Mushroom King
- This article is about the king of the Mushroom Kingdom. For the king of Dinohattan who transformed into a widespread fungus, see King (film character).
- “Excuse me, everybody! I just closed the peanut butter jar on my tie. Can somebody help me?”
- —Mushroom King, Cloud Burst
The Mushroom King is a seldom-seen ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, and the father of Princess Toadstool. Although he is said to rule alongside the princess, he is a figure that is absent in the video game series. However, he does make somewhat notable appearances in other early media such as the Nintendo Comics System, Nintendo Adventure Books, and the Asian-drawn strategy guide illustrations for Super Mario Bros.. He is also mentioned on Princess Toadstool's profile in a 1993 character guide produced by Nintendo of America.
History
Super Mario Bros.
In the NES instruction booklet of Super Mario Bros., the Mushroom King is briefly mentioned in passing.[1] With few exceptions such as Super Mario Bros. Deluxe,[2] this is generally not included in subsequent releases as the Japanese manual does not mention him.[3] 1987's The Official Nintendo Player's Guide mentions that he ruled the kingdom with a queen.[4] Although unmentioned in either the games themselves or the manual for Super Mario Bros, he was mentioned in the Japanese guidebook How to Win at Super Mario Bros..
Nintendo Comics System
In the Nintendo Comics System, the Mushroom King (also called King Toadstool or just Toadstool) is the de jure leader of the Mushroom Kingdom. However, he is depicted as scatterbrained and dimwitted, so his responsible daughter often performs his royal duties as de facto ruler in his stead. Wooster, the "chief mushroom assistant" and the king's personal subject, is occasionally at odds with him due to his lack of intelligence.
Based on his role, it is likely that he was based off the kings from Super Mario Bros. 3 as he plays a similar role in the comic strips (having a magic wand that is often taken by Bowser's forces and being transformed into various animals). One story also implied that he is frequently kidnapped by Wart.
Nintendo Adventure Books
The Mushroom King appears in most of the Nintendo Adventure Books, continued from his depiction in the Nintendo Comics System.
Gallery
How to Win at Super Mario Bros.
Super Mario Bros. Korean artwork
References
- ^ "The only one who can undo the magic spell on the Mushroom People and return them to their normal selves is the Princess Toadstool, the daughter of the Mushroom King." - Super Mario Bros. English instruction booklet, page 2.
- ^ "It is said that only the daughter of the Mushroom King, Princess Toadstool, can break the evil spell and return the inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom to their normal selves." - Super Mario Bros. Deluxe English instruction booklet, page 2.
- ^ Legends of Localization comparing the Japanese and North American storylines of Super Mario Bros. (Retrieved April 30, 2014)
- ^ Tatsumi Yamashita, The Official Nintendo Player's Guide, Tokuma Shoten, 1987, ISBN 999832369X. Page 28. "The Mushroom people were ruled by a good king and queen."
