Character: Mario
Franchise/Universe: Super Mario / Nintendo Universe
First Appearance: Donkey Kong (Arcade, 1981)
Creator(s): Shigeru Miyamoto
Character Type: Hero / Platformer Protagonist
Iconic Quote: “It’s-a me, Mario!”
Mario Overview
Mario is the iconic, mustachioed plumber who has become the global symbol of video gaming. Created by Shigeru Miyamoto, Mario made his first appearance in the 1981 arcade classic Donkey Kong, where he was originally known as “Jumpman.” Since then, he has grown into a cultural juggernaut, leading one of the most successful and beloved franchises in gaming history. Living in the vibrant Mushroom Kingdom, Mario is known for his brave rescues of Princess Peach from the clutches of the menacing Bowser, his unmatched jumping ability, and his unwavering optimism. While often battling evil Koopas and Goombas, Mario is also a man of many hobbies—he races in karts, plays tennis and golf, competes in the Olympics, and even moonlights as a doctor.
Throughout four decades of gaming evolution, Mario has adapted to every era, from the pixelated platforms of the NES to expansive 3D worlds on the Nintendo Switch. His games consistently define and redefine genres, introducing generations of players to the joy of exploration, creativity, and fun. Mario is more than just a character—he is the heartbeat of Nintendo and the face of the gaming world.
Top 10 Mario Fun Facts
- Mario was originally called “Jumpman” in Donkey Kong.
- He’s canonically a plumber from Brooklyn, New York.
- His full name is Mario Mario (as confirmed in The Super Mario Bros. Movie).
- He has appeared in every Summer Olympic Games video game since 2008.
- Mario has starred in over 200+ titles across Nintendo consoles.
- The red hat and mustache were designed to simplify 8-bit animation.
- He’s voiced by Charles Martinet since Super Mario 64 (1996).
- Super Mario Bros. for the NES is one of the best-selling games of all time.
- Mario’s power-ups range from Fire Flowers to Tanooki Suits to Cat Bells.
- He is Nintendo’s official company mascot.
Voice Actor for Mario
- Charles Martinet (1996–2023, video games)
- Kevin Afghani (2023–present, video games)
- Chris Pratt (The Super Mario Bros. Movie, 2023)
Mario’s Key Powers / Abilities / Skills
- Super Jumping Ability: Able to leap with extraordinary height and precision
- Power-Up Mastery: Utilizes Fire Flowers, Super Stars, Tanooki Suits, Cat Bells, and more
- Versatile Athlete: Competes in kart racing, tennis, golf, baseball, and Olympic events
- 3D Platforming Precision: Acrobatics in all dimensions of gameplay
- Quick Reflexes and Puzzle Solving: Navigates complex environments with ease
- Multilingual Appeal: Though he speaks in a faux Italian accent, Mario is universally understood and loved
Visual Evolution
- 1981–1985: Appeared as a blocky 8-bit sprite with a red cap and overalls in Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros.
- 1988–1995: Refined into a 16-bit version with more detail in Super Mario World and handheld games
- 1996–2005: 3D debut in Super Mario 64, followed by smoother models in Sunshine and Galaxy
- 2010–2020: Polished, vibrant look in Odyssey, 3D World, and the New Super Mario Bros. series
- 2023: Received a cinematic redesign for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, blending realism with tradition
Famous Story Arcs & Games
- Super Mario Bros. (1985) – The platforming revolution that saved gaming
- Super Mario 64 (1996) – A landmark in 3D platforming
- Super Mario Galaxy (2007, 2010) – Cosmic platforming with inventive gravity mechanics
- Super Mario Odyssey (2017) – A globe-trotting, sandbox-style adventure
- Dr. Mario (1990) – A puzzle game starring Mario as a virus-busting doctor
- Mario Kart Series (1992–present) – The king of arcade-style racing
- Mario Party Series (1998–present) – Multiplayer chaos and mini-game madness
- Super Mario RPG / Paper Mario / Mario & Luigi Series – Showcasing Mario’s humorous and narrative-rich RPG adventures
Trivia on Mario
- His original profession wasn’t a plumber—in Donkey Kong, Mario was portrayed as a carpenter. He only became a plumber when the setting switched to pipes in Super Mario Bros.
- Mario was named after a real person—Nintendo of America’s landlord, Mario Segale.
- He has over 200 game appearances, more than any other video game character in history.
- Mario’s signature mustache was a workaround for graphical limitations in the early arcade era—it helped distinguish facial features in pixel art.
- He once fought in a boxing ring—Mario served as the referee in Punch-Out!! for the NES.
- Mario and Luigi are twins, though Luigi is canonically younger by a few minutes.
- Mario has battled Bowser over 30 times, making their rivalry one of the longest-running in video game history.
- He starred in a live-action film in 1993, portrayed by Bob Hoskins, long before the 2023 animated reboot.
- Mario’s favorite food is spaghetti, according to various game manuals and cartoons.
- He holds a Guinness World Record for being the most successful video game character of all time.
Related Characters
- Luigi (younger brother)
- Princess Peach (love interest and rescue subject)
- Bowser (arch-nemesis)
- Toad (faithful ally)
- Yoshi (companion dinosaur)
