Introduction
Mario, the hero and most beloved plumber of the Mushroom Kingdom, has captured the hearts of many gamers, young and old, for over four decades. Since his debut in the early 1980s, he has transformed from a simple arcade video game character into a cultural icon phenomenon recognized worldwide. As we near the end of 2024, we will explore the small bits and pieces of Mario's incredible journey, from his beginnings in the arcade industry to his prominent role in modern gaming and entertainment. So, without further ado, let's get started with The Evolution of Mario: From the 1980s to 2024.
"Let's-a go!"
The Birth of Mario: 1981-1985
Mario debuted in Donkey Kong, an arcade game released by Nintendo in 1981. In this arcade classic, players took on the role of "Jumpman," a full-time self-employed carpenter from New York. Speaking of location, I don't live too far away from him. Where am I located, you ask? I will never tell you, silly! Now let's get back to the topic of our man Mario, shall we?
Mario's goal is to rescue his girlfriend, "Lady" (later renamed Pauline), from the antagonist ape and Mario's pet, Donkey Kong, a "stupid gorilla" that comes with a significant temper. The early 1980s arcade game introduced the storyline of Mario, a courageous man in his mid-20s who is always eager to confront any challenge that comes his way.
Mario debuted in Donkey Kong, an arcade game released by Nintendo in 1981. In this arcade classic, players took on the role of "Jumpman," a full-time self-employed carpenter from New York. Speaking of location, I don't live too far away from him. Where am I located, you ask? I will never tell you, silly! Now let's get back to the topic of our man Mario, shall we?
Mario's goal is to rescue his girlfriend, "Lady" (later renamed Pauline), from the antagonist ape and Mario's pet, Donkey Kong, a "stupid gorilla" that comes with a significant temper. The early 1980s arcade game introduced the storyline of Mario, a courageous man in his mid-20s who is always eager to confront any challenge that comes his way.
Donkey Kong - 1981: Mario's first video game appearance
Unfortunately, Nintendo experienced some hardships in its business shortly after the release of Donkey Kong. The video game crash of 1983 was to blame. Nintendo survived two years of hell from the dreaded video game crash. How did Nintendo get back up onto their feet? The release of the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) and Super Mario Bros. The NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) and Super Mario Bros. were responsible for bringing back our favorite hobby. All I can say is that I am forever grateful, and you should be too.
What is the plot of the hit 1985 classic? Mario has stumbled across the beautiful world of the Mushroom Kingdom. Sadly, the Mushroom Kingdom was under attack by Koopa (currently known as Bowser) and his evil army. The princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Toadstool (Princess Peach as of the present), has been captured by the game's main villain and used his evil magic to turn all the Toads, the Mushroom Kingdom guards, into bricks. It was up to Mario to save Princess Toadstool and all the Toads and restore peace to the Mushroom Kingdom. With the aid of power-ups such as the Super Mushroom, Fire Flower, and Super Star, Mario will successfully put an end to the baddies of the Mushroom Kingdom. For now, anyway.
Super Mario Bros. - 1985: Mario begins his journey to rescue Princess Toadstool
The game's engaging mechanics and creative design paved the way for a franchise that would continue to evolve and innovate throughout time. It sold over 40 million copies worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling games in history.
The expansion of Mario's world: 1986-1995
After the success of Super Mario Bros., Nintendo has taken the Mario universe to a whole new level. Super Mario Bros. 2 came out in Japan in 1986.
Super Mario Bros. 2 (Japan) - 1986: Original box art
Due to the game's difficulties on Western audiences, North America received a different version of Super Mario Bros. 2 in 1988 (Super Mario USA in Japan), which includes the same graphics and similar gameplay as a Japan-only release, Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic (Doki Doki Panic, for short).
Super Mario Bros. 2 cover photo (left) and Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic cover photo (right)
As you can see in the two cover photo designs above, the one on the left showcases the cover photo of the North American version of Super Mario Bros. 2, while the cover photo to the right showcases Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic. They may look alike, but their plots are far from alike—still, they are great games and are extremely fun to play. The good news is that North America would later get the chance to play the original Super Mario Bros. 2. In 1993, the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros. 2 was first introduced in North America on the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System) release of Super Mario All-Stars under the name Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels.
Japan welcomed Super Mario Bros. 3 in 1988, along with North America's release in February of 1990 (the year of my birth), introducing new power-ups and a new world map feature. Super Mario Bros. 3 included new and memorable characters such as the Koopalings: Larry, Morton, Wendy, Iggy, Roy, Lemmy, and Ludwig. Here's a fun fact: The Koopalings got the previously mentioned names in the 1991 release of Super Mario World (1990 in Japan). However, they did receive different names in the early 90s cartoon The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3, which only aired for one season. I believe Super Mario Bros. 3 is a true gem in the Super Mario Bros. series and has grown in graphical sophistication, showcasing catchy music and appealing animation.
Super Mario Bros. 3 - 1988: Raccoon Mario ventures through World 1
Mario also branched out into other spin-off titles, including Dr. Mario, a puzzle game released for the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) in October 1990, selling over 6 million copies worldwide. He also starred in the top-rated video game Mario Kart, where players raced in high-speed karts to claim first place and become the best racer in the Mushroom Kingdom. The Mario Kart series became a cornerstone of multiplayer gaming, appealing to Mario fans of all ages.
Super Mario Kart - 1992: Mario wields the finish flag
The 3D revolution: 1996-2002
The 1996 launch of Super Mario 64 forever changed the platform gaming world. In Super Mario 64, players can explore a new world in stunning 3D graphics. Players can navigate Mario through expansive environments, ranging from battlefields to being high up in the clouds surrounded by beautiful rainbows while collecting Power Stars, a valuable item used to defeat the powerful Bowser and rescue Princess Peach and the Toads trapped within the walls of Princess Peach's castle.
Super Mario 64 - 1996: Mario avoids a Chain Chomp
Critics praised Super Mario 64 for its intuitive controls and engaging design, making it a textbook example for future game developers. The speedrunning community also considers Super Mario 64 one of the best Mario games for speedrunning. The success of Super Mario 64 helped establish Mario as a leader in the gaming industry.
In 2002, Super Mario Sunshine launched on the Nintendo GameCube with improved graphics and fun (sometimes frustrating) gameplay enjoyed by many Mario fans. After being falsely accused of vandalism caused by Bowser and his son Bowser Jr., Mario came across a water-spouting device named F.L.U.D.D (stands for Flash Liquidizer Ultra Dousing Device), which gave him the assistance needed to clean up the island and stop the devilish father-son duo from claiming Princess Peach as Bowser Jr.'s mother.
Super Mario Sunshine - 2002: Mario battles Petey Piranha
The modern era and diverse genres: 2003-2010
The 2000s saw a whole new change in Mario's games. In 2004, Nintendo released Super Mario 64 DS, a sequel to the Nintendo DS with extra bonuses such as playing Luigi, Yoshi, and Wario. Super Mario 64 DS also introduced exciting new levels and even super fun mini-games.
Super Mario 64 DS - 2004: Yoshi confronts King Goomba
New Super Mario Bros. for the Nintendo DS, released in 2006, marked Mario's return to 2D gameplay in the 2000s. New Super Mario Bros. featured updated graphics and mechanics, attracting nostalgic players and newcomers. New Super Mario Bros. has proven to be a fantastic success, selling over 30 million copies worldwide.
New Super Mario Bros. - 2006: Mario explores the water worlds
Mario also starred in various sports and party games during this era. Popular titles like Mario Kart Wii, Mario Power Tennis, and Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour allowed players to experience Mario in competitive settings. These games introduced user-friendly controls, appealing to both casual and experienced gamers.
In 2007, Super Mario Galaxy launched on the Nintendo Wii with inventive gameplay and stunning graphics. It is one of the best video games released on the Nintendo Wii console. Three years later, its sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2, introduced new power-ups and challenges that enhanced the gameplay experience.
Super Mario Galaxy - 2007: Mario acquires a Power Star
Super Mario Galaxy 2 - 2010: Mario and Yoshi flying in the air
A new generation: 2011-2024
In 2012, Nintendo first launched the Nintendo Wii U with games like Super Mario 3D World and Mario Party 10. We all can't forget about the highly accepted title, Super Mario Maker, a game that gave players the ability to create their own Mario-themed levels from classic games such as Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, as well as the Nintendo Wii U's very own released New Super Mario Bros. U.
Super Mario Maker - 2015: Original cover photo
In 2017, Super Mario Odyssey launched on the Nintendo Switch as the console's debut Mario game. Super Mario Odyssey allowed Mario to travel worldwide while collecting Power Moons along with his partner, Cappy. Mario's goal was to collect Power Moons, a powerful item used to bring peace back into all the world's kingdoms, such as Cascade Kingdom, Sand Kingdom, and New Donk City, to name a few. Mario can also wear fabulous costumes like a wedding suit (and dress), a zombie suit, a skeleton suit, and even his underwear. Another job Mario had to do was crash the wedding of Bowser and Princess Peach, which sounds harsh, but that was what happened in simple terms. All in all, players praised Super Mario Odyssey for its creative mechanics and diverse environments. Super Mario Odyssey has won Game of the Year awards, illustrating the game's broad appeal to many gamers worldwide.
Super Mario Odyssey - 2017: Mario explores the Cascade Kingdom
The 2020s continue to celebrate Mario's legacy. Remastered classic titles like Super Mario 3D All-Stars and Super Mario RPG for the Nintendo Switch and the optional paid subscription, Nintendo Switch Online, allow fans new and old to enjoy the charm of past nostalgic games.
Mario's impact outside gaming
Mario's influence has proved to be more than just video games. He has become a cultural phenomenon, appearing in TV shows, movies, and merchandise. Despite its poor reception, the 1993 Super Mario Bros. film (the movie I try to avoid talking about) highlighted the potential for video games in Hollywood cinema. The newly released 2023 Super Mario Bros. Movie from the animation studio Illumination has generated much excitement and anticipation, promising to introduce Mario to a new generation of gamers and bring in new fans.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie - 1993: John Leguizamo as Luigi (left) and Bob Hoskins as Mario (right)
The Super Mario Bros. Movie - 2023: Mario meets Princess Peach
Moreover, Mario serves as Nintendo's primary mascot, symbolizing the growth and direction of the gaming industry. His impact is seen in numerous games, inspiring classic gameplay styles and storytelling.
The Future of Mario: Conclusion
Mario has become a cornerstone of gaming culture, from his arcade roots to his evolution in modern video game genres. His journey reflects technological advances and the enduring power of creativity in entertainment.
As Nintendo continues to improve, Mario's future is so bright that you gotta wear shades. Whether through new games, adaptations, or cultural endeavors, Mario will continue leaping toward new adventures. Mario is more than just a video game character; he also embodies true joy, nostalgia, and endless possibilities that video games can bring. As we look ahead, the excitement surrounding Mario's future is palpable.
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"We're the Mario Brothers, and plumbin's our game!" - Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989)
Note: Credit for the use of images and external links used belong to their original owners.