Mario was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and made his debut in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong. Initially called "Jumpman," he was a carpenter trying to rescue Pauline from the clutches of Donkey Kong. His design was influenced by technical limitations of the time—his hat avoided the need to animate hair, and his mustache made his face more distinguishable in pixel art.
In 1983, Mario starred in Mario Bros., alongside his brother Luigi. This game introduced their plumbing profession and featured gameplay centered around clearing enemies from pipes.
The Breakthrough: Super Mario Bros.
The release of Super Mario Bros. in 1985 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was a game-changer. It introduced the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach, and Bowser. The game featured side-scrolling platforming, power-ups like the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower, and iconic music by Koji Kondo. It became one of the best-selling video games of all time and established Mario as Nintendo's mascot.
Expanding the Universe
Mario's world expanded with sequels like:
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (1986): A more challenging version of the original.
Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988): Known for its unique gameplay, as it was based on a different game called Doki Doki Panic.
Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988): Introduced the overworld map, new power-ups like the Tanooki Suit, and diverse worlds.
The 3D Revolution
In 1996, Super Mario 64 for the Nintendo 64 revolutionized gaming with its 3D open-world design. Players could explore Peach's Castle and collect Power Stars in various levels. It set the standard for 3D platformers.
Modern Innovations
Mario continued to innovate with games like:
Super Mario Sunshine (2002): Introduced the FLUDD water jetpack.
Super Mario Galaxy (2007): Featured gravity-defying gameplay on spherical planets.
Super Mario Odyssey (2017): Allowed players to explore vast, open worlds and introduced Cappy, a sentient hat.
Spin-Offs and Crossovers
Mario has appeared in numerous spin-offs, including:
Mario Kart series: A beloved racing franchise.
Mario Party series: Multiplayer board games with mini-games.
Paper Mario and Mario & Luigi series: Role-playing games with unique art styles and humor.
Cultural Impact
Mario is more than a video game character; he's a cultural icon. He has appeared in TV shows, movies, and merchandise. The 2023 animated Super Mario Bros. Movie brought him to the big screen, voiced by Chris Pratt.
