Game Over

A Game Over is a term used to describe whenever Mario or any other character loses all of their lives and therefore the game. A Game Over is first seen in Donkey Kong when Mario loses all of his lives. Over the course of the series, Game Overs are usually described in different ways. So far, Game Overs aren't present in the Mario sports games most notably Mario Kart (series)Mario Kart.

Donkey Kong
The first appearance of a Game Over in a Mario game. Whenever Mario loses all of his lives, the screen freezes as the words "Game Over" show up in the middle of the screen. If the player has a high enough score, they can add their initals on the next screen.

Super Mario Bros. series
In Super Mario Bros., when Mario or Luigi lose all of their lives, the next screen is black with the words "Game Over" is shown and the trademark "Game Over theme" is played.

In Super Mario Bros. 2, the Game Over screen is pretty similar to the main "Press Start" screen though now it says Game Over.

In Super Mario Bros. 3, the Game Over screen shows Mario or Luigi with a halo while the screen itself is faded. The player is then given a choice continue or quit the game.

Super Mario World
The Game Over screen is pretty similar to the one from Super Mario Bros. except the texting is more closer together and is yellow in color.

Super Mario 64
The Game Over screen in this game shows a fatigue Mario while the background is red with the words "Game Over" everywhere.

Paper Mario series
In Paper Mario, the Game Over screen shows a knocked-out Mario laying on the ground with the light shining on him. The words "Game Over" drop down and then the screen fades back to the title screen.

In Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, the Game Over screen is pretty similar to Paper Mario except it's on a stage. The curtains then close and open back up to the title screen.