Mario is the main character of the Super Mario series and the main mascot for Nintendo. He was designed by [[
Shigeru Miyamoto, and has appeared in over 200 games. Originally, he only appeared in platform games, where he uses his well-known jumping abilities to save the Mushroom Kingdom from the hands of Bowser and other enemies. However, he now also features in sporting games, racing games, and fighting games and others. His appeal all over the world has made him one of the most famous characters in video game history.[1]
Mario is a short Italian plumber who lives in the Mushroom Kingdom. In the Super Mario series, he stops Bowser from kidnapping Princess Peach and taking over the Mushroom Kingdom. Along with Bowser, he has had other enemies such as Wario and Donkey Kong. He is voiced by Charles Montinet.[2]
History
Mario first appeared in 1981, in the Donkey Kong arcade game, as a carpenter named "Jumpman".[3] When the game was being edited for release to the United States, a heated argument ensued between Nintendo's warehouse landlord Mario Segale, and the president of Nintendo at the time, Minoru Arakawa. After a resolution was brought between the two, fellow Nintendo employees chose to name the character in the game Mario, after him.
Due to hardware limitations at the time, Miyamoto dressed Mario in bright red overalls and a blue shirt to contrast against the background. He also gave him white gloves, so that the player could see the arms moving on the screen. A cap was added so that Miyamoto would not have to animate the character's hair when he jumped up and down. A mustache was added for the same reasons, as it was difficult to animate facial expressions at the time.[4]
Saving the Mushroom Kingdom again
Eventually Bowser attacked the Mushroom Kingdom again in the same way as before. Mario and Luigi had to save the princess again in the same way. This time though there were nine worlds to go through.
Liberating Subcon
One night Mario had a dream about a staircase leading up to a door. He opened the door and saw a large strange world before him. A voice spoke to Mario and told him that the strange world was Subcon, the land of dreams. The voice told him that an evil being named Wart has taken over Subcon. He used his Nightmare Machine to take over Subcon and create an evil army. The voice pleaded with Mario and told him to stop Wart and save the people of Subcon. Mario woke up from this dream and told his friends. So Mario, Toad, Luigi, and Princess Peach went on a picnic. They went into a cave and found the world Mario spoke of. So they went on the adventure of stopping Wart and his minions, and save Subcon and its people, eventually defeating Wart. When the people of Subcon were freed and congratulated the heroes Mario woke up from his dream. Wondering if his adventure was real.
Restoring the Mushroom World
Bowser sends his armies lead by his seven kids (Koopalings), to every kingdom of the Mushroom World. They take over these kingdoms and steals the wands of the kings and turns them into animals. When Mario is going around the Mushroom World and stopping the Koopalings, Bowser takes time of opportunity to kidnap Princess Peach. After Mario saves the Pipe Land King and defeats Ludwig von Koopa, he receives a letter from Bowser saying that he has again kidnapped the princess. Mario then goes to Dark Land where the Koopa kindom is. After defeating most of the koopa armies Mario reaches Bowser's castle and defeats Bowser sending him to a 100 ft. fall. The princess is rescued again.
Saving Sarasaland
Mario visits Sarasaland and finds it invaded invade by an alien invader, Tatanga. Mario saves the land and its leader, Princess Daisy.
Short role as doctor
An epidemic strikes the Mushroom Kingdom and the people are sick by Viruses. Mario takes a short role as a doctor to stop the viruses. The gameplay is simular to Tetris. Mario throws Megavitamins into the tube and you land them on the viruses with matching colors. Four with the matching color destroys a virus.
Restoring Dinosaur Land
Mario and Princess Peach go on vacation to Dinosaur Land. Mario goes around to explore. When he comes back Peach is missing. Mario searches and finds a Yoshi egg. The gg breaks and Yoshi pops out. He tells Mario that a large group of mean turtles have kidnapped his yoshi friends and trapped them in eggs just like him. Mario realizes that thes turtles are Bowser, the Koopalings, and the Koopa Troop. Mario saves the yoshis defeating Bowser and saves the Princess and Dinosaur Land.
Personality
Mario is always seen as a kind-hearted and brave hero. He is willing to risk his life to save the lives of millions from a large amount of evil. He also saves Princess Peach from Bowser's claws.
Powers and Abilities
Mario's most used ability is jumping. He also can use power-ups to do various things. In Super Mario 64 he is also able to do punches and kicks. He can also throw fireballs when having a Fire Flower. If he gets a star, he becomes invincible.
Trivia
Cameo
- Mario made a cameo in The Simpsons Game in one of the levels seen in the background alongside with Sonic the Hedgehog.
- Mario made a cameo in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time as a portrait inside Hyrule Castle
- Mario made a cameo in Majora's Mask as a mask behind the salesman
- Mario made a cameo in Banjo Tooie when Loggo The Toilet asks for help and Banjo says "Maybe Mario's Free at the Moment.
- Mario has been shown to be an italian in the Super Mario Bros. Super Show. Though he was also shown to have residence in New York City.
- Mario has a speaking Cameo in The Simpsons as U.N. Ambassador of Italy.
- Mario's head has been preserved in a jar in Futurama.
- In Kirby Super Star Ultra he can be seen in the crowd when battling King Dedede, and Rock Kirby can transform into a golden Mario statue
Landmark Games
- Donkey Kong
- Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros.
- Super Mario Bros. 3
- Dr. Mario
- Super Mario World
- Super Mario 64
- Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga
- Super Smash Bros.
- Super Mario Galaxy
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
- Paper Mario
See also
References
- ↑ "The History of Mario". Retrieved on 2009-05-10
- ↑ "Charles Martinet Down Under". Retrieved on 2009-05-10.
- ↑ "Console Portraits: A 40-Year Pictorial History of Gaming". Retrieved on 2009-05-10
- ↑ "Sigeru Miyamao Talk Asia interview". Retrieved on 2009-05-10.
External links
- Mario on Wikipedia
- Official Nintendo Site