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SMBGameOver

The Game Over screen in Super Mario Bros.

"Just let me catch by breath,
then I'll High 'C you to DEATH...!"
Phantom, Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle

Game Over is a term used to describe whenever Mario or any other character loses all of their lives and therefore the game. It does not affect gameplay and is cosmetic. 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.

Appearances[]

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 initials on the next screen.

Super Mario 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.: The Lost Levels, getting a Game Over functions very similarly to getting a game over in Super Mario Bros., but with an added 'RETRY' button. Selecting it sets you back to the first level of the world you are on.

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 in their trademark death pose while the screen itself fades in. 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 Mario’s head popping up, all dizzy and exhausted, saying “game over”, while the background and lighting are red with the words "Game Over" tiled in the background. You can still pull Mario’s face in this state. The screen then slowly transitions to the main title screen as Mario recovers.

Paper Mario series[]

In Paper Mario, the Game Over screen shows Mario laying on the ground, knocked out, with a 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 and its remake, 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. In the Nintendo Switch remake, the curtains don’t open back up to the title screen immediately after, as an option to retry from your last save has been added.

In Super Paper Mario, Game Overs are much more explained. Whenever a character gets a Game Over, they are sent to The Underwhere where they will be judged by Queen Jaydes. A Game Over occurs when the player loses all lives. It also occurs in different ways:

Super Mario Sunshine[]

The Game Over screen appears when Mario loses his last life and the "Too Bad!" or "Miss!" (in the Japanese version of the game) sign changes into the "Game Over" sign. The words "Game Over" are colored red.

Super Mario Galaxy[]

The Game Over screen is shows the words "Game Over" after Mario or Luigi loses his last life. The words "Game Over" are colored purple.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii[]

The game over screen is in all purple after the Mario bros or Blue Toad and Yellow Toad lose all their lifes.

Super Mario Galaxy 2[]

The Game Over screen is the same as the one from Super Mario Galaxy, even though the words "Game Over" are colored yellow in this game.

WarioWare series[]

The "Game Over" screens appears after the player loses four lives in different stages.

Mario Kart series[]

Super Mario Kart[]

If the player comes in 5th-8th place, he/she is required to retry to move on to the next race. The player has 4 tries. If he/she loses enough times, they will get a game over, meaning that they cannot retry. It is one of two Mario Kart games to have a game over.

Mario Kart: Super Circuit[]

Similar to Super Mario Kart, the player has 4 tries. Getting 5th-8th four times will get them a game over. This is the last Mario Kart game to have a game over.

Luigi's Mansion series[]

When Luigi is defeated, he passes out and collapses on the floor. The camera darkens and focuses on Luigi. The words "Good Night!" then appear, replacing the usual "Game Over".

Gallery[]

Hat mario To view Game Over's
image gallery, click here.
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