Mario Mario is an international Progressive Pioneering Superstar. This simple plumber from New York City has become quite literally the most popular video game character ever! Along with his fraternal twin brother Luigi (who is in the midst of his own breakout career with a new game for the Nintendo Switch titled Luigi’s Mansion 3).
Mario Mario (or simply Mario as he is known to his fans) had his debut in the 1981 Nintendo video game Donkey Kong. Back then, he went by the alias of Jumpman. His career was just starting out, and he wasn’t sure how to brand himself at the time.
“It was a crazy era of video games back then,” Mario remarks, “The graphics were a scant eight by eight pixels. I wasn’t even given much to do, just run around trying to save my girlfriend, Pauline, from that mischievous ape. I had to beg just to be able to be allowed to actually jump, which was ironic since my character’s name was Jumpman!”
However, in no time, Mario became an overnight sensation throughout the golden age of video games back in the eighties, racking up such titles as Donkey Kong Junior; Super Mario Bros. 1, 2, and 3; and Super Mario Land 1 & 2.
Sadly, he and Pauline broke up citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the dissolution of their romantic relationship. However, when one door closes and another opens: and so it was that Mario met and wooed Princess Peach on the set of Super Mario Bros—which some theorize may have been the reason for Mario and Pauline’s breakup.
Mario’s work however has transcended virtually all forms of media from video games, television, film, to theme parks. From 1981 to the present, Mario has appeared in over 250 video games ranging from his own titles to guest appearances in works, such as the Legend of Zelda series and Minecraft.
On television, Mario has appeared in Saturday Supercade and the Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
And there was even a documentary made of iconic adventurer in the movie Super Mario Bros. where he was portrayed by the famed English actor Bob Hoskins (with John Leguizamo portraying Luigi).
“It’s been a heck of a lot of work over the decades,” Mario muses. “Sometimes I find myself really needing a long break. However, I know my fans really enjoy my work—especially the kids—so that’s what keeps me going year after year. Luigi and I do it for them, not us. And that’s the most rewarding part of the job.”
Mario’s best friend (whom he affectionately calls his “creator”), Shigeru Miyamoto, had this to say about him, “Mario is my favorite out of all characters that I ever created. He is my age‐old friend.”
Mario is so popular that even world leaders like Japan’s prime minister, Shinzō Abe, attended the 2016 Olympics closing ceremonies holding a replica of Mario’s signature red cap!
Mario, and his brother Luigi, continue to push the envelope of the gaming world as they blaze new trails revolutionizing all digital media while giving their fans endless hours of wonderful entertainment.