Mario

Mario is the main character of the Super Mario series and Nintendo's primary mascot. Normally a plumber, in the game series Mario uses his legendary jump and combat abilities to defend the peaceful inhabitants of Mushroom World from power-hungry villains such as Bowser. While not adventuring, Mario participates in a variety of sporting events and other fun activities with his brother Luigi and a whole cast of friends from his many adventures.

Mario has currently appeared in three crossover titles alongside Sonic: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games, Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games. In these games, he is voiced by Charles Martinet, who also voices Luigi, Wario, Waluigi , Baby Mario , & Baby Luigi.

Early Rivalry
Nintendo was once business rivals with Sega; this rivalry peaked during the 16-bit era (the era of the Super Nintendo and SEGA Genesis). As such, Nintendo and Sega often attempted to put each other down through their games. Examples include Sonic's appearance in Donkey Kong Country 2, below, and the blue hedgehog enemies of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island. In the Sonic children's book, Secret Admirer, there is a sign outside Robotropolis that reads "No Nintendo Game Playing".

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest
Mario was the top ranking heroe who took on Cranky Kong's video game hero challenge in Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest. He placed in the top three (along with Yoshi and Link or Diddy Kong depending on how well the player ranked). At the time of this game Nintendo and SEGA were bitter rivals in the console wars, thus Nintendo placed Sonic's shoes next to a trash can labeled "No Hopers". (Earth Worm Jim's Gun is also there.)

At the Olympic Games


Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games is the first official cross-over between the worlds two most popular video game characters. In this game, Mario comes as an all around character along with Luigi, Amy and Blaze. His emblem is the red trademark "M" that he has worn on his hat for so many years. He is returning for the anticipated sequel Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.

Bio

This persistent little plumber developed his skills chasing down a big ape. Now he's taking his All-Around skills to the Olympic Games, where his running and jumping experience should come in more than handy in events like the high jump and hurdles.

Continued Rivalry

Mario and Sonic are both the world's top video game heroes. They both seem to have a competitive relationship with each other since Sonic was created. Sonic appears to be Mario's friend instead of a complete rival, but they both have issues with ending conflict with each other (show in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games TV ads). Example: In the first TV spot, Sonic figures out that Mario gets intimidated by him making fun of him on TV. In the second TV spot, Mario tries wetting poor Sonic up with the hose, knowing that Sonic hates water. This still continues on in TV spots 3 threw 6. But they still appear to be good friends this shown in the a commercial for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games where they give each other a high five.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Making his 3rd playable appearance in the ''Smash Bros. Series, Mario is the lead character and in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. He is middle weight and very well balanced having a good compromise between speed, agility and strength.''



Special Moves
 * Standard: Fireball
 * Side: Cape
 * Up: Super Jump Punch
 * Down: F.L.U.D.D.
 * Final Smash: Mario Finale

Trophy Info.

''A familiar overall-clad figure who is Nintendo's flagship character. His courage and jumping ability have seen him through countless adventures. He's a multitalented plumber with the knowledge of a physician, a top-notch golfer, and a veteran tennis umpire. Is his jumping prowess a boon from his girder-climbing days?''

Sonic the Comic
Sonic the Comic introduced the Marxio Brothers, characters that seem to be a combination of the Mario Bros. and the classic comedians, The Marx Brothers.

Mario-Kart Demo Disk
In 2003, Mario Kart Double Dash was released for the Nintendo Gamecube. In the US, if people were to pre-order this game they would receive a complimentary bonus disk which had demos and videos of up coming Gamecube games. One of the major draws of this disk was a 2 level playable demo of Sonic Heroes where players could control either Team Sonic or Team Dark. Also appearing on this disk was multiple mini games from Mario Party 5.

Dic Entertainment
Both Mario and Sonic have had three cartoon series' produced by Dic. A difference is that Mario's three series' (The Super Mario Super Show, Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World) Were all consistent with its cast and tone of the shows. Sonic's 3 cartoons (Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Underground) were all completely different with different casts of characters, different tones and themes.

In more recent years, Dic has been releasing these cartoons on DVD and have been very openly compiling episodes from Mario's shows with those of Sonic's shows. Most notable is an Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 / Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog DVD compilation box set (release the same day as Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games). Other DVD's such as The Super Mario Bros. Super Show, King Koopa Katastrophe includes full episodes of Sonic Underground as special features. Another was a Sonic Underground DVD titled Robotnik's Revenge which included a Super Mario Bros. Super Show Episode as a special feature.

Together in Parody
In December of 1995, the hit prime time comedy The Simpsons showed Episode 3F07, " Marge Be Not Proud" which featured appearances by Sonic and Mario. There was a scene in this episode where Bart is tempted to steal a video game. in his head bart is visited by Luigi, Mario, Donkey Kong and Sonic who all try to justify Bart stealing the game, also in the scene is Lee Carvallo, a golfer, who is trying to talk Bart out of stealing the game because it won't help his putting.

Mario's Quote "The Store, She is so rich, she a won't even a know."

Sonic's Quote "Just take it! Take it! Take it! take it! take it! Take it!... Take it!"

The Simpsons Game
Both Sonic and Mario have appeared in the Simpsons Game in the level Enter the Cheatrix as some of the background characters. However they are poorly drawn and you can barely recognise them as they look nothing like their official drawing.

Artwork


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