his backstory
Mario goes on an adventure to rescue the princess, like usual. However, these levels are much harder than Mario is used to. He is unable to get past 3-2, and stays there, with nowhere to go, slowly starving. 2 weeks later, a Goomba wanders in. Mario is so hungry that he doesn't even hesitate to eat the Goomba alive. When he does this, something clicks in his brain. He finally escapes 3-2 with pure bruteforce, and eventually reaches Bowser's lair. Bowser has seen everything that has happened, and fears Mario so much that he takes the princess and runs away.
