Peach, Pauline, Daisy: Mario's Female Characters

AnalysisPaulinePrincess Peach

From the 1981 damsel in distress to the mayor of New Donk City. This analysis follows forty years of female roles in the Mario series: Pauline as early as Donkey Kong in 1981, Peach in 1985, Daisy in 1989, Birdo in 1988, Toadette in 2003 and Rosalina in 2007. It shows how each one went from being a mere plot objective to a fully fledged playable character.

While the world of Super Mario revolves mostly around the famous mustachioed plumber, the female characters around him have left their own mark on video game history too. From Pauline, the very first damsel in distress, to Peach, the royal icon, all the way to Daisy, the sporty princess with a fiery temper, each of them has gone through a striking evolution. Their roles have shifted from passive figures to playable characters, heroines and leaders.

Contents

• Pauline: the forgotten pioneer turned mayor
• Peach: the iconic princess who takes charge
• Daisy: the energetic princess of the kingdom of Sarasaland
• Other female figures: Rosalina, Toadette, Birdo
• Timeline of the major female characters
• FAQ
• Conclusion

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Pauline: the forgotten pioneer turned mayor

Pauline is the first woman in the Mario universe to appear, right from Donkey Kong (1981), where she is kidnapped by the gorilla and rescued by Jumpman (the future Mario).

From damsel in distress to woman of influence

• 1981 – Donkey Kong: Pauline embodies the classic “damsel in distress” figure.
• 2006 – Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis: she is the guest of honour at the opening of the Super Mini Mario World park, before being kidnapped by Donkey Kong.
• 2017 – Super Mario Odyssey: a triumphant comeback as mayor of New Donk City and charismatic singer (“ Jump Up, Super Star! ”).

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Peach: the iconic princess who takes charge

Peach Toadstool becomes the central female figure right from Super Mario Bros. (1985), where she is captured by Bowser. But her role changes a great deal over the decades, moving from passive princess to active protagonist.

Her key steps towards emancipation

• 1988 – Super Mario Bros. 2: her first time as a playable character, with the unique ability to float.
• 2005 – Super Princess Peach: Peach becomes the heroine and saves Mario and his friends, with gameplay built around her emotions.
• Since the 2000s: she is playable in every spin-off and in Super Mario 3D World.
• 2024 – Princess Peach: Showtime!: a solo game where Peach takes on several heroic roles on the stage.

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Daisy: the energetic princess of the kingdom of Sarasaland

Daisy first appears in Super Mario Land (1989, Game Boy), where Mario sets off to rescue her. But unlike Peach, she is quickly defined by an outgoing temperament.

A princess unlike any other

• 2000 – Mario Tennis (Nintendo 64): Daisy returns with a bolder, more athletic personality.
• 2000 – 2020: She becomes a must-have in the sports, kart and party games.
• 2022 – Mario Strikers: Battle League: Daisy shows off a combative, strong-willed attitude.
• 2023 – Super Mario Bros. Wonder: playable in a mainline platform game.

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Other female figures: Rosalina, Toadette, Birdo

Rosalina – The mysterious star

• First appearance: Super Mario Galaxy (2007)
• Role: Guardian of the universe, spiritual guide of the Lumas
• Traits: wisdom, emotional distance, an almost motherly figure

Toadette – The resourceful one transformed

• First appearance: Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003)
• Role: Toad's companion, explorer in Captain Toad
• Standout moment: her transformation into Peachette thanks to the Super Crown in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe

Birdo – An ambiguous, cult figure

• First appearance: Super Mario Bros. 2 (1988)
• Role: boss, then playable character in the spin-offs
• Notable detail: often read as a transgender character, she has become an icon for the LGBTQ+ community within the fandom

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Timeline of the major female characters

Character	First appearance	Landmark game	Notable evolution
Pauline	1981 – Donkey Kong	2017 – Super Mario Odyssey	Mayor of New Donk City
Peach	1985 – Super Mario Bros.	2024 – Princess Peach: Showtime!	Heroic, versatile protagonist
Daisy	1989 – Super Mario Land	2023 – Super Mario Bros. Wonder	Playable character in a mainline game
Rosalina	2007 – Super Mario Galaxy	2014 – Smash Bros. Wii U	Guardian of the universe, a mystical figure
Toadette	2003 – Mario Kart: Double Dash!!	2019 – Captain Toad + Peachette	Evolution thanks to the Super Crown
Birdo	1988 – Super Mario Bros. 2	2003 – Mario Kart: Double Dash!!	A queer symbol within the saga

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FAQ – Female characters of the Mario universe

• Is Peach still a princess waiting to be saved?
  No. She is now the heroine in several games, including Super Princess Peach and Showtime!
• Is Daisy Peach's sister or cousin?
  No. They are friends but come from different kingdoms: Peach from the Mushroom Kingdom, Daisy from Sarasaland.
• Who is Peachette?
  A transformation of Toadette via the Super Crown, introduced in New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.
• Is Pauline the same character as in Donkey Kong?
  Yes. Nintendo made her return as mayor canon in Odyssey, with a continuity it fully embraces.

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Conclusion

Long confined to passive roles, Pauline, Peach and Daisy have established themselves as true pillars of the Mario universe. Their evolution reflects not only the way audience expectations have changed, but also Nintendo's growing determination to offer active, charismatic and varied female characters. Today they are no longer simply tied to Mario — each one has her own path and her own audience.

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