Super Mario is a beloved video game franchise created by Nintendo, featuring the iconic character Mario, a plumber who journeys through the Mushroom Kingdom to rescue Princess Peach from the villainous Bowser.
The franchise has become one of the best-selling and most influential in the gaming industry, spawning numerous sequels, spin-offs, and merchandise. Super Mario games are known for their colorful graphics, innovative gameplay mechanics, and memorable music, capturing the hearts of players of all ages around the world.
Interesting Facts About Super Mario
- Super Mario made his debut in the arcade game “Donkey Kong” in 1981 as “Jumpman.”
- The first standalone Super Mario game, “Super Mario Bros.,” was released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1985.
- Mario’s creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, drew inspiration from his childhood experiences exploring caves and plumbing in rural Japan.
- Mario’s original name was “Mr. Video” before being changed to “Jumpman” and finally to “Mario.”
- Mario’s brother, Luigi, was introduced as a playable character in “Super Mario Bros.” and has since become a staple of the series.
- The Super Mario series has sold over 600 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.
- Super Mario games have been adapted into animated TV shows, movies, and even a theme park at Universal Studios Japan.
- The iconic “Super Mario” theme music was composed by Koji Kondo and is instantly recognizable to gamers worldwide.
- Mario has appeared in over 200 video games, including platformers, sports games, and racing games.
- The Super Mario series introduced many gameplay innovations, including power-ups like the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower.
- “Super Mario Bros. 3” is often considered one of the greatest video games of all time and introduced the world map and power-up system still used in modern Mario games.
- Mario has appeared in various sports games, including “Mario Kart,” “Mario Tennis,” and “Mario Golf.”
- The character Yoshi, a friendly dinosaur, was introduced in “Super Mario World” and has since become a fan favorite.
- The “Super Mario” franchise has its own line of merchandise, including toys, clothing, and collectibles.
- The original “Super Mario Bros.” game was included as a pack-in title with the NES console, helping to popularize video games in the 1980s.
- Mario’s iconic outfit, featuring a red hat, blue overalls, and mustache, was designed to make him stand out against the game’s background.
- The first “Super Mario” game to feature 3D graphics was “Super Mario 64” for the Nintendo 64 console.
- “Super Mario Galaxy” introduced innovative gravity-based gameplay mechanics and won numerous awards for its creativity and level design.
- Mario has appeared in crossover games with other Nintendo characters, including “Super Smash Bros.” and “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games.”
- The “Super Mario” series has inspired countless fan creations, including fan-made games, artwork, and music remixes.
- Mario’s nemesis, Bowser, also known as King Koopa, is a recurring villain in the series and is known for kidnapping Princess Peach.
- “Super Mario Maker” allows players to create their own custom Mario levels and share them with others online.
- Mario’s first appearance in a racing game was in “Super Mario Kart” for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).
- The “New Super Mario Bros.” series revitalized 2D platforming gameplay and introduced multiplayer co-op.
- Mario’s voice actor, Charles Martinet, has been portraying the character since 1995 and is known for his enthusiastic performances.
- The “Super Mario” series has been referenced in numerous other forms of media, including movies, TV shows, and music.
- Mario’s catchphrase, “It’s-a me, Mario!” has become iconic and is instantly recognizable to fans.
- The “Super Mario” series has been celebrated with events like “Mario Day” on March 10th (MAR10), a play on the character’s name.
- Mario has appeared in educational games, including “Mario Teaches Typing” and “Mario’s Time Machine.”
- Despite being over 35 years old, the Super Mario series continues to innovate and delight players with new adventures and experiences.