Mario : le plombier légendaire de Nintendo

Mario: Nintendo's Legendary Plumber

1687 mots | Temps de lecture : 8 minute(s)

Mario is arguably the most famous video game character in history. Created by visionary game designer Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo, he debuted in 1981 in Donkey Kong, under the name "Jumpman". Since then, he has become the official face of video games worldwide, appearing in a multitude of genres: platformers, racing, sports, RPGs, educational games… Mario is everywhere. And he is loved by all.

Summary

Mario's Origins: Between Arcade and Legacy

It all starts with Donkey Kong (1981), an arcade game where a small, anonymous character must rescue a young woman, Pauline, from a giant gorilla. This character, who jumps over barrels, was quickly nicknamed "Jumpman". Miyamoto gave him a cap (to avoid animating his hair), a mustache (for better visibility on screen), and red overalls (to contrast with the scenery).

The name "Mario" appeared shortly after, in homage to Mario Segale, the landlord from whom Nintendo of America rented its warehouse. In 1983, he officially became a New York plumber, accompanied by his brother Luigi, in Mario Bros..

The Super Mario Bros. Revolution (1985)

With Super Mario Bros. on NES, released in 1985, Nintendo redefined platforming games. The game introduced a coherent world, progressive levels, accessible but deep mechanics, and an unforgettable artistic direction.

The plot is simple but effective: Mario must rescue Princess Peach from the formidable Bowser. But it's the gameplay, Koji Kondo's music, and the secrets hidden in every corner that make it legendary. This game laid the groundwork for modern game design.

Mario's Iconic Abilities and Items

Mario is not a violent hero, but an agile and inventive adventurer. Throughout the games, he gains unique transformations and tools:

  • Jump: His basic attack, remarkably precise.
  • Super Mushroom: Enlarges Mario and gives him an extra life.
  • Fire Flower: Allows him to throw fireballs.
  • Super Star: Mario becomes invincible for a few seconds.
  • Costumes: Tanooki Mario, Frog Mario, Cat Mario, Propeller Mario, Hammer Mario, Boo Mario… Each costume introduces new gameplay mechanics.

Mario's Visual and Sound Evolution

Mario smoothly transitioned from an 8-bit sprite to 3D modeling. His voice, provided by Charles Martinet since the 90s, became iconic with his "Let's-a go!" and "Wahoo!". Martinet voiced Mario for nearly 30 years before passing the torch in 2023, while remaining an official ambassador for the character.

The Series' Great Classics

  • Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988/1990) – One of the most complete 8-bit games, with a world map and various costumes.
  • Super Mario World (SNES, 1990) – Introduction of Yoshi and an interconnected world. A masterpiece of level design.
  • Super Mario 64 (N64, 1996) – The first true free-roaming 3D platformer, revolutionizing 3D gameplay.
  • Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007) – Dynamic gravity and an orchestral masterpiece.
  • Super Mario Odyssey (Switch, 2017) – Open world à la Mario, with varied transformations via Cappy.

Spin-off Games and Experimentations

Mario is also a star in various genres:

  • Mario Kart – Since 1992, this arcade racing series has been a multiplayer staple.
  • Mario Party – Mini-games for family or friends since 1998.
  • Mario Sports – Mario Tennis, Golf, Strikers… fun, technical, and addictive.
  • Dr. Mario – A Tetris-like puzzle game, released in 1990.
  • Paper Mario & Mario RPG – Funny, deep, and stylized role-playing games.
  • Super Mario Maker – The player becomes a level creator, a massive success with the community.

Mario and His Allies

  • Luigi – His faithful brother, hero of Luigi’s Mansion.
  • Peach – The princess of the Mushroom Kingdom, sometimes playable in Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Princess Peach, and Wonder.
  • Yoshi – Loyal dinosaur, Mario's mount but also hero of his own series.
  • Toad – Small but fast, often Peach's assistant or protagonist in Captain Toad.
  • Bowser – Main antagonist, Bowser Jr.'s father, sometimes a temporary ally (notably in Super Mario RPG).

Mario in Movies, Parks, and Beyond

After a much-criticized live-action film in 1993, Mario made a successful return to cinema in 2023 with an animated film produced by Nintendo and Illumination. The Super Mario Bros. Movie shattered box office records with over a billion dollars in revenue, becoming the highest-grossing film based on a video game in history.

In the real world, Mario is also at the heart of Super Nintendo World: themed areas opened in Japan and the United States, allowing visitors to explore interactive worlds in the style of Mario Kart or real-life platformers.

Mario, a Gaming Philosophy

Mario's success is not just due to his popularity. He embodies a game design philosophy: learning through experience, introducing one idea per level, and maintaining a fluid progression curve. His games are accessible to beginners, but masterable at a very high level. He is a symbol of immediate yet profound pleasure.

Mario's Cultural Influence

  • Mario was inducted into the Video Game Hall of Fame in 2015.
  • He has been named a "cultural icon" in Japan, appearing on stamps, at festivals, and in educational campaigns.
  • The Super Mario Bros. theme is one of the most recognized game music tracks in the world.
  • Mario has been mentioned in countless shows, parodies, memes, and works of art.

Mario Anecdotes

  • Mario was almost named "Mr. Video".
  • His profession as a plumber was chosen to explain the pipes in the first game.
  • He was also a carpenter in Donkey Kong and a doctor in Dr. Mario.
  • Level 1-1 of Super Mario Bros. is studied in game design schools.

Why is Mario an Icon?

  • Universality: Played on all continents, by all generations.
  • Simple yet rich design: Easy to recognize, easy to love.
  • Constant innovation: Mario evolves with his time without ever betraying his essence.
  • Omnipresent: Games, movies, toys, music, eSports events… Mario is everywhere.

To delve deeper into the character, discover why Mario is called Mario, our 20 surprising anecdotes, and how the physics of his jump redefined platforming.

Recap: Mario

First Appearance Donkey Kong (1981), as Jumpman
Creator Shigeru Miyamoto, for Nintendo
Profession / Role New York plumber, hero of the series (from 1983)
Name Origin Homage to Mario Segale, owner of Nintendo of America's warehouses
Voice Actor Charles Martinet from the 90s until 2023
Notable Games Super Mario Bros. (1985), Mario 64 (1996), Galaxy (2007), Odyssey (2017)
Recent Film The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), over 1 billion dollars in revenue

🍄 Want to extend the adventure? Discover our Mario plush toys in the shop.

FAQ

  • Who created Mario?
    Mario was created by game designer Shigeru Miyamoto for Nintendo. He made his debut in 1981 in Donkey Kong, where he was first nicknamed Jumpman.
  • Why is Mario called that?
    The name Mario is a tribute to Mario Segale, the owner of Nintendo of America's warehouses. The character officially became a New York plumber in 1983 in Mario Bros.
  • What are Mario's iconic items?
    The Super Mushroom (which makes him grow), the Fire Flower (to throw fireballs), and the Super Star (which makes him invincible for a few seconds). His jump remains his basic attack.
  • Who voices Mario?
    Charles Martinet has voiced Mario since the 90s, famous for his "Let's-a go!" and "Wahoo!". He embodied the character for nearly 30 years before passing the torch in 2023, while remaining an official ambassador.
  • Was The Super Mario Movie successful?
    Yes. Released in 2023 and produced by Nintendo and Illumination, The Super Mario Bros. Movie surpassed one billion dollars in revenue, becoming the highest-grossing film based on a video game in history.

Conclusion

Mario is not just a Nintendo mascot. He is the symbol of video games as a whole. A hero of a thousand faces, he embodies the evolution of a medium, limitless creativity, and the joy of gaming. As long as video games exist, Mario will continue to jump, explore, and unite players worldwide.

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