super Mario Bros. Movie quotes § Mario

Comics

Main article: List of quotes from Mario comics § Mario

Voice samples

Audio.svg Super Mario 64 - "It's-a me, Mario!" (Charles Martinet, 1996)
File infoMedia:SM64 Mario It's-a me Mario.oga
Audio.svg Super Mario 3D World / Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury - "Ah, princess-a, what a beautiful evening." (Charles Martinet, 2013)
File infoMedia:Mario SM3DW.oga
Audio.svg Super Mario Bros. Wonder - "Mario number one!" (Kevin Afghani, 2023)
File infoMedia:Mario - MarioNumberOne - SMBW.oga
Help:MediaHaving trouble playing?

Names in other languages

Main article: List of Mario names in other languages
Language Name Meaning
Japanese マリオ
Mario
救助マン (Donkey Kong)
Kyūjo Man

Mario

Rescue Man (translated as "rescuer" in Game & Watch Collection)

Chinese (simplified) 马力欧
Mǎlìōu
Mario. The Simplified Chinese name is chosen by Shigeru Miyamoto and used by iQue, Nintendo's former subsidiary in mainland China[48] (even after the Simplified Chinese names for many characters have been changed to the same as the Traditional Chinese variants since Mario Tennis Aces), despite the popular unofficial name 马里奥 Mǎlǐào.[49]

Chinese (traditional) 瑪利歐
Mǎlìōu
Mario. This Traditional Chinese name is used by Nintendo in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Its Simplified form, 玛利欧, was used by Mani (万信), Nintendo's former sale agency in mainland China before iQue.[50]

Dutch Mario
-
French Mario
-
German Mario
-
Greek Μάριο
Mario
Mario

Hebrew מריו
Mario
Mario

Italian Mario
-
Korean 마리오
Mario
Mario

Polish Mario
-
Portuguese Mario
-
Russian Марио
Mario
Mario

Spanish Mario
-
Thai มาริโอ[51]
Ma-ri-o
Mario

References

  1. ^ a b Brian. Miyamoto says Mario’s full name is “Mario Mario”. Nintendo Everything (September 14, 2015). Retrieved September 14th 2015
  2. ^ Gunpei Yokoi deposition, 1983
  3. ^ Iwata Asks: Super Mario 25th Anniversary Vol. 2 Ch. 4. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  4. ^ a b http://kotaku.com/5935721/super-marios-boss-doesnt-want-to-overdo-it-with-mr-video-game-and-wont-deceive-you-with-dlc
  5. ^ Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii Vol. 1 Ch. 2. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
  6. ^ Game|Life Podcast Wired. (February 17, 2012). Retrieved April 21, 2023. Interview with Don James starts at 51:16.
  7. ^ Nintendo of America (June 15, 2018). Arcade Archives Gameplay - Nintendo Treehouse: Live | E3 2018. YouTube.
  8. ^ The Strong Museum (March 21, 2018). Donkey Kong Thank You by Don James. YouTube.
  9. ^ Pryne, Eric. (March 27, 2010). "Powerful Segale family has massive vision for Tukwila expanse". The Seattle Times. Excerpt: ""You might say I'm still waiting for my royalty checks," Segale told The Seattle Times in 1993. He didn't confirm widely circulated stories that "Super Mario" got his name after Segale stormed into Nintendo's office, angrily demanding overdue rent. But many business associates say those tales fit the Mario they know — a hard-driving businessman who can be warm and generous, but also can display a temper when he doesn't get what he wants." (Retrieved December 19, 2011)
  10. ^ Snider, Mike (November 08, 2010). Q&A: 'Mario' creator Shigeru Miyamoto. USA Today. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
  11. ^ a b GoNintendoRMC (December 8, 2009). Shigeru Miyamoto discusses all things Mario. YouTube. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  12. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/gamesblog/2010/sep/13/games-gameculture
  13. ^ http://www.pokemon.co.jp/corporate/en/data/
  14. ^ https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/vy8mvC_LJPHnlpBFTR5w-BYV1FP_m7hN. Nintendo Official
  15. ^ http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/groundbreaking-hit-super-mario-bros-celebrates-25th-birthday/1410955
  16. ^ Game On 2.0 travelling exhibition. The history of Super Mario feature discusses the origins of Mario's design, name and occupation as a plumber. Photo taken July 21, 2013.
  17. ^ File:Zavier Leslie Cabarga Facebook post.png. Sourced from J.J. McCullough (March 19, 2023). Who created Mario? A global history. YouTube. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  18. ^ Super Smash Bros. Melee (set to Japanese). The Mushroom Kingdom. (Retrieved May 29, 2010)
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  20. ^ Amazon page for the life-size figure of Mario
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