| Mario is the superhero of the video gaming | | | | Mario, she is one of the most recognizable |
| industry. Ever since teens began their initial love | | | | characters of the game and even has made |
| affair with arcade games, Mario's character has | | | | cameo appearances in other games, much like |
| been adored. Other games transformed, | | | | Mario and later on also Yoshi. |
| disappeared, and were altogether forgotten, but | | | | She received her very own spin off game, "Super |
| there was something about the character of | | | | Princess Peach," in which the tables are turned |
| Mario that simply would not let the fans let go. | | | | and she must rescue Mario from Bowser. |
| Still today, some 200 game appearances and 27 | | | | Designed for Nintendo DS, it is not a widely |
| years later, Mario is the good luck charm for his | | | | popular game, although its "E" rating makes it a |
| video game creators. As such, the character has | | | | favorite for parents looking for a safe, fun game |
| made cameo appearances in unrelated games, | | | | for youngsters. |
| engaged in cart racing, sports, puzzles, fighting, | | | | Already touched upon, Yoshi is the dinosaur which |
| and of course the continuous rescue of a beautiful | | | | initially provides transportation to Mario. As both |
| princess. | | | | Mario and Yoshi's character's develop, they work |
| Even as it would be impossible to mention each | | | | as a team to vanquish their foes and find the |
| game that features the unsinkable plumber, | | | | one-ups that offer them advantages in the game. |
| highlighting the amazing transformation of Mario is | | | | First seen in NES titles like 'Yoshi' and 'Yoshis |
| a list of firsts and combines a cast of characters | | | | Cookie' and later on in the ever-popular "Super |
| that have found a large fan base amongst the | | | | Mario World" designed fro the Super Nintendo |
| ranks of dedicated gamers and young weekend | | | | Entertainment System, this character amassed |
| warriors alike. | | | | such a huge fan base. |
| Mario Character Highlights a World of Firsts | | | | In the 1995 release of "Super Mario World 2: |
| - Mario started out as a humble carpenter in the | | | | Yoshi's Island" for Super Nintendo Entertainment |
| arcade classic "Donkey Kong." His name was | | | | System and also Game Boy Advance, players |
| JumpMan and with his telltale overall, cap, red | | | | control Yoshi himself and also a host of other |
| boots, large nose and mustache, this is pretty | | | | Yoshi characters. Mario himself appears as a baby |
| much all he did. He debuted in 1981 and traversed | | | | in this game and factors only tangentially into the |
| the dangers of unfinished construction sites to | | | | game play. |
| rescue the lovely Pauline from dangerous Donkey | | | | Luigi is the sidekick and brother to Mario. Although |
| Kong. | | | | his roles are decidedly smaller than those of Mario, |
| - In 1982, Mario is seen again in the only Nintendo | | | | he has his own 2001 spin off game in "Luigi's |
| game in which he was considered a villan: Donkey | | | | Mansion," in which he must unlock a series of |
| Kong Jr, the sequel to the extraordinarily popular | | | | worlds in order to save Mario from King Boo. |
| Donkey Kong. In this game, Donkey Kong Jr. is | | | | Released for the Nintendo Gamecube platform, it |
| tasked with rescuing his father from Mario, who | | | | ranks as fifth in the list of bestselling games for |
| has imprisoned Donkey Kong. | | | | the Gamecube. |
| - In 1983, Mario is promoted to plumber. This job | | | | A helper to both Mario and Luigi is Toad. At home |
| has stuck with him ever since. In this year he also | | | | in the Mushroom Kingdom he became a playable |
| became a big brother to Luigi. It is not until 1985 | | | | character in "Super Mario Bros. 2;" generally he is |
| and "Super Mario Bros." that he becomes a hero | | | | little more than an assistant who provides the |
| in his own right and is given dominion over the | | | | place where Mario or Luigi can save the game |
| Mushroom Kingdom where he is considered a | | | | process. Not surprisingly, he too received a spin |
| superhero. His enemy is Bowser, a cross between | | | | off game called "Wario's Woods" which is a mix |
| a trutle and a dragon and a villain who has | | | | between Tetris and an action game. This game |
| kidnapped Princess Toadstool. Mario is charged to | | | | falls into the puzzle genre and is available on the |
| return her safe and sound, though she always | | | | Super Nintendo Entertainment System, regular |
| somehow ends up being in another castle. | | | | Nintendo Entertainment System, Virtual Console, |
| - This is the first time that Mario moved from | | | | and Satellaview platforms. |
| simply arcade style games to the Nintendo | | | | Bowser is the enemy of Mario and the Mushroom |
| platform. The Guinness Book of World Records | | | | Kingdom. He looks like a cross between turtle and |
| reports that the 1989 edition of "Super Mario | | | | dinosaur. Ruler of the Koopas, he tirelessly sends |
| Bros." is the best selling video game ever, | | | | his minions against Mario and his friends and |
| recording a staggering 40 million copies sold | | | | kidnaps Princess Toadstool or Peach. This action |
| worldwide; an amazing feat for the unassuming | | | | generally initiates the game play. |
| plumber from the Mushroom Kingdom. | | | | Donkey Kong is the original apelike enemy of |
| This phenomenal success inspired the makers of | | | | Mario. The latter is arguably a spin off game |
| Mario to have the popular character appear in a | | | | character from the widely successful arcade |
| host of unrelated games either as an icon, a | | | | game, and once Mario's popularity surpassed that |
| non-playable character, or an Easter egg | | | | of Donkey Kong, the ape was relegated to |
| character, as well as nearly every printable and | | | | playing second fiddle, making occasional guest |
| electronic surface that was marketed to children | | | | appearances in other Mario games. He has since |
| including lunchboxes, television shows, action | | | | reemerged and been given his own series. |
| figures, and more. | | | | Wario is another Mario adversary but did not |
| In 1989 Mario made his debut on Game Boy. The | | | | appear until 1992 when he was introduced in |
| game is "Super Mario Land" and instead of the | | | | "Super Mario 2: 6 Golden Coins" to Game Boy |
| Mushroom Kingdom, Mario now lives in Sarasaland; | | | | aficionados. Wario is the polar opposite to Mario |
| the villain is Tatanga, and the princess is named | | | | and actually has a striking visual resemblance to |
| Daisy, not Toadstool. Incidentally, "Super Mario | | | | the character. On a side note, Luigi has his own |
| Land" catapulted to the number three spot of | | | | doppelganger in the form of Waluigi who is |
| best selling games with a total of 18 million copies | | | | brother to Wario. Also afforded a series of spin |
| crossing store counters and into the hands of | | | | off games, Wario becomes a playable character in |
| eager fans. | | | | the 1994 Nintendo Game Boy favorite "Super |
| With the advance of Super Nintendo, Mario made | | | | Mario Land 3: Wario Land." From there the games |
| the move to this platform as well. The 1993 | | | | that are designed with this character in a starring |
| "Super Mario World" game once again pits Mario | | | | role are copious. |
| against Bowser in an effort to save Princess | | | | A play on this imagery is found in the 2002 |
| Toadstool. For the first time Mario now adds the | | | | Nintendo Game Cube release of "Super Mario |
| spin jump to his repertoire. One of the most | | | | Sunshine" in which a graffiti spreading anti hero |
| delightful characters of the series, the adorable | | | | named Shadow Mario leaves his telltale signature |
| dinosaur Yoshi, is introduced. This widely popular | | | | all over Isle Delfino. Because of the outward |
| game showcased the power of the 16-bit SNES | | | | likeness to Mario, the latter is charged with |
| platform over its predecessor, the Nintendo | | | | undoing the graffiti that now mars the buildings. |
| Entertainment System. | | | | Mario Now and In The Future |
| Mario reappears in 1996 on the Nintendo 64 | | | | There is little doubt that Mario is one of the most |
| platform. The game is aptly named "Super Mario | | | | popular and easily recognizable video game |
| 64." It is the very first 3D appearance that Mario | | | | characters ever. Spawning an amazing number of |
| will make, and fans were awed. Once again | | | | spin off games and spanning a variety of |
| Princess Toadstool - this time renamed Princess | | | | platforms, this is one of the most versatile |
| Peach -- is in need of rescue, and the evil Bowser | | | | offerings the video game industry has offered |
| is the villain. Although not as commercially | | | | thus far. The year 2008 has already shown the |
| successful as other Mario games, this 3D game is | | | | release of five titles: "Mario Kart," "Super Smash |
| known today as the best selling game on the | | | | Bros. Brawl," "Dr. Mario Online Rx," "Mario Super |
| Nintendo 64 platform with an astonishing 12 million | | | | Sluggers," and "Super Mario RPG: Legend of the |
| copies sold. Used copies of Super Mario 64 still sell | | | | Seven Stars." All of these games are available on |
| well on the open internet market. | | | | the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and |
| The World of Mario and His Friends | | | | also Wii Virtual Console. |
| Mario relies on a cast of characters that have | | | | An enigma among games, Mario and his cohorts |
| added to the immense popularity of this game. As | | | | are characters that transcend age and gender |
| his first and foremost occupation is the rescue of | | | | barriers, and players from all ages enjoy the |
| perennial damsel in distress, Princess Toadstool | | | | various platforms and game releases. At this point |
| (later known as Princess Peach), she is worth | | | | in time there is not end in sight to the popularity |
| mentioning first. Her usual role simply requires her | | | | of Mario, and gamers are heartily glad for the |
| to be kidnapped by the evil Bowser and then | | | | character's projected future longevity. |
| allow Mario to chase after the both of them. Like | | | | |