View source for Mario

{{Short description|Video game character and mascot of Nintendo}}
{{About|the Nintendo character|the franchise|Mario (franchise){{!}}''Mario'' (franchise)|other uses|Mario (name)|and|Mario (disambiguation)}}
{{Pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
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{{Use American English|date=April 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Mario
| franchise = ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' and ''[[Donkey Kong]]''
| image = <!-- Do not change without Talk page discussion. See Talk:Mario#Image -->Mario_by_Shigehisa_Nakaue.png
| image_upright = 0.75
| alt = 2D illustration of a cartoon plumber with a mustache, a large round nose, a red cap with the letter M, a red shirt, blue overalls, and brown shoes.
| caption = Promotional art by Shigehisa Nakaue (2017)
| firstgame = ''[[Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (1981)
| creator = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
| designer = {{Unbulleted list
  | Shigeru Miyamoto
  | [[Yōichi Kotabe]]
}}
| lbl2 = Portrayed by
| data2 = {{Unbulleted list
  | [[Lou Albano]] (''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]''{{--)}}
  | [[Bob Hoskins]] ([[Super Mario Bros. (film)|1993 film]])
}}
| lbl1 = Voiced by
| data1 = {{Collapsible list|title=Language-neutral|
  | [[Charles Martinet]] (1991–2023)
  | [[Kevin Afghani]] (2023–present)
}}
{{Collapsible list| title=English|
  | [[Peter Cullen]] (''[[Saturday Supercade]]''{{--)}}<ref name="btva"/>
  | [[Lou Albano]] (''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!''{{--)}}<ref name="btva"/>
  | [[Walker Boone]] (''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', ''[[Super Mario World (TV series)|Super Mario World]]''{{--)}}<ref name="btva"/>
  | Ronald B. Ruben (''[[Mario Teaches Typing]]'' (MS-DOS))<ref name="btva">{{Cite web |title=Mario Voices (Super Mario Bros.) |url=https://behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Super-Mario-Bros/Mario/ |website=Behind The Voice Actors |access-date=October 3, 2021 |archive-date=November 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104020417/https://behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Super-Mario-Bros/Mario/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
  | Stevie Coyle (1992, 1997–1998; ''Mario in Real-Time'', [[E3]] puppet)<ref name="Summer CES">{{Cite AV media |title=Real Time Mario at the 1992 SCES |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1t6iNG28zI&t=33s |date=April 23, 2010 |publisher=DigitalNeohuman |via=[[YouTube]] |quote=Stevie Coyle: That's Charles putting the rig on me back in 1992. He has always been The Voice Of Mario. I was there to spell him on his breaks. Unfortunate, actually, that the video was shot when I was on the rig. Charles is da man! |access-date=February 21, 2021 |archive-date=March 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308054840/https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=32&v=R1t6iNG28zI&t=33s |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Coyle Interview">{{Cite AV media |title=Stevie Coyle - Interview 2023, Mario (Mostly Unedited) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tpvp8wYPc1k |date=November 16, 2023 |publisher=AndratVO |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-date=September 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909191328/https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Tpvp8wYPc1k |url-status=live}}</ref>
  | [[Chris Pratt]] ([[The Super Mario Bros. Movie|2023 film]], [[The Super Mario Galaxy Movie|2026 film]])<ref name="2023 film">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/chris-pratt-nintendo-direct-super-mario-bros-movie-cast-illumination-entertainment |title=Nintendo Direct: Chris Pratt Will Voice Mario in the Super Mario Bros. Movie |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923223916/https://www.ign.com/articles/chris-pratt-nintendo-direct-super-mario-bros-movie-cast-illumination-entertainment |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="btva"/>
}}{{Collapsible list| title=Japanese
  | [[Tōru Furuya]] (1986–1998){{Efn|''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!]]'', ''Super Mario's Fire Brigade'', ''Super Mario's Traffic Safety'', ''[[Amada Anime Series: Super Mario Bros.]]'', ''[[Super Mario World: Mario to Yoshi no Bōken Land|Super Mario World: Mario & Yoshi's Adventure Land]]'', Nagatanien ''Super Mario Bros.'' [[furikake]] commercial, ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2|BS Super Mario USA]]'', ''[[Excitebike|Excitebike: Bun Bun Mario Battle Stadium]]'', and ''[[Super Mario All-Stars|BS Super Mario Collection]]''}}
  | [[Hiroshi Otake]] (1986){{Efn|''Mario's Great Adventure''}}<ref name="Mario Daibouken">{{Cite AV media |title=Mario's Great Adventure - マリオの大冒険 (Mario no Daibouken) - VHS Rip HQ |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc0SmBtjiG4&t=62s |date=October 28, 2021 |publisher=Video Archaeology |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-date=October 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013211337/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nc0SmBtjiG4&t=62s |url-status=live}}</ref>
  | [[Nozomu Sasaki]] (1990){{Efn|''Super Mario Bros. Special'' Drama CD}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://vgmsite.com/soundtracks/super-mario-bros.-vocal-special/Super%20Mario%20Bros.%20Special%20Booklet%20p.%2009-10.jpg |title=Super Mario Bros. Special Booklet p. 09-10.jpg |website=vgmsite.com |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327210743/https://vgmsite.com/soundtracks/super-mario-bros.-vocal-special/Super%20Mario%20Bros.%20Special%20Booklet%20p.%2009-10.jpg |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |url-status=live |format=jpg}}</ref>
  | [[Kōsei Tomita]] (1993–1994){{Efn|Japanese dubs of ''Super Mario Bros.'' film<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-10-01/voice-actor-kousei-tomita-passes-away-at-84/.164777 |title=Voice Actor Kousei Tomita Passes Away at 84 |first=Jennifer |last=Sherman |website=[[Anime News Network]] |date=October 1, 2020 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-date=October 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201002124844/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2020-10-01/voice-actor-kousei-tomita-passes-away-at-84/.164777/ |url-status=live}}</ref>}}
  | [[Mamoru Miyano]] (2023 film)<ref>{{Cite news |title=Japanese Cast for The Super Mario Bros Movie Includes Mamoru Miyano |url=https://www.siliconera.com/japanese-cast-for-the-super-mario-bros-movie-includes-mamoru-miyano/ |date=November 30, 2022 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |first=Stephanie |last=Liu |work=Siliconera |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130042218/https://www.siliconera.com/japanese-cast-for-the-super-mario-bros-movie-includes-mamoru-miyano/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
| family = [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]] (brother)
| nationality = [[Italians|Italian]] (games)<br>[[Italian-American]] (other media)
}}
'''Mario''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɑːr|i|oʊ|,_|ˈ|m|ær|i|oʊ|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Mario.wav}}; {{langx|ja|マリオ}}) is a [[Character (arts)|character]] created by Japanese [[video game]] designer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]. He is the star of the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise, a recurring character in the ''[[Donkey Kong]]'' franchise, and the [[mascot]] of their owner, the Japanese company [[Nintendo]]. Mario is an Italian-American plumber who lives in the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] with his younger twin brother, [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]]. Their adventures generally involve rescuing [[Princess Peach]] from the villain [[Bowser]] while using [[power-up]]s that give them different abilities. Mario is distinguished by his large nose and mustache, [[overalls]], red cap, and high-pitched, exaggerated [[Italian accent]].

Mario debuted as the [[player character]] of ''[[Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'', a 1981 [[platform game]]. Miyamoto created Mario because Nintendo was unable to license [[Popeye]] as the protagonist. The graphical limitations of [[arcade cabinet|arcade hardware]] influenced Mario's design, such as his nose, mustache, and overalls, and he was named after [[Nintendo of America]]'s landlord, [[Mario Segale]]. Mario then starred in ''[[Mario Bros.]]'' (1983). Its 1985 [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] sequel, ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', began the successful ''[[Super Mario]]'' platformer series. [[Charles Martinet]] voiced Mario from 1991 to 2023, when he was succeeded by [[Kevin Afghani]].

Mario has appeared in [[List of video games featuring Mario|hundreds of video games]]. These include [[puzzle game]]s such as ''[[Dr. Mario (series)|Dr. Mario]]'', [[role-playing video game|role-playing games]] such as ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and ''[[Mario & Luigi]]'', and [[sports game]]s such as ''[[Mario Kart]]'' and ''[[Mario Tennis]]''. He lacks a set personality and consistent profession, allowing him to take on many different roles across the ''Mario'' franchise. Mario is often accompanied by [[List of Mario characters|a large cast of supporting characters]], including friends like [[Princess Daisy]], [[Toad (Mario)|Toad]], and [[Yoshi]] and rivals like [[Bowser Jr.]], [[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]], and [[Wario]]. Mario appears in other Nintendo properties, such as the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series of [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] [[fighting game]]s.

Mario is an established [[pop culture]] icon and is widely considered the most famous video game character in history. His likeness has been featured in merchandise, and people and places have been nicknamed after him. He inspired many video game characters, including [[Sega]]'s [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], and [[List of unofficial Mario media|unofficial media]]. The ''Mario'' franchise is [[List of best-selling video game franchises|the best-selling video game franchise of all time]]. Mario has been adapted in [[List of non-video game media featuring Mario|various media]]; he was portrayed by [[Bob Hoskins]] in the live-action film ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1993) and voiced by [[Chris Pratt]] in the animated films ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' (2023) and ''[[The Super Mario Galaxy Movie]]'' (2026).

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==Concept and creation==
[[File:Shigeru Miyamoto 20150610 (cropped 2).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Shigeru Miyamoto]] is the creator of Mario.|right]]
[[Shigeru Miyamoto]] created Mario while developing ''[[Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' in an attempt to produce [[Nintendo]]'s first blockbuster video game; previous games, such as ''[[Sheriff (arcade game)|Sheriff]],'' had not achieved the success of games such as [[Namco]]'s ''[[Pac-Man]]''.<ref name="wii-com1">{{Cite web |title=Mario Couldn't Jump At First |url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/0/0 |work=Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=June 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/0/0 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |page=1}}</ref> Originally, Miyamoto wanted to create a game that used the 1930s characters [[Popeye]], [[Bluto]], and [[Olive Oyl]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Rus |date=September 14, 2010 |title=IGN Presents The History of Super Mario Bros. |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109000531/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2014 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref><ref name="35factsgamespot">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/35-facts-about-mario-only-hardcore-fans-will-know/2900-424/ |title=35 Facts About Mario Only Hardcore Fans Will Know |author=Fox Van Allen |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=March 7, 2024 |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312222239/https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/35-facts-about-mario-only-hardcore-fans-will-know/2900-424/ |url-status=live}}</ref> At the time, however, because Nintendo was unable to acquire a [[license]] to use the characters (and did not until 1982 with ''[[Popeye (video game)|Popeye]]''), he ended up creating an unnamed [[player character]], along with [[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]] and [[Pauline (Nintendo)|Lady]] (later renamed Pauline).<ref name="History" />

In early development of ''Donkey Kong'', Mario was drawn using pixel dots in a 16x16 grid.<ref name="originsofmario">{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2015/06/19/415568892/q-a-shigeru-miyamoto-on-the-origins-of-nintendos-famous-characters |title=Q&A: Shigeru Miyamoto On The Origins Of Nintendo's Famous Characters |website=[[NPR]] |author=NPR Staff |date=June 19, 2015 |access-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-date=June 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619152426/https://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2015/06/19/415568892/q-a-shigeru-miyamoto-on-the-origins-of-nintendos-famous-characters |url-status=live}}</ref> The focus of the game was to escape a maze, and Mario could not jump. However, Miyamoto soon introduced jumping capabilities for the player character, reasoning that "If you had a barrel rolling towards you, what would you do?"<ref name="wired">{{Cite magazine |last=Orlando |first=Greg |date=May 15, 2007 |title=Console Portraits: A 40-Year Pictorial History of Gaming |url=https://www.wired.com/2007/06/gallery-game-history/ |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020153928/http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/multimedia/2007/05/gallery_game_history?slide=18 |archive-date=October 20, 2008 |access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref><ref name="wii-com1"/> Continuing to draw from 1930s media, ''[[King Kong (1933 film)|King Kong]]'' was an inspiration, and Mario was set in [[New York City]].<ref name="Kohler 36">{{Cite book|last=Kohler|first=Chris|year=2005|title=Power-up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life|location=Indianapolis, Indiana|publisher=BradyGAMES|page=36 |isbn=978-0744004243}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2023 |title=マリオ映画公開記念！宮本茂さんインタビュー 制作の始まりから驚きの設定まで |trans-title=Commemorating the release of the Mario movie! Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto From the beginning of production to the surprising setting |url=https://www.ndw.jp/mario-interview-230425/2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425155151/https://www.ndw.jp/mario-interview-230425/2/ |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |website=[[Nintendo Dream]] |language=ja |access-date=November 14, 2024 |quote=もともと『マリオブラザーズ』は、土管がいっぱいあるニューヨークの地下で活躍する兄弟、ニューヨークのなかでもたぶんブルックリン、というところまで勝手に決めていて。『ドンキーコング』は舞台がニューヨークですし。[Miyamoto: Originally, ''Mario Bros.'' was arbitrarily decided as brothers who are active in the underground of New York, where there are many clay pipes, and probably Brooklyn in New York. ''Donkey Kong'' is set in New York.]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/how-the-creator-of-mario-designs-games-shigeru-miyamoto-game-designer-spotlight |title=How the Creator of Mario Designs Games – Shigeru Miyamoto – Game Designer Spotlight |first=Caleb |last=Compton |website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]] |date=May 4, 2021 |access-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323141759/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/how-the-creator-of-mario-designs-games-shigeru-miyamoto-game-designer-spotlight |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Name===
Though the protagonist is unnamed in the Japanese launch release of ''Donkey Kong'', he was named "Jumpman" in the English instructions<ref>"[[iarchive:NEXT Generation 26/page/n49/mode/2up|Mario: Alive, Well, and Living in the Bronx?]]" ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' 26:46. Brisbane, CA: [[Imagine Media]]. February 1997.</ref> and "little Mario" in the sales brochure.<ref name="tafa_dkusflyer">{{Cite web |title=Donkey Kong |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/videogames/show/294#gallery-2 |website=The Arcade Flyer Archive (KLOV) |access-date=January 25, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250331185616/https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/videogames/show/294 |archive-date=March 31, 2025}}</ref> Miyamoto envisioned a "go-to" character as needed for any game he developed, though limited to [[cameo appearance]]s because he did not expect the character to become singularly popular.<ref name="yahoo">{{Cite web |date=December 2, 2009 |title=Playback 93 |url=https://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-93/1378336 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091211223939/https://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-93/1378336 |archive-date=December 11, 2009 |access-date=December 24, 2009 |publisher=Yahoo! Games |url-status=dead}}</ref> To this end, he originally named the character Mr. Video, comparing what he intended for the character's appearances in later games to the cameos that [[Alfred Hitchcock]] had done within his films.<ref name="wii-com2">{{Cite web |title=The Reason Mario Wears Overalls |url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/0/1 |work=Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. Wii |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |access-date=June 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/0/1 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |page=2}}</ref> In retrospect, Miyamoto commented that if he had used the name "Mr. Video", the character likely would have "disappeared off the face of the Earth".<ref name="wii-com2" />

[[File:Mario Segale 2016.jpg|thumb|The character was named after real estate developer [[Mario Segale]].<ref name="35factsgamespot" />|upright|right]]
According to a widely circulated story, during the [[Internationalization and localization|localization]] of ''Donkey Kong'' for American audiences, [[Nintendo of America]]'s warehouse landlord, [[Mario Segale]], confronted then-president [[Minoru Arakawa]], demanding back rent. Following a heated argument in which the Nintendo employees eventually convinced Segale he would be paid, they opted to name the character after him.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=April 25, 2010 |title=The True Face of Mario |url=https://technologizer.com/2010/04/25/mario/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110625120834/http://technologizer.com/2010/04/25/mario/ |archive-date=June 25, 2011 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=[[Technologizer]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Pryne |first=Eric |date=March 27, 2010 |title=Powerful Segale family has massive vision for Tukwila expanse |work=[[The Seattle Times]] |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/powerful-segale-family-has-massive-vision-for-tukwila-expanse/ |url-status=live |access-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110921064117/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2011460764_segale28.html |archive-date=September 21, 2011}}</ref> This story is contradicted by former Nintendo of America warehouse manager [[Don James (executive)|Don James]], who stated in 2012 that he and Arakawa named the character after Segale as a joke because Segale was so reclusive that none of the employees had ever met him.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/02/gamelife-podcast-episode-18/ |title=Game Life Podcast: When Jay Mohr Met Tomonobu Itagaki |first=Chris |last=Kohler |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |date=February 17, 2012 |access-date=September 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417022605/https://www.wired.com/2012/02/gamelife-podcast-episode-18/ |at=52:00 |quote="And so we thought, 'This guy [Segale] is a recluse. No one's ever actually met him.' So we thought, 'Wouldn't it be a great joke if we named this character Mario?' And so we said, 'That's great', and we sent a telex to Japan, and that's how Mario got his name."}}</ref> James repeated this account in 2018.<ref name="JamesE3Quote">{{Cite AV media |title=Nintendo Treehouse Live - E3 2018 - Arcade Archives Donkey Kong, Sky Skipper |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CizC6MqyiJM&t=138s |publisher=NintendoEverything |via=[[YouTube]] |date=June 14, 2018 |access-date=September 28, 2024 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003035157/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CizC6MqyiJM |url-status=live |at=2:25 |quote=Mr. Arakawa, who was the president, and myself looked at the character, and we had a landlord that happened to be named Mario as well, and we'd never met the guy, so we thought it'd be funny to name this main character Mario after our landlord in Southcenter. And that's actually how Mario got his name.}}</ref> A friend of Segale commented: "My direct understanding and perception is that Mario Segale doesn't mind at all the fact that his name inspired such an iconic character, and that he shows humble pride in that fact in front of his grandchildren and close-knit adult circles."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/11/02/663372770/mario-segale-inspiration-for-nintendos-hero-plumber-has-died |title=Mario Segale, Inspiration For Nintendo's Hero Plumber, Has Died |first=Bill |last=Chappell |website=[[NPR]] |date=November 2, 2018 |access-date=March 24, 2024 |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305052527/https://www.npr.org/2018/11/02/663372770/mario-segale-inspiration-for-nintendos-hero-plumber-has-died |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{anchor|Mario Mario}}Though it is implied by the title of the ''Mario Bros.'' series, in a 1989 interview, his full name was stated not to be "Mario Mario".<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Inside Super Mario Bros. |series=[[Inside Edition]] |last=Loy |first=Joel |network=[[CBS Television Distribution]] |air-date=1989}}</ref> The first notable use of "Mario Mario" is in the [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|1993 live-action film adaptation]] of the ''Super Mario'' series, and further in [[Prima Games|Prima]]'s official video game strategy guides, in 2000 for ''[[Mario Party 2]]''<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Tica |first1=Don |last2=Govia |first2=Mario De |last3=Pham |first3=Tri |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_XFa3rPUvSMC |title=Mario Party 2: Prima's Official Strategy Guide |date=2000 |publisher=[[Prima Games]] |isbn=978-0-7615-2767-1 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516115241/https://books.google.com/books?id=_XFa3rPUvSMC |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> and in 2003 for ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]''.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Stratton |first1=Stephen |last2=Buchanan |first2=Levi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8bpFw-oJTqgC |title=Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga : Prima's Official Strategy Guide |date=2003 |publisher=[[Prima Games]] |isbn=978-0-7615-4423-4 |page=21 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200516094254/https://books.google.com/books?id=8bpFw-oJTqgC |archive-date=May 16, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2012, after Mario voice actor [[Charles Martinet]] stated that the character's name was, in fact, "Mario Mario" at [[San Diego Comic-Con]],<ref name="MartinetComicConQuote">{{Cite AV media |title=Mario reveals his last name & other tales - San Diego Comic Con 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAjhjLuWbC8&t=1m15s |publisher=Patrick Scott Patterson |via=[[YouTube]] |date=July 16, 2012 |access-date=May 25, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624114504/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAjhjLuWbC8&t=1m15s |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |url-status=live |quote=What's my last name? That's a very good question. That's right, it's Mario! My name's-a Mario Mario. Of course, my brother's name, a-Luigi Mario. And of course, my mama's-a Mama Mia Mario; my papa Papa Pio Mario. Of course, my grandmama Grandmama Mia Mario and my greatpapa et cetera, et cetera. Yeah, first name Mario, last name Mario. Yahoo!}}</ref> Nintendo CEO [[Satoru Iwata]] said Mario had no last name,<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 17, 2012 |title=Nintendo Chief: Mario Is Part Of Gamers' DNA |first=Stephen |last=Totilo |url=https://kotaku.com/nintendo-chief-mario-is-part-of-gamers-dna-5935721 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614023613/https://kotaku.com/5935721/super-marios-boss-doesnt-want-to-overdo-it-with-mr-video-game-and-wont-deceive-you-with-dlc |website=[[Kotaku]] |archive-date=June 14, 2016 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |quote=Could that mean that Mario's last name is "Video Game"? No, Iwata replied. "He does not have a last name."}}</ref> with which Miyamoto agreed the month after.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September 10, 2015 |title=Mario's Creators Answer Burning Questions About The Series |first=Dan |last=Ryckert |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/09/10/miyamoto-tezuka-interview.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912011321/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2015/09/10/miyamoto-tezuka-interview.aspx |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |access-date=December 20, 2017 }}</ref> Two months after Iwata's death in July 2015, Miyamoto changed his stance, asserting at the Super Mario Bros. 30th Anniversary festival that Mario's full name is indeed "Mario Mario".<ref name="getnews.jp">{{Cite news |date=September 14, 2015 |title=【衝撃事実】ついに任天堂公式のマリオの本名が判明！任天堂の代表取締役・宮本茂氏が明かす |trans-title=[Impact fact] The real name of Nintendo's official Mario is finally revealed! Nintendo Representative Director Shigeru Miyamoto reveals |website=ガジェット通信 GetNews |url=https://getnews.jp/archives/1144379 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616214455/https://getnews.jp/archives/1144379 |archive-date=June 16, 2016 |access-date=May 25, 2016 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/super-mario-bros-luigi-last-name/ |title=Super Mario Bros: What Is Mario and Luigi's Last Name? |first=Aaron |last=Greenbaum |website=[[Den of Geek]] |date=March 30, 2023 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322082138/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/super-mario-bros-luigi-last-name/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mario can also be referred to as Super Mario when he acquires the Super Mushroom power-up.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia: The Official Guide to the First 30 Years |url=https://archive.org/details/super-mario-bros-encyclopedia-the-official-guide-to-the-first-30-years/page/112/mode/1up |publisher=[[Dark Horse Comics]] |date=October 19, 2015 |isbn=9781506708973 | oclc=1033469908 |page=112 }}</ref>

===Appearance and profession===
According to Miyamoto, Mario's profession was chosen to fit with the game design. Because ''Donkey Kong'' takes place on a construction site, Mario was made into a carpenter; and when he appeared again in ''[[Mario Bros.]]'', it was decided that he should be a [[plumber]], because a lot of the game is situated in underground settings.<ref name="usatoday">{{Cite news |last=Snider |first=Mike |date=November 8, 2010 |title=Q&A: 'Mario' creator Shigeru Miyamoto |work=[[USA Today]] |url=https://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/11/qa-mario-creator-shigeru-miyamoto/1 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 9, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111140107/https://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2010/11/qa-mario-creator-shigeru-miyamoto/1 |archive-date=November 11, 2010 }}</ref> Mario's character design, particularly his large nose, draws on Western influences; once he became a plumber, Miyamoto decided to "put him in [[New York City|New York]]" and make him [[Italians|Italian]],<ref name="usatoday" /> light-heartedly attributing Mario's nationality to his mustache.<ref name="IGN Miyamoto Interview">{{Cite magazine |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=June 27, 2008 |title=Q&A: 90 Minutes With Miyamoto, Nintendo's Master of Amusement |url=https://www.wired.com/2008/06/interview-90-mi/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727214650/https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2008/06/interview-90-mi |archive-date=July 27, 2010 |access-date=July 30, 2010 |magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]}}</ref> Other sources have Mario's profession chosen to be carpentry in an effort to depict the character as an ordinary hard worker, making it easier for players to identify with him.<ref name="mariomania">{{Cite book |editor-last=Arakawa |editor-first=Minoru |date=1991 |title=Mario Mania |location=Redmond, WA |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |pages=30–32 |asin=B000BPL42C |chapter=The Man Behind Mario }}</ref> After a colleague suggested that Mario more closely resembled a plumber, Miyamoto changed Mario's profession accordingly and developed ''Mario Bros.'',<ref name="History"/> featuring the character in the sewers of [[New York City]].<ref name="Grajqevci">{{Cite web |last=Grajqevci |first=Jeton |date=October 9, 2000 |title=Profile: Shigeru Miyamoto |url=https://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=223 |website=N-Sider |access-date=May 6, 2009 |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514232650/http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=223 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Due to the graphical limitations of [[Arcade cabinet|arcade hardware]] at the time, Miyamoto clothed the character in red [[overalls]] and a blue shirt to contrast against each other and the background, making the movements of his arms easily perceptible.<ref name=NGen38>{{Cite magazine |first=Neil |last=West |title=The Way Games Ought to Be... |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=38 |date=February 1998 |pages=106}}</ref> A red cap was added to let Miyamoto avoid drawing the character's hairstyle, forehead, and eyebrows, as well as to circumvent the issue of animating his hair as he jumped.<ref name=History/><ref name=usatoday /> To give distinctly human facial features with the limited graphical abilities, Miyamoto drew a large nose and a mustache, which avoided the need to draw a mouth and facial expressions.<ref name=CNN>{{Cite web |last=Rao |first=Anjali |date=February 15, 2007 |title=Shigeru Miyamoto Talk Asia interview |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/02/14/miyamoto.script/index.html |website=[[CNN]] |access-date=February 28, 2009 |archive-date=April 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401060304/https://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/02/14/miyamoto.script/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Omitting a mouth circumvented the problem of clearly separating the nose from the mouth with a limited number of pixels available.<ref name=NGen38/>

Over time, Mario's appearance has become more defined; blue eyes, white gloves, brown shoes, a red "M" in a white circle on the front of his hat and gold buttons on his overalls have been added. According to an interview, Japanese character designer [[Yōichi Kotabe]], who worked on redesigning characters in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1985), revealed that Mario's M on his hat was originally the resemblance of [[McDonald's]] logo; Kotabe later changed the design of M and straightened its lines to clearly distinguish the difference.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2018/12/06/les-confidences-du-dessinateur-historique-des-personnages-nintendo_5393660_4408996.html |title=Les confidences du dessinateur historique des personnages Nintendo |trans-title=The secrets of the historic designer of Nintendo characters |author=William Audureau |website=[[Le Monde]] |date=December 6, 2018 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |language=fr |quote=J’ai gardé la ligne de contour épaisse du personnage. En revanche, j’ai accentué les traits du « M » sur la casquette de Mario, pour bien le distinguer du logo de McDonald’s, qui nous demandait, au contraire, s’ils pouvaient davantage se ressembler. [I kept the thick outline of the character. On the other hand, I accentuated the lines of the "M" on Mario's cap, to clearly distinguish it from the McDonald's logo, which asked us, on the contrary, if they could be more alike.] |archive-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011004513/https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2018/12/06/les-confidences-du-dessinateur-historique-des-personnages-nintendo_5393660_4408996.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The colors of his shirt and overalls were also reversed from a blue shirt with red overalls to a red shirt with blue overalls. Miyamoto attributed this process to the different development teams and artists for each game as well as advances in technology.<ref name="mariomania" />

===Voice acting===
[[File:Charles Martinet Photo Op GalaxyCon Richmond 2024 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright|[[Charles Martinet]] voiced Mario for over 30 years before shifting to a [[brand ambassador]] position.]]

Mario was voiced by [[Charles Martinet]] from 1991 to 2023.<ref name="martinetBBCnews">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19664003 |title=The actors hiding inside your video games |date=October 1, 2012 |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=[[BBC News]] |last=Savage |first=Mark |archive-date=April 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150422005227/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19664003 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="EW">{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/longtime-mario-voice-actor-charles-martinet-retires-from-role/ |title=Charles Martinet retires as the voice of Mario: 'You are all Numba One in my heart!' |date=August 21, 2023 |access-date=February 13, 2024 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |last=Holt |first=Christian |archive-date=February 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214010831/https://ew.com/movies/longtime-mario-voice-actor-charles-martinet-retires-from-role/ |url-status=live }}</ref> When he crashed the audition,<ref name="martinetthenational">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2022/03/10/charles-martinet-on-30-years-of-voicing-nintendos-beloved-mario-its-such-an-honour/ |title=Charles Martinet on 30 years of voicing Nintendo's beloved Mario: 'It's such an honour' |date=March 10, 2022 |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=[[The National (Abu Dhabi)|The National]] |last=Lau |first=Evelyn |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829191641/https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/2022/03/10/charles-martinet-on-30-years-of-voicing-nintendos-beloved-mario-its-such-an-honour/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the directors were preparing to close for the night, already packing up when he arrived. He was given this prompt: "an Italian plumber from [[Brooklyn]]". He immediately thought of a stereotypical [[Italian language|Italian]] accent with a voice similar to that of a mobster. He then assumed the voice would be too harsh for children, so he planned on using a voice of an older figure.<ref name="silicon audition">{{Cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/its-a-me-charles-martinet-the-voice-of-mario/ |title=It's a me Charles Martinet, the voice of Mario |date=July 26, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |website=[[Siliconera]] |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102222705/https://www.siliconera.com/its-a-me-charles-martinet-the-voice-of-mario/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, according to Martinet, the audition for Mario was the only time where his thoughts crashed and he spoke complete nonsense. After he was prompted about the character, he babbled the following in a soft and friendly voice instead:<ref name="GamerSpawnInterview">{{Cite AV media |title=The Voice of Mario – Charles Martinet Interview |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Eudb_Tqg8 |via=[[YouTube]] |date=September 10, 2011 |publisher=GamerSpawn |access-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-date=February 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226223908/https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=r4Eudb_Tqg8 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{{Blockquote|text=Hello, ima Mario. Okey dokey, letsa make a pizza pie together, you go get somea spaghetti, you go geta some sausage, I getta some sauce, you gonna put some spaghetti on the sausage and the sausage on the pizza, then I'm gonna chasea you with the pizza, then you gonna chasea me with the pizza, and gonaa makea lasagne.<ref name="MartinetAuditionQuote">{{Cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/marios-voice-actor-recalls-his-rambling-audition-5361823 |title=Mario's Voice Actor Recalls His Rambling Audition |date=September 17, 2009 |access-date=March 25, 2021 |website=[[Kotaku]] |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116101324/https://kotaku.com/marios-voice-actor-recalls-his-rambling-audition-5361823 |url-status=live}}</ref>}}

The voice he chose was derived from another voice role he used to play the character Gremio from [[William Shakespeare]]'s ''[[The Taming of the Shrew]]''.<ref name="martinetthenational"/><ref name="gamesradarmartinet">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/legendary-mario-voice-actor-charles-martinet-on-his-favorite-characters-and-why-he-now-dreams-in-2d/ |title=Legendary Mario voice actor Charles Martinet on his favorite characters and why he now 'dreams in 2D' |date=January 3, 2022 |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |last=Fisher |first=Andrew |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325140440/https://www.gamesradar.com/legendary-mario-voice-actor-charles-martinet-on-his-favorite-characters-and-why-he-now-dreams-in-2d/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Martinet kept speaking with the voice until the audition tape ran out; the clip was the only tape sent back to Nintendo, and the director called the company to say he had "found our Mario".<ref name="martinetBBCnews"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Voice of Mario |url=https://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/august02/mario/index2.shtml |work=[[GameSpy]] |date=August 10, 2002 |access-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041222130723/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/august02/mario/index.shtml |archive-date=December 22, 2004 |url-status=live }}</ref> He used the voice for an attraction at [[trade shows]] where small tracking sensors were glued onto his face, and he remained hidden behind a curtain while voicing a 3D model of Mario's head on a television. When attendees approached the screen, they conversed and interacted with Mario.<ref name="martinetthenational"/><ref name="martinetBBCnews"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ryan |first=Jeff |date=2012 |title=Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9_JvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA137 |location=London, England |publisher=[[Portfolio (publisher)|Portfolio]] / [[Penguin Group|Penguin]] |page=137 |isbn=978-1-59184-563-8 |access-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829191634/https://books.google.com/books?id=9_JvDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA137 |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to the long shifts, Stevie Coyle was hired as a voice match to take over during breaks by Martinet's suggestion.<ref name="Summer CES"/><ref name="Coyle Interview"/> The successful attraction was used for five years until Martinet was called by Miyamoto, requesting the voice for a video game.<ref name="martinetthenational"/>

His first official video game voice role is the CD rerelease of ''[[Mario Teaches Typing]]'' in 1994, and his first major voice acting role is ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. He received Miyamoto's instructions on the types of sound clips needed, and Martinet appreciated the fun tone of the game and later called Miyamoto a genius.<ref name="silicon audition"/> He continued to voice other various ''Mario'' characters, such as [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]], [[Wario]], and [[Waluigi]].<ref name="silicon audition"/> He said his time in the studio recording voice clips consisted of "45 takes of every sound [he] can think of".<ref name="eurogamermartinet">{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/charles-martinet-i-want-to-voice-mario-until-i-drop-dead |title=Charles Martinet: "I want to voice Mario until I drop dead" |date=October 26, 2021 |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |last=Phillips |first=Tom |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829191634/https://www.eurogamer.net/charles-martinet-i-want-to-voice-mario-until-i-drop-dead |url-status=live }}</ref> His time commitment has ranged from one week before a game's release to three years. The amount of clips varies from one hour of audio to 20.<ref name="gamesradarmartinet" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/charles-martinet-dreams-mario |title=Charles Martinet Says He 'Dreams As Mario' |date=January 6, 2022 |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=[[IGN]] |last=Moore |first=Jared |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829192154/https://www.ign.com/articles/charles-martinet-dreams-mario |url-status=live }}</ref> Martinet was recognized by the ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' for the most roles performed with the same character, at the time one hundred, and is the most of any video game voice actor.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/charles-martinet-now-holds-a-guinness-record-for-voicin-1831124428 |title=Charles Martinet now holds a Guinness record for voicing Super Mario 100 times |first=Sam |last=Barsanti |date=December 15, 2018 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216125556/https://news.avclub.com/charles-martinet-now-holds-a-guinness-record-for-voicin-1831124428 |url-status=live }}</ref> As of January 2022, he has voiced Mario in over 150 games and has recorded 5&nbsp;million audio files with the voice.<ref name="gamesradarmartinet"/><ref name="eurogamermartinet"/> In an interview, Martinet said he wants to continue voicing the character until he "drops dead", or until he can no longer perform the voice accurately.<ref name="eurogamermartinet"/> In August 2023, Nintendo announced Martinet would be retiring from the voice role of Mario,<ref name="EW"/> and would continue to promote the franchise as a "Mario Ambassador", a [[brand ambassador]] position.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mario's new voice actor has revealed himself |url=https://www.polygon.com/23914663/nintendo-mario-new-voice-actor-charles-martinet-kevin-afghani |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2023-10-13 |access-date=2024-10-31 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref> Voice actor [[Kevin Afghani]] succeeded Martinet in ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'' the following October.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/13/23916232/super-mario-bros-wonder-new-voice-kevin-afghani |title=Here's Mario's new voice actor |date=October 13, 2023 |access-date=February 13, 2024 |website=[[The Verge]] |last=Parrish |first=Ash |archive-date=October 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020175609/https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/13/23916232/super-mario-bros-wonder-new-voice-kevin-afghani |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/mario-new-voice-actor-nintendo-kevin-afghani-1235755568/|title=Mario's New Voice Actor Announced by Nintendo After Charles Martinet's Departure|first=Ethan|last=Shanfeld|website=Variety|access-date=October 13, 2023|date=October 13, 2023|archive-date=October 18, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018225905/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/mario-new-voice-actor-nintendo-kevin-afghani-1235755568/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Characteristics==
Mario is depicted as a portly plumber who lives in the fictional land of the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] with [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]], his younger, taller brother.<ref name="History" /><ref name="mariobioign" /><ref name="luigibioign">{{cite web |title=Luigi Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924288_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817041854/http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924288_biography.html |archive-date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=January 26, 2010 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref> The original ''[[Mario Bros.]]'' depicted Mario and Luigi as Italians in [[New York City|New York]],<ref name="usatoday" /> with the [[Super Mario Bros. Super Show!|television series]] and [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|films]] specifying them as originating from the borough [[Brooklyn]].<ref name="mariobioign" /> Mario's infancy, in which he was transported by a stork to the Mushroom Kingdom, was first depicted in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/sub-gems/23283668/yoshis-island-super-mario-world-2-nintendo-switch-online-sub-gems |title=Yoshi's Island is the Super Mario series' loveliest detour |first=Oli |last=Welsh |website=Polygon |date=August 1, 2022 |access-date=April 1, 2024 |archive-date=August 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801182448/https://www.polygon.com/sub-gems/23283668/yoshis-island-super-mario-world-2-nintendo-switch-online-sub-gems |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/super-mario-world-2-yoshi-parenting.html |title=Yoshi Is a Good Dad |first=Dom |last=Nero |website=Vulture |date=October 30, 2023 |access-date=April 1, 2024 |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114073520/https://www.vulture.com/article/super-mario-world-2-yoshi-parenting.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a 2005 interview, Miyamoto stated that Mario's physical age was about 24–25 years old,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mendelsohn |first=Tom |date=September 30, 2016 |title=Mario is only 24 years old, according to creator Shigeru Miyamoto|work=Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/09/mario-24-years-old/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806115419/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2016/09/mario-24-years-old/ |archive-date=August 6, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |year=2005 |title=2.宮本 茂ロングインタビュー マリオの生みの親からのメッセージ |trans-title=2. Long Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto, Message from the Creator of Mario |work=Nintendo Co., Ltd. |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0510/interv/index.html |access-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051104074617/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/nom/0510/interv/index.html |archive-date=November 4, 2005 |language=Japanese |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' stated that his birthday is October 11.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://transience.paragonsigma.com/nintendo/Nintendo%20Power%20002%20-%201988%20Sep-Oct.pdf |title=Nintendo Power – Issue #2 (September–October 1998) |access-date=August 23, 2022 |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003221713/http://transience.paragonsigma.com/nintendo/Nintendo%20Power%20002%20-%201988%20Sep-Oct.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=daniel.harris.porter |url=https://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Power_Issue001-Issue127/Nintendo%20Power%20Issue%20003%20November-December%201988?view=theater#page/n95/mode/2up |title=Nintendo Power : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive |access-date=August 23, 2022}}</ref>

He wears a long-sleeved red shirt, a pair of blue overalls with yellow buttons, brown shoes, white gloves, and a red cap with a red "M" printed on a white circle. In ''[[Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'', he wears red overalls and a blue shirt. In ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', he wears a brown shirt with red overalls. He has blue eyes, and, like [[Luigi (character)|Luigi]], has brown hair, and a dark brown or black mustache. This consistent difference in color is attributed to being a relic of technical limitations of the vintage platforms, wherein certain features were actively distinguished but others had to be curtailed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Miyamoto explains Mario's mismatched hair and mustache color |url=http://archive.beefjack.com/index.html?p=148496.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913231051/http://archive.beefjack.com/index.html%3Fp=148496.html |archive-date=September 13, 2017 |access-date=November 2, 2017 |website=BeefJack}}</ref>

Mario's occupation is plumbing, though in the original ''[[Donkey Kong (series)|Donkey Kong]]'' games he is a [[carpenter]].<ref name="usatoday" /> Mario has also assumed several other occupations: in the ''[[Dr. Mario (video game)|Dr. Mario]]'' series of [[puzzle video game|puzzle games]], which debuted in 1990, Mario is portrayed as a medical physician named "Dr. Mario";<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/classic-nes-series-dr-mario-review/1900-6112134/ |title=Classic NES Series: Dr. Mario Review |first=Bob |last=Colayco |website=GameSpot |date=November 2, 2004 |access-date=March 7, 2024 |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317163731/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/classic-nes-series-dr-mario-review/1900-6112134/ |url-status=live }}</ref> in the [[Game Boy]] game ''[[Mario's Picross]]'', Mario is an [[Archaeology|archaeologist]];<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/05/marios-picross-review |title=Mario's Picross Review |author=Lucas M. Thomas |website=IGN |date=August 5, 2011 |access-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409064733/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/08/05/marios-picross-review |url-status=live }}</ref> in the [[Mario vs. Donkey Kong series|''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series]], Mario is the president of a profitable toy-making company.<ref>{{Cite news |title=First screens of Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis for DS |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/mario-vs-donkey-kong-2-march-of-the-minis/first-screens-of-mario-vs-donkey-kong-2-march-of-the-minis-for-ds/ |date=May 9, 2006 |first=Owain |last=Bennallack |work=[[Pocket Gamer]] |access-date=April 11, 2024 |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128153726/https://www.pocketgamer.com/mario-vs-donkey-kong-2-march-of-the-minis/first-screens-of-mario-vs-donkey-kong-2-march-of-the-minis-for-ds/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mario partakes in sports activities such as [[tennis]] and [[golf]] in [[List of Mario sports games|''Mario'' sports games]], as well as [[kart racing]] in the ''[[Mario Kart]]'' series.<ref name="mariosports">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g40274525/mario-video-game-sports-ranked/ |title=Is Mario Actually Any Good at Sports? |last1=Sherrill |first1=Cameron |last2=Langmann |first2=Brady |magazine=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]] |date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311084846/https://www.esquire.com/lifestyle/g40274525/mario-video-game-sports-ranked/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In September 2017, Nintendo confirmed on their official Japanese profile for the character that Mario was no longer considered a plumber,<ref>{{cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=September 4, 2017 |title=Mario Is Officially No Longer A Plumber |url=https://kotaku.com/mario-is-officially-no-longer-a-plumber-1799118840 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170904115834/http://kotaku.com/mario-is-officially-no-longer-a-plumber-1799118840 |archive-date=September 4, 2017 |access-date=September 4, 2017 |website=Kotaku}}</ref> but the statement was changed in March 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schreier |first=Jason |date=March 6, 2018 |title=Mario Is Officially A Plumber Again |url=https://kotaku.com/mario-is-officially-a-plumber-again-1823545849 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319151208/https://kotaku.com/mario-is-officially-a-plumber-again-1823545849 |archive-date=March 19, 2018 |access-date=March 19, 2018 |website=Kotaku}}</ref> According to Nintendo, Mario has seven careers, which include plumber, doctor, racer, martial artist, basketball player, baseball player, and soccer player.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/01/random_mario_holds_seven_jobs_and_still_saves_the_mushroom_kingdom_regularly |title=Random: Mario Holds Seven Jobs And Still Saves The Mushroom Kingdom Regularly |first=Liam |last=Doolan |website=Nintendo Life |date=January 3, 2019 |access-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326205023/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2019/01/random_mario_holds_seven_jobs_and_still_saves_the_mushroom_kingdom_regularly |url-status=live }}</ref>

Nintendo's characterization of Mario as a [[Brooklyn]]ite Italian-American has been described as an example of ''[[mukokuseki]]'', or "nationlessness", with "roots across [the] three continents" of Europe, North America, and Japan.<ref name=PivotTrans>Zhang, X., & Song, H. (2023). The Mukokuseki Strategy and the Application of Pivot Translation in the Localization of Japanese Games. ''Games and Culture'', 0(0).</ref>

===Relationships===
Mario usually saves [[Princess Peach]] and the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] and purges antagonists, such as [[Bowser]], from various areas; since his first game, Mario has usually had the role of saving the [[damsel in distress]].<ref name="mariobioign">{{cite web |title=Mario Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/923/923448_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091220083249/http://stars.ign.com/objects/923/923448_biography.html |archive-date=December 20, 2009 |access-date=January 23, 2010 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref> Originally, he had to rescue his girlfriend [[Pauline (Nintendo)|Pauline]] in ''[[Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (1981) from [[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]].<ref name="dkhist">{{cite web |last=Trueman |first=Doug |title=GameSpot Presents: The History of Donkey Kong |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/dk_history/p03.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010710164559/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/dk_history/p03.html |archive-date=July 10, 2001 |access-date=January 1, 2010 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> Despite being replaced as Mario's love interest by Princess Peach in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]],''<ref name="History" /> a redesigned Pauline that first appeared in [[Donkey Kong (1994 video game)|''Donkey Kong'']] (1994) has reappeared in the ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (sub-series)|Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'' series, ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' and the ''[[Mario Kart]]'' series as a friend of Mario. Mario reprises his role of saving Peach in the ''Super Mario'' series,<ref name="mariobioign" /> but Mario himself was rescued by Peach in [[role-reversal]] in ''[[Super Princess Peach]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bozon |first=Mark |date=February 1, 2006 |title=Hands-On: Super Princess Peach |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/02/01/hands-on-super-princess-peach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007025852/http://ds.ign.com/articles/685/685051p1.html |archive-date=October 7, 2008 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref> Mario rescued [[Princess Daisy]] of Sarasaland in ''[[Super Mario Land]]'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Princess Daisy Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/963/963167_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071129224132/http://stars.ign.com/objects/963/963167_biography.html |archive-date=November 29, 2007 |access-date=January 27, 2009 |website=IGN}}</ref> but Luigi has since been more linked to her; in ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', the text explaining Daisy states that "After her appearance in ''[[Mario Golf]]'', some gossips started portraying her as Luigi's answer to Mario's Peach."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thegamer.com/princess-daisy-deserves-better/ |title=Princess Daisy Deserves Better |first=Daniel |last=Alvarez |website=TheGamer |date=August 30, 2019 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901032919/https://www.thegamer.com/princess-daisy-deserves-better/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Luigi (character)|Luigi]] is Mario's younger fraternal twin brother, who is taller, slimmer, and can jump higher than him.<ref name="luigibioign" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/life-shadows-luigi-biography/ |title=A life in shadows: A Luigi biography |first=Henry |last=Gilbert |website=GamesRadar |date=March 19, 2013 |access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-date=November 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126091553/https://www.gamesradar.com/life-shadows-luigi-biography/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He is a companion in the ''Mario'' games,<ref name="luigibioign" /> and the character whom the second player controls in two-player sessions of many of the video games.<ref name="luigiprofileign">{{cite web |title=Luigi Profile |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924288.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225211747/http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924288.html |archive-date=February 25, 2009 |access-date=January 26, 2010 |website=IGN}}</ref> Luigi has also occasionally rescued Mario as seen in ''[[Mario Is Missing!]]'' and the ''[[List of Luigi video games#Luigi's Mansion|Luigi's Mansion]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=August 7, 2008 |title=The Other Mario Games, Vol. 2 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/07/the-other-mario-games-vol-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220003440/http://retro.ign.com/articles/897/897225p1.html |archive-date=February 20, 2009 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref> ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'' for the Game Boy saw the arrival of [[Wario]], Mario's greedy [[wikt:counterpart|counterpart]] and self-declared arch rival, who usually assumes the role of a main antagonist or an [[antihero]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Wario Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924285_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090712120508/http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924285_biography.html |archive-date=July 12, 2009 |access-date=January 23, 2010 |website=IGN}}</ref> The dinosaur character [[Yoshi]] serves as Mario's steed and sidekick in games such as ''[[Super Mario World]]''.<ref name="yoshibio">{{cite web |title=Yoshi Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924294_biography.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602142520/http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924294_biography.html |archive-date=June 2, 2010 |access-date=January 23, 2009 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref> [[Toad (Mario)|Toad]] is Mario's trusted close friend, who gives him advice and supports him throughout his journey to rescue Princess Peach.<ref>{{cite web |title=Toad (Nintendo) Biography |url=http://stars.ign.com/objects/960/960455_biography.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090327170948/http://stars.ign.com/objects/960/960455_biography.html |archive-date=March 27, 2009 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |website=IGN}}</ref>

===Abilities===
During the development of ''[[Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|Donkey Kong]]'', Mario was known as {{Nihongo|Jumpman|ジャンプマン|Janpuman}}.<ref name="History" /> Jumping—both to facilitate level traversal and as an offensive move—is a common gameplay element in ''Mario'' games, especially the [[Super Mario|''Super Mario'' series]]. By the time ''[[Super Mario RPG]]'' was released, jumping became such a signature act of Mario that the player was often tasked with jumping to prove to [[non-player character]]s that he was Mario. Mario's most commonly portrayed form of attack is jumping to stomp on the heads of enemies, first used in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' This jump-stomp move may entirely crush smaller enemies on the stage, and usually deal damage to larger ones, sometimes causing secondary effects.<ref name="History" /> Subsequent games have elaborated on Mario's jumping-related abilities. ''[[Super Mario World]]'' added the ability to spin-jump, which allows Mario to break blocks beneath him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/super-nes-retro-review-super-mario-world |title=Super NES Retro Review: Super Mario World |first=Nadia |last=Oxford |work=VG247 |date=January 23, 2019 |access-date=March 13, 2024 |archive-date=March 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313114805/https://www.vg247.com/super-nes-retro-review-super-mario-world |url-status=live }}</ref> In ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', Mario gains new jumping abilities such as a sideways somersault; a ground pound, which is a high-impact downward thrusting motion; and the "Wall Kick", which propels him upwards by kicking off walls.<ref>{{cite web |title=Super Mario 64 Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-64-review/1900-2544714/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=March 6, 2024 |date=December 1, 1996|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215023346/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-64-review/1900-2544714/ |archive-date=February 15, 2018}}</ref>

''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' introduced the basic three power-ups that have become staples for the series, especially the 2D games – the [[Super Mario#Power-ups and transformations|Super Mushroom]], a large red mushroom,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/is-super-marios-most-iconic-power-up-really-based-on-magic-mushrooms/ |title=How Super Mario's Most Iconic Power-Up Was Inspired by Magic Mushrooms |first=Matthew |last=Byrd |website=Den of Geek |date=April 20, 2022 |access-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-date=March 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308134817/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/is-super-marios-most-iconic-power-up-really-based-on-magic-mushrooms/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which causes Mario to grow larger and be able to survive getting hit once; the Fire Flower, which allows Mario to throw [[fire]]balls; and the Super Star, which gives Mario temporary invincibility. These powers have appeared regularly throughout the series.<ref name="History" />

==In video games==
{{see also|List of video games featuring Mario}}

===''Super Mario'' series===
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Mario is the protagonist of the ''Super Mario'' series. Each game varies in its plot, but most of them have the ultimate goal of Mario rescuing [[Princess Peach]] after being kidnapped by [[Bowser]]. Mario explores a variety of locations, titled "worlds", and along the way, he can collect items and defeat enemies. Most levels have an end goal, such as stars or flagpoles, that he needs to reach to move on to the next. The series is divided into two general sets of games: the 2D [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] ''Super Mario'' games and the 3D [[open world]] ''Super Mario'' games.

====2D games====
The ''Super Mario'' series had Mario starring in [[platform game]]s, beginning with ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) in 1985. In these games, Mario traverses worlds that contain a set number of levels for Mario to complete. In them, he traverses them from moving left to right, the screen scrolling in the direction he moves. Mario has the goal of reaching the end of the level to move onto the next, typically marked with a flagpole.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/super-mario-bros-30-year-anniversary-2309911-Sep2015/ |title=30 years ago, the game that changed everything was released |author=Quinton O'Reilly |website=[[TheJournal.ie|The Journal]] |date=September 12, 2015 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322065256/https://www.thejournal.ie/super-mario-bros-30-year-anniversary-2309911-Sep2015/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These games are less focused on plot and more on platforming; most commonly, Bowser kidnaps Peach, and Mario, with the help of Luigi and other characters, sets out to rescue her. Most worlds have mini [[boss (video game)|boss battles]], which typically involve fighting [[Bowser Jr.]] or one of several [[Koopalings]]. The final level is a fight against Bowser.<ref name="History" />

[[File:Takashi Tezuka 2015 (cropped).jpg|upright|thumb|right|[[Takashi Tezuka]] in 2015]]
His first appearance in the 2D variant of the series was ''Super Mario Bros.'' in 1985, which began with a 16x32 pixel rectangle prototype as the character; [[Takashi Tezuka]] suggested the character to be Mario after the success of one of his previous roles, ''[[Mario Bros.]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-New-Super-Mario-Bros-Wii/Volume-2/3-It-Started-With-A-Square-Object-Moving/3-It-Started-With-A-Square-Object-Moving-232967.html |title=Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros (Volume 2- It Started With a Square Object Moving) |first=Satoru |last=Iwata |date=2009 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215062341/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/nsmb/vol2_page3.jsp |archive-date=December 15, 2009 }}</ref> Certain other gameplay concepts were cut as well, such as how Mario could fly in a rocket ship and fire bullets.<ref name="Mario original control scheme">{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |title=Super Mario Bros. Originally Had Beam Guns and Rocket Packs |url=http://andriasang.com/comqln/mario_original_control_scheme/ |website=Andriasang |date=October 25, 2010 |access-date=January 24, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20140126170905/http://andriasang.com/comqln/mario_original_control_scheme/ |archive-date=January 26, 2014 }}</ref> Originally designed with a small Mario in mind with the intention of increasing his size further in development, the developers implemented the feature of his size changes via power-ups as they considered it a fun addition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Letting Everyone Know It Was A Good Mushroom |url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/nsmb/0/3 |work=Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros Wii |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=December 5, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927194716/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/0/3 |archive-date=September 27, 2016 }}</ref> The concept was influenced by [[Japanese folktales]].<ref name="originsofmario" />

''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' was originally not going to be a sequel to ''Super Mario Bros.'', and was originally going to be a game called ''Doki Doki Panic''; directed by [[Kensuke Tanabe]].<ref name="director">{{cite interview |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/interview/2181/kensuke-tanabe-talks-metroid-prime-2-echoes| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105143103/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/interview/2181 |archive-date=November 5, 2013 | interviewer1=Jonathan Metts |interviewer2=Daniel Bloodworth |interviewer3=Matt Cassamassina | first=Kensuke | last=Tanabe | subject-link=Kensuke Tanabe | title=Interview – Kensuke Tanabe Talks Metroid Prime 2: Echoes |date=May 18, 2004 |publisher=Nintendo World Report |access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref><ref name="gpara">{{cite web |url=http://www.gpara.com/contents/creator/bn_101.htm |title=クリエイターズファイル 第101回 |trans-title=Creators File No. 101 |date=February 10, 2003 |publisher=Gpara.com |access-date=January 11, 2011 |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930045013/http://www.gpara.com/contents/creator/bn_101.htm |url-status=dead |language=Japanese }}</ref> One of the changes included the retexturing of the four main playable characters of ''Doki Doki Panic'', and since they varied in height, this was the first instance where Mario was noticeably shorter than Luigi.<ref name="History">{{cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Rus |date=September 14, 2010 |title=IGN Presents The History of Super Mario Bros. |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109000531/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2014 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref> ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' experimented with Mario's looks with different power-ups that represented different creatures. An example included the raccoon tail, which was chosen over a power-up that represented a [[centaur]].<ref name="IGN-100">{{cite web| url = http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_39.html| title = IGN Top 100 Games 2007: 39 ''Super Mario Bros. 3''| website = IGN| year = 2007| access-date = January 25, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170409163615/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_39.html| archive-date = April 9, 2017| url-status = dead| df = mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="NP-10-Develop">{{Cite magazine| magazine = [[Nintendo Power]]| title = The Making of ''Super Mario Bros. 3''| author= Nintendo Power Staff| issue = 10|date=January–February 1990| pages = 20–23| publisher = [[Nintendo]]}}</ref> The game's success led to an animated television series, ''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', with Mario being portrayed by Walker Boone.<ref name="NP-16-TV">{{Cite magazine| magazine = [[Nintendo Power]]| title = On the Air: SMB3| author= Nintendo Power Staff| issue = 16|date=September–October 1990| page = 89| publisher = [[Nintendo]]}}</ref>

[[Hiroshi Yamauchi]] wanted a launch game for the [[Game Boy]] that featured Mario, as he believed in the statement "fun games sold consoles".<ref name="History"/> ''[[Super Mario Land]]'' was designed without the help of Miyamoto, a first for the series.<ref name="History"/> The game uses completely different elements to pair with the small screen due to the Game Boy's portability. For example, instead of rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario is instead rescuing [[Princess Daisy]] from [[List of Mario franchise characters|Tatanga]] in Sarasaland. Mario was designed with [[line art]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/01/building-to-new-super-mario-bros |access-date=April 11, 2015 |title=Building to ''New Super Mario Bros.'' |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=June 1, 2012 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411213327/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/01/building-to-new-super-mario-bros |archive-date=April 11, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/16/super-mario-land-review |access-date=April 10, 2015 |title=''Super Mario Land'' Review |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=June 15, 2011 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424112839/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/16/super-mario-land-review |archive-date=April 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[Super Mario World]]'' was the first video game to feature [[Yoshi]] as a companion to Mario. Miyamoto had always wanted a dinosaur-like companion, ever since the original ''Super Mario Bros.'', but the concept was never achievable due to limited hardware. Since ''Super Mario World'' took place in a land of dinosaurs, Takashi Tezuka requested [[Shigefumi Hino]] to draw a character based on Miyamoto's concepts and sketches, which he drew during the development of ''Super Mario Bros. 3''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mario Mania|date=August 1991|last=''Nintendo Power'' staff| publisher=Nintendo of America inc. |location=Redmond, Washington|page=32}}</ref><ref name="yoshi">{{cite web |last=Corrigan |first=Hope |title=Super Mario World: Mario Was Originally Punching Yoshi in The Head |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/28/super-mario-world-mario-was-originally-punching-yoshi-in-the-head |website=[[IGN]]|access-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930194553/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/28/super-mario-world-mario-was-originally-punching-yoshi-in-the-head |archive-date=September 30, 2017 |date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> ''Super Mario World'' was released during a [[console war]] between Nintendo and [[Sega]]; Sega's mascot, [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], was considered a "cooler" alternative to Mario, to which Miyamoto apologized for.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Steven|author-link=Steven L. Kent|title=[[The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story Behind the Craze that Touched our Lives and Changed the World]]|year=2001|publisher=[[Prima Publishing]]|location=[[Roseville, California|Roseville]]|isbn=0-7615-3643-4}}</ref>

The plot for ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'' has Mario pursue something for his own benefit rather than for someone else, his goal trying to reclaim ownership of his island, Mario Land, from [[Wario]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/30/super-mario-land-2-6-golden-coins-review |title=Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins Review |author=Lucas M. Thomas |website=IGN |date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322065256/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/30/super-mario-land-2-6-golden-coins-review |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was developed by [[Nintendo Research & Development 1]] (R&D1). The company was unmotivated by the ''Super Mario'' series, and when they were tasked with creating a ''Super Mario'' game without Miyamoto, they created Wario to emphasize the frustration of working with a character they did not make. The name "Wario" is [[word play]] of "Mario" and "Warui", the latter meaning "bad" in Japanese to mean "bad Mario".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/wario-land-4-mario-fatter-arch-nemesis/|title=There's far more to Wario than being Mario's fatter arch nemesis|date=September 3, 2015|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|last=Schilling|first=Chris|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022031839/https://www.gamesradar.com/wario-land-4-mario-fatter-arch-nemesis/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The character's models and backgrounds in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' are 3D, but still only allow for left and right movement and are considered [[2.5D]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hollingshead|first=Anise|access-date=December 28, 2008|url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/two_new_titles_announced_for_nintendo_ds|title=Two New Titles Announced For Nintendo DS|publisher=GameZone|date=February 21, 2006|archive-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104135405/http://www.gamezone.com/news/two_new_titles_announced_for_nintendo_ds|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=January 3, 2009|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/3693/new-super-mario-bros-nintendo-ds|title=''New Super Mario Bros.'' preview|publisher=Nintendo World Report|date=May 19, 2005|author=Martino, Chris|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714134733/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/3693/new-super-mario-bros-nintendo-ds|url-status=live}}</ref> With the 2D series of ''Super Mario'' games being absent for 14 years, the previous installment being released in 1992, game mechanics improved drastically. Because the characters were no longer [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]]s and the backdrops are not [[tile set|tile-based]], the developers were nearly restrictionless; new game mechanics, such as Mario teetering off of trees and swinging on ropes, were implemented.<ref name=e32005>{{cite web|access-date=December 28, 2008|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/19/e3-2005-new-super-mario-bros-impressions|title=E3 2005: ''New Super Mario Bros.'' Impressions|publisher=IGN|date=May 18, 2005|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107032933/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/19/e3-2005-new-super-mario-bros-impressions|url-status=live}}</ref> ''New Super Mario Bros.'' is the first 2D ''Super Mario'' game to have used voice acting, with Charles Martinet voicing Mario and Luigi.<ref name=np-sizing>{{cite magazine|author=Thomason, Steve|magazine=Nintendo Power|issue=202|title=Sizing Up Mario|pages=41–42}}</ref> It was followed by three games similar to ''New Super Mario Bros.'', namely ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', and ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'', the latter of which being the first game to feature Mario in [[high-definition video|high-definition]] graphics (HD).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-new-super-mario-bros-u/|title=Review: New Super Mario Bros. U|website=Destructoid|date=November 18, 2012|access-date=May 4, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920120422/https://www.destructoid.com/review-new-super-mario-bros-u-238434.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Takashi Tezuka returned as a producer for the development of ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'', with Shiro Mouri as director.<ref name="developmentofwonder">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-interview-1234814207/ |title='Super Mario Bros. Wonder' is Nintendo on Acid |first=Christopher |last=Cruz |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 31, 2023 |access-date=April 8, 2024 |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831181633/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-interview-1234814207/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game director, Shiro Mouri, said that the game developers aimed to provide a "stress-free" experience to the players by allowing them to move freely through the course.<ref name="developmentofwonder" /> In comparison to the previous 2D Super Mario games, Mario's facial expressions are now more detailed and expressive.<ref name="developmentofwonder" />

====3D games====
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Most ''Super Mario'' games in 3D feature [[open world]] gameplay; instead of being confined to only moving left and right, Mario can move in any direction, and the player can complete the level however they please.<ref name="3dmario"/> The player chooses from one of the multiple objectives before entering a level, and Mario is tasked with completing that goal, which ultimately ends with an obtainable item such as a star.<ref name="3dmario"/> These games feature a more complex narrative, but most still have Mario rescuing a kidnapped Princess Peach from Bowser.

Mario's debut 3D role is in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''; because the concept of 3D video games was still new at the time, the developers knew they were helping to pave the way for future games, and they were not restricted on what the standard game was like.<ref name="3dmario">{{cite web |title=Playing a 3D Game Like It's 2D |url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/supermariogalaxy2/0/0/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/supermariogalaxy2/0/0 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |publisher=[[Nintendo]]}}</ref> However, when [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]] had to create a 3D model and animation of Mario, he had no frame of reference and struggled with the task. Koizumi stated how the whole concept was "arguably tough", but was overtaken by the enjoyment of innovating in a new field.<ref name="jumpI">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/09/14/mario-nintendo-creators-miyamoto-koizumi-tezuka-motokura/|title=Mario makers reflect on 35 years and the evolution of gaming's most iconic jump|date=September 14, 2020|access-date=March 30, 2021|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|last=Park|first=Gene|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916203739/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/09/14/mario-nintendo-creators-miyamoto-koizumi-tezuka-motokura/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mario's movement was among the top priorities in the game's development, with his animation being tested long before the basic layout of the game's locations was in place. ''Super Mario 64'' is one of the first games voiced by Charles Martinet,<ref>{{cite magazine|date=October 1996|title=Super Mario 64|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|issue=89|page=67}}</ref> and Mario's character model was made with the [[N-World]] toolkit.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Andretti|title=ACCL Message Board – Msg: 1910481|url=http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=1910481|website=Silicon Investor|publisher=Knight Sac Media|access-date=February 14, 2018|date=August 5, 1997|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909004812/http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=1910481|archive-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> Mario's movements and animations were inspired by ''[[Arale Norimaki]]'' from ''[[Dr. Slump]]'', a Japanese manga series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://shmuplations.com/mario64/ |title=Super Mario 64 – 1996 Developer Interviews |website=shmuplations.com |date=January 11, 2022 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210929071918/http://shmuplations.com/mario64/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' is the first Nintendo game released after [[Satoru Iwata]] became the CEO of Nintendo, succeeding Hiroshi Yamauchi. The game's original concept did not feature Mario, as the developers believed the role was too out of the ordinary for such a character. Later, when they used a generic man for the role instead, they believed having a realistic person alongside a character like Mario would cause "incongruity", and it was ultimately changed to Mario instead. Mario's ally, F.L.U.D.D., was one of ten design options but was chosen because it fit the game's theme, although it was not their visual favorite.<ref>{{cite web |last=Anthony JC |date=August 2007 |title=The Making of The Game – Super Mario Sunshine |url=http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=415 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013084107/http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=415 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |access-date=August 7, 2007 |website=Nintendo Online Magazine |publisher=N-Sider}}</ref>

''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' had Mario exploring a number of spherical planets, which the developers at the time knew simply jumping on enemies would be difficult to perform. They instead took advantage of the [[Wii Remote]] and [[Nunchuk (controller)|Nunchuk]] having motion controls, and gave Mario a "spin" attack where he knocked over the enemies via spinning.<ref name="Iwata Asks 1.3">{{cite web|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/super_mario_galaxy/0/2 |title=A Mario Even Beginners Can Play |access-date=March 19, 2009 |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/super_mario_galaxy/0/2 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IGN interview">{{cite web|last=Casamassina |first=Matt |title=Interview: Super Mario Galaxy |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/29/interview-super-mario-galaxy |website=IGN |access-date=May 4, 2022 |date=November 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024120130/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/29/interview-super-mario-galaxy |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> To also balance the game's difficulty, Mario was given fewer [[Health (game terminology)|hit points]].<ref name="Iwata Asks 1.4">{{cite web|title=From 5 to 95 |url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/super_mario_galaxy/0/3 |website=Iwata Asks |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=July 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/super_mario_galaxy/0/3 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

To create a sense of familiarity for ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', various references to the ''Super Mario'' series were put in the game's environment. For example, [[Pauline (Nintendo)|Pauline]] was chosen to be a major aspect of the "Metro Kingdom" due to the kingdom representing the core of the game. Mario was also given a variety of costumes to represent other smaller games, such as the ''[[Mario's Picross (series)|Mario's Picross]]'' series.<ref>{{cite news|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|title=Super Mario Odyssey's Outfits Are A Nice Throwback|url=http://kotaku.com/super-mario-odysseys-outfits-are-a-nice-throwback-1796076020|access-date=June 14, 2017|work=Kotaku|date=June 13, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614112516/http://kotaku.com/super-mario-odysseys-outfits-are-a-nice-throwback-1796076020|archive-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Caty |title=Super Mario Odyssey Celebrates All the Spin-Offs of Mario's Past Through Costumes |work=[[USgamer]] |date=June 14, 2017 |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-mario-odyssey-celebrates-all-the-spin-offs-of-marios-past-through-costumes |access-date=June 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618002925/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-mario-odyssey-celebrates-all-the-spin-offs-of-marios-past-through-costumes |archive-date=June 18, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The development team found the most fun way to use the [[Joy-Con]] controllers' motion controls was to throw a hat, and the gameplay was centered around Mario throwing his cap.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schreier |first=Jason |title=I Played 30 Minutes Of Super Mario Odyssey And It Sure Is Impressive |work=[[Kotaku]] |date=June 13, 2017 |url=http://kotaku.com/i-played-30-minutes-of-super-mario-odyssey-and-it-sure-1796037732 |access-date=June 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615083232/http://kotaku.com/i-played-30-minutes-of-super-mario-odyssey-and-it-sure-1796037732 |archive-date=June 15, 2017 }}</ref>

====Other ''Super Mario'' games====
A variety of ''Super Mario'' games star Mario that do not have typical 2D or 3D platforming. The ''Super Mario 3D'' series has 3D gameplay, but the stages are linear and do not allow open-world movement. ''Super Mario Maker'' is a series of [[game creation system]]s where the player can create their own 2D ''Super Mario'' levels and play each other's levels.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/2/9190435/super-mario-maker-review-nintendo-wii-u |title=Super Mario Maker Review: The Blueprint |first=Griffin |last=McElroy |website=Polygon |date=September 2, 2015 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311125726/https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/2/9190435/super-mario-maker-review-nintendo-wii-u |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/28/18641683/super-mario-maker-2-multiplayer-mode-preview |title=Super Mario Maker 2's surprise best new feature: chaotic multiplayer |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |website=Polygon |date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311125725/https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/28/18641683/super-mario-maker-2-multiplayer-mode-preview |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Super Mario Run]]'' is a 2D platforming [[mobile game]] with other unnatural gameplay aspects.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/15/13961146/super-mario-run-review-nintendo-mobile-app-iphone-ipad |title=Super Mario Run review: a fun but compromised Mario on iPhone |first=Andrew |last=Webster |website=The Verge |date=December 15, 2016 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626045721/https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/15/13961146/super-mario-run-review-nintendo-mobile-app-iphone-ipad |url-status=live }}</ref>

The main aspect of ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'' was bridging the aspects of 2D and 3D ''Super Mario'' games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/30/bridging-the-gap-between-2d-and-3d-mario |title=Bridging the Gap Between 2D and 3D Mario |last=Drake | first=Audrey |publisher=IGN |date=November 30, 2011 |access-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624030223/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/30/bridging-the-gap-between-2d-and-3d-mario |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hope">{{cite web|author=Gilbert, Henry|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-3d-land-built-creativity/|title=An inspiring development to find joy in the face of national tragedy|publisher=GamesRadar. Future Publishing|date=March 7, 2012|access-date=June 16, 2012|archive-date=September 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903052748/http://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-3d-land-built-creativity/|url-status=live}}</ref> One of the issues brought up was how Mario looked too small in comparison to the large terrain and the small, portable screen of the [[Nintendo 3DS]], so the [[camera system]] needed to be fixed to one position in certain occasions.<ref name="creation">{{cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/121/1213654p1.html |title=The Creation of Super Mario 3D Land |date=November 30, 2011 |access-date=August 12, 2012 |author=Drake, Audrey |publisher=IGN |archive-date=December 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206090632/http://ds.ign.com/articles/121/1213654p1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The game brought with it the "Tanooki Tail" power-up, which was originally introduced in ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', and its existence was teased by the developers to the fans prior to its official announcement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/nintendo-reveals-new-super-mario-for-3ds/|publisher=[[GamesRadar+]]|date=March 2, 2011|title=Nintendo reveals new Super Mario for 3DS|first=Henry|last=Gilbert|access-date=May 4, 2022|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504152723/https://www.gamesradar.com/nintendo-reveals-new-super-mario-for-3ds/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/07/e3-2011-youll-play-super-mario-3ds-this-year|title=E3 2011: You'll Play Super Mario 3DS This Year|date=June 7, 2011|publisher=IGN|author=Moriarty, Colin|access-date=May 4, 2022|archive-date=May 24, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524044851/http://ds.ign.com/articles/117/1173514p1.html}}</ref> Concepts for Mario, which included a skater outfit and a power-up that makes Mario grow large, were cut; the latter appeared in its sequel as the Mega Mushroom.<ref name="hope"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Samantha |date=2021-02-02 |title=Super Mario 3D World items: All powerups and what they do |url=https://www.imore.com/super-mario-3d-world-items-all-powerups-and-what-they-do |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=iMore |language=en |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901033943/https://www.imore.com/super-mario-3d-world-items-all-powerups-and-what-they-do |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' on the [[Wii U]] includes the "Cat Mario" power-up, which was implemented to help newcomers play the game and add new gameplay features such as climbing up walls. Another power-up is the "Double Cherry", which was added accidentally; one of the developers added a second Mario into the game in error, and found it humorous when both Marios were somehow controllable at the same time.<ref name="double">{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/double-mario-forced-nintendo-change-super-mario-3d-world/|title=Why double Mario forced Nintendo to change Super Mario 3D World|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=October 24, 2017|archive-date=October 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024205046/http://www.gamesradar.com/double-mario-forced-nintendo-change-super-mario-3d-world/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, also as part of the ''Super Mario Bros.'' 35th anniversary, Nintendo re-released ''Super Mario 3D World'' on the Switch with a companion game, ''[[Bowser's Fury]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |title=Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Review – Switch Release Reinvigorates A Classic |work=[[GameSpot]] |date=February 10, 2021 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-3d-world-bowsers-fury-review-switch-release-reinvigorates-a-classic/1900-6417639/|access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503035444/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-3d-world-bowsers-fury-review-switch-release-reinvigorates-a-classic/1900-6417639/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other ''Mario'' games===
''Super Mario'' has the most prominent use of Mario, and he is in various spinoff series that split into numerous games covering various genres. This includes genres such as [[role-playing video game|role-playing games]] (RPGs), [[puzzle game]]s, [[sports game]]s, and even [[educational game]]s in the 1990s.

====RPGs====
{{See also|List of Mario role-playing games{{!}}List of ''Mario'' role-playing games|Paper Mario{{!}}''Paper Mario''|Mario & Luigi{{!}}''Mario & Luigi''}}
Mario has been the protagonist of various [[role-playing video games]] (RPGs), beginning with [[Square (video game company)|Square]]'s ''[[Super Mario RPG]]'' on the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES). According to Yoshio Hongo of Nintendo, the game came out of Shigeru Miyamoto's desire to develop a ''Mario'' role-playing game while Square wanted a role-playing video game that sold well overseas.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Nintendo Ultra 64: The Launch of the Decade?|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=2 |date=November 1995|pages=107–8}}</ref> The game was notable at the time for having a unique blend of action and role-playing game elements, and was a critical and commercial success, and led to two other spinoff RPG series starring the character, ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and ''[[Mario & Luigi (series)|Mario & Luigi]]''.

A sequel to ''Super Mario RPG'' was planned for the [[Nintendo 64]]. The original developer, Square, had signed a deal with [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony]] to release ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], so Nintendo passed on development responsibilities to [[Intelligent Systems]]. The new art designer, Naohiko Aoyama, changed every character to two-dimensional to bring out "cuter" graphics compared to low-polygon three-dimensional graphics on the console. In the ''Paper Mario'' series, Mario is often aided by numerous allies who progress the story while Mario remains silent.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/02/07/nintendo-and-alphadream-talk-paper-mario-rpgs-and-more.aspx|title=Nintendo and AlphaDream Talk Mario, RPGs, And More|date=February 7, 2016|access-date=March 19, 2021|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214050004/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/02/07/nintendo-and-alphadream-talk-paper-mario-rpgs-and-more.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Unlike ''Paper Mario'', both Mario and Luigi have voices in the ''[[Mario & Luigi]]'' series.<ref name="Gamers' Summit">{{cite web|author=Harris, Craig|date=September 17, 2003|url=http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/articles/450/450287p1.html|title=Mario & Luigi|publisher=IGN|access-date=January 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224224930/http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/articles/450/450287p1.html|archive-date=February 24, 2009}}</ref> According to the developers, previous games use [[Sprite (computer graphics)|character sprites]] so the developers were generally inexperienced and did not know much about hardware at the time. Once the [[Nintendo 3DS]] was released, the developers had the chance to switch to 3-dimensional graphics. They changed the background and world design but kept the characters as 2D renderings of 3D characters because they believed it made it easier to convey comedic expressions. In 2013, they believed Mario took too much of the spotlight in the ''Mario'' franchise, and they made Luigi the more story-focused character in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/usgamer-interviews-mario-amp-luigidream-team|title=USGamer Interviews the Developers of Mario & Luigi : Dream Team|date=August 6, 2013|access-date=March 25, 2021|website=[[USGamer]]|last=Khaw|first=Cassandra|archive-date=September 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914012614/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/usgamer-interviews-mario-amp-luigidream-team|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Sports games====
{{See also|List of Mario sports games{{!}}List of ''Mario'' sports games|Mario Kart{{!}}''Mario Kart''}}
Nintendo has released a variety of sports games featuring ''Super Mario'' properties, which include [[tennis]], [[golf]], [[baseball]], [[soccer]], [[kart racing]], and other miscellaneous.

In the 1984 video game ''[[Golf (1984 video game)|Golf]]'', although one of the two playable characters looks similar to that of him, wearing red clothes and black pants,<ref name="ign golf">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/11/marios-love-of-golf|title=Mario's Love of Golf|date=October 11, 2012|access-date=March 25, 2021|website=[[IGN]]|last=Nix|first=Marc|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030033740/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/11/marios-love-of-golf|url-status=live}}</ref> he is never directly referred to be Mario;<ref name="Kotaku sports">{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-ups-and-downs-of-mario-sports-games-1826037124|title=The Ups And Downs Of Mario Sports Games|date=June 22, 2018|access-date=March 25, 2021|website=[[Kotaku]]|last=Bertoli|first=Ben|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127202043/https://kotaku.com/the-ups-and-downs-of-mario-sports-games-1826037124|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1997, his look was changed in the re-release of the [[Famicom Disk System]] to that more like the character, and Nintendo later confirmed the character was Mario in a guide book of the game in 1991, marking his first sports video game appearance.<ref>{{cite book | title=Mario Mania: Nintendo Player's Guide | publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] | date=1991 | location=Redmond, WA | oclc=299240250 | page=9}}</ref> He then directly appeared in ''[[NES Open Tournament Golf]]'' in 1991 as one of two playable characters, the other being Luigi, along with a variety of other ''Mario'' characters with supporting roles. The character sprites were designed by [[Eiji Aonuma]], his first project in graphical art design.<ref name="Kotaku sports"/>

''[[Mario's Tennis]]'' for the [[Virtual Boy]] was the first tennis game featuring Mario. [[Camelot Software Planning]], who previously developed ''[[Everybody's Golf (1997 video game)|Everybody's Golf]]'' for Sony, was contracted to develop ''[[Mario Tennis]]'' for the [[Nintendo 64]].<ref name="Kotaku sports"/> Each character had a unique ability, with Mario having an all-around average set of skills to pair with his type of character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/08/mario_history_mario_tennis_-_2000|title=Mario History: Mario Tennis – 2000|date=August 28, 2015|access-date=March 25, 2021|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|archive-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424115609/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/08/mario_history_mario_tennis_-_2000|url-status=live}}</ref> This would eventually set the stage for future ''Mario Tennis'' video games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/03/camelot-talks-mario-power-tennis |title=Camelot Talks Mario Power Tennis |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 2, 2004 |website=IGN |access-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226192502/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/03/camelot-talks-mario-power-tennis |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ''[[Mario Kart]]'' series began with ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] in 1992; early in development, the game did not have any ''Mario''-themed elements. A few months into the process, the designers were testing how one character would look at another they had just passed.<ref name="mariokartwii" /> They implemented Mario, simply to see how he would look inside a kart, and the original concept was scrapped entirely after they decided he looked better than the previous non-defined characters.<ref name="mariokartwii">{{cite web | title = It Started With A Guy In Overalls | publisher = Nintendo Wii | url = http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/mariokart/vol1_page1.jsp | access-date = December 28, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080409212703/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/mariokart/vol1_page1.jsp | archive-date = April 9, 2008 | url-status = live }}</ref> Similar to the ''Mario & Luigi'' series, he appears as a sprite that turns in 16 different angles.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heckel|first=Nathan|title=Reviews – Super Mario Kart|publisher=Nintendojo|url=http://www.nintendojo.com/reviews/SNES/view_item.php?1052508795|access-date=December 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114022502/http://www.nintendojo.com/reviews/SNES/view_item.php?1052508795|archive-date=November 14, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> <!-- Add more info about later installments -->

''[[List of Mario sports games#Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'' is a crossover series of party and sports games featuring characters from the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise and the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series. It includes different varieties of sports such as skateboarding, fencing, volleyball, gymnastics, and many others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/52115/mario-n-sonic-at-the-olympic-games-tokyo-2020-switch-review |title=Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 (Switch) Review |first=Daan |last=Koopman |website=Nintendo World Report |date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105204939/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/52115/mario-n-sonic-at-the-olympic-games-tokyo-2020-switch-review |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Puzzle games====
{{See also|List of Mario puzzle games{{!}}List of ''Mario'' puzzle games|Mario vs. Donkey Kong{{!}}''Mario vs. Donkey Kong''}}
Mario has also starred in a variety of multiple [[puzzle game]]s, but sometimes only makes an appearance and is not playable. The first of which to release was ''[[Wrecking Crew (video game)|Wrecking Crew]]'', designed by [[Yoshio Sakamoto]]. Surprisingly, in this game, Mario can't jump because of hammer's weight.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/ive-discovered-wrecking-crew-the-game-where-mario-cant-jump-and-its-brilliant |title=I've discovered Wrecking Crew, the game where Mario can't jump, and it's brilliant |first=Christian |last=Donlan |website=Eurogamer |date=August 22, 2022 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322085054/https://www.eurogamer.net/ive-discovered-wrecking-crew-the-game-where-mario-cant-jump-and-its-brilliant |url-status=live }}</ref> After which, three main series and a variety of spin-offs were released starring him, including ''[[Dr. Mario (series)|Dr. Mario]]'', ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (sub-series)|Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'', and ''Mario Picross''.

The original game in the ''Dr. Mario'' series, also titled ''[[Dr. Mario]]'', was designed by Takahiro Harada and had Mario assume the role of a doctor instead of a plumber.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hirokazutanaka.com/works/|title=Hirokazu Tanaka's Works|language=ja|publisher=Sporadic Vacuum|access-date=November 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119020328/http://www.hirokazutanaka.com/works/|archive-date=January 19, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/123220/mario-day-special-the-complete-evolution-of-mario-bros|title=Mario Day special: The complete evolution of Mario Bros.|date=March 10, 2021|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=[[Shacknews]]|last=Denzer|first=TJ|archive-date=March 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316162957/https://www.shacknews.com/article/123220/mario-day-special-the-complete-evolution-of-mario-bros|url-status=live}}</ref> His appearance and role have generally remained the same; to celebrate his 30th anniversary in the series, an 8-bit rendering of his original appearance was made unlockable in the most recent game, ''[[Dr. Mario World]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/07/dr_mario_world_celebrates_the_characters_30th_anniversary_with_8-bit_dr_mario|title=Dr. Mario World Celebrates The Character's 30th Anniversary With 8-Bit Dr. Mario|date=July 27, 2020|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|last=Craddock|first=Ryan|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423044230/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/07/dr_mario_world_celebrates_the_characters_30th_anniversary_with_8-bit_dr_mario|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' is centered around "Mini Marios", [[wind-up toy]]s that resemble Mario.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/feature-best-donkey-kong-games-of-all-time|title=Feature: Best Donkey Kong Games Of All Time|date=March 23, 2021|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|last=Lane|first=Gavin|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320154619/https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/feature-best-donkey-kong-games-of-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Mario's Picross]]'' series was an attempt by Nintendo to capitalize on the popularity of Mario and the success of puzzle games in Japan at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/12/column_beyond_tetrismarios_pic.php|title=Column: Beyond Tetris – Mario's Picross|last=Delgado|first=Tony|date=December 4, 2006|website=GameSetWatch|access-date=February 23, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025903/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/12/column_beyond_tetrismarios_pic.php|archive-date=April 11, 2018}}</ref><ref name="nlife picross">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/nintendo_shares_mariors_super_picross_tutorial_as_the_game_arrives_on_switch|title=Nintendo Shares Mario's Super Picross Tutorial As The Game Arrives On Switch|date=September 16, 2020|access-date=March 27, 2021|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|last=Craddock|first=Ryan|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126140004/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/nintendo_shares_mariors_super_picross_tutorial_as_the_game_arrives_on_switch|url-status=live}}</ref> Released in 1995, the game was popular and was followed by two sequels, ''[[Mario's Super Picross]]'' and ''Picross 2'', but the first game was only made available to American audiences in 2020.<ref name="nlife picross"/>

Due to the abandonment of the [[SNES-CD]] hardware in the 1990s, a project developed by Nintendo and Phillips, as part of Nintendo's dissolving agreement with [[Philips]], they gave the licensing rights to ''Mario'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' property to release games on the [[CD-i]].<ref name="Dumbest">{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/june03/dumbestmoments/index17.shtml|title=Nintendo: From Hero to Zero|author=GameSpy Staff|date=January 1, 2008|website=[[GameSpy]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404183227/http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/june03/dumbestmoments/index17.shtml|archive-date=April 4, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=April 7, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/14/the-other-mario-games-vol-3|title=The Other Mario Games, Vol. 3|last=Buchanan|first=Levi|date=August 14, 2008|website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417225918/http://retro.ign.com/articles/898/898778p1.html|archive-date=April 17, 2012|url-status=live|access-date=September 16, 2008}}</ref> Multiple games were developed by the inexperienced Fantasy Factory, which included the puzzle game ''[[Hotel Mario]]'' in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/15-years-cd-i?pager.offset=0|title=CDi Retrospective from 1Up.com|last=Cowan|first=Danny|date=April 25, 2006|website=[[1Up.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629104204/http://www.1up.com/features/15-years-cd-i?pager.offset=0|archive-date=June 29, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-08-07-virtually-overlooked-hotel-mario.html|title=Virtually Overlooked: Hotel Mario|last=Fletcher|first=J. C.|date=August 7, 2008|website=[[Engadget]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155118/https://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/virtually-overlooked-hotel-mario/|archive-date=June 29, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref> Via [[Animation Magic]], ''Hotel Mario'' had various cutscenes of Mario and Luigi, which borrowed animation elements from [[Disney]] and [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]. Mario was voiced by Marc Graue as the game was released prior to Charles Martinet receiving the role of voicing the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackmoonproject.co.uk/interviews/trici_venola.php|title=Interview with Trici Venola|author=Devin|date=September 16, 2007|website=The Black Moon Project|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218154551/http://blackmoon.classicgaming.gamespy.com/interviews/trici_venola.html|archive-date=December 18, 2007|access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref>

====Educational games====
{{See also|List of Mario educational games{{!}}List of ''Mario'' educational games}}
Due to the popularity of the ''Super Mario'' series, various [[educational games]] starring the character were released and appealed to younger audiences. These games had little involvement from Nintendo, with the games releasing for the NES, [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES), and [[personal computer]]s. The last of the genres to release was ''[[Mario Teaches Typing 2]]'' in 1997, before the production of such games was discontinued.<ref name="PCGN Mario education games"/>

''[[Mario is Missing!]]'' is one of the only occasions where Mario himself was kidnapped and rescued by another character. In the game, Mario and Luigi approach Bowser to stop his plans, but Mario is then captured; Luigi traverses real-world locations to follow after him, solving trivia along the way.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-pc-mario-game-that-time-forgot/ |title=The PC Mario game that time forgot |first=Samuel |last=Roberts |website=PC Gamer |date=May 5, 2016 |access-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326102628/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-pc-mario-game-that-time-forgot/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-mario-is-missing-i-was-shaped-by-a-carmen-sandiego-rivalry-and-miscommunication |title=Mario is Missing! was shaped by a Carmen Sandiego rivalry and miscommunication |first=Justin |last=Carter |website=Game Developer |date=April 21, 2023 |access-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326102628/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-mario-is-missing-i-was-shaped-by-a-carmen-sandiego-rivalry-and-miscommunication |url-status=live }}</ref> A similar game was released without the help of Miyamoto, ''[[Mario's Time Machine]]'', which starred Mario against Bowser instead.<ref name="PCGN Mario education games">{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/terrible-mario|title=Let's remember Nintendo's official – and terrible – Mario PC games|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2021|website=[[PCGamesN]]|last=Bailey|first=Dustin|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105121851/https://www.pcgamesn.com/terrible-mario|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Mario's Game Gallery]]'' has the player competing in various card and board games against Mario. The game was Charles Martinet's first official voice acting role for Mario, one year prior to ''Super Mario 64''.<ref name="PCGN Mario education games"/>

For ''[[Mario Teaches Typing]]'', the head of [[Interplay Productions]], [[Brian Fargo]], saw the success of the typing game ''[[Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing]]'', and knew a character like Mario as the teacher would be appealing.<ref name="mario teaches typing interview"/> Pre-dating ''Mario's Game Gallery'', Martinet did not voice Mario. After release, the concept was so successful, it began a negative relationship between Fargo and Les Crane, the creator of ''Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing''. ''Mario Teaches Typing 2'' was released in 1997, which Martinet voiced Mario for.<ref name="PCGN Mario education games"/> When they were approved of creating ''Mario's Game Gallery'', another Mario-themed education game was also released that was of poor quality, so Miyamoto met with Fargo and halted production of any further education games using the character.<ref name="mario teaches typing interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/20/interplay-founder-on-working-with-nintendo-on-mario-teaches-typing-a-ign-unfiltered|title=Interplay Founder on Working With Nintendo on Mario Teaches Typing — IGN Unfiltered|date=2017-06-17|access-date=2021-03-26|website=[[IGN]]|last=Osborn|first=Alex|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714033317/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/20/interplay-founder-on-working-with-nintendo-on-mario-teaches-typing-a-ign-unfiltered|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cameos===
Apart from his platformer and spin-off game appearances, Mario has made guest appearances in other Nintendo games, such as ''[[Punch-Out!! (NES)|Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!]]''<ref>{{cite web |last=Pigna |first=Kris |date=August 9, 2009 |title=Mario Included in NES Punch-Out!! Without Miyamoto's Permission |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175501 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521163842/http://www.1up.com/news/mario-included-nes-punch-out-miyamoto |archive-date=May 21, 2013 |access-date=January 28, 2009 |website=[[1UP.com]] }}</ref> and [[Tennis (1984 video game)|''Tennis'']] (1984), where Mario is an umpire,<ref>{{cite web |last=Shadow |first=Gray |title=10 Mario Cameos You Should Know About |url=https://www.noobfeed.com/features/446/10-mario-cameos-you-should-know-about |website=NoobFeed: Video Game Reviews & News |access-date=December 4, 2021 |date=September 14, 2015 |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204155648/https://www.noobfeed.com/features/446/10-mario-cameos-you-should-know-about |url-status=live }}</ref> in ''[[Pac-Man Vs.]]'', he is the in-game announcer.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |title=Pac-Man Vs.|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/10/pac-man-vs |access-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123144514/http://cube.ign.com/articles/445/445504p2.html |archive-date=January 23, 2012 |pages=1–2 |date=December 9, 2003}}</ref> Mario appears alongside Pauline in a bonus segment in ''[[Pinball (1984 video game)|Pinball]]'' (1984).<ref name="cameos" /> He also appears as a playable character in every installment of the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/106032/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-profiles-mario |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Character Profiles: Mario |first=Ozzie |last=Mejia |website=Shacknews |date=July 9, 2018 |access-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009024120/https://www.shacknews.com/article/106032/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-profiles-mario |url-status=live}}</ref> He makes countless cameo appearances in many forms in many games, such as portraits and statues in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', ''[[Pilotwings 64]]'', and ''[[Stunt Race FX]]''.<ref name="cameos">{{cite magazine |last=Ryckert |first=Dan |title=Mario's Appearances In Non-Mario Games |magazine=Game Informer |date=December 21, 2010 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/12/21/mario-in-non-mario-games.aspx |access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320104053/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/12/21/mario-in-non-mario-games.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Obias |first=Rudie |title=9 Hidden Mario Cameos and References in Videogames |website=Mental Floss |date=August 21, 2014 |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58499/9-hidden-mario-cameos-and-references-video-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824071300/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58499/9-hidden-mario-cameos-and-references-video-games |archive-date=August 24, 2014 |access-date=August 8, 2018}}</ref> Mario has a cameo appearance in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'', despite having next to no presence in the ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' subseries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conlin |first=Dan |date=2024-07-12 |title=Best Mario Character Appearances In Other Games |url=https://www.thegamer.com/mario-best-character-appearances-cameos/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916164343/https://www.thegamer.com/mario-best-character-appearances-cameos/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He can be seen in a crowd along with Luigi in ''[[Kirby Super Star]]''.<ref name="cameos" /> On an ending screen that appears in Nintendo's [[NES]] version of the video game [[Tetris (NES video game)|''Tetris'']], Mario appears with Luigi dancing to the music,<ref name="Rice Digital" /> which is a version from prelude to the opera ''[[Carmen]]''; Peach, Bowser and various Nintendo characters also appear.<ref name="Rice Digital">{{cite web |title=Ten Interesting Link Links: Zelda Crossovers – Rice Digital |url=https://ricedigital.co.uk/ten-zelda-crossovers/ |website=Rice Digital – The No. 1 Stop For Asian Games & Culture! |publisher=Adam |access-date=December 4, 2021 |date=November 12, 2014 |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204155648/https://ricedigital.co.uk/ten-zelda-crossovers/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Birken |first=Mike |title=Applying Artificial Intelligence to Nintendo Tetris |url=https://meatfighter.com/nintendotetrisai/ |website=Meat Fighter |access-date=December 4, 2021 |date=January 28, 2014 |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205023217/https://meatfighter.com/nintendotetrisai/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Outside of Nintendo-produced games, Mario has often appeared in third-party games on Nintendo consoles. Mario appears in ''[[Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes]]'' as a figurine alongside Yoshi.<ref name=":1" /> Mario appears as a playable character in the [[GameCube]] versions of ''[[NBA Street V3]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=2005-01-05 |title=Mario to hoop it up in NBA Street V3 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-to-hoop-it-up-in-nba-street-v3/1100-6115715/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050112112705/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/01/05/news_6115715.html |archive-date=2005-01-12 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>  and ''[[SSX on Tour]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Torres |first=Ricardo |date=2005-08-26 |title=SSX On Tour Character Spotlight: Mario, Luigi, and Peach |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ssx-on-tour-character-spotlight-mario-luigi-and-peach/1100-6132098/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060114224521/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/sports/ssx4/news.html?sid=6132098 |archive-date=2006-01-14 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> Mario also appeared in ''[[Minecraft]]'' as a skin alongside other characters in the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/16/11672668/nintendo-minecraft-super-mario-crossover-wii-u |title=Nintendo's new Minecraft mash-up is a love letter to Super Mario |first=Andrew |last=Webster |website=The Verge |date=May 16, 2016 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317172006/https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/16/11672668/nintendo-minecraft-super-mario-crossover-wii-u |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Monster Hunter 4]]'' included Mario as one of the free [[Downloadable content|DLC]] outfits alongside Luigi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/3/8340993/monster-hunter-4-ultimate-mario-luigi-sonic-dlc |title=Mario, Luigi and Sonic DLC comes to Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate today |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |website=Polygon |date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-date=April 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404183640/https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/3/8340993/monster-hunter-4-ultimate-mario-luigi-sonic-dlc |url-status=live }}</ref> The Wii U version of ''[[Scribblenauts Unlimited]]'' features Mario along with other ''[[Super Mario]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' characters; they are not present in the 3DS version of the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/19/3527828/scribblenauts-unlimited-super-mario-zelda-characters-wii-u |title=Scribblenauts Unlimited to feature Super Mario and Legend of Zelda characters on Wii U |first=Samit |last=Sarkar |website=Polygon |date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628012343/https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/19/3527828/scribblenauts-unlimited-super-mario-zelda-characters-wii-u |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldfarb |first=Andrew |date=2012-10-19 |title=Why Scribblenauts Unlimited's Nintendo Characters Aren't on 3DS |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/19/why-scribblenauts-unlimiteds-nintendo-characters-arent-on-3ds |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916164357/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/19/why-scribblenauts-unlimiteds-nintendo-characters-arent-on-3ds |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2011, [[Ubisoft]]{{'s}} ''[[Just Dance 3]]'' included "Mario" as a downloadable dance track, with Mario appearing to dance on-screen.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a355933/mario-dance-track-added-to-just-dance-3-watch-video/ |title='Mario' dance track added to 'Just Dance 3' - watch video |first=Matthew |last=Reynolds |website=Digital Spy |date=December 14, 2011 |access-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414205251/https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a355933/mario-dance-track-added-to-just-dance-3-watch-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==In other media==
{{see also|List of non-video game media featuring Mario}}
{{multiple image
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| alt1              = A photo of Lou Albano
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| alt2              = A photo of Bob Hoskins
<!--image 3-->| image3            = Chris Pratt 2018.jpg
| alt3              = A photo of Chris Pratt
<!-- Footer -->| footer            = [[Lou Albano]] and [[Bob Hoskins]] have portrayed Mario in live-action, and [[Chris Pratt]] voiced the character for ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''.
}}
The first appearance of Mario in media other than games was ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'', an animated television series produced by [[Ruby-Spears Productions]] in 1983.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/videos/the-evolution-of-mario-on-screen |title=The Evolution of Mario On Screen |work=IGN |date=April 9, 2023 |access-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302103102/https://www.ign.com/videos/the-evolution-of-mario-on-screen |url-status=live }}</ref> The 1986 [[original video animation]] ''[[Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!]]'' features Mario (voiced by [[Toru Furuya]]) as the protagonist.<ref>{{cite news |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |title=There was a Good Super Mario Bros. Movie. Let's Watch it! |url=https://kotaku.com/there-was-a-good-super-mario-bros-movie-lets-watch-it-5903602 |access-date=October 4, 2020 |work=Kotaku |date=April 19, 2012 |archive-date=October 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007131408/https://kotaku.com/there-was-a-good-super-mario-bros-movie-lets-watch-it-5903602 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Guinness World Records 2016: Gamer's Edition |date=2015 |publisher=Guinness World Records |isbn=978-1910561096 |page=155 |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_s1m3/page/154/mode/2up |access-date=October 4, 2020}}</ref> The animated series ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' features a live-action series of skits that stars former WWF manager [[Lou Albano|"Captain" Lou Albano]] as Mario and [[Danny Wells]] as Luigi.<ref>{{cite web |last=Bozon |first=Mark |date=January 25, 2006 |title=Super Mario Bros. Super Show! Volume 1 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/25/super-mario-bros-super-show-volume-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905023010/https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/01/25/super-mario-bros-super-show-volume-1 |archive-date=September 5, 2014 |access-date=March 7, 2024 |website=IGN}}</ref> Mario appeared in a book series, the [[Nintendo Adventure Books]]. The other two animated series, ''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' and ''[[Super Mario World (TV series)|Super Mario World]]'', star [[Walker Boone]] as Mario and [[Tony Rosato]] as Luigi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-08-13/animated-mario-shows-actor-walker-boone-passes-away/.176230 |title=Animated Mario Shows' Actor Walker Boone Passes Away |first=Alex |last=Mateo |work=Anime News Network |date=August 13, 2021 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-date=January 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240109070349/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-08-13/animated-mario-shows-actor-walker-boone-passes-away/.176230 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mario is portrayed by [[Bob Hoskins]] in the 1993 film loosely based on the ''Super Mario'' series, ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' In the film, he is the cynical older brother who takes great pride in being a plumber and is a parental figure to Luigi, portrayed by [[John Leguizamo]].<ref name="plotofmovie">{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/1993-super-mario-bros-movie-directors-what-went-wrong-1235574696/ |title=Original 'Super Mario Bros.' Directors Were 'Abandoned by Hollywood' After 'Reviled' 1993 Film. Then Quentin Tarantino Helped Vindicate Them |first=Ethan |last=Shanfeld |website=Variety |date=April 6, 2023 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214210236/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/1993-super-mario-bros-movie-directors-what-went-wrong-1235574696/ |url-status=live }}</ref> At first, he held no belief in unusual things happening, but meeting Daisy and taking a trip to Dinohattan soon changed his mind.<ref name="plotofmovie"/> Hoskins was ultimately cast to play the character after other choices fell out, such as [[Dustin Hoffman]] and [[Danny DeVito]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Lussier |first=Germain |date=September 2, 2014 |title=The Making of the 'Super Mario Bros.' Movie, From the Book 'Console Wars' |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/533603/super-mario-bros-movie-console-wars/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215224703/https://www.slashfilm.com/super-mario-bros-movie-console-wars/ |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=Slash Film}}</ref><ref name="SuperLarge">{{Cite news |last=Stayton |first=Richard |date=August 16, 1992 |title=The Bros. Mario Get Super Large |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-16-ca-6865-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190808005621/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-08-16-ca-6865-story.html |archive-date=August 8, 2019}}</ref><ref name="MarioTheMovie">{{Cite news |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=January 11, 1991 |title=Mario: The Movie |work=The Times-News |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6CAaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6519,1876640&dq=super+mario+bros+film+production&hl |access-date=June 22, 2018 |archive-date=August 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210829221646/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=6CAaAAAAIBAJ&pg=6519,1876640&dq=super+mario+bros+film+production&hl |url-status=live }}</ref> Hoskins had previously done multiple roles in children's films and kept suggesting changes to the script before he agreed to portray the character.<ref>Goodson Jr., William Wilson (June 1993). ''Nintendo Meets Bladerunner'', ''[[Cinefantastique]]''</ref> According to one of the films' directors, [[Annabel Jankel]], Hoskins was mainly considered due to his physical appearances.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Owen |first=Luke |url=https://www.schifferbooks.com/lights-camera-game-over-how-video-game-movies-get-made-6229.html |title=Lights, Camera GAME OVER!: How Video Game Movies Get Made |date=2017 |publisher=Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. |isbn=9780764353178|access-date=June 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613212634/https://www.schifferbooks.com/lights-camera-game-over-how-video-game-movies-get-made-6229.html |archive-date=June 13, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> In subsequent interviews, Hoskins considered the role his worst choice in his acting career, admitted to constantly drinking before and during filming, and noted that he was injured and almost died multiple times during production.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hattenstone |first=Simon |date=August 3, 2007 |title=The Method? Living it out? Cobblers! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/03/2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161216193111/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/03/2 |archive-date=December 16, 2016 |access-date=December 13, 2016 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Greenstreet |first=Rosanna |date=June 17, 2011 |title=Q&A: Bob Hoskins |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jun/18/bob-hoskins-interview-neverland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110021801/http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jun/18/bob-hoskins-interview-neverland |archive-date=November 10, 2013 |access-date=December 13, 2016 |website=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=O'Neill |first=Shane |date=March 15, 2020 |title=Super Mario Bros. The Movie: The Actor Who Almost Died On Set TWICE |url=https://screenrant.com/super-mario-bros-bob-hoskins-electrocuted-drowned-set/ |access-date=April 5, 2020 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |archive-date=March 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200316131451/https://screenrant.com/super-mario-bros-bob-hoskins-electrocuted-drowned-set/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mario is voiced by [[Chris Pratt]] in the 2023 film adaptation ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Movie]]'' and the 2026 film adaptation ''[[The Super Mario Galaxy Movie]]''.<ref name="g429">{{cite web | last=Henley | first=Stacey | title=Why Chris Pratt's Movie Mario Works | website=TheGamer | date=2023-04-05 | url=https://www.thegamer.com/chris-pratt-super-mario-bros-movie-voice-works/ | access-date=2024-11-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Jack |last2=Moreau |first2=Jordan |date=September 12, 2025 |title='Super Mario Bros. 2' Officially Titled 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/super-mario-galaxy-movie-sequel-1236515440/ |access-date=September 12, 2025 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Although American actor [[Sebastian Maniscalco]] originally auditioned to voice Mario in the 2023 film, he got the role of voicing Spike instead.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/sebastian-maniscalco-auditioned-mario-voice-role-stereotypical-italian-accent/ |title=Italian dad Sebastian Maniscalco auditioned for Mario voice role using stereotypical accent |first=Joey |last=Nolfi |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=May 26, 2023 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321182717/https://ew.com/movies/sebastian-maniscalco-auditioned-mario-voice-role-stereotypical-italian-accent/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film depicts him and Luigi as [[Italian-American]] plumbers who started their own business in [[Brooklyn]] after working for the antagonistic Foreman Spike, who supervises the Wrecking Crew.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/super-mario-bros-movie-foreman-spike-character-casting-history/ |title=Super Mario Bros. Movie: Who is Foreman Spike? |first=Matthew |last=Byrd |website=Den of Geek |date=August 11, 2021 |access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320114844/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/super-mario-bros-movie-foreman-spike-character-casting-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They attempt to fix a significant manhole leak reported in the news to make a name for themselves, only for the pipe to transport Mario to the Mushroom Kingdom and Luigi to the Dark Lands. Mario works with Peach, Toad, and later Donkey Kong to rescue Luigi and the Mushroom Kingdom from the tyrannical Bowser.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/super-mario-bros-movie-ending-explained/ |title='The Super Mario Bros. Movie' Ending Explained: So Many Galaxies to Explore |first=Julio |last=Bardini |website=Collider |date=February 18, 2024 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-date=May 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521073547/https://collider.com/super-mario-bros-movie-ending-explained/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Martinet makes cameo appearances in the film as Mario and Luigi's unnamed father and as Giuseppe,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/charles-martinet-stops-portaying-mario/ |title=Longtime Mario voice actor Charles Martinet is stepping away from the role |first=Tomas |last=Franzese |website=Digital Trends |date=August 21, 2023 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311052025/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/charles-martinet-stops-portaying-mario/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="polygonvoiceofmario">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/23670020/super-mario-bros-movie-charles-martinet-character-voice-roles |title=Charles Martinet's cameo role in The Super Mario Bros. Movie is perfect |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |website=Polygon |date=April 5, 2023 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406030333/https://www.polygon.com/23670020/super-mario-bros-movie-charles-martinet-character-voice-roles |url-status=live }}</ref> who appears in Brooklyn and resembles Mario's original design from ''Donkey Kong'', speaking in his in-game voice.<ref name="polygonvoiceofmario" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/chris-pratt-nintendo-direct-super-mario-bros-movie-cast-illumination-entertainment |title=Nintendo Direct: Chris Pratt Will Voice Mario in the Super Mario Bros. Movie |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |work=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |date=September 23, 2021 |access-date=September 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923223916/https://www.ign.com/articles/chris-pratt-nintendo-direct-super-mario-bros-movie-cast-illumination-entertainment |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref> In response to criticism of Pratt's casting, co-director [[Aaron Horvath]] explained that he was cast mainly because of his history of playing good-natured, [[blue collar]]-type protagonists.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=March 2, 2023 |title=Casting Chris Pratt as Mario Made 'Total Sense,' Directors Tell Baffled Fans: 'He's Really Good at Playing a Blue-Collar Hero' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/super-mario-movie-directors-defend-chris-pratt-voice-acting-1235540800/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230305033321/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/super-mario-movie-directors-defend-chris-pratt-voice-acting-1235540800/ |archive-date=March 5, 2023 |access-date=March 5, 2023 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

{{anchor|Reception and legacy}}

==Reception==
[[File:Supermario Kungsbacka.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of Mario in front of the offices of Nintendo's [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] distributor [[Bergsala]] in [[Kungsbacka]], Sweden]]
As Nintendo's mascot, Mario is widely considered to be the most famous video game character in history, and has been called an icon of the gaming industry.<ref name="History of Mario">{{cite web |title=Nintendo's Shining Star: The History of Mario |url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120154312/http://gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm |archive-date=January 20, 2016 |access-date=August 23, 2008 |publisher=Gamecubicle}}</ref><ref name="wired" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |date=February 13, 2009 |title=Is There a Bad Mario Game? |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/13/is-there-a-bad-mario-game |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101202543/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/02/13/is-there-a-bad-mario-game |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref> He has been featured in over two hundred video games.<ref name="History" /> Mario was one of the first video game character inductees at the [[Walk of Game]] in 2005, alongside [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] and [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Past Inductees 2005 Games / Characters |url=http://www.walkofgame.com/inductees/inductees2005.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121064109/http://www.walkofgame.com/inductees/inductees2005.html |archive-date=January 21, 2008 |access-date=February 21, 2008 |publisher=[[Walk of Game]]}}</ref> Mario was the first video game character to be honored with a wax figure in the [[Hollywood Wax Museum]] in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hollywood-wax-museum-adds-mario/1100-6085249/ |title=Hollywood Wax Museum adds Mario |first=Justin |last=Calvert |website=GameSpot |date=December 9, 2003 |access-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312123250/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hollywood-wax-museum-adds-mario/1100-6085249/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Kotaku]]'' writer Luke Plunkett had called Mario the most recognizable figure in the gaming industry, stating that, "Nintendo's mascot has been the most recognisable (and profitable) face this industry has ever - and will likely ever - see, almost single-handedly driving Nintendo through five whole generations of video game success".<ref>{{cite web |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=September 13, 2010 |title=Happy 25th Birthday, Super Mario Bros. |url=https://kotaku.com/happy-25th-birthday-super-mario-bros-5636283 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100921225033/http://kotaku.com/5636283/happy-25th-birthday-super-mario-bros |archive-date=September 21, 2010 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |publisher=Kotaku}}</ref> In 2010, ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' gave Mario the title "Godfather of gaming" and "longest-running computer game character" and stated, "Mario is still 'The Godfather' of gaming as the most successful and enduring character in an industry which is constantly evolving."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/guinness-crowns-mario-godfather-of-gaming/ |title=Guinness crowns Mario 'Godfather of gaming' |first=Don |last=Reisinger |website=[[CNET]] |date=May 21, 2010 |access-date=April 2, 2024 |archive-date=May 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508110521/https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/guinness-crowns-mario-godfather-of-gaming/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, a poll conducted by [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]] with around 4,000 respondents named Mario as the second most iconic video-game character of all time.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Ollie Reynolds |title=Random: BAFTA's 'Iconic Game Characters' Poll Has Us Scratching Our Heads |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/04/random-baftas-iconic-game-characters-poll-has-us-scratching-our-heads |work=Nintendo Life |date=April 3, 2024 |access-date=April 8, 2024 |archive-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404102422/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/04/random-baftas-iconic-game-characters-poll-has-us-scratching-our-heads |url-status=live }}</ref> Ben Lindbergh of ''[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]]'' described Mario as "the most iconic video character of all time", "the medium's most successful character", and "video-game-character equivalent of type-O blood" and also reported that Mario has the highest [[Q&nbsp;Score]] among video game characters, with Link, [[Pac-Man (character)|Pac-Man]], and [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]] being one of his closest competitors.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.theringer.com/2020/9/9/21428984/mario-spinoffs-franchises-kart-tennis-dr |title=More Than a Mustache: The Many Lives of Mario, Video Games' Most Malleable Mascot |first=Ben |last=Lindbergh |website=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] |date=September 9, 2020 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |archive-date=September 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200910145344/https://www.theringer.com/2020/9/9/21428984/mario-spinoffs-franchises-kart-tennis-dr |url-status=live }}</ref> Lucas M. Thomas of ''[[IGN]]'' defined Mario as "gaming's greatest athlete", noting, "He's too short, he's out of shape and he's wearing entirely the wrong kind of shoes, but somehow Nintendo's main man Mario has still managed to become gaming's greatest athlete. From the tennis court to the ballpark, from the soccer field to the golf course, the heroic plumber has spent years now filling the time in-between his princess-rescuing adventures with a grand variety of leisurely sports".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/13/mario-in-sports |title=Mario in Sports |author=Lucas M. Thomas |website=IGN |date=January 13, 2011 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209040422/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/01/13/mario-in-sports |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1990, a national survey found that Mario was more recognizable to American children than [[Mickey Mouse]].<ref name="Recentering Globalization">{{Cite book |last=Iwabuchi |first=Koichi |url=http://www.dukeupress.edu/Catalog/ViewProduct.php?productid=8083&viewby=title |title=Recentering globalization: Popular culture and Japanese transnationalism |date=November 8, 2002 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-2891-9 |page=30 |chapter=1. Taking Japanization seriously: Cultural globalization reconsidered |access-date=February 20, 2017 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k8ot27vLSV4C&pg=PA30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100709183746/http://www.dukeupress.edu/Catalog/ViewProduct.php?productid=8083&viewby=title |archive-date=July 9, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Coates |first=James |date=May 18, 1993 |title=How Super Mario conquered America |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-05-18-1993138174-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104073006/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1993-05-18-1993138174-story.html |archive-date=January 4, 2019 |access-date=January 3, 2019 |website=Baltimore Sun}}</ref> James Coates of ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' reported that, as author David Sheff notes, "In 1990, according to ‘Q’ ratings, Mario has become more popular than Mickey Mouse with American children" and he further mentions that his 9-year-old son is a Nintendo fan who is curious about what Mario is doing to the youth of America.<ref name=":0" /> In 2005, American musician [[Jonathan Mann (musician)|Jonathan Mann]] created an opera based on Super Mario Bros. and performed Mario Opera as a tribute to Shigeru Miyamoto.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/23/6059521/mario-opera-video-jonathan-mann |title=Watch the entire first act of the Mario Opera |author=Owen S. Good |website=Polygon |date=August 23, 2014 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |quote="I think it's a great show that anyone who grew up playing Mario will appreciate and enjoy, and there are moments that will give you genuine feels." |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328113454/https://www.polygon.com/2014/8/23/6059521/mario-opera-video-jonathan-mann |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://arcadesushi.com/mario-operas-history-revealed-by-its-creator-jonathan-mann/ |title=Mario Opera's History Revealed by its Creator, Jonathan Mann |first=Jon |last=Ledford |website=Arcade Sushi |date=August 25, 2014 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240328113453/https://arcadesushi.com/mario-operas-history-revealed-by-its-creator-jonathan-mann/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Salman Rushdie]], an Indian-born British-American novelist, was fond of Mario and his younger twin brother ''[[Luigi (character)|Luigi]]''. He also enjoyed playing ''[[Super Mario World]]'', which gave him the impression of having an enjoyment of life in comparison to the rest of the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/11/how-mario-helped-the-man-condemned-to-death-by-iran |title=How Mario Helped the Man Condemned to Death by Iran |first=Colin |last=Campbell |website=IGN |date=October 11, 2012 |access-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-date=February 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208152550/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/11/how-mario-helped-the-man-condemned-to-death-by-iran |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://themillions.com/2012/10/salman-rushdie-meets-super-mario.html |title=Salman Rushdie Meets Super Mario |first=Nina |last=Martyris |website=The Millions |date=October 8, 2012 |access-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-date=October 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012055558/https://themillions.com/2012/10/salman-rushdie-meets-super-mario.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/salman-rushdie-was-an-avid-super-mario-world-player-while-in-hiding |title=Salman Rushdie was an avid Super Mario World player while in hiding |first=Jeffrey |last=Matulef |website=Eurogamer |date=October 10, 2012 |access-date=April 4, 2024 |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205075426/https://www.eurogamer.net/salman-rushdie-was-an-avid-super-mario-world-player-while-in-hiding |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2023, a survey was taken by gaming website Cribbage Online on "Top 20 most-loved "Super Mario" franchise characters", which consisted of over 87,000 voters. According to the survey, Mario was placed third with 5,602 votes, while Luigi and ''[[Yoshi]]'' surpassed him with 5,771 votes and 6,084 votes, respectively.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/this-super-mario-character-is-more-beloved-than-mario-and-luigi-survey/ |title=This 'Super Mario' character is more beloved than Mario and Luigi: survey |first=Russell |last=Falcon |work=[[NewsNation]] |date=April 1, 2023 |access-date=April 15, 2024 |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401223401/https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/this-super-mario-character-is-more-beloved-than-mario-and-luigi-survey/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Cameron Sherrill of ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'' praised Mario's athletic skills in [[track and field]], noting, "This is where Mario comes to life. I mean, he goes against the blue guy who's literally famous for going fast. Plus, Mario is the platforming king—i.e. running and jumping—so it stands to reason that he’d be good at track and field".<ref name="mariosports" /> Philip Kollar and Allegra Frank of Polygon wrote in their review of ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'' that Mario plays an important role in making the game more pleasurable and special. They also wrote about Mario's legacy, stating that, "From a plumber to a doctor to a tennis star to, uh, a Goomba, Mario has endured. No, this will not be the last Mario game, but it is almost certain to be lauded as one of his best".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/26/16551724/super-mario-odyssey-review |title=Super Mario Odyssey review |last1=Kollar |first1=Philip |last2=Frank |first2=Allegra |website=Polygon |date=October 26, 2017 |access-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-date=October 26, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026214204/https://www.polygon.com/2017/10/26/16551724/super-mario-odyssey-review |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' gave Mario their "Coolest Mascot" award for 1996, calling him "an age-old friend".<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=March 1997 |title=The Best of '96 |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] |issue=92 |page=90}}</ref> ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' listed Mario as their favorite hero, citing his defining characteristics as his mustache, red cap, plumbing prowess, and his mushrooms.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Nintendo Power 250th issue! |url=https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-250-january-2010/page/40/mode/1up |year=2010  |location=[[South San Francisco, California|South San Francisco]], California |pages=40, 41}}</ref> In a poll conducted in 2008 by [[Oricon]], Mario was voted as the most popular video game character in Japan by both men and women, overtaking popular video game icons such as ''[[Final Fantasy]]''{{'s}} ''[[Cloud Strife]]'' and ''[[Metal Gear]]''{{'s}} ''[[Solid Snake]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Brian Ashcraft |date=August 23, 2008 |title=And Japan's Favorite Video Game Characters Are...? |url=http://kotaku.com/5035884/and-japans-favorite-video-game-characters-are |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509064520/http://kotaku.com/5035884/and-japans-favorite-video-game-characters-are |archive-date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=August 23, 2008 |publisher=Kotaku}}</ref> [[Yahoo! Japan]] held a poll between November 1, 2009, and October 31, 2010, to determine which video game character is more popular among readers. Mario won the poll with 9,862 votes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.siliconera.com/with-9862-votes-japans-most-popular-video-game-character-is/ |title=With 9,862 Votes, Japan's Most Popular Video Game Character Is… |website=Siliconera |publisher=Siliconera Staff |date=December 21, 2010 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327114907/https://www.siliconera.com/with-9862-votes-japans-most-popular-video-game-character-is/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Several publications have often compared Mario to ''[[Sega]]''{{'s}} mascot and iconic character, ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67157732 |title=Mario v Sonic: Rivals launch similar games in same week |first=Tom |last=Gerken |work=BBC |date=October 22, 2023 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321095308/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-67157732 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/super-mario-movie-can-learn-sonic-the-hedgehog/ |title=What the Super Mario Movie Can Learn from Sonic the Hedgehog |first=Shawn |last=Laib |website=Den of Geek |date=April 9, 2022 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321095308/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/super-mario-movie-can-learn-sonic-the-hedgehog/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://gamerant.com/mario-sonic-hedgehog-sega-nintendo-fight-win-lose/ |title=Mario Vs. Sonic The Hedgehog: Who Wins In A Fight? |first=Logan |last=Sawyer |website=Game Rant |date=October 10, 2021 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222164243/https://gamerant.com/mario-sonic-hedgehog-sega-nintendo-fight-win-lose/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mario also serves as an inspiration for ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]''{{'s}} origin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/-i-sonic-the-hedgehog-i-devs-explain-how-competing-with-mario-influenced-development |title=Sonic the Hedgehog devs explain how competing with Mario influenced development |first=Alissa |last=McAloon |website=Game Developer |date=May 15, 2018 |access-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-date=March 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240321095308/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/-i-sonic-the-hedgehog-i-devs-explain-how-competing-with-mario-influenced-development |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Legacy==
[[File:Cerimônia de encerramento dos Jogos Olímpicos Rio 2016 1039534-21082016- mg 8618 (cropped).jpg|thumb|150px|Japanese prime minister [[Shinzo Abe]] dressed as Mario at the [[2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2016/aug/22/japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-super-mario-rio-olympic-closing-ceremony |title=Why Japanese PM Shinzo Abe was dressed as Super Mario in Rio |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |archive-date=April 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422084313/https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2016/aug/22/japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-super-mario-rio-olympic-closing-ceremony |url-status=live }}</ref>]]

Mario has been established as a [[popular culture|pop culture]] icon<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230323-super-mario-bros-the-ultimate-video-game-icon |title=Super Mario Bros: The ultimate video game icon |first=Arwa |last=Haider |work=[[BBC]] |date=March 24, 2023 |access-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-date=March 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303084726/https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20230323-super-mario-bros-the-ultimate-video-game-icon |url-status=live }}</ref> and has appeared on lunch boxes, T-shirts, magazines, and commercials (notably in a [[Got Milk?]] commercial).<ref>Weiss, Jodi & Kahn, Russell (2004). In ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Mp0LRxu0ibsC&dq=%22got+milk%22+mario&pg=PA25 145 Things to Be When You Grow Up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613102809/https://books.google.com/books?id=Mp0LRxu0ibsC&pg=PA25&dq=%22got+milk%22+mario&ei=-_b0Sr7sG5PyNJ3B1YoF#v=onepage&q=%22got%20milk%22%20mario&f=false |date=June 13, 2016 }}''. Princeton Review Publishing. p. 25. {{ISBN|0-375-76369-4}}. Google Book Search. Retrieved November 6, 2009.</ref> Other products include cartoon shows, movies, books, hats, plush dolls, cereals, ice cream, bedding, kitchenware, clocks,<ref name="History of Mario" /> purses, cufflinks, wallets, mugs, art prints, boxers, [[Lego]] sets, coaster sets, [[Hot Wheels]] sets, stationery sets, and board games.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.empireonline.com/shopping/gaming/best-super-mario-merchandise/ |title=The Best Super Mario Merchandise |first=William |last=Lobley |magazine=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |date=February 11, 2021 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |archive-date=March 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325085726/https://www.empireonline.com/shopping/gaming/best-super-mario-merchandise/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/best-super-mario-gifts/ |title=Best Super Mario gifts and merchandise to buy for all ages in 2024 |first=Jason |last=Murdock |magazine=[[Radio Times]] |date=March 8, 2024 |access-date=March 25, 2024 |archive-date=March 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325085726/https://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/best-super-mario-gifts/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mario has inspired unlicensed paintings,<ref>{{cite web |title=10 Works of Art Inspired By ''Super Mario Bros.'' |work=Pixelated Geek |date=April 29, 2009 |url=http://pixelatedgeek.com/2009/04/10-works-of-art-inspired-by-super-mario-bros/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502101518/http://pixelatedgeek.com/2009/04/10-works-of-art-inspired-by-super-mario-bros/ |archive-date=May 2, 2009 |access-date=May 5, 2009 }}</ref> performances on [[talent show]]s such as ''[[India's Got Talent]]'',<ref>{{cite web |last=Ashcraft |first=Brian |date=July 13, 2009 |title=India's Got Mario Talent |url=https://kotaku.com/indias-got-mario-talent-5313073 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509044656/http://kotaku.com/5313073/indias-got-mario-talent |archive-date=May 9, 2013 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |website=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> short films,<ref>{{cite web |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=December 23, 2011 |title=32 Nintendo Fans made these 8 Short Movies in 24 Hours |url=https://kotaku.com/32-nintendo-fans-made-these-8-short-movies-in-24-hours-5870843 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222083354/http://kotaku.com/5870843/32-nintendo-fans-made-these-8-short-movies-in-24-hours/ |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |publisher=Kotaku}}</ref> and web series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://laughingsquid.com/mario-warfare-new-live-action-military-mario-brothers-web-series/ |title=Mario Warfare, New Live-Action Military Mario Brothers Web Series |first=Justin |last=Page |website=Laughing Squid |date=December 12, 2012 |access-date=April 12, 2024 |archive-date=December 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214012617/https://laughingsquid.com/mario-warfare-new-live-action-military-mario-brothers-web-series/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The character has been present in a number of works created by third parties other than Nintendo, such as in the [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] video game ''[[Platform Panic]]'', in which one of the purchasable skins is a reference to him.<ref>{{cite web |last=Spencer |first=Spanner |date=December 30, 2014 |title=Platform Panic Review: Infinite Platforms, Infinite Pleasure |url=http://www.gamezebo.com/2014/12/30/platform-panic-review-infinite-platforms-infinite-pleasure/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808195102/http://www.gamezebo.com/2014/12/30/platform-panic-review-infinite-platforms-infinite-pleasure/ |archive-date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=July 4, 2016 |website=Gamezebo}}</ref> ''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'', an [[Action-adventure game|action-adventure]] video game created by [[Ubisoft]], features a reference to the ''Super Mario'' series. The game's protagonist, ''[[Ezio Auditore da Firenze]]'', gets attacked on the road; his uncle saves him and introduces himself by saying Mario's iconic catchphrase, "It's a-me, Mario!"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://gamerant.com/assassins-creed-2-super-mario-reference-ezio-uncle-good/ |title=Nothing in the Franchise Has Topped Assassin's Creed 2's Super Mario Reference |first=Alex |last=Brown |website=Game Rant |date=January 11, 2023 |access-date=April 2, 2024 |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111212229/https://gamerant.com/assassins-creed-2-super-mario-reference-ezio-uncle-good/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', a [[massively multiplayer online role-playing game]] created by [[Blizzard Entertainment]], features two non-playable characters named Muigin and Larion, who are references to Mario and Luigi. It also features a jumpbot that resembles Mario's appearance.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/the-hidden-references-in-world-of-warcraft/3/ |title=The hidden references in World of Warcraft |author=PC Gamer_US |website=GamesRadar+ |date=October 23, 2009 |access-date=April 13, 2024 |archive-date=August 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821112532/https://www.gamesradar.com/the-hidden-references-in-world-of-warcraft/3/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many people and places have been named or nicknamed after Mario. [[Bergsala]], the distributor of Nintendo's products in the [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] and the [[Baltic countries]], is located at Marios Gata 21 (Mario's Street 21) in [[Kungsbacka]], Sweden, named after Mario.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bergsala AB, Contact page |url=http://www.nintendo.se/kontakt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817232653/http://www.nintendo.se/kontakt |archive-date=August 17, 2010 |access-date=June 24, 2013 |language=Swedish}}</ref> Many sports stars, including [[Bundesliga]] [[Association football|football]] players [[Mario Götze]]<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rubio |first=Alberto |last2=Winterburn |first2=Chris |date=August 4, 2021 |title=Gotze is back to being Super Mario with PSV Eindhoven |url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/champions-league/2021/08/04/610a96e8268e3e62388b45c0.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327131351/https://www.marca.com/en/football/champions-league/2021/08/04/610a96e8268e3e62388b45c0.html |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |work=[[Marca (newspaper)|Marca]]}}</ref> and [[Mario Gómez]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/mario-gomez-10-things-vfb-stuttgart-germany-bayern-munich-wolfsburg-besiktas-2786-1287 |title=Mario Gomez: 10 things on VfB Stuttgart's legendary striker |work=Bundesliga |date=June 29, 2020 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327131351/https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/mario-gomez-10-things-vfb-stuttgart-germany-bayern-munich-wolfsburg-besiktas-2786-1287 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[National Hockey League]] player [[Mario Lemieux]],<ref>{{cite web |first=Larry |last=Schwartz |title=Mario was super despite the obstacles |url=https://www.espn.com/sportscentury/features/00016068.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205205621/http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016068.html |archive-date=February 5, 2009 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |work=ESPN}}</ref> [[Football in Italy|Italian footballer]] [[Mario Balotelli]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Leicester|first=John|title=Super Mario: Euro 2012: Super Mario Balotelli on target to finish as top scorer|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1219106--euro-2012-super-mario-balotelli-on-target-to-finish-as-top-scorer|work=[[Toronto Star]]|date=June 29, 2012|access-date=September 23, 2022|archive-date=September 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120904161848/http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/1219106--euro-2012-super-mario-balotelli-on-target-to-finish-as-top-scorer|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=John F. |title=England's F.A. Charges Mario Balotelli Over Racist Posting |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/06/sports/soccer/englands-fa-charges-mario-balotelli-over-racist-posting.html |access-date=September 23, 2022 |work=The New York Times |date=December 5, 2014 |archive-date=September 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923183121/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/06/sports/soccer/englands-fa-charges-mario-balotelli-over-racist-posting.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Italian cyclist [[Mario Cipollini]], and American former footballer [[Mario Williams]] have been given the nickname "Super Mario".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Abt |first=Samuel |date=July 1, 1996 |title=Super Mario Comes Up Short |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/01/sports/IHT-super-mario-comes-up-short.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311131936/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/07/01/sports/IHT-super-mario-comes-up-short.html |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |work=The New York Times|via=International Herald Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/mario-williams-man-of-steel-2673598 |title=Mario Williams: Man of Steel |author=Michael A. Lutz |work=Houston Texans |date=December 1, 2009 |access-date=April 11, 2024 |archive-date=August 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805142935/https://www.houstontexans.com/news/mario-williams-man-of-steel-2673598 |url-status=live }}</ref> In a suburb of the Spanish city of [[Zaragoza]], streets were named after video games, including "Avenida de Super Mario Bros."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shoichet |first=Catherine E. |date=November 8, 2010 |title=Spanish neighborhood unveils 'Super Mario' street |work=CNN|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/08/spain.super.mario.subdivision/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=August 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831040822/http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/08/spain.super.mario.subdivision/index.html |archive-date=August 31, 2018}}</ref>

Mario's legacy is recognized by ''[[Guinness World Records]]'', who awarded the Nintendo mascot, and the series of platform games he has appeared in, seven world records in the ''Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008.'' These records include "Best Selling Video Game Series of All Time", "First Movie Based on an Existing Video Game", and "Most Prolific Video Game Character", with Mario appearing in 116 original games.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec00guin_0 |title=Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition 2008 |date=March 11, 2008 |publisher=Guinness |isbn=978-1-904994-21-3 |editor-last=Craig Glenday |series=[[Guinness World Records]]}}</ref> In 2009, ''Guinness World Records'' listed him as the second most recognizable video game character in the United States, recognized by 93 percent of the population, second only to Pac-Man, who was recognized by 94 percent of the population.<ref>{{cite news |last=Turi |first=Tim |title=Gain Knowledge From Guinness 2010 Gamer's Edition |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/12/21/gear-guinness-2010-gamer-s-edition-has.aspx |access-date=December 13, 2021 |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |date=December 21, 2009 |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213102329/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2009/12/21/gear-guinness-2010-gamer-s-edition-has.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, readers of ''Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition'' voted Mario as the top video game character of all time.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Marchiafava |first=Jeff |date=February 16, 2011 |title=Guinness Names Top 50 Video Game Characters Of All Time |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/02/16/guinness-names-top-50-video-game-characters-of-all-time.aspx |url-status=live |access-date=February 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201201521/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/02/16/guinness-names-top-50-video-game-characters-of-all-time.aspx |archive-date=February 1, 2012}}</ref> In 2018, Charles Martinet, voice actor of Mario, received the ''Guinness World Record'' for most video game voice-over performances as the same character.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2018/12/14/charles-martinet-attains-world-record-for-most-video-game-voiceovers-as-one-character |title=Charles Martinet Attains World Record For Most Video Game Voiceovers As One Character |first=Imran |last=Khan |magazine=Game Informer |date=December 14, 2018 |access-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-date=March 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240314170035/https://www.gameinformer.com/2018/12/14/charles-martinet-attains-world-record-for-most-video-game-voiceovers-as-one-character |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mario appeared in the [[2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony]] to promote the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] in [[Tokyo]]. In a pre-recorded video, the prime minister [[Shinzo Abe]] became Mario to use a [[Warp pipe]] planted by [[Doraemon (character)|Doraemon]] from [[Shibuya#Shibuya Crossing|Shibuya Crossing]] to [[Maracanã Stadium]]. Abe then appeared dressed as Mario in an oversized Warp Pipe in the middle of the stadium.<ref name="TIME">{{Cite news |last=Samuelson |first=Kate |date=August 22, 2016 |title=Shinzo Abe Dresses as Super Mario for Rio Closing Ceremony |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |url=https://time.com/4460923/super-mario-japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822100538/http://time.com/4460923/super-mario-japan-prime-minister-shinzo-abe/ |archive-date=August 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Palazzo |first=Chiara |date=August 22, 2016 |title=Shinzo Abe emerges from a green pipe disguised as Super Mario during Rio Closing Ceremony |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2016/08/22/shinzo-abe-emerges-from-a-green-pipe-disguised-as-super-mario-du/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822025340/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/olympics/2016/08/22/shinzo-abe-emerges-from-a-green-pipe-disguised-as-super-mario-du/ |archive-date=August 22, 2016}}</ref> This segment was favorably well received as playful and tasteful in Japan, resulting in giving Abe the nickname "Abe-Mario".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/super-mario-marketing-op-in-rio-cost-nintendo-how-much-zero/ |title=Super Mario marketing op in Rio cost Nintendo how much? Zero |first=Yuri |last=Kageyama |website=The Seattle Times |date=September 1, 2016 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329201746/https://www.seattletimes.com/business/super-mario-marketing-op-in-rio-cost-nintendo-how-much-zero/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{anchor|Mario Day}}Mario Day is celebrated on March 10,<ref>{{cite news |last=Kim |first=Dan |title=It's-A Mario Day! 4 Deals to Save Your Ninten-dough. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/money/nintendo-deals-mario-day/ |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=March 10, 2020 |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310191624/https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/money/nintendo-deals-mario-day/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Burkhardt |first=Kai |title=Wa-hoo! Celebrate Mario Day with deals on games, toys and more |url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/cnn-underscored/mario-day-deals-sales/index.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=CNN Underscored |date=March 10, 2020 |archive-date=April 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413173206/https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/10/cnn-underscored/mario-day-deals-sales/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> as when that date is presented as ''Mar 10'' it resembles the word "Mario".<ref>{{cite web |title=Fun Holiday – Mario Day |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/mario-day |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312032355/https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/fun/mario-day |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |access-date=March 9, 2017 |publisher=Time And Date}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |last=Werner |first=Dani |title=Jump-start your week with some items of interest |date=March 7, 2016 |url=http://www.startribune.com/jump-start-your-week/371088501/ |work=[[Star Tribune]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312032128/http://www.startribune.com/jump-start-your-week/371088501/ |access-date=March 9, 2017 |archive-date=March 12, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2016 the day has been officially observed by Nintendo,<ref>{{cite news |last=Webb |first=Jack |title=Happy Mario Day 2020 – Everything you need to know |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/gaming/super-mario-day-2020-date-celebrated-a4383241.html |access-date=March 4, 2021 |work=[[Evening Standard]] |date=March 10, 2020 |archive-date=April 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420230456/https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/gaming/super-mario-day-2020-date-celebrated-a4383241.html |url-status=live }}</ref> who celebrates the day annually by promoting ''Mario'' games and holding ''Mario''-related events.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Burch |first=Jennifer |date=March 9, 2018 |title=Nintendo celebrates Mario Day with panache |work=Nintendo Wire |url=https://nintendowire.com/news/2018/03/09/nintendo-celebrates-mario-day-panache/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180314042331/https://nintendowire.com/news/2018/03/09/nintendo-celebrates-mario-day-panache/ |archive-date=March 14, 2018}}</ref> In March 2018, [[Google Maps]] collaborated with Nintendo for the celebration of Mario Day. By tapping on a yellow ? Block, the navigation arrow changes into Mario, who drives his Pipe Frame kart from the ''Mario Kart'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://venturebeat.com/mobile/google-maps-marks-mario-day-by-adding-a-super-mario-kart-to-your-navigation/ |title=Google Maps marks Mario Day by adding a Super Mario Kart to your navigation |first=Paul |last=Sawers |website=VentureBeat |date=March 9, 2018 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329205948/https://venturebeat.com/mobile/google-maps-marks-mario-day-by-adding-a-super-mario-kart-to-your-navigation/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/9/17099556/mario-google-maps-mario-day |title=Mario invades Google Maps to help you avoid bananas while driving |first=Tom |last=Warren |website=The Verge |date=March 9, 2018 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-date=April 8, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230408221654/https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/9/17099556/mario-google-maps-mario-day |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/a851909/google-maps-mario-time-nintendo-mario-day-update/ |title=Google Maps now lets Super Mario drive you along your route |first=Louise |last=McCreesh |website=Digital Spy |date=March 9, 2018 |access-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329205909/https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/a851909/google-maps-mario-time-nintendo-mario-day-update/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2024, American actor [[Gaten Matarazzo]] teamed up with Nintendo to celebrate that year's Mario Day.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2024/shopping/news/best-mario-day-deals-1235929572/ |title='Stranger Things' Actor Gaten Matarazzo Teams Up With Nintendo for Mario Day |first=Rudie |last=Obias |work=Variety |date=March 8, 2024 |access-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309000843/https://variety.com/2024/shopping/news/best-mario-day-deals-1235929572/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/travel/mario-day-nintendo-stranger-things-gaten-matarazzo |title=The Essentials List: 'Stranger Things' star Gaten Matarazzo on Mario Day, Nintendo and his must-have travel products |first=Mike |last=Andronico |work=CNN Underscored |date=March 8, 2024 |access-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-date=March 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309145005/https://edition.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/travel/mario-day-nintendo-stranger-things-gaten-matarazzo |url-status=dead }}</ref>

A Mario balloon is to be featured as part of the 2025 [[Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade]]. Designed in a pose reminiscent to how he flies in ''Super Mario Galaxy'', Nintendo of America's [[Executive vice president|EVP]] of revenue, marketing, and consumer experience [[Devon Pritchard]] stated that the decision for Mario to join the parade was "to honour the 40th anniversary of ''Super Mario Bros.''".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/mario-40-anniversary-balloon-macy-thanksgiving-day-parade/|title=Mario descends on New York City during Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade next month|last=Manchester|first=Austin|date=October 24, 2025|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|access-date=October 24, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/10/mario-is-getting-his-own-balloon-at-the-99th-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade|title=Mario Is Getting His Own Balloon At The 99th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade|last=Reynolds|first=Ollie|date=October 24, 2025|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|access-date=October 24, 2025}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
* [[List of Mario franchise characters|List of ''Mario'' franchise characters]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline|Mario (character)}}
* {{Wikiquote-inline|Mario (franchise)|Mario}}
* {{Official website|https://mario.nintendo.com/}}
{{Nintendo franchises}}
{{Mario franchise}}
{{Donkey Kong}}
{{Super Smash Bros.}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Action game characters]]
[[Category:Animated human characters]]
[[Category:Corporate mascots]]
[[Category:Donkey Kong characters]]
[[Category:Fantasy film characters]]
[[Category:Fantasy video game characters]]
[[Category:Fictional American people in video games]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from New York City]]
[[Category:Fictional characters who can change size]]
[[Category:Fictional explorers in video games]]
[[Category:Fictional hammer fighters]]
[[Category:Fictional Italian people in video games]]
[[Category:Fictional male sportspeople]]
[[Category:Fictional physicians]]
[[Category:Fictional plumbers]]
[[Category:Male characters in advertising]]
[[Category:Male characters in animated films]]
[[Category:Male characters in animated television series]]
[[Category:Male characters in video games]]
[[Category:Mario (franchise) characters]]
[[Category:Mascots introduced in 1981]]
[[Category:Role-playing video game characters]]
[[Category:Fictional shapeshifters]]
[[Category:Super Smash Bros. fighters]]
[[Category:Twin characters in video games]]
[[Category:Video game characters introduced in 1981]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with fire or heat abilities]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with superhuman strength]]
[[Category:Video game mascots]]
[[Category:Japanese mascots]]
[[Category:Fictional characters from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Fictional racing drivers]]
[[Category:Fantasy (genre) adventurers]]
[[Category:Fictional construction workers]]
[[Category:Fictional artists]]
[[Category:Fictional pilots]]
[[Category:Fictional pharmacists]]
[[Category:Fictional motorcyclists]]
[[Category:Fictional aviators]]
[[Category:Fictional characters with ice or cold abilities]]