Mario: Nintendo's legendary plumber and king of video games

1271 mots | Temps de lecture : 6 minute(s)

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

Mario's Origins: Between Arcade and Legacy

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

The name " Mario " appeared shortly after, in homage to Mario Segale , owner of Nintendo of America's warehouses. In 1983, he officially became a New York plumber , accompanied by his brother Luigi , in Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. Revolution (1985)

With Super Mario Bros. on the NES , released in 1985, Nintendo redefined platform games. The game introduced a coherent world , progressive levels , accessible yet deep mechanics, and unforgettable art direction .

The story is simple but effective: Mario must save Princess Peach from the fearsome 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 foundations for modern game design .

Mario's Iconic Abilities and Items

Mario isn't a violent hero, but an agile and inventive adventurer . Over the course of the games, he gains unique transformations and tools:

• Jump : His basic attack, with formidable precision.
• Super Mushroom : Makes Mario bigger and gives him an extra life.
• Fire Flower : Allows you to throw fireballs .
• Super Star : Mario becomes invincible for a few seconds.
• Costumes : Tanuki Mario, Frog Mario, Cat Mario, Propeller Mario, Hammer Mario, Ghost Mario… Each costume introduces new game mechanics.

Graphical and sound evolution of Mario

Mario seamlessly transitioned from 8-bit sprites to 3D modeling . His voice, provided by Charles Martinet since the 1990s, has become a cult classic with his trademark " Let's-a go! " and " Wahoo! " Martinet played Mario for nearly 30 years before passing the torch in 2023, while remaining the character's official ambassador.

The great classics of the series

• Super Mario Bros. 3 (NES, 1988/1990) – One of the most comprehensive 8-bit games, with a world map and various costumes.
• Super Mario World (SNES, 1990) – Introducing Yoshi and an interconnected world. A masterpiece of level design.
• Super Mario 64 (N64, 1996) – First true free-to-play 3D platform game, revolutionizing 3D gameplay.
• Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, 2007) – Dynamic gravity and orchestral masterpiece.
• Super Mario Odyssey (Switch, 2017) – Mario-style open world, with various transformations via Cappy .

Derivative games and experiments

Mario is also a star in various genres:

• Mario Kart – Since 1992, this arcade racing series has been a multiplayer mainstay.
• Mario Party – Mini-games for family and friends since 1998.
• Mario Sports – Mario Tennis, Golf, Strikers… fun, technical and addictive .
• Dr. Mario – Tetris-like puzzle game, released in 1990.
• Paper Mario & Mario RPG – Funny , deep and stylish role-playing games.
• Super Mario Maker – The player becomes the 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 the hero of his own series.
• Toad – Small but fast, often Peach's assistant or the protagonist in Captain Toad .
• Bowser – Main antagonist, father of Bowser Jr., sometimes temporary ally (notably in Super Mario RPG ).

Mario in theaters, parks and beyond

After a critically acclaimed first live-action film in 1993, Mario returned to theaters in 2023 with a successful animated film produced by Nintendo and Illumination . The Super Mario Bros. Movie exploded at the box office, grossing over $1 billion, becoming the highest-grossing video game-based film in history.

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

Mario, a gaming philosophy

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

Mario's cultural influence

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

Mario Trivia

• Mario almost called himself " Mr. Video ."
• His job 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 .
• Super Mario Bros. Level 1-1 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 the times without ever betraying his essence.
• Omnipresent presence : Games, cinema, toys, music, eSports events… Mario is everywhere.

Conclusion

Mario isn't just a Nintendo mascot. He's the symbol of gaming as a whole. A hero with a thousand faces, he embodies the evolution of a medium , boundless creativity , and the joy of play . As long as gaming exists, Mario will continue to jump , explore, and unite players around the world.