As you look at your home or office window, try to picture how life was back in 1985 when Super Mario first arrived. Madonna was idle for many women, and they dressed like her; there was lots of skin. The Economy wasn’t doing so well as the Cold War was in full swing, and terrorism was very active in Europe. MTV was the answer to most people’s boredom, and there weren’t many television programs, and most of everyone’s spiritual advisor was Chuck Noris. It was a dark time, and the world needed a hero. Who would have thought that hero was going to be a mascot? A mascot for Nintendo: the world’s favorite plumber.
Mario Makes A Living On Crazy
Mario was born an Italian plumber who lives in the Mushroom Kingdom with his young twin brother, Luigi. Their designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, created them so everyone could share in their adventures, which revolve around Princess Peach. Players need every power-up to take on the evil Bowser in these adventures. It’s hard to believe, but Mario first appeared in an arcade game in 1981, where he faced off against Donkey Kong. Nintendo almost had a completely different hero, as Miyamoto wished to use Popeye to jump barrels and save the princess but couldn’t secure the licensing.
Nintendo needed a new hero, and Miyamoto brought it to the world: Mario was born. His primary design was due to the times, giving him a large nose and bushy mustache overalls. The first name given to him in the game was Mr. Video or Jumpman. Thankfully, he was renamed to his current name after Nintendo’s landlord, Mario Segale. It wasn’t long after Donkey Kong; players wanted to see more of him and he made several small cameos in other games. All that changed in 1985 when Nintendo’s first Entertainment System was released, and their flagship game, Super Mario.
It was revolutionary to have and players could expect a Nintendo in every house in their neighborhood. It was something new for every child to emulate. One day, in the mushroom kingdom, the terrible Koopa invaded, and their only hope was the gamers at home. Those were awfully humble beginnings for a true game-changer in the video game industry.
Mario Officially Becomes a Franchise
The people of the Mushroom Kingdom were enslaved, their land fell into ruin, and their Princess was kidnapped by the biggest and worst Koopa, Bowser, King of the Koopa. The hero learns about this terrible invasion and sets out on his first quest to free the Mushroom Princess, restore peace to the Mushroom People, and kick Bowser’s shell back to where he came from. Players took control of Mario and represented the Kingdom’s last hope.
Super Mario was a massive success; from then on, people couldn’t get enough. In 1988, Nintendo finally released the second chapter of what everyone wanted, Super Mario Bros. 2. This was also available on the Nintendo Entertainment System. Things began differently for the titular character this time, as he had a strange dream. In his dream, he saw a long stairway that stretched its way, ending with a single doorway. When he opened it, he found a new and strange world the likes of which no one had ever seen before.
There is a single voice welcoming him, saying, “Welcome to Subcon, the land of dreams. We have been cursed by Wart, and we are completely under his evil spell. We have been awaiting your arrival. Please defeat Wart and return Subcon to its natural state. The curse Wart has put on you in the real world will not have any effect upon you here. Remember, Wart hates vegetables. Please help us!”
A bolt of lightning strikes, frightening Mario, causing him to stumble backward and sending him down the stairs. He awakes, striving to clear his head, and shares his dream with Luigi and Princess Peach as they travel to a picnic spot by the nearby mountains.
It doesn’t take too much time before they discover a cave close by and explore it. Mario is terrified to discover the same staircase from his dreams. Even more disturbing is finding the same door waiting at its top and the same world waiting for them when it’s opened. Thus, the second game begins.
Mario Goes Bigger
Next, Mario had a remarkable year in 1989. Everyone was wondering about Mario’s full name, as it was implied in the title, Mario Bros. Some thought his full name was Mario, Mario. Thanks to an interview answer, that general assumption was refuted. The Game Boy was to be the next device that Mario would bring to everyone’s hands. This time, he appeared in Super Mario Land. Super Mario Land took place in a world called Sarasaland, which was comprised of four separate kingdoms: the Birabuto, Muda, Easton, and Chai.
This normally peaceful land was suddenly covered in a thick dark cloud, and out from it descended a terrible space monster, Tatanga. Tatanga came to hypnotize everyone and marry their Princess Daisy, making her his queen. Of course, when Mario hears of it, he doesn’t hesitate to answer the call, wishing Princess Daisy to hold on until he can save her as he confronts the hypnotized people of the four kingdoms.
Mario Quickly Gets Worldwide
Mario’s legend continued in February of 1990. After many losses with Mario and his brother, Bowser breaks the Mushroom Kingdom’s peace again. This time, Bowser isn’t alone as the Mario Brothers must face against him and his seven mischievous children.
Super Mario Bros. 3 was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System. In it, Mario has to face a new evil with his brother. The royal magic Wands were stolen from each of their countries around the Mushroom World, and their magic was pervertedly used to change their leaders into common animals.
He and Luigi have to set out across the Mushroom World, retrieve the wands, and use their powers to reverse the damage the Bower miscreant family has done. By 1991, he and Luigi had enough fighting and wished to take a long-overdue vacation. Princess Peach took them to the magical Yoshi Island. As soon as they arrived, Princess Peach disappeared.
Luckily, as soon as she is gone, our two heroes witness a Dinosaur egg hatching. Yoshi is born and says, “Monstrous turtles recently appeared here in this Dinosaur Land. They have used magic to seal my friends inside eggs. I tried to help them, but the turtles were incredibly strong and cast a spell on me, too… Will you please come with me to rescue my friends?” How can the iconic pair of brothers resist?
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins was released in November 1992 on the Game Boy. While our Super Brotherhood was out fighting the alien Tatanga, it seemed he wasn’t the only threat. An evil guy named Wario had taken over his cousin’s home. Once inside, Wario scattered the 6 golden coins that are key to his spell controlling everyone. The plumber has to collect the coins, kick Wario out, and save the day again.
His World Continues to Change
In 1993, Mario underwent a massive change as he was part of a live-action film adaptation. The Super Mario series freed our heroes from being controlled by the joystick and allowed them to take on Bowser in the cartoon. This was the start of a new flow of movie and television appearances that brought Mario Party 1 in 2000, and Mario Luigi: Superstar Saga out in 2003. The most recent was The Super Mario Bros. Movie, in which Chris Pratt voiced Mario.
The Hero Enters the Third Dimension
Super Mario 64 brought even more change as it was released for the Nintendo 64. It was also the first Mario game in 3D. He is called to the castle at the behest of Princess Toadstool. Once inside the castle, he finds that he is alone and is due for the villain talk when he hears, “No one’s home! Now scream! Bwa, ha, ha.”
Mario is pulled into a painting where he fights Bob-ombs and his buddies. Bowser uses his big Bomb guy to steal a power star and take over the Mushroom Castle, where Mario needs to get his hero on and take the bad guys down. In two years, Nintendo did it again with the Nintendo GameCube, bringing the world Super Mario Sunshine. He can’t get a moment on the sunny side of the Isle of Delfino. This beach paradise is being changed, and Mario has to put off his vacation plans to bring sunshine back to the beach.
Mario Continues to Fight Any Battle
The Nintendo DS brought us the next chapter of Mario and Luigi in 2006. The boys are not warned when they learn an unknown assailant has taken Princess Peach. The castle is on fire, and Mario’s attacker is unknown. He must find out what is going on and rescue the girl.
The Wii then came out with Super Mario Galaxy, in which every hundred years, a comet flies by the Mushroom Kingdom, and the Toads grab all the star pieces it drops. Peach invites him and Luigi to watch. Everything looks like it will be great, but then something evil comes to ruin the fun.
The Wii also brought us another Mario game in 2009, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, on Princess Peach’s birthday with the whole gang of good guys. Just as they celebrate cutting the cake, Bowser Jr. drops by in a giant Airship, where he takes the Princess, making his escape. It was a return to the side-scrolling genre for the Mario team.
In 2010, Super Mario Galaxy 2 was released in May. He is aided by a fallen star piece named Luma, who he keeps under his cap. This time in the castle, there is an evil waiting for him, taking him to the stars. In November 2011, the Nintendo 3DS was the home of Super Mario 3D Land. In the Mushroom Kingdom, there stands a mysterious tree called the Tail Tree. Peach tends to the tree after a storm but never returns. He investigates and finds a picture proving Bowser has her again.
New Super Mario Bros. 2 came out the following year, and Princess Peach was taken again. Bowser drops in his airship and snatches her before anyone knows what hit them. Mario is at it again as the hero. New Super Mario Bros. U gave the Wii U a Bowser. The evil enemy changed things up this time, going straight for Princess Peach’s Castle. Once inside, he locks things up tight, sending his whole army out to keep the hero out.
Super Mario 3D World was released in 2013 and starts when Princess Peach discovers a curious pipe that sparkles just outside the castle. On the other side of it is the fairy kingdom. Bowser seems to have had his fill of trying to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom and gone to the Fairy Kingdom. Mario goes through the pipe and discovers Bowser has captured the Sprixie Princess. Players, as Mario, are the only ones who can save an entire new world.
Mario Continues to Add New Friends/Allies Against Bowser
In 2015 and 2016, the gaming world’s mind was blown as everyone was able to join Mario in a new way that was not possible before. Super Mario Maker is the result of combining blocks, parts, power-ups, and lands all in any form players want. They can set out the Goombas, pipes, vines, and every nasty thing the hero has ever faced, then watch as he takes care of them.
Everyone had a chance to play Super Mario in Super Mario Run, which was released for every Mobile device. Players can tap away to send him running, jumping in your hand to bring Bowser to his knees and save the Princess.
The Nintendo Switch brought Mario into a new decade of exploration and a new ally from the Mushroom Kingdom, Cappy. Super Mario Odyssey brought Mario into a new 3D adventure where you can use Cappy to control objects, animals, or enemies. This time, it’s all about the Power Moons that power the Odyssey airship. The character will need it and everything else he has to stop Bowser from marrying Princess Peach against her will.
New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe brought something new to the gaming table. This time, players didn’t just play as the titular character but as his friends, aiming to defeat Bowser while not getting in each other’s way. This side-scrolling adventure in the Mushroom Kingdom had tight situations where players bumped into more than just each other. 2019 brought us a magical sequel in which Super Mario Maker 2 gave everyone more abilities and a Story Mode. These challenges were also available to play with others online and share creations worldwide.
Mario Has A Ton of Games
The following year, players were able to relive the past with Super Mario 3D All-Stars. This blast from the past gave the three classic games in a single package. You could jump into Super Mario 64, Sunshine, or Galaxy. Additionally, another game released was Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury. Mario pounces like a cat, enjoying new power-ups like the Super Bell, which lets out the cat in him. This was also a multiplayer title.
Over the years, he has eliminated enough enemies to make it the best-selling video game franchise ever. It has sold over 222 million copies, making it a household name and a child’s challenge to overcome. Under that red and green cap and baggy overalls, players were given a level betting, an enemy-destroying machine that has brought so much fun. He has given players the chance to cross dimensions to save damsels and worlds in distress.
It is hard to believe that this all started with Nintendo’s Shigeru Miyamoto, who sat looking at a manhole on a wall and wondered, “Why is there a manhole on the wall? Where does it lead?” The titular character’s success can be derived from what is at Super Mario Bros. core. There is something gamers can get there that isn’t found anywhere else. Players get a chance to beat up a range of enemies from the gutter, trash, or the big boys.
Players constantly get to run through amazing levels in worlds that push the imagination—all to save the meek and helpless ruled by the fantastic Princess. The hero is always taking the opportunity to explore and conquer challenges in strange worlds.
Mario Has A Legacy That Is Still Building
Super Mario Mechanic Excitement was a side-scrolling adventure sending the titular character on a running, jumping challenge over a variety of increasingly difficult stages. After each challenge, the rewards were well merited as players showed those evil scum who to jump on. The sad fact is that sometimes the hero isn’t up to the task, and he perishes. That is also his greatest strength, as he always bounces back, ready for more.
There are also the power-ups that give him strange family-issue abilities that players love but enemies hate. Then there are the coins that span the land and are just lying around and hidden. Pipes that turn a world upside down and spin reality around, transporting players up and down are also present. There are also checkpoints marking progress along the way.
The challenge of each course brings the star of these games and company into hidden secrets around every turn. They could rush on through but may be missing something behind, above, or through a fake wall or disappearing door. A scoring system is also something Super Mario brings as it offers the difficulty of trying to outdo the last score or beat what a friend could do.
Put them all together, and you have one of the best gaming tactics: power-ups, breaking blocks, coins for the taking, and hidden secrets waiting to be discovered. Mario and Luigi are just waiting to be let loose. The enemies cannot be forgotten, either. In the first Super Mario Bros., the titular star comes across a strange mushroom guy, a Goomba, who is just begging to be jumped on. Then there are the turtles who play hide and seek in their shells and zoom around when jumped on again, breaking things along the way. The enemies and challenges continue to grow with every jump, skip, and turn, and you navigate the worlds until you meet the number one bad guy, Bowser, who, if nothing else, is persistent.
Brothership Is The Next Chapter For Mario & Luigi
Despite there being a massive history for this sprawling franchise already, more is coming for the overall-wearing brothers in Mario & Luigi Brothership. This game is set to release in early November of this year. It will be the sixth original installment and the eighth overall in which these boys join forces. Their coworking skills started in 2015 with Mario & Luigi in Paper Jam and continued in the 2018 remakes of Bowser’s Inside Story and Bowser Jr.’s Journey.
These two brothers are a Dream Team changing the franchise up rather than centering on Mario or Luigi running around Haunted Houses sucking up ghosts, like in Luigi’s Mansion. Brothership starts near Peach’s Castle, where Luigi runs from bees through the forest before plummeting off a cliff. He is there just in the nick of time as he catches Luigi by the hand.
While they are in a life-and-death grip, their hands begin to glow. This magical effect grows, opening a portal above them, and before they can do anything, they are whisked away. This game is going to play out as the Super Brothers find themselves in the sea world of Concordia, the Shipshape Island. This new place for them is part island and part ship. It will be the new central hub of adventure. Could there be a better start for them as they are loaded into cannons and fire themselves toward the island, where they will undoubtedly need to work together to save innocents and take down bad guys?
Mario has a ton of offshoot games and franchises. He’s responsible for Mario Party, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., and so many more. Wario, Yoshi, Luigi, and even Toad have begun as side characters in the Mario world but have their own games or series now.
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