Mario is the main protagonist of the Mario series and Nintendo's primary mascot. Normally the hero, Mario uses his legendary jump and combat abilities to defend the peaceful inhabitants of the Mushroom Kingdom and the world from powerful and foul villains such as Bowser. When not adventuring, Mario participates in a variety of sporting events, parties and other fun activities with his younger twin brother Luigi and thousands of friends from his many adventures. Mario is one of the most famous video game characters.
Mario has appeared in multiple crossover titles alongside Sonic the Hedgehog (in particular, the Mario & Sonic sports subseries). In these games, he is voiced by Charles Martinet, who also voices Luigi, Wario, and Waluigi from the Mario series.
Early rivalry
Mario ranking 1st in Cranky's Heroes, Sonic in the "No Hopers" Category
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, to the left, and the blue hedgehog enemies of Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island called "Harry Hedgehog". In the Sonic children's book, Secret Admirer, there is a sign outside Robotropolis that reads "No Nintendo Game Playing".
In a commercial for the original Sonic the Hedgehog game, Bernita Stokes, President of H.A.G. (Humans Against Genesis), criticizes the game by saying, "Why can't he be more like that nice boy Mario?" while an animated Sonic is seen on the cover of the box mimicking her (probably hinting that Sonic always had some resentment towards Mario). Sonic then blows her a raspberry and runs out of the box and into the TV screen which makes her angry, calling him a little brat.
Another commercial for the same game features a salesman at a video game store, trying to sell the then-newly released Super Nintendo Entertainment System with the Super Mario World video game to a customer at its launch price of $199.95. The game is shown alongside a Sega Genesis playing Sonic the Hedgehog, being sold for $149.99. The speedy action of Sonic the Hedgehog, as well as Sega Genesis' lower price grab the customer's attention, and the customer decides to buy the Genesis and Sonic the Hedgehog game, disappointing the salesman, who desperately wanted him to buy the Super Nintendo and the Super Mario World game instead.
Game appearances
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games
Mario & 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 several decades.
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.
Stats
| Name | Skill Type | Stats | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario | All Around | 
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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 Sonic up with the hose, knowing that Sonic hates water. This still continues on in TV spots 3 through 6, but they still appear to be good friends, and this is shown in the 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 in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. He is middle-weight and very well balanced having a good compromise between speed, agility and strength.
Subspace Emissary
Mario was thrown into the battlefield as a trophy. When he came to life, he faced his opponent, Kirby, and fought him. Should Mario win, he would have brought Kirby back to life as he would have turned into a trophy. If not, Kirby would bring Mario back to life. After the battle, the Subspace Army ambushed Mario and Kirby, but the duo defeated them with the help of Peach and Zelda. Afterwards, two R.O.B.s were ordered by the Ancient Minister to set a Subspace Bomb in the stadium. Though Mario tried to stop them, he was knocked far away by Petey Piranha. He was soon found by Pit and they teamed up to chase the Ancient Minister down.
If Peach was saved
Mario's appearance in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Mario eventually saw what appeared to be Peach's trophy dissolving. Thinking Link and Yoshi were behind this, he and Pit attacked the pair but were defeated. King Dedede then attempted to kidnap the trophies of Mario and Pit, only for them to be saved by Kirby. Mario and Pit then teamed up with Kirby, Link and Yoshi, and chased King Dedede down to his castle, only to have found it destroyed. Mario then found Bowser trying to escape through a secret passageway. Mario attempted to attack him but failed as he did not want to harm the trophy of Zelda.
If Zelda was saved
Pit destroyed the Dark Cannon that a False Zelda was going to fire at Link and Yoshi. After Mario and Pit beat her, her trophy dissolved. Link sees this and fights the pair alongside Yoshi, only to be defeated. King Dedede then attempted to kidnap the trophies of Link and Yoshi, only for them to be saved by Kirby. Mario and Pit then teamed up with Kirby, Link and Yoshi, and chased King Dedede down to his castle, only to have found it destroyed. Mario then found Bowser trying to escape through a secret passageway. Mario attempted to attack him but failed as he did not want to harm the trophy of Peach.
Story Remerge
Mario and his team chase down the Ancient Minister through the Wilds, where they were stopped by two R.O.B.s. The R.O.B.s set off another Subspace Bomb but the heroes escaped. Mario and his team then fought more of the Subspace Army at the Canyon and met up with the Ice Climbers, Marth, Lucas, the Pokémon Trainer and Ike. Mario's group then increased as they banded together to fight Tabuu in Subspace. They were all easily transformed into statues due to the effect of a massive shockwave. However, they were later rescued through the efforts of the secretly resurrected King Dedede, Luigi, Ness and later, Kirby.
Sonic appears
As Tabuu was about to land another strike on the fighters, Sonic ambushed him out of nowhere and aided the group in defeating him once and for all.
Special Moves
- Standard - Fireball
- Mario shoots a bouncing fireball that disappears once it loses speed. Unlike Luigi's Fireball, Mario's one is affected by gravity and so it will bounce downwards to the ground.
- Side - Cape
- While using this move, Mario can reflect most projectiles and turn opponents around with a flick of the cape.
- Up - Super Jump Punch
- Mario performs a jump while attacking with his fist like an uppercut, serving as his recovery move.
- Down - F.L.U.D.D.
- When used, Mario begins to charge up water in his hose. When pressing the special move button (B button/1 button) again, Mario shoots out a blast of water which inflicts no damage but can push opponents off the edge or onto obstacles. This replaces the Star Spin back from Melee.
- Final Smash - Mario Finale
- Mario launches a great fiery blast. The blast spreads outwards vertically as it travels, so maximize the range and the potential to KO by taking a small hop before letting loose.
Trophies
| Name | Image | Game(s) | Description/ effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mario | 
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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? |
| Mario Fanale | 
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Mario with a Smash Ball, unleashing his ultimate attack. The twin dragons of flame he releases wallop all characters in range. The flames spread up and down, so it's best to release them from the edge of the screen at an appropriate height. His flaming eyes are proof of his excitement for this explosive attack. | |
| Striker Mario | 
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A team captain in Super Mario Strikers, which features combat- style soccer that allows fighting and items. Mario proves to be a great all-around player, well balanced on offense and defense, and he wields a critical shot—the Mega Strike—that can chalk up a maximum of six goals! Mario is easily identified by the "M" marks on his spikes. | |
| Paper Mario | 
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A legendary hero whose adventure unfolds when he sets out to rescue Princess Peach from the nefarious clutches of Count Bleck. He has the ability to flip the world from 2-D to 3-D and back again. If he grabs a Mega Star, he'll transform into a pixelated giant Mario. In this state, he's invulnerable and capable of stomping through enemies and obstacles with ease. |
| Baby Mario | File:TrBaby mario.jpg |
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Mario as a baby...a crybaby at that. Although he lacks overalls, we can see the trademark red hat even at this young age. Everyone's favorite hero was riding Yoshi and adventuring from his youngest days, and even as a baby, it's clear that Mario had quite the nose. |
Stickers
| Name | Image | Game | Effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Super Mario Bros. | File:Super Mario Bros Sticker.jpg | Super Mario Bros. | [Arm, Leg] - Attack +15 |
| Mario & Luigi | 
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Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga | [Flame] - Resistance +19 |
| Mario & Yoshi | 
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Super Mario Sunshine | [Specials: Indirect] - Attack +13 |
| Mario | 
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Mario Kart DS | [Leg] - Attack +22 |
| Mario | 
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Mario Superstar Baseball | Carry Home-Run Bat |
| Mario | 
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Super Paper Mario | [Electric] - Attack +20 |
| Raccoon Mario | File:Mario 140.png | Super Mario Bros. 3 | Flinch Resistance +112 |
| Dr. Mario | File:Mario 37.png | Nintendo Puzzle Collection | [Head] - Attack +18 |
| Baby Mario | 
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Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island | [Flame] - Attack +5 |
| Bubble Baby Mario | File:BubblyFreak.png | Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island | [Bite] - Attack +6
Usable by: Yoshi, Wario, Pokémon Trainer, Wolf |
Event Matches
"Sonic and Mario" Event
Brawl contains a co-op event match where players must control Sonic and Mario as they team up in Green Hill Zone to defeat two more Marios. This event is appropriately named "Sonic and Mario".
Caption: "No problem! It's nothing at all! Only a race can decide the true victors! (KO two Marios)"
The FINAL, Final Battle
"The FINAL, Final Battle" event
In the 1 player event mode, there is a last event titled "The FINAL, Final Battle". In this event match, the player must defeat an over sized Mario, Sonic, and Solid Snake. This event takes place in the Final Destination stage.
Caption: "It's the REAL final battle! (KO Snake, Sonic and Giant Mario.)"
Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games
Mario returns in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games, once again as an all-around type character in the anticipated sequel to Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. Being the third time they have met, Mario and Sonic seem to of built a friendship out of their rivalry. This is indicated by the game's opening cinematic which depicts Mario and Sonic coordinating with each other to thwart the plans of Dr. Eggman and Wario. Mario and Sonic also cooperate in the story mode of this game (Nintendo DS version only) where they work together to rescue the Snow Spirits from Eggman, Bowser and all their villainous associates.
Stats
| Icon | Name | Ability Type | Wii Stats | DS Stats | Special | Emblem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Mario | All-Around | 
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Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games
Mario makes his fourth appearance alongside Sonic in Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. For a third time, Mario is yet again an all-around character. His relationship has seem to grown more friendlier than the last 2 games, as they are seen atop Big Ben together, giving each other a high-5. Mario and Sonic once again cooperate in the story mode version (Nintendo 3DS version.) where they clear the colorful fog in all over London along with Luigi and Tails.
Bio
After Mario's many adventures, he is now taking his all-around skills to the London Olympic Games, where his jumping and running experience should come in more than handy in events like the 100m sprint and Pole Vault.
Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
Mario's appearance in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.
Mario appears in Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games as an all-around type.
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U
Mario makes his return appearance in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, playable from the start. He retains the "Mario Finale" Final Smash.
Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Mario returns in Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the fifth installment of the Mario & Sonic series. He is, yet again an all-around type character.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Mario reappears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as a playable character.
In other media
Sonic the Comic
The Marxio Brothers from 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 Double Dash Bonus 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 disc which had demos and videos of then-upcoming GameCube games. One of the major draws of this disc was a 2 level playable demo of Sonic Heroes where players could control either Team Sonic or Team Dark. Also appearing on this disc were multiple mini games from Mario Party 5.[1]
DiC Entertainment
h Mario and Sonic have had three cart and eries' produced by DiC. One major differ combo box set
Both Mario and Sonic have had three cartoon series' produced by DiC. One major difference is that while 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 three cartoon series (Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog, Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic Underground) were all completely different from each other, with separate casts of characters, 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 Volume 1 DVD compilation box set (released on the date of December 4, 2007). Other DVDs 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 Dr. Robotnik's Revenge which included a Super Mario Bros. Super Show episode as a special feature.
Trivia
- Yuji Naka admitted that he loves the 1985 title Super Mario Bros. and running through the game as fast as he could, which inspired him to create Sonic the Hedgehog.[2]
- Sumo Digital considered making Mario a guest star in Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing exclusively on the Wii version. But SEGA rejected the idea, not wanting to cross contaminate with the Mario & Sonic Series.
A Mario lookalike, from Sonic the Hedgehog #221.
- A background character in Sonic the Hedgehog #221 bears a strong resemblance to Mario. Outside of the obvious similarity in clothing, the character in question is also a raccoon, akin to how Mario can transform into a raccoon when using a Super Leaf.
- Despite a life-size poster measuring at 5'1", crossover artwork shows Sonic (who stands at 3'3") to be at least two or three inches taller.
- By using a Sonic amiibo in Super Mario Maker, Mario can transform into a 16-bit form of Sonic with the use of the Mystery Mushroom.
- It is also possible to obtain the costume in-game by completing the 100 Mario Challenge mode.
A pair of lions resembling Mario's face in Marble Zone.
- In Sonic the Hedgehog (1991), there is a pair of engraved lions that bear a resemblance to Mario in Marble Zone. This is likely a coincidence.
Quotes
- Mario! - When you select him in Mario & Sonic at the Olympic/Winter/London 2012 Games.
- It's-a Mario time! - When Mario is mentioned before event.
- Yes! I'm the winner! - After winning a round.
- Oh no! I lost! - After losing a round.
- Fantastico! - After placing 1st in event in London Olympic Games 3DS
- That's it, so nice! - Mario when setting a new record.
- Oh, nice! - After scoring in Football (London 2012 Olympic Games)/Touching Mario in Shopping mode of Olympic Winter Games.
- Oh, Mario get you next time! - When Mario is in 2nd/3rd place.
- Wahoo! I'm the winner! - When Mario is in 1st place.
- Aaah, mamma mia! - When Mario is in 4th place.
External links
- Mario on the Mario Wiki
References
- ↑ http://sonicstadium.org/articles/decade-moment-the-mariokart-double-dash-demo-disc
- ↑ Oliver, Tristan (24 September 2010). Yuji Naka Speaks of Super Mario’s Inspiration. Retrieved on 23 April 2018.
| Sega characters | AiAi | AGES | Akira Yuki | Amigo | Alex Kidd | Axel | Baby | B.D. Joe | Beat | Billy Hatcher | ChuBach | ChuBei | Chuih | ChuPea | Dremagen | Gilius Thunderhead | GonGon | Gum | Jacky Bryant | Joe Musashi | MeeMee | Nights | Opa-Opa | Pudding | Puyo | Reala | Ryo Hazuki | Sarah Bryant | Ulala | Vyse |
|---|---|
| Nintendo characters | Bowser | Bowser Jr. | Daisy | Diddy Kong | Donkey Kong | Larry Koopa | Ludwig von Koopa | Luigi | Mario | Mii | Peach | Rosalina | Toad | Waluigi | Wario | Wendy O. Koopa | Yoshi |
| Mega Man characters | Axl | Bass | Dr. Light | Dr. Wily | Mega Man | Proto Man | Roll | Rush | X | Zero |
| Other | Andronic | Danica Patrick | Santa Claus | Xbox Live Avatar |