Where Did Mario Come From? (1981-1983)
Mario first appeared in the arcade game Donkey Kong (1981). He wasn't know as "Mario" then, simply as "Jumpman." It was a simple game; Jumpman was climbing a construction site in order to save his girlfriend Pauline. Along the way, he had to jump over barrels, grab Pauline's belongings, and reach the ugly ape in one piece. The jumping mechanic alone set this game apart (games were primitive in those days). Mario was created by Shigeru Miyamoto, a young Japanese Manga artist at the time. With Donkey Kong's success, Miyamoto moved on to create another game with Jumpman. However, Miyamoto wanted this game to be a two-player game, so he added another mustachioed man to the mix; he changed Jumpman's name to Mario, and the other one was his brother, Luigi. The game was called The Mario Bros, and involved these two plumbers knocking bad guys (which ranged from bees to crabs) off the screen completely. The game was released in the arcades in 1983 and was another huge success. But with the Famicom coming out in Japan and the Nintendo Entertainment System coming out in the US, Miyamoto set his sights on making a Mario game for the new system.
The Super Mario Bros. (1985-1990)
In 1985, The Super Mario Bros. was released for the Famicom and the NES. I cannot stress the importance and impact of this game in the world of video gaming. The game was a huge adventure, the likes of which had never been seen on a home console. Mario and Luigi ran and jumped through eight vibrant worlds, worlds full of strange creatures, hidden power-ups, secret levels, and much more. SMB, more than any game, set the standard of what a video game should be.
Super Mario Bros. 2 was released in 1988 in the US, although the original SMB 2 was later discovered under the name The Lost Levels because Miyamoto thought it would be too difficult for American gamers (and he was right!). SMB 2 was radically different from its predecessor; you can now choose between four characters (Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad) and the worlds felt more like something from The Arabian Knights. Still, the game was a success and was able to propel the Super Mario Bros. into their greatest adventure yet.
Super Mario Bros. 3 was released for the NES in 1990, and proved to be the greatest of the trilogy. Mario was introduced to incredible new power-ups, a bright world map, toad houses to get prizes, and the diabolical Koopa Kids! SMB 3 brought the series to new heights with some of the best platforming you'll ever see in a video game.
Super Mario Bros. 2 was released in 1988 in the US, although the original SMB 2 was later discovered under the name The Lost Levels because Miyamoto thought it would be too difficult for American gamers (and he was right!). SMB 2 was radically different from its predecessor; you can now choose between four characters (Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool, and Toad) and the worlds felt more like something from The Arabian Knights. Still, the game was a success and was able to propel the Super Mario Bros. into their greatest adventure yet.
Super Mario Bros. 3 was released for the NES in 1990, and proved to be the greatest of the trilogy. Mario was introduced to incredible new power-ups, a bright world map, toad houses to get prizes, and the diabolical Koopa Kids! SMB 3 brought the series to new heights with some of the best platforming you'll ever see in a video game.
Mario Leaps into 16-Bit (1991-1996)
1991 ushered in the Super NES and the golden age of gaming, as the SNES would be host to the best games in every genre. A launch title for the system was the next Mario game, called Super Mario World. Mario was aided in his quest by Yoshi, his dinosaur companion. A magic feather allowed Mario to don a cape and soar to new heights in style! The game proved to be beyond expectation, and has gone down in history as one the best Mario games (some even say that it is the best).
In 1993, a SMB collection was released for the SNES called Super Mario All-Stars. The game included SMB 1, 2, 3, and The Lost Levels in one cartridge! And if that wasn't enough, the graphics and music were enhanced to glorious 16-bit quality. It was every Mario fan's dream come true.
The SNES was also host to several educational Mario games. This included Mario is Missing! (1992), Mario's Early Years: Fun with Letters/Numbers/Preschool Fun (1993), and Mario's Playschool (1994). Mario was becoming quite the icon.
In 1996, Mario was thrust into a new role when he starred in his very own RPG. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars competed even with the likes of Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. The adventure was huge, the cast was lovable, and the game felt like a Mario game! It was Mario like you had never seen him before.
In 1993, a SMB collection was released for the SNES called Super Mario All-Stars. The game included SMB 1, 2, 3, and The Lost Levels in one cartridge! And if that wasn't enough, the graphics and music were enhanced to glorious 16-bit quality. It was every Mario fan's dream come true.
The SNES was also host to several educational Mario games. This included Mario is Missing! (1992), Mario's Early Years: Fun with Letters/Numbers/Preschool Fun (1993), and Mario's Playschool (1994). Mario was becoming quite the icon.
In 1996, Mario was thrust into a new role when he starred in his very own RPG. Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars competed even with the likes of Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. The adventure was huge, the cast was lovable, and the game felt like a Mario game! It was Mario like you had never seen him before.
Mario Jumps into 3D (1996-2000)
3D was the big thing in 1996. Nintendo's new console, along with the Sony Playstation, was a showcase of 3D gaming. With the launch of the Nintendo 64 came a brand new Mario game, one which looked and felt completely different from its predecessors for one main reason: it was 3D! Mario was now free to roam around a 3D environment, unhampered by space. Super Mario 64 proved to be a landmark title; it gave the blueprint for the 3D platformer.
Mario went on to star in many games which bore his name, such as Mario Kart 64, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, and even Mario Party. Mario was certainly getting around. And he showed no signs of slowing down, as he continued to star in games; he was in sports games, RPGs, party games, and even found some time to hang out with his Nintendo buddies in Super Smash Bros. (1999). With so much going on, Mario needed a vacation. . .
Mario went on to star in many games which bore his name, such as Mario Kart 64, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis, and even Mario Party. Mario was certainly getting around. And he showed no signs of slowing down, as he continued to star in games; he was in sports games, RPGs, party games, and even found some time to hang out with his Nintendo buddies in Super Smash Bros. (1999). With so much going on, Mario needed a vacation. . .
Mario Takes a Vacation (2001-2006)
When Nintendo's new console is released in 2001 (the Gamecube), Mario does not star in the launch title. Instead, Luigi does! Luigi's Mansion proved to be a different kind of game, receiving mixed reviews from critics and gamers alike. And where was Mario? He was on vacation in Delfino Isle! No wonder Luigi got the spot-light! Hey, even Mario gets tired after awhile. But Mario won't get too much rest on Delfino Isle; soon Princess Peach is captured, and he has to rescue her. Super Mario Sunshine ended up being a black sheep amidst all the other Mario games. It feels repetitive and not quite as fun as the other titles; it feels different, and that's not always a bad thing, right?
Mario returns from his vacation only to find an old nemesis waiting for him. Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2004) for Game Boy Advance brought the old duo back together again, tasking the robust plumber to make his way through puzzling stages and defeat the grumpy ape.
Mario and Luigi returned in style in 2006 as they reprised their roles in New Super Mario Bros. for DS. A new coat of paint had been added as the adventure played like the original, yet felt refreshingly new.
Mario returns from his vacation only to find an old nemesis waiting for him. Mario vs. Donkey Kong (2004) for Game Boy Advance brought the old duo back together again, tasking the robust plumber to make his way through puzzling stages and defeat the grumpy ape.
Mario and Luigi returned in style in 2006 as they reprised their roles in New Super Mario Bros. for DS. A new coat of paint had been added as the adventure played like the original, yet felt refreshingly new.
Mario Goes to Space! (2007-2009)
In 2007, Mario realized that his life had been pretty boring. He had saved the princess countless times, raced for the sheer fun of it, played a myriad of sports, and what did he have to show for all of it? So he decided to spruce his life up a bit. . . by going into space! With Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007) a whole new adventure was to be had! Mario freely ran on planets, spun around in space, and chased Bowser to the end of the galaxy. Oh, did I forget to mention that Peach had been captured again? My bad. Yeah, that was the real reason Mario went into space. Galaxy was another landmark Mario title; it felt amazing to take the plumber to new heights. Nothing but praise issued forth for the game, Nintendo Power even naming it "The Game of the Decade."
In 2009, Mario and Lugi got together again to save the Princess; but this time those annoying toads came with them. New Super Mario Bros. Wii added 4-person multiplayer to the Mario Bros. formula, and the game ended up being a huge hit with gamers. It was something Nintendo had never done before. Thus ended the decade of the '00s, and Mario's busiest decade for sure. But rest assured, his busiest decade is just ahead.
In 2009, Mario and Lugi got together again to save the Princess; but this time those annoying toads came with them. New Super Mario Bros. Wii added 4-person multiplayer to the Mario Bros. formula, and the game ended up being a huge hit with gamers. It was something Nintendo had never done before. Thus ended the decade of the '00s, and Mario's busiest decade for sure. But rest assured, his busiest decade is just ahead.
One Busy Plumber (2010-Present)
Mario is one busy plumber! Any spare time he gets is spent playing tennis or baseball with his buds. He is summoned again to space for another round with the evil Bowser in Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii, 2010). Seriously, Bowser does not know when to quit. Maybe he'll quit after getting his butt kicked for the second time in space. With one nemesis out of the way, Mario has to tackle another one in Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! (DS, 2010). Then Mario jumps into a new handheld adventure in 2011 with Super Mario 3D Land. Once that adventure is out of the way, he joins Luigi again as they have another round of goomba-stompin', block-boppin', shell-kickin', princess-savin' goodness in New Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS, 2012). And very soon the Mario Bros. will be joined by those annoying toads again in New Super Mario Bros. U (2012, Wii U). And yet, between the busyness of Mario's schedule, he finds time to record for the Mario Bros. Show. Come on, folks, let's give him a good hearty "Mama Mia!" Ah, Mario, we love you, mustache and all!