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THE GAME YOU LOSE

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-{{Otheruses4|the video game character}}
-{{ infobox VG character
-| name        = Mario
-| image       = [[Image:Mario.jpg|275px]]
-| caption     = Mario in ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]''
-| series      = ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]''
-| firstgame   = ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (1981)
-| creator     = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
-| artist      = Shigeru Miyamoto (''Donkey Kong'')<br>[[Yōichi Kotabe]] (''Super Mario Bros.'' series)<br>[[Shigefumi Hino]] (''Super Mario World'')
-| voiceactor  = [[Peter Cullen]] (''Saturday Supercade'')<br>[[Lou Albano|"Captain" Lou Albano]] (''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'')<br>[[Walker Boone]] (''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3'', ''Super Mario World'' TV series)<br>Ronald B. Ruben (''Mario Teaches Typing'')<br>Mark Graue (''Hotel Mario'')<br>[[Charles Martinet]] (video games, 1995-present)
-| japanactor  = [[Tōru Furuya]] (Original video animations and [[Satellaview]] games)<br>[[Kōsei Tomita]] (Japanese dub of the ''Super Mario Bros.'' film)<br>[[Charles Martinet]] (video games, 1995-present)
-| motionactor =
-| liveactor   = [[Lou Albano|"Captain" Lou Albano]] (''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'')<br>[[Bob Hoskins]] (''Super Mario Bros.'' film)<br>Gorō Inagaki (2003 "Hot Mario" commercial)<br>[[Takashi Okamura (comedian)|Takashi Okamura]] (2005-2006 "Hot Mario Bros." commercials)
-}}
-{{nihongo|'''Mario'''|マリオ}} is a [[Character (arts)|fictional character]] in [[Mario (series)|his eponymous video game series]], created by [[Game designer#Video game designer|video game designer]] [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]. Serving as [[Nintendo]]'s mascot and the main [[protagonist]] of the series, Mario has appeared in [[List of Mario games by year|over 200 video games]] since his creation. Though originally only appearing in [[platform game]]s, starting with ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'', Mario currently appears in many video game genres, such as [[Mario Kart|racing]], [[List of Mario games by genre#Puzzle series|puzzle]], [[List of Mario games by genre#RPG series|role-playing]], [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|fighting]] and [[List of Mario games by genre#Sports series|sports games]], and others.
-Mario is depicted as a short, pudgy, [[Italian-Americans|Italian-American]] [[plumber]] who lives in the [[Mario (series)#Mushroom Kingdom|Mushroom Kingdom]]. He repeatedly stops the plans of [[Bowser (character)|Bowser]] to kidnap [[Princess Peach]] and subjugate the Mushroom Kingdom. He also has other enemies and rivals, including [[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]] and [[Wario]]. Since 1995, Mario has been voiced by [[Charles Martinet]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=164|title=Charles Martinet Down Under|publisher=[[N-Sider]]|accessdate=2006-11-12}}</ref>
-As Nintendo's mascot, Mario is one of the most famous characters in video game history,<ref>{{cite web|title=The History of Mario|url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm|accessdate=2008-08-23}}</ref> and his image is commonly associated with video games. ''Mario'' games, as a whole, have sold more than 201 million units, making the ''Mario'' series the best-selling video game series of all time.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2008/04/17/tech-sims-milestone.html | title=The Sims game sales top 100 million | publisher=[[CBC.ca]] | date=2008-04-17 | accessdate=2008-12-08}}</ref> Outside [[platform game]]s, he has appeared in video games of other genres, including the ''[[Mario Kart]]'' racing series, sports games, such as the ''[[Mario Tennis]]'' and ''[[Mario Golf]]'' series, and [[Console role-playing game|role-playing game]]s. Outside the original games, television shows, film and comics, he spawned a line of licensed merchandise.
-== Conception and creation ==
-The character first appeared in the 1981 arcade game ''Donkey Kong'' as a carpenter named "Jumpman",<ref name="wired">{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/multimedia/2007/05/gallery_game_history?slide=18|title=Console Portraits: A 40-Year Pictorial History of Gaming|publisher=[[Wired News]]|author=Orlando, Greg|accessdate=2008-08-23|date=2007-05-15}}</ref> more commonly called "Mr. Video Game" in Japan.<ref>Laher, Yusuf ([[2008-10-10]]). [http://www.thetimes.co.za/Entertainment/Article.aspx?id=856651 Hop on the kart]. The Times. Retrieved on [[2009-03-03]]</ref> During localization of the game for American audiences, Nintendo's warehouse landlord Mario Segale confronted Nintendo's [[Minoru Arakawa]], demanding back rent. After a heated argument and convincing Segale he would be paid, the Nintendo employees opted to name the character in the game Mario after him.<ref>{{cite book |title=Out of Left Field: How the Mariners Made Baseball Fly in Seattle |last=Thiel |first=Art |year=2003 |publisher=Sasquatch Books |isbn=1570613907 |pages=44–45 }}</ref> Mario's profession as a carpenter was intended to reflect that as a character as an ordinary hard worker as well as to make it easier for players to identify with the character.<ref name="mariomania">[[Minoru Arakawa|Arakawa, Minoru]] (1991). Mario Mania. Nintendo. pp. 30-32. [[ASIN]] B000BPL42C.</ref> After a colleague suggested that Mario more resembled a plumber, Miyamoto changed his profession accordingly and developed ''Mario Bros.'',<ref name="n-sider" /> featuring the character in the sewers of [[New York City]].<ref>Grajqevci, Jeton (2000-10-09). [http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=223 Profile: Shigeru Miyamoto]. N-Sider. Retrieved on 2009-05-06</ref>
-Due to graphical limitations of arcade hardware at the time, Miyamoto clothed the character in bright red overalls and a blue shirt to contrast against each other and the background, adding white gloves to distinguish the character's arms on the screen as they swung back and forth. A cap was added to let Miyamoto avoid drawing the character's hairstyle, while preventing issues of animating his hair as he jumped.<ref name="n-sider">{{cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/833/833615p1.html|title=IGN Presents the History of Super Mario Bros.|author=McLaughlin, Rus|date=2007-08-11|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2009-02-28}}</ref> To make him appear human onscreen despite his small size they gave Mario a large nose, and added a mustache to avoid drawing a mouth due to the difficulty of illustrating facial expressions at that size.<ref>Rao, Anjali ([[2007-02-15]]). [http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/02/14/miyamoto.script/index.html Sigeru Miyamao Talk Asia interview]. [[CNN]]. Retrieved on [[2009-02-28]]</ref>
-Miyamoto developed Mario with the idea of using him as a "go to" character for games that could be put in any title as needed, albeit as cameos as at the time he was not expecting Mario to become popular.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJopnv0JXuY Interview with Nintendo's "Mario" creator, Shigeru Miyamoto]. [[Youtube]]. Retrieved on [[2009-02-28]]</ref> As years have passed Mario's appearance has become more defined over time, adding a red "M" in a white circle to the front of his hat and gold buttons to his overalls, a process Miyamoto attributed to the different development teams and artists for each game as well as advances in technology as time has gone on.<ref name="mariomania" />
-== Appearances ==
-{{main|List of Mario games by year}}
-[[Image:NES Super Mario Bros.png|right|thumb|256px|Mario in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', one of the first games he starred in]]
-===1981–1990===
-Mario debuted under the name "Jumpman" in the arcade game ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' in 1981. He is shown as a carpender that has a pet ape.<ref name="Kohler 39">Kohler 39.</ref> The carpenter mistreats the ape, so [[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]] escapes and kidnaps Jumpman's girlfriend, originally known as the Lady, but later named [[Recurring characters in the Mario series#Pauline|Pauline]]. The player must take the role of Jumpman and rescue the girl. He was first named "Mario" in the arcade game ''[[Donkey Kong Junior (video game)|Donkey Kong Junior]]'' in 1982, the only game in which he has ever been portrayed as an antagonist. In the 1983 arcade game ''[[Mario Bros.]]'' Mario and his younger brother [[Luigi]] are portrayed as an Italian-American plumbers<ref name="mbvc">{{cite web |title=Mario Bros. at Nintendo - Wii - Virtual Console |url=http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualconsole/games/detail/AN20FWaWbXNL-oWwUHwK0sMxrfq_plpD |publisher=[[Nintendo]].com |accessdate=2008-10-01}}</ref> who have to defeat creatures that have been coming from the sewers below [[New York]].<ref name="powerup56">{{cite book |last=Sheff |first=David |authorlink=David Sheff |title=Game Over Press Start to Continue |publisher=Cyberactive Media Group |year=1999 |isbn=0966961706 |pages=56}}</ref>
-In ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES), where Mario saves [[Princess Peach|Princess Toadstool]] of the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] from [[Bowser (character)|King Koopa]].<ref name="Booklet 7">Instruction booklet, p. 7.</ref> To save Princess Toadstool, Mario conquers the eight worlds of the Mushroom Kingdom by going to the castle in each to defeat a minion of King Koopa. To reach each castle, Mario battles through three "sub-worlds" by defeating or avoiding King Koopa's henchmen. If Mario successfully fights his way through the castle and defeats the minion, a [[Toad (character)|Mushroom Retainer]] is freed.<ref name=TMKTheGood>{{cite web |url=http://themushroomkingdom.net/smb_breakdown.shtml#good |title=The Good |accessdate=2008-08-27 |format= |work=TMK Super Mario Bros. Complete Guide}}</ref> Inside the eighth castle, Mario has a final fight with King Koopa and frees Princess Toadstool. Later, in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', the player could choose between Mario and his friends [[Luigi]], [[Toad (Nintendo)|Toad]], or [[Princess Peach]]. Each character possesses unique abilities, with Mario being the most evenly-rounded. In ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' Mario embarks on a quest to save the rulers of seven kingdoms from [[Bowser (character)|Bowser]] and travel across eight worlds to restore order to the Mushroom World.<ref name="Manual-2">{{cite manual| title = Super Mario Bros. 3 Instruction Booklet| section = The Eight Kingdoms| publisher = [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]| date = 1990-02-12}}</ref> Mario is introduced new [[power-up]]s that augment character abilities.<ref>{{cite journal| journal = [[Nintendo Power]]| title = Super Mario Bros. 3: Strategy Guide on the Way| author= Nintendo Power Staff| issue = 12| year = 1990| month = May/June| pages = 94–95| publisher = [[Nintendo]]}}</ref>
-===1989–1992===
-In ''[[Super Mario Land]]'' a mysterious alien named Tatanga appears and hypnotizes the inhabitants of Sarasaland. He kidnaps [[Princess Daisy E|Princess Daisy]] in order to marry her. Mario then sets out to rescue her from Tatanga, traveling through the four geographical areas of Sarasaland defeating his minions along the way. He finally corners Tatanga in the skies of the Chai kingdom, bringing down his alien warship and rescuing Daisy.<ref>{{cite book | author=Nintendo | year=1989 | title=Super Mario Land Instruction Booklet | publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc. | language=English}}</ref> Mario stars in a [[computer puzzle game|puzzle game]] called ''[[Dr. Mario (video game)|Dr. Mario]]'', released in 1990. In this game, Dr. Mario throws vitamins that the player must align in order to destroy the viruses that populate the playing field.<ref>A UK magazine wrote: "Describing how the game works is best done by taking Tetris, adding Connect 4 and throwing in Dominoes." ({{Citation | last = Dillon | first = Tony | title = Dr Mario | newspaper = [[ACE (games magazine)|ACE]] | pages = 91 | date = November 1990 | issue= 38}})</ref>
-In ''[[Super Mario World]]'' the story begins with Mario and Luigi taking the princess for a vacation in Dinosaur World sometime after the events of ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' and [[Princess Peach]] is kidnapped by [[Bowser]], and needs to be rescued by Mario and Luigi.<ref name="booklet">{{cite book|title=Super Mario World Instruction Booklet|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> In ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'', which takes place immediately after the original ''Super Mario Land'', [[Wario]] has put an evil spell over Mario Land while Mario was away in Sarasaland, renaming the area Wario Land. The inhabitants are now brainwashed into thinking that Wario is their master, and Mario is their enemy. Wario's motive behind this sudden attack was to take control over Mario's castle in order to have a palace of his own. In order to stop Wario, Mario must find the 6 Golden Coins throughout Mario Land to gain access to his castle.
-===1995–2002===
-In ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'', a [[stork]] carries two babies across the sea, but the evil [[Magikoopa]] [[Kamek]] emerges, and steals Baby Luigi, and Baby Mario falls onto an island in the middle of the sea, called Yoshi's Island, home to all Yoshis. He lands on a green Yoshi, and Mario and the rest of the Yoshi gang must journey through the game's six worlds to rescue Baby Luigi and the stork back from Baby Bowser and Kamek.
-[[Image:Mario64 - Dire Dire Docks.png|right|thumb|256px|Mario's [[3D computer graphics|3D]] debut was in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.]]
-Mario made his [[3D computer graphics|3D]] debut in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''. The story begins with a letter from [[Princess Peach]] inviting Mario to come to her castle for a cake she has baked for him;<ref>'''Princess Peach's note:''' Dear Mario: Please come to the castle. I've baked a cake for you. Yours truly-- Princess Toadstool, Peach {{cite video game| title = Super Mario 64| developer = [[Nintendo EAD]]| publisher = Nintendo | date= 1996-09-29| platform= Nintendo 64}}</ref> however, when he arrives, Mario discovers that [[Bowser (Nintendo)|Bowser]] has invaded the castle and imprisoned the princess and her servants within it using the power of the castle's 120 Power Stars. Many of the castle's paintings are portals to other worlds, in which Bowser's minions keep watch over the stars. Mario searches the castle for these portals to enter the worlds and recover the stars. He gains access to more rooms as he recovers more stars,<ref name="NP88">{{Cite journal| date= September 1996| title= Full Coverage&nbsp;— Super Mario 64| journal= [[Nintendo Power]]| publisher= [[Nintendo]]| issue= 88| pages= 14–23}}</ref> and will have to traverse three obstacle courses leading to a battle with Bowser. Defeating Bowser the first two times earns Mario a key for opening another level of the castle,<ref name="playersguide"/> while the final battle releases Peach. Peach rewards Mario by baking the cake that she had promised him.<ref name="playersguide">{{cite book|year=1996|title=Official Super Mario 64 Player's Guide|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref><ref name="instructions">{{cite book| year=1996|title=Super Mario 64 Instruction Booklet| publisher=Nintendo| id=NUS-NSME-USA}}</ref>
-In ''[[Paper Mario]]'' Mario tries to reclaim the seven Star Spirits, who have been incarcerated in playing cards by Bowser and Kammy Koopa.<ref name="RPGFan">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/papermario/Paper_Mario.html|title=RPGFan&mdash;Paper Mario|publisher=[[RPGFan]]|accessdate=2008-08-17}}</ref> Their combined power is required to negate the effects of the Star Rod, which makes Bowser invincible. Once Mario rescues all of them, he uses their assistance to defeat Bowser and rescue Peach.
-In ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', Mario, [[Toadsworth]], and [[Princess Peach]] are taking a vacation. A villain resembling Mario, known as "Shadow Mario", vandalizes the entire island with graffiti, and Mario gets blamed for the mess. Later on, Mario is ordered to clean up Isle Delfino, while saving Princess Peach from Shadow Mario. Mario cleans up the island with a device called FLUDD invented by Professor E. Gadd.<ref>{{cite book|year=2002 |title=Super Mario Sunshine instruction booklet |publisher=Nintendo |pages=20–23}}</ref> Afterward, Mario, Peach and the others then begin their well-deserved vacation.<ref>{{cite video game|quote='''FLUDD:''' The vacation starts now! |title=Super Mario Sunshine |developer=Nintendo EAD |publisher=Nintendo |date=2002-08-26 |platform=Nintendo GameCube}}</ref>
-===2006–present===
-Mario went to 2.5D in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' At the beginning of the game, [[Princess Peach]] and Mario are walking together when lightning suddenly strikes Peach’s castle nearby. As Mario runs to help, [[Bowser Jr.]] appears and kidnaps her.<ref name=manual>{{cite book|title=New Super Mario Bros. manual|publisher=Nintendo|page=10|date=2006-05-16}}</ref> Realizing what has happened, Mario quickly rushes back and gives chase. Mario ventures through eight worlds pursuing Bowser Jr. and trying to rescue the kidnapped princess. In the game’s final sequence, Mario rescues Princess Peach, who kisses him on the cheek.<ref name=game>{{cite video game|title=New Super Mario Bros|developer=Nintendo EAD|publisher=Nintendo|platform=Nintendo DS|date=May 15, 2006 }}</ref>
-In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' Mario is invited to the [[centennial]] Star Festival when [[Bowser (Nintendo)|Bowser]] invades the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] and rips Peach's entire castle from its foundations and lifts it into [[outer space]]. Mario is catapulted across the [[cosmos]] and awakens on a small planet. On the planet he meets a mysterious woman called [[List of Mario series characters#Princess Rosalina|Rosalina]] and her companion stars, the Lumas<ref>{{cite web|title=New Damsel In Distress in Super Mario Galaxy?|publisher=[[FileFront]]|url=http://news.filefront.com/new-damsel-in-distress-in-super-mario-galaxy/|date=2007-07-18|accessdate=2007-11-01}}</ref> who tells Mario that the Power Stars have all been stolen by Bowser. Mario sets off on an intergalactic adventure across the universe to reclaim the Power Stars.
-===Other ''Mario'' games===
-''Mario'' games of other genres include the educational game ''[[Mario Paint]]'', which was released in 1992 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and ''[[Mario Pinball Land]]'' for the Game Boy Advance. 1996's ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is the first ''Mario'' role-playing game; six games have followed: ''[[Paper Mario]]'', for the Nintendo 64; ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'', for the Game Boy Advance; ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'', for the Nintendo GameCube; ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'', for the Wii; ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'' and ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'', both for the [[Nintendo DS]].
-Several other sub-series of ''Mario'' video games have been released. The ''[[Mario Kart]]'' franchise began with ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and is currently the most successful and longest-running kart-racing franchise.<ref name="Sutra M#1">{{cite web | last = Jenkins | first = David | title = Mario Tops Best Selling Game Franchise List | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 10/01/2007 | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12349 | accessdate = 01-01-2009}}</ref> Other ''Mario'' sports games include the Camelot-developed series ''[[Mario Golf]]'' and ''[[Mario Tennis]]'', and, respectively, the baseball and soccer games ''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Strikers]]''. In 1999, the Hudson-developed ''[[Mario Party (series)|Mario Party]]'' series began on the Nintendo 64. The games revolve around a set of mini-games and are playable with up to four players. ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'' is a collection of twenty-four events based on the Olympic Games.
-===In other media===
-Apart from his platform-game appearances, Mario has appeared in many other games, and has made guest appearances in non-Mario games, such as ''[[Punch-Out!! (video game)|Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!]]'' where he is a [[referee]]. Mario has appeared in non-platform games as the protagonist of other successful series. These games are published by Nintendo, but developed by another company, such as [[Hudson Soft]] or [[Camelot Software Planning]]. Mario has even appeared as a playable character in ''[[NBA Street V3]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/01/05/news_6115715.html |title=Mario to hoop it up in NBA Street V3|publisher=GameSpot |accessdate=May 4, 2009}}</ref> and ''[[SSX on Tour]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/sports/ssx4/news.html?sid=6132098&mode=previews |title=SSX On Tour Character Spotlight: Mario, Luigi, and Peach|publisher=GameSpot |accessdate=May 4, 2009}}</ref> both from [[Electronic Arts]]. In some appearances, he is not an in-game character: in both ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', Mario appears on a portrait, and in ''[[Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes]]'' he and [[Yoshi]] appear as small statues. He also appears in the [[Game & Watch]] games
-Mario has appeared in every game of the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/characters/mario.html |title=Mario |accessdate= 2009-06-03 |date=2007-11-29 |work=Smash Bros. DOJO!!|publisher= Smashbros.com}}</ref> Mario has retained his balanced abilities even when fighting characters from other series.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/characters/mario.html |title=Mario |quote=An easy-to-use character, Mario sets the standard for balance. |accessdate= 2009-06-03 |date=2007-11-29 |work=Smash Bros. DOJO!!|publisher= Smashbros.com}}</ref> He brought with him many items, stages, and characters to compete in the tournament. Mario's alter-egos Dr. Mario and Metal Mario followed as well.
-''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' television series and live-action film based on the video game series called ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'' brought the character into the TV and film entertainment realms. The show starred [[Lou Albano|"Captain" Lou Albano]] as Mario, and the film starred [[Bob Hoskins]]. Outside the original games, television shows, film, and comics, he has spawned a line of licensed merchandise and appeared in popular culture. The Nintendo Comics System series, along with the [[Nintendo Adventure Books]], were also created.
-{{-}}
-== Characteristics ==
-Mario was originally portrayed as a two-dimensional [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]], but in later games he is shown as a three-dimensional, [[Polygonal modeling|polygonal model]]. He is depicted as a portly plumber who lives in the fictional land of [[Mario (series)#Mushroom Kingdom|Mushroom Kingdom]] with [[Luigi]], the younger, taller brother, who is also a plumber. In the television series and film, Mario and Luigi are originally from [[Brooklyn]].
-=== Occupation and hobbies ===
-Mario's occupation is plumbing. Mario is most often plumbing during the animated series. In the original ''[[Donkey Kong (series)|Donkey Kong]]'' games, however, Mario is named "Jumpman" and is a carpenter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/service/corporate_2001.html|title=Nintendo - Corporate: About Nintendo Worldwide|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2007|accessdate=2008-05-02}}</ref>
-In the ''[[Dr. Mario (video game)|Dr. Mario]]'' series of [[Puzzle video game|puzzle games]], which debuted in 1990, Mario is a medical physician named "Dr. Mario". Dr. Mario appears as a secret character in the [[Nintendo GameCube]] game ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', and, in another updated version of the original, ''Dr. Mario Virus Buster'', for [[WiiWare]]. In the [[Game Boy]] game ''[[Mario's Picross]]'', Mario is an [[Archaeology|archaeologist]].
-Mario usually saves [[Princess Peach]] and the [[Mario (series)#Mushroom Kingdom|Mushroom Kingdom]] and purges antagonists, such as [[Bowser (character)|Bowser]], from various areas. Mario has gained fame in the kingdom due to his heroic deeds, as shown in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'', where they are referred to as "superstars".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marioandluigi.gameboy.com/flash.jsp|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071021031417/http://marioandluigi.gameboy.com/flash.jsp|archivedate=2007-10-21|title=Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga|publisher=[[Nintendo]]}}</ref>
-In ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]'', Mario has a toy-making company that earns him income.
-=== Relationships ===
-Since his first game, Mario has usually had the role of saving the [[damsel in distress]]. Originally, he had to rescue his girlfriend [[Recurring characters in the Mario series#Pauline|Pauline]] in ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' from Donkey Kong. Pauline was soon replaced by a new damsel in distress, [[Princess Peach]], in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (she was initially referred to as "Princess Toadstool" or "the Princess" in English-speaking territories until 1993, when ''[[Yoshi's Safari]]'' debuted, even though the name was not widely used until ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' was released three years later).{{Fact|date=March 2009}} Pauline returned in the [[Game Boy]] remake of ''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]'' in 1994, and later ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]'' in 2006, although the character is now described as "Mario's friend".<ref name="Mario vs. DK 2">{{cite web|url=http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/ds/previews/mario-vs--donkey-kong-2--march-of-the-minis-902997.html|title=Mario vs. DK 2: March of the Minis|publisher=[[Yahoo! Games]]|accessdate=2008-08-23}}</ref>
-Mario has rescued Princess Peach multiple times since ''Super Mario Bros.''. In a [[role reversal]], Peach rescues Mario in ''[[Super Princess Peach]]''.
-[[Luigi]] is Mario's younger brother. He is a companion in many ''Mario'' games and the character whom players play in two-player sessions of many of the video games, though he also occasionally rescues Mario, as displayed in ''[[Mario is Missing!]]'' and ''[[Luigi's Mansion]]''.
-[[Yoshi]] is presumed to be a dinosaur, though his species is named Yoshi. There are many yoshis in the world, varying in color, but the original yoshi is green. Yoshi serves as Mario's mount in several games such as [[Super Mario World]], and is depicted as a more sentient creature in games like [[Super Mario Kart]] and [[Yoshi's Island]].
-Mario rescued [[List of Mario series characters#Princess Daisy|Princess Daisy]] in ''[[Super Mario Land]]'' for the [[Game Boy]]. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', the text explaining Princess Daisy's trophy states that "after her appearance in ''[[Mario Golf]]'', some gossips portrayed her as Luigi's answer to Mario's Peach",<ref>{{cite video game|title=Super Smash Bros. Melee|developer=HAL Laboratory|publisher=Nintendo|date=2001-12-03|platform=Nintendo GameCube}}</ref> although Luigi and Daisy were previously paired as a romantic couple in the live-action [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|''Super Mario Bros.'' film]].
-''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'' for the Game Boy saw the arrival of [[Wario]], Mario's [[wikt:counterpart|counterpart]]. Though there is no tangible relationship between the two, Wario was once referred to as Mario's cousin in [[Nintendo Power]].{{Fact|date=March 2009}}
-=== Baby Mario ===
-Baby Mario is the infant version of Mario. He first appeared in 1995 in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'', and has appeared in several games since. Baby Mario has often appeared in Nintendo-sports games, and has a major role along with [[Luigi|Baby Luigi]] in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]''. He is voiced by [[Charles Martinet]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Charles Martinet: Voice Over|url=http://www.charlesmartinet.com/voiceover.html|accessdate=2008-03-16}}</ref>
-== Abilities ==
-During the development of ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'', Mario was known as "Jumpman". Jumping—both to access places and as an offensive move—is a common gameplay element in ''Mario'' games, especially the ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' series.
-Mario's most commonly portrayed form of attack is jumping to stomp on the heads of enemies, first used in ''[[Mario Bros.]]'' This jump-stomp move may entirely crush smaller enemies on the stage, and usually deals damage to larger ones, sometimes also causing secondary effects. This attack often enables Mario to knock the turtle-like [[Enemies in the Mario series#Koopa Troopa|Koopa Troopas]] into or out of their shells, which can be used as weapons.
-Subsequent games have elaborated on Mario's jumping-related abilities. ''[[Super Mario World]]'' added the ability to spin-jump, which allows Mario to break blocks beneath him. Later, the Game Boy version of ''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]'' allows Mario to jump higher with consecutive jumps, and perform a back-flip. In ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', Mario has several jumping abilities, such as a sideways somersault, a ground pound, and the "Wall Kick", which propels him upwards by kicking off walls.
-In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'', Mario gains a unique power called ''Mario Finale'' by getting the smash ball, which is a double-helix fire explosion that covers from the left to the right screen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/characters/mario.html |title=Smash Bros. DOJO!! |publisher=Smashbros.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>
-=== Power-ups ===
-Mario uses many items, which give him various powers. The first power-up Mario uses is the Hammer in ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]''.<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/dk_history/p03.html GameSpot Presents: The History of Donky Kong<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
-''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' introduced the basic three power-ups that have become staples for the series—- the Super Mushroom, which causes Mario to grow larger; the Fire Flower, which allows Mario to throw fireballs; and the Starman, which gives Mario temporary invincibility. These powers have appeared regularly throughout the series.<ref>{{cite web|last=McLaughlin |first=Rus |url=http://uk.games.ign.com/articles/833/833615p1.html |title=IGN: IGN Presents The History of Super Mario Bros |publisher=Uk.games.ign.com |date=2007-11-08 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> Throughout the series' history, there have been several kinds of Mushroom power-ups, including a [[1-Up]] Mushroom, which gives Mario an extra life; Poison Mushroom, which causes Mario to either shrink or die;<ref>{{cite web|last=Suellentrop |first=Chris |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2177082/ |title=Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels reviewed. - By Chris Suellentrop - Slate Magazine |publisher=Slate.com |date=2007-11-05 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> Mega Mushroom, which causes Mario to grow very large; and Mini Mushroom, which causes Mario to shrink.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Craig |url=http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/705/705537p2.html |title=IGN: New Super Mario Bros. Review |publisher=Uk.ds.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>
-A common item across the series is an item that gives Mario the ability of flight. The first was introduced in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' called the Super Leaf, which gives Mario a raccoon suit.<ref>{{cite web|last=Provo |first=Frank |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/action/supermariobros3/review.html |title=Super Mario Bros. 3 Review for Wii - GameSpot |publisher=Uk.gamespot.com |date=2007-11-09 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> Also in this game is the [[Tanuki]] suit, which allows flight and the ability to turn into a statue. Later, in ''[[Super Mario World]]'', an item called the Cape Feather was introduced that gave Mario a cape,<ref>{{cite web|last=Navarro |first=Alex |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/action/supermarioworldsnes/review.html |title=Super Mario World Review for Wii - GameSpot |publisher=Uk.gamespot.com |date=2007-02-09 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>. In [[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]], a carrot was available that gave Mario rabbit ears that allowed him to fly, and in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', an item called the Wing Cap, resulting in the temporary ability to fly.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualconsole/games/detail/48czfMMYIp_0_alQYMIOS7sgrvUdDq1O |title=Super Mario 64 at Nintendo :: Wii :: Virtual Console :: Games |publisher=Nintendo.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> All four of these flying power-ups were featured on the cover of their respective box arts. ''Super Mario Sunshine'' introduces a water spraying device called "F.L.U.D.D.", which has the ability to spray water, hover and more.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/supermariosunshine/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |title=Super Mario Sunshine Review for GameCube - GameSpot |publisher=Uk.gamespot.com |date=2002-10-04 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> [[Super Mario Galaxy]] set the record for most power-ups available in a Mario platformer. Although this included the revival of old power-ups such as the Fire Flower, it also introduced a number of new items. One, for example, is the Bee Mushroom, which naturally turned him into a bee, and therefore allowing him to float briefly and walk on special "hive" surfaces.
-Some of these powers have appeared in the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]]. ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' features the Fire Flower as one of Mario and [[Luigi]]'s attacks and an item any character can use. It also features the Star and Hammer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/action/supersmashbros/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |title=Super Smash Bros. Brawl Review for Wii - GameSpot |publisher=Uk.gamespot.com |date=2008-06-27 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', the Super and Poison Mushrooms also appear.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://supersmashbros.ign.com/wiki/Super_Smash_Brothers_Melee_(GameCube)_information |title=Super Smash Brothers Melee (GameCube) information - IGN Super Smash Wiki |publisher=Supersmashbros.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>
-== Reception and legacy ==
-[[Image:Stefsupermario.jpg|thumb|Mario in [[Kungsbacka]], [[Sweden]]]]
-As Nintendo's mascot, Mario is considered to be the most famous video game character in history.<ref name="History of Mario">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm|title=Nintendo's Shining Star: The History of Mario|publisher=Gamecubicle|accessdate=2008-08-23}}</ref><ref name="wired" /> The ''Mario'' series of video games has sold more than 200 million copies (sold 201 million as of 2009), making it the [[List of best-selling video game franchises|best-selling video game franchise]] of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/833/833615p1.html|title=IGN Presents The History of Super Mario Bros.|publisher=IGN|author=McLaughlin, Rus|pages=1|date=2007-11-08|accessdate=2008-08-23}}</ref> Mario was one of the first video game character inductees at the [[Walk of Game]] in 2005, alongside [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] and [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walkofgame.com/inductees/inductees2005.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080121064109/http://www.walkofgame.com/inductees/inductees2005.html|archivedate=2008-01-21|title=Past Inductees 2005 Games / Characters|publisher=[[Walk of Game]]|accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> Mario was the first video game character to be honored with a wax figure in the legendary [[Hollywood Wax Museum]] in 2003. In the 1990s, a national survey found that Mario was more recognizable to American children than [[Mickey Mouse]]. <ref>{{cite book|last=Iwabuchi|first=Koichi|title=Recentering globalization: Popular culture and Japanese transnationalism|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0-8223-2891-9|url=http://www.dukeupress.edu/books.php3?isbn=0-8223-2891-7|language=English|page=30}}</ref>
-Since his creation, Mario has established himself as a pop culture icon having starred in numerous television shows, comic books, and in a feature film. He has appeared on lunch boxes, t-shirts, magazines, commercials, in candy form, on shampoo bottles, cereal, badges, and as a plush toy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm|title=Nintendo's Shining Star: The History of Mario|publisher=GameCubicle|accessdate=2008-08-23}}</ref> Nintendo of Japan produced a 60-minute [[anime]] feature starring Mario and his friends in 1986, although this film has never been released outside of Japan. The animated series ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' featured a live-action series of skits starring former WWF manager [[Lou Albano|"Captain" Lou Albano]] as Mario and [[Danny Wells]] as Luigi. There was even a book series, the [[Nintendo Adventure Books]]. In 2005, Jonathan Mann even wrote an [[opera]] based on the character, and performed ''The Mario Opera'' at the [[California Institute of the Arts]].
-[[Bergsala]], the distributor of Nintendo's products in the [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] and the [[Baltic countries]], is located at Marios Gata 21 (Mario's Street 21) in [[Kungsbacka]], [[Sweden]], named after Mario.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bergsala AB, Contact page|url=http://www.nintendo.se/contact|accessdate=2008-09-09}}</ref>
-Mario's legacy is recognized by Guinness World Records, who awarded the Nintendo Mascot, and the series of platform games he has appeared in, 7 world records in the ''Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008''. These records include, "Best Selling Video Game Series of All Time", "First Movie Based on an Existing Video Game", and "Most Prolific Video Game Character", with Mario appearing in 116 distinct titles (not including remakes or re-releases).
-In a poll conducted in 2008, Mario was voted as the most popular video game character in Japan, outranking characters such as [[Cloud Strife]] and [[Solid Snake]].<ref>{{cite web|title=And Japan's Favorite Video Game Characters Are...?|url=http://kotaku.com/5035884/and-japans-favorite-video-game-characters-are =2008-08-23}}</ref>
-=== In popular culture ===
-Mario's theme music in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', composed by [[Kōji Kondō]], is highly recognizable.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Kohler |url=http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/03/72971 |title=Behind the Mario Maestro's Music |publisher=Wired.com |date=2009-01-04 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> Mario has inspired many unlicensed paintings<ref>{{cite web| title=10 Works of Art Inspired By ''Super Mario Bros.'' |url=http://pixelatedgeek.com/2009/04/10-works-of-art-inspired-by-super-mario-bros/ |publisher=Pixelated Geek |accessdate=2009-05-05}}</ref> and short films, which have themselves been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.<ref>{{cite web| title=Newgrounds Presents: Mario |url=http://www.newgrounds.com/collection/mario.html |publisher=[[Newgrounds|Newgrounds, Inc.]]|accessdate=2009-05-05}}</ref> Former [[National Hockey League|NHL]] [[hockey]] player, [[Mario Lemieux]] was given the nickname "Super Mario" by the media during his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016068.html |title=ESPN.com: Mario was super despite the obstacles |publisher=Espn.go.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>  [[Mario Williams]], the #1 draft pick in the [[2006 NFL Draft]], was also given the nickname "Super Mario",<ref>{{cite web|author=Mario Williams&nbsp;&nbsp;#90&nbsp;&nbsp;DE |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9587 |title=Mario Williams Stats, News, Photos - Houston Texans - ESPN |publisher=Sports.espn.go.com |date=1985-01-31 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>  as was pro-cyclist [[Mario Cipollini]].<ref>{{cite web|author=By VeloGuy on January 26th, 2008 |url=http://www.bicycle.net/2008/exclusive-photos-round-2-of-super-mario-cipollini-and-his-rock-racing-team |title=Exclusive Photos - Round 2 of Super Mario Cipollini and his Rock Racing Team- Bicycle.Net - cycling news, product reviews :: Tour de France 2009 |publisher=Bicycle.Net |date=2008-01-26 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>  German international footballer [[Mario Basler]] was affectionately referred to as "Super Mario" by fans and the media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_19990523/ai_n13939593/ |title=Super Mario the wayward genius on whom Bayern pin their hopes &#124; Sunday Herald, The &#124; Find Articles at BNET |publisher=Findarticles.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>  Other sportsmen who received this nickname include the Brazilian soccer player [[Mário Jardel]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=140466 |title=[Exclusive interview&#93; Mario Jardel: Leaving Galatasaray was the biggest mistake of my life |publisher=Todayszaman.com |date=2008-04-30 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>  famous for his jumps and headers, and current [[F.C. Internazionale Milano|Inter]] striker [[Mario Balotelli]]. <ref>{{cite web|author=Inter Milan |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/580/inter-milan/2009/03/05/1139424/report-inter-striker-mario-balotelli-given-all-clear-after-ct-sc |title=Report: Inter Striker Mario Balotelli Given All-Clear After CT Scan |publisher=Goal.com |date=2009-03-05 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>
-== References ==
-{{reflist|2}}
-== External links ==
-{{Portal|Mario}}
-{{Wikiquote}}
-* [http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/mario/enGB/index.html Nintendo of Europe's official website for the ''Mario'' series]
-* [http://www.mariowiki.com/ Super Mario Wiki]
-{{Mario series}}
-[[Category:Fictional characters who can change their size]]
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-[[Category:Fictional sportspeople]]
-[[Category:Fictional toymakers and toy inventors]] <!-- Mario vs. Donkey Kong -->
-[[Category:Mario characters]]
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-[[Category:Superheroes]]
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