{{pp|small=yes}} {{Short description|Multimedia franchise by Nintendo}} {{About|the media franchise|the flagship platformer subseries|Super Mario{{!}}''Super Mario''}} {{Use American English|date=May 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox media franchise | title = Mario | image = Mario emblem.svg | caption = The emblem on Mario's hat is an iconic symbol of the ''Mario'' franchise. | creator = Shigeru Miyamoto | origin = ''Mario Bros.'' (1983){{efn|Although Mario first appeared in ''Donkey Kong'' (1981), ''Mario Bros.'' was the first game to feature the ''Mario'' branding.<ref>{{cite web |title=The History of Mario |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1996/10/01/the-history-of-mario |website=IGN |access-date=April 13, 2025 |date=September 30, 1996}}</ref>}} | owner = Nintendo | years = 1983–present | novels = Nintendo Gamebooks | comics = {{collapsible list|title=Various| * ''Nintendo Comics System'' (1990–91) * ''Super Mario-Kun'' (1990–present) * ''Super Mario Adventures'' (1992–93) }} | films = {{collapsible list|title=Various| * ''Super Mario Bros.'' (1993) * ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'' (2023) *''The Super Mario Galaxy Movie'' (2026)}} | animated_series = {{collapsible list|title=Various| * ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show'' (1989) * ''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3'' (1990) * ''Super Mario World'' (1991) }} | dtv = ''Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!'' (1986) | games = Electromechanical games list | video_games = {{collapsible list|title=Various | ''Super Mario'' series | ''Luigi'' series | ''Yoshi'' series | ''Wario'' series | ''Donkey Kong'' series | ''Paper Mario'' series | ''Mario & Luigi'' series | ''Mario Kart'' series | ''Mario Party'' series | ''Mario'' sports games | ''Mario'' puzzle games | ''Mario'' role-playing games | ''Mario'' educational games }} | music = Music list | attractions = Super Nintendo World | toys = Lego Super Mario | website = {{URL|mario.nintendo.com/}} | footnotes = <!--Use {{note}}s or {{note label}}s to go with {{ref}}s and {{ref label}}s in data parameters.--> | sp = Empty | color = | otherlabel1 = Related franchise(s) | otherdata1 = ''Donkey Kong'' }} {{nihongo foot|'''''Mario'''''|マリオ|Mario|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a Japanese video game series and media franchise created by Japanese game designer Shigeru Miyamoto for the video game company Nintendo. Starring Mario, the franchise began with video games but has extended to other forms of media, including a television series, comic books, a 1993 film, a 2023 film, a 2026 sequel film, and a theme park area. Mario made his first video game appearance in the arcade game ''Donkey Kong'' (1981)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Latson |first=Jennifer |date=2015-06-02 |title=How Donkey Kong and Mario Changed the World |url=https://time.com/3901489/donkey-kong-anniversary/ |website=Time Magazine}}</ref> and was featured in multiple ''Donkey Kong'' games prior to ''Mario Bros.'' (1983), the first game with "''Mario''" in the title. ''Mario'' video games have been developed by a variety of developers, with the vast majority produced and published by Nintendo and released exclusively on Nintendo's video game consoles.
The flagship ''Mario'' subseries is the ''Super Mario'' series of platform games starting with 1985's ''Super Mario Bros.'', which mostly follows Mario's adventures in the fictional world of the Mushroom Kingdom and typically relies on Mario's jumping ability to allow him to progress through levels. The franchise has spawned over 200 games of various genres and several subseries, including ''Mario Kart'', ''Mario Party'', ''Mario Tennis'', ''Mario Golf'', ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'', ''Paper Mario'', and ''Mario & Luigi''; several characters introduced in the ''Mario'' franchise, such as Luigi, Wario, and Yoshi, sparked successful franchises of their own.
The ''Mario'' series is one of gaming's most successful and renowned franchises, with many of its games, in particular within the ''Super Mario'' subseries, considered some of the greatest video games ever made. It is the best-selling video game franchise of all time,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.es/world-records/best-selling-videogame-series-of-all-time |title=Best-selling videogame series |access-date=19 May 2026 |newspaper=Guinness World Records}}</ref> with more than 900 million copies of games sold, including more than 430 million for the ''Super Mario'' games alone, and one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. ''Mario'' is also Nintendo's flagship franchise. {{TOC limit|3}}
== Premise == Media in the ''Mario'' franchise usually makes use of episodic instead of serialized plot lines, with the events of one entry bearing little impact on the others. Instead, narrative elements (such as a damsel in distress having to be rescued from a monstrous villain by the protagonist after an ambush or military incursion) are often reused as a backdrop to contextualize more specific scenarios; a measure intended to maximize the franchise's appeal to new audiences.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=Anthony |title=Storytelling in the Media Convergence Age |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2015 |isbn=978-1-137-38815-5 |editor-last=Pearson |editor-first=Roberta |location=London |pages=21-39 |language=en |chapter=Super Mario Seriality: Nintendo’s Narratives and Audience Targeting within the Video Game Console Industry |editor-last2=Smith |editor-first2=Anthony |chapter-url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137388155_2}}</ref>
The roles in this recurring narrative premise are usually filled by the fictional protagonist Mario, an Italian plumber with a jumping superpower, who, along with a rotating cast of allies and ability-granting power-ups, traverses a fantastical environment to rescue Princess Peach from the antagonist King Bowser. This framework, reflecting elements of Western fairy tale traditions, primarily functions as a secondary structure to support gameplay in the franchise's video games, which centers on navigation through a sequence of themed environments populated by cartoony obstacles, enemies, and interactive objects. The visual and spatial design of the ''Mario'' universe reflects Japanese aesthetic tendencies, including an emphasis on expressive environments and the primacy of space over character.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Montoro |first=Juan |title=Western Japaneseness: Intercultural Translations of Japan in Western Media |publisher=Vernon Press |year=2021 |isbn=978-1-64889-115-1 |editor-last=Jacob |editor-first=Frank |location=Malaga |language=en |chapter=From Japan to the World: Super Mario’s World-building Across Two Continents |editor-last2=Surace |editor-first2=Bruno |chapter-url=https://www.academia.edu/109612899/From_Japan_to_the_World_Super_Mario_s_World_building_Across_Two_Continents}}</ref>
While early ''Mario'' video games and adaptations were often described in supplementary material to be set in or linked to real-world locations (such as New York City)<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2023 |title=マリオ映画公開記念！宮本茂さんインタビュー 制作の始まりから驚きの設定まで |trans-title=Commemorating the release of the Mario movie! Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto From the beginning of production to the surprising setting |url=https://www.ndw.jp/mario-interview-230425/2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425155151/https://www.ndw.jp/mario-interview-230425/2/ |archive-date=April 25, 2023 |website=Nintendo Dream |language=ja |access-date=November 14, 2024 |quote=もともと『マリオブラザーズ』は、土管がいっぱいあるニューヨークの地下で活躍する兄弟、ニューヨークのなかでもたぶんブルックリン、というところまで勝手に決めていて。『ドンキーコング』は舞台がニューヨークですし。[Miyamoto: Originally, ''Mario Bros.'' was arbitrarily decided as brothers who are active in the underground of New York, where there are many clay pipes, and probably Brooklyn in New York. ''Donkey Kong'' is set in New York.]}}</ref>, this has largely been retconned, with subsequent material having since been adjusted to take place in fictional fantasy locations. These often consist of distinct kingdoms or islands (such as the Mushroom Kingdom, Metro Kingdom or Yoshi's Island) featuring areas designated for levels of specific biotopes or themes, each filled with common characteristics such as warp pipes, anthropomorphic environmental elements, floating blocks, coins and recognizable species.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Edler |first=Dennis |last2=Dickmann |first2=Frank |year=2016 |title=Interaktive Multimediakartographie in frühen Videospielwelten - Das Beispiel "Super Mario World" |trans-title=Interactive Multimedia Cartography of Virtual Worlds in Early Video Games - The Example of "Super Mario World" |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03545205 |journal=KN - Journal of Cartography and Geographic Information |language=de |publication-place=Bochum |volume=66 |pages=51-58 |via=Springer Nature Link}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Tommy |date=June 2015 |title=The Fine Line Between Rehash and Sequel: Design Patterns of the Super Mario Series |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280943816_The_Fine_Line_Between_Rehash_and_Sequel_Design_Patterns_of_the_Super_Mario_Series |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=researchgate.net |publisher=Department of Computing & Mathematics, University of Derby |language=en}}</ref>
Spinoff material set in the same universe, but not featuring the titular protagonist and instead depicting stories exclusively involving secondary characters has been produced as well, notably for Donkey Kong, Luigi, Yoshi, Wario, Captain Toad and Princess Peach.
===Major characters=== {{seealso|List of Mario franchise enemies}} [[File:Mario-Franchise-CharacterLineup.png|upright=1.5|thumb|A selection of ''Mario'' characters drawn by Shigehisa Nakaue. From left to right: Koopa Paratroopa, Boo, Goomba, Yoshi, Rosalina, Princess Peach, Bowser, Mario, Luigi, Toad, Princess Daisy, Wario, Cheep Cheep, and Waluigi.]] ;Mario :The protagonist of the ''Mario'' franchise, Mario is a plumber and older twin brother of Luigi. Originating in the arcade game ''Donkey Kong'', Mario has since appeared in every title in the franchise.
;Luigi :Luigi is the younger twin brother of Mario, though is notably taller. Luigi was introduced in the game ''Mario Bros.'', and often appears alongside his brother in various games throughout the franchise.
;Princess Peach :Princess Peach is the princess of the Mushroom Kingdom. First introduced in ''Super Mario Bros.'', she is frequently kidnapped, often by Bowser. The plot of many games in the series revolve around Mario and Luigi setting off to rescue her.
;Toad and Toadette :Toad is a short-statured anthropomorphic mushroom-like race of characters that first appeared in ''Super Mario Bros'' as support characters, though have later made playable appearances starting with the game ''Wario's Woods''. Specific notable Toads in the franchise include Toadsworth, an aide to Princess Peach, and '''Captain Toad''', an adventurer and star of his own video game. A female variation of Toad named '''Toadette''' was later introduced in the game ''Mario Kart: Double Dash'', and transforms into an analogue of Princess Peach dubbed Peachette upon acquiring a Super Crown power-up.
;Yoshi :Yoshi is a green anthropomorphic dinosaur. He first appeared in ''Super Mario World'' where he served as a mount for Mario and Luigi, and later starred in the ''Yoshi'' series.
;Donkey Kong :Donkey Kong is an anthropomorphic gorilla that first appeared in the arcade game of the same name. The leader of the Kong Family, he acts as the antagonist of the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series, while also the star of the ''Donkey Kong'' franchise.
;Pauline :Pauline was first introduced in ''Donkey Kong'', where she is kidnapped by the titular character with Mario having to rescue her. She subsequently appears in the ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series, as well as other titles in the franchise such as ''Super Mario Odyssey''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Alexander |first1=Julia |date=14 June 2017 |title=Super Mario Odyssey producer explains why Pauline has returned |url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/14/15804210/super-mario-odyssey-pauline-switch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615014618/https://www.polygon.com/e3/2017/6/14/15804210/super-mario-odyssey-pauline-switch |archive-date=15 June 2017 |access-date=15 June 2017 |work=Polygon}}</ref>
;Princess Daisy :Princess Daisy was introduced as the princess of Sarasaland in ''Super Mario Land'', where Mario rescues her from the villain Tatanga. In contrast to Peach, she is often depicted as having a tomboyish demeanor.
;Wario :Wario is an obese but muscular character appearing similar to Mario and Luigi. Originally introduced as an antagonist in ''Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins'', he eventually became an anti-hero in the franchise, and is the star of the ''Wario'' series of games.
;Waluigi :Waluigi is tall but scrawny character appearing similar to Wario. He was introduced in ''Mario Tennis'', and throughout the franchise is often portrayed as Wario's partner of inconsistently defined relation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mario Tennis 64: Introducing Waluigi |date=June 20, 2000 |url=http://www.nintendo.com/n64/mariotennis/waluigi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000620005215/http://www.nintendo.com/n64/mariotennis/waluigi.html |archive-date=June 20, 2000 |publisher=Nintendo of America|quote=His name is Waluigi, and the only person who's pleased to meet him is his big brother, Wario.}}</ref>
;Rosalina :Rosalina is a princess introduced in ''Super Mario Galaxy'', acting as the adoptive mother of creatures known as Lumas, and resides in a starship called the Comet Observatory.
;Birdo :Birdo is a pink, anthropomorphic dinosaur who wears a red bow on her head, and has a round mouth that can fire eggs as projectiles,<ref>{{cite web |date=2007-11-30 |title=The Top 10 Worst Mario Characters |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/the-top-ten-worst-mario-characters/110/?page=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203155209/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/the-top-ten-worst-mario-characters/110/?page=4 |archive-date=December 3, 2007 |access-date=2009-10-16 |publisher=GameDaily}}</ref> first appearing in ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' as a recurring boss.<ref>{{cite web |date=2001-03-23 |title=What Happens When You Beat Mario Advance (Part 1) |url=http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/092/092746p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613194246/http://gameboy.ign.com/articles/092/092746p1.html |archive-date=2011-06-13 |access-date=2009-10-16 |website=IGN}}</ref> Early material referred to her as a "man who thinks of himself as female", leading her to some considering her an early example of a transgender video game character.<ref>{{citation |last=Robbins |first=M. Brandon |title=Diversity in Gaming |date=September 15, 2017 |work=Library Journal |volume=142 |page=51}}</ref><ref>{{citation |last=Owens |first=Cassie |title=Temple prof co-curates first exhibit on LGBTQ video game history |date=September 25, 2018 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer}}</ref><ref>{{citation |last1=Shaw |first1=Adrienne |title=Where is the Queerness in Games? Types of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Content in Digital Games |work=International Journal of Communication |volume=10 |pages=3877–3889 |year=2016 |last2=Friesem |first2=Elizaveta}}</ref>
;Nabbit :Nabbit is a rabbit-like character introduced in ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' who steals items from the player, though became a playable character himself in later titles in the franchise.
;Bowser :Bowser is the king of the Koopas, a race of turtle-like creatures in the ''Mario'' franchise. Very large and able to breathe fire, he was introduced in ''Super Mario Bros.''. Frequently serving as the antagonist for games and media within the ''Mario'' franchise, he often kidnaps Princess Peach only to be defeated by Mario and Luigi.
;Bowser Jr. :Bowser Jr. is the son of Bowser, introduced in ''Super Mario Sunshine''.<ref name="History">{{cite web |last=McLaughlin |first=Rus |date=September 14, 2010 |title=IGN Presents The History of Super Mario Bros. |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109000531/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |archive-date=November 9, 2019 |access-date=April 9, 2014 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref> He looks up to his father, and shares his ambition to defeat Mario and take over the world and the Mushroom Kingdom.
;Koopalings :The Koopalings are relatives of Bowser introduced in ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. Consisting of six boys and one girl, the are each unique koopas armed with magic wands that occasionally appear to aid Bowser in his plans to take over the Mushroom Kingdom.
;Kamek :Kamek is a member of the fictional Magikoopa species who is Bowser's childhood caretaker, and later in life one of his high-ranking minions.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 19, 2023 |title=Game with Kamek: Let’s conjure up some games with the infamous Magikoopa |url=https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/game-with-kamek-lets-conjure-up-some-games-with-the-infamous-magikoopa/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=www.nintendo.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite book |url=http://archive.org/details/Nintendo_Players_Guide_SNES_Super_Mario_World_2_Yoshis_Island_1995 |title=Super Mario World 2 Yoshis Island: Nintendo Player's Guide |date=1995 |pages=6, 16, 44, 61, 100, 116, 127 |via=The Internet Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Orlando |first=Anthony |date=2023-04-08 |title=The 7 most powerful characters in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, ranked |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/movies/the-most-powerful-characters-in-the-super-mario-bros-movie-ranked/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=Digital Trends |language=en-us}}</ref> Kamek is the main antagonist of the ''Yoshi'' series, and first appeared in the game ''Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island''.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Beistad |first=L. B. |date=2025-04-20 |title=One Mario Kart World Item All But De-Confirms a Playable Character |url=https://gamerant.com/mario-kart-world-item-kamek-not-playable-explained-why/ |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> He uses magic, including self-duplication, teleportation, magical blasts, and size manipulation. He differs from other Magikoopas by riding a broom.<ref name=":7" /> In Japan, his species is also named Kamek.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nintendo |title=New スーパーマリオブラザーズ Wii {{!}} ヒストリー {{!}} マリオポータル {{!}} Nintendo |url=https://www.nintendo.com/jp/character/mario/history/index.html |access-date=2026-01-01 |website=任天堂ホームページ |language=ja}}</ref>
;King Boo :King Boo is the king of the ghost-like Boos, and is the main antagonist of the ''Luigi's Mansion'' series,<ref name=":8">{{cite web |last=Johnson |first=Alexandra |date=October 6, 2024 |title=Mario: 8 Best King Boo Appearances, Ranked |url=https://www.thegamer.com/mario-all-appearances-of-king-boo-ranked/ |access-date=October 20, 2024 |website=TheGamer}}</ref> acting as the final boss of the first game.
==Video games== {{Main|List of video games featuring Mario}}
===Origin games===
====''Donkey Kong''==== {{Main|Donkey Kong (1981 video game)|l1 = ''Donkey Kong'' (1981 video game)}}
[[File:Donkey Kong arcade.png|thumb|125px|A replica of a ''Donkey Kong'' arcade cabinet|left]]
After the commercial failure of ''Radar Scope'', Nintendo's company president, Hiroshi Yamauchi, referred to designer Shigeru Miyamoto to create an arcade game to save the company.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nix |first1=Marc |title=IGN Presents: The History of Super Mario Bros. |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |publisher=IGN |access-date=9 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109000531/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/09/14/ign-presents-the-history-of-super-mario-bros |archive-date=9 November 2019 |date=14 September 2010}}</ref> Miyamoto came up with the idea of a game in which the playable character has to make his way through an obstacle course consisting of sloped platforms, ladders and rolling barrels. Miyamoto named the game ''Donkey Kong'', and its main protagonist "Jumpman". ''Donkey Kong'' is an early example of the platform genre. In addition to presenting the goal of saving Pauline, the game gives the player a score. Points are awarded for finishing screens; leaping over obstacles; destroying objects with a hammer power-up; collecting items such as hats, parasols, and purses (presumably belonging to Pauline); and completing other tasks. The game was surprisingly successful.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=June 1994|magazine=Nintendo Power|title=Nintendo Power Issue 61|publisher=Nintendo|issue=61}}</ref> "Jumpman" was called "Mario" in certain promotional materials for the game's release overseas;<ref name="US Donkey Kong promo flyer">{{cite web |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=316&image=2 |title= Video Game Flyers: Donkey Kong, Nintendo |work= The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date= October 29, 2018 |archive-date= March 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311020910/https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=316&image=2 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name="France Donkey Kong promo flyer">{{cite web |url=https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=2950&image=2 |title=Video Game Flyers: Donkey Kong, Karateco |work=The Arcade Flyer Archive |access-date=October 29, 2018 |archive-date=March 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325033323/https://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=flyer&db=videodb&id=2950&image=2 |url-status=live }}</ref> his namesake was Mario Segale, the landlord of Nintendo of America (NOA)'s office/warehouse, who, according to one version of events, barged in on a meeting to demand an overdue rent payment.<ref>{{cite web|title=10 Mario Fun Facts!|date=September 22, 2007 |url=http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/22/10-mario-fun-facts/|access-date=September 29, 2007|archive-date=October 11, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011025710/http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/22/10-mario-fun-facts/|url-status=live}}</ref> This story is contradicted by former NOA warehouse manager Don James, who stated in 2012 that he and then-NOA president Minoru Arakawa named the character after Segale as a joke because Segale was so reclusive that none of the employees had ever met him.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/2012/02/gamelife-podcast-episode-18/ |title=Game Life Podcast: When Jay Mohr Met Tomonobu Itagaki |first=Chris |last=Kohler |magazine=Wired |date=February 17, 2012 |access-date=September 28, 2024 |archive-date=April 17, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140417022605/https://www.wired.com/2012/02/gamelife-podcast-episode-18/ |quote="And so we thought, 'This guy [Segale] is a recluse. No one's ever actually met him.' So we thought, 'Wouldn't it be a great joke if we named this character Mario?' And so we said, 'That's great,' and we sent a telex to Japan, and that's how Mario got his name."}} Interview with Don James starts at 51:16. Quotation occurs at 52:00.</ref> James repeated this account in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 14, 2018 |title=Nintendo Treehouse Live - E3 2018 - Arcade Archives Donkey Kong, Sky Skipper |website=YouTube |publisher=Nintendo Everything |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CizC6MqyiJM&t=138s |url-status=live |access-date=September 28, 2024 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003035157/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CizC6MqyiJM |quote="Mr. Arakawa, who was the president, and myself looked at the character, and we had a landlord that happened to be named Mario as well, and we'd never met the guy, so we thought it'd be funny to name this main character Mario after our landlord in Southcenter. And that's actually how Mario got his name."}} Quotation occurs at 2:25.</ref>
====''Donkey Kong Jr.''==== {{Main|Donkey Kong Jr.|l1 = ''Donkey Kong Jr.''}}
Mario next appeared in 1982's ''Donkey Kong Jr.'' as the game's antagonist. Players control Donkey Kong Jr. as he climbs vines and collects keys to save his kidnapped father from Mario.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berube |first1=Justin |title=Arcade Archives Donkey Kong Jr. Review - Review |url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/49295/arcade-archives-donkey-kong-jr-switch-review |website=Nintendo World Report |access-date=22 February 2025 |date=7 January 2019}}</ref><ref>Steven L. Kent. The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokémon and Beyond (Prima Publishing, 2001), pp. 187–189.</ref> The game was later ported to several platforms including the Famicom, NES, and several Atari home consoles. Additionally, a Game & Watch port and sequel were later produced.<ref>David Sheff. Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World (Vintage, 2011), pp. 48–52.</ref> Like the first game, it is an early example of the platform genre.<ref>Tristan Donovan. Replay: The History of Video Games (Yellow Ant, 2010), pp. 76–79.</ref>
====''Mario Bros.''==== {{Main|Mario Bros.|l1 = ''Mario Bros.''}}
''Mario Bros.'' is the first game to feature "Mario" in the title and to feature Luigi. The objective of ''Mario Bros'' is to defeat all of the enemies in each phase. Each phase is a series of platforms with four pipes at each corner of the screen, and an object called a "POW" block in the center.<ref name="NESpg5">{{cite book |author=Nintendo |title=Mario Bros. manual |section=pg. 5 |version=Nintendo Entertainment System |year=1983 }}</ref><ref name="NESpg8">{{cite book |author=Nintendo |title=Mario Bros. manual |section=pg. 8 |version=Nintendo Entertainment System |year=1983 }}</ref> The mechanics of ''Mario Bros.'' involve only running and jumping. Unlike future ''Mario'' titles, players cannot jump on enemies until they are flipped over; this can be accomplished by jumping under the platform they are on or by using the "POW" block. Both sides of every phase feature a mechanism that allows the player to go off-screen to the left and appear on the right, and vice versa.<ref name="NESpg8" /> The game has since reappeared in various forms, including as a minigame in ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' and the ''Super Mario Advance'' series, and reimagined as ''Mario Clash''.<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/895/895518p1.html |publisher=IGN |title=Getting a headache with Mario Clash on the Virtual Boy. |work=The Other Mario Games, Vol. 1 |author=Levi Buchanan |date=July 31, 2008 |access-date=November 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229232924/http://retro.ign.com/articles/895/895518p1.html |archive-date=February 29, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Game and Watch==== {{Main|List of LCD games featuring Mario}}
Nintendo has released several ''Mario'' and ''Donkey Kong'' LCD video games for the Game & Watch line. Eleven were released between 1982 and 1995. Nintendo also licensed the release of six LCD games for Nelsonic's Game Watch line between 1989 and 1994.<ref>Florent Gorges. The History of Nintendo, Vol. 4: 1980–1991 – The Game & Watch Era (Omaké Books, 2017).</ref> Many remakes of Game & Watch games have changed the protagonist from a generic Mr. Game & Watch character to Mario.<ref>David Sheff. Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World (Vintage, 2011).</ref> In 2020, a rerelease of ''Super Mario Bros.'' in the form of a Game & Watch titled ''Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.'' was released for the game's 35th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|last=Goldman|first=David|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/13/tech/nintendo-game-and-watch/index.html|title=Nintendo is bringing back a super-retro handheld from the 1980s|website=CNN|date=September 13, 2020|access-date=December 21, 2025|archive-date=September 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200913191132/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/09/13/tech/nintendo-game-and-watch/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===''Super Mario'' series=== {{Main|Super Mario|l1 = ''Super Mario''}}
Mario then became the star of his own side scrolling platform game in 1985, titled ''Super Mario Bros.'', which was the pack-in game included with the Nintendo Entertainment System console. It was also later sold in a package with ''Duck Hunt''.<ref>Steven L. Kent. The Ultimate History of Video Games: From Pong to Pokémon and Beyond (Prima, 2001), pp. 289–305.</ref> In Japan, a game titled ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' (released internationally under the title ''Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels'') was released in 1986, but a different game with the same name was released internationally in 1988, followed by ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' later that same year in Japan.<ref>David Sheff. Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World (Vintage, 2011), pp. 60–75.</ref> ''Super Mario World'' then released in 1990 for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System.<ref>Tristan Donovan. Replay: The History of Video Games (Yellow Ant, 2010), pp. 178–186.</ref> While ''Super Mario Land'' and two sequels were the Game Boy installments in the series, the Game Boy Advance did not receive any original entries, only remakes.<ref>Mia Consalvo. Atari to Zelda: Japan’s Videogames in Global Contexts (MIT Press, 2016).</ref> ''Super Mario 64'', the first ''Super Mario'' game with fully<!--Yoshi’s Island featured polygons--> 3D graphics, debuted as the launch title for the Nintendo 64 console in 1996.<ref>Mark J. P. Wolf (ed.). The Video Game Explosion: A History from PONG to PlayStation and Beyond (Greenwood Press, 2008), pp. 210–215.</ref> ''Super Mario Sunshine'' was the series' entry for the GameCube, and ''Super Mario Galaxy'' and its sequel continued the series for the Wii. ''Super Mario 3D Land'' was the series' flagship title for Nintendo 3DS. The Wii U saw the release of ''Super Mario 3D World'' in November 2013, re-released as ''Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury'' in February 2021. ''Super Mario Odyssey'' was released on the Nintendo Switch in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/8/16621744/the-best-mario-games|title=Ranking the core Super Mario games|first=Jeremy|last=Parish|website=Polygon|date=November 8, 2017|access-date=November 6, 2018|archive-date=April 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210419162551/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/8/16621744/the-best-mario-games|url-status=live}}</ref>
A number of 2.5D games in the series have recreated the gameplay of the early games. In 2006, a sub-series with retro gameplay called ''New Super Mario Bros.'' was inaugurated on the Nintendo DS, featuring the mechanics of the ''Super Mario Bros.'' games.<ref>{{cite web |author=Tochen, Dan |date=April 11, 2006 |title=New Super Mario Brothers dated in Japan |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-super-mario-brothers-dated-in-japan/1100-6147476/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703144955/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-super-mario-brothers-dated-in-japan/1100-6147476/ |archive-date=July 3, 2019 |access-date=January 3, 2009 |publisher=GameSpot}}</ref> It continued on the Wii as ''New Super Mario Bros. Wii'' (2009), on the 3DS as ''New Super Mario Bros. 2'' (2012) and on the Wii U as ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' (2012) and ''New Super Luigi U'' (2013, stylized as ''New Super Luigi <s>Bros</s> U''), with a port of the Wii U games titled ''New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe'' on the Nintendo Switch in January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/new-super-mario-bros-u-deluxe-for-nintendo-switch |title=New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe (for Nintendo Switch) Review |date=2019-02-06 |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=PCMag |last=Greenwald |first=Will |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412170643/https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/new-super-mario-bros-u-deluxe-for-nintendo-switch |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Super Mario Bros.''-styled gameplay is further offered by the level creator game ''Super Mario Maker'', released on Wii U in 2015, with a sequel, ''Super Mario Maker 2'', released on Switch on June 28, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch/2019/2/13/18223977/super-mario-maker-2-nintendo-switch-release-date-trailer|title=Super Mario Maker 2 comes to Nintendo Switch in June|last=Frank|first=Allegra|work=Polygon|date=February 13, 2019|access-date=February 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217150728/https://www.polygon.com/nintendo-switch/2019/2/13/18223977/super-mario-maker-2-nintendo-switch-release-date-trailer|archive-date=February 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/13/18223976/super-mario-maker-2-nintendo-switch-release-date-june-2019|title=Super Mario Maker 2 is coming to the Nintendo Switch|last=Alexander|first=Julia|work=The Verge|date=February 13, 2019|access-date=February 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217133332/https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/13/18223976/super-mario-maker-2-nintendo-switch-release-date-june-2019|archive-date=February 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/04/24/super-mario-maker-2-launches-on-june-28|title=Super Mario Maker 2 Launches On June 28|last=Khan|first=Imran|magazine=Game Informer|date=April 24, 2019|access-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424222548/https://www.gameinformer.com/2019/04/24/super-mario-maker-2-launches-on-june-28|archive-date=April 24, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, ''Super Mario Run'' was released as Nintendo's first real smartphone game and one of the few instances a ''Mario'' game was developed for non-Nintendo hardware.<ref name="MarioRun">{{cite web|last1=Ingraham|first1=Nathan|title='Super Mario Run' is just as much fun as we'd hoped|date=December 8, 2016 |url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/08/super-mario-run-iphone-hands-on/|publisher=Engadet|access-date=December 8, 2016|archive-date=December 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208062524/https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/08/super-mario-run-iphone-hands-on/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Super Mario Bros. Wonder'' was released on Switch on October 20, 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Stewart |first1=Marcus |date=June 21, 2023 |title=Super Mario Bros. Wonder Is The Next 2D Mario Platformer |magazine=Game Informer |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2023/06/21/super-mario-bros-wonder-is-the-next-2d-mario-platformer |access-date=June 22, 2023 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003165942/https://www.gameinformer.com/nintendo-direct/2023/06/21/super-mario-bros-wonder-is-the-next-2d-mario-platformer |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Puzzle games=== {{Main|List of Mario puzzle games|l1 = List of ''Mario'' puzzle games}}
====''Dr. Mario'' series==== [[File:Dr. Mario series logo.png|thumb|The ''Dr. Mario'' series logo]] {{nihongo foot|'''''Dr. Mario'''''|ドクターマリオ|Dokutā Mario|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} (stylized as ''{{proper name|D℞. Mario}}'') is a series of arcade-style puzzle video game originally developed by Nintendo Research & Development 1, and later developed by Arika and produced by Nintendo Software Planning & Development. The first in the series, ''Dr. Mario'', was launched in 1990 on the Nintendo Entertainment System and Game Boy to critical and commercial success.<ref name="NP Top 200">{{Cite magazine|date=February 2006| title=NP Top 200|magazine=Nintendo Power|volume=200|pages=58–66}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Best NES Games of all time |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |work=GamesRadar |date=April 16, 2012 |access-date=December 5, 2013 |archive-date=October 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131026090808/http://www.gamesradar.com/best-nes-games-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In the ''Dr. Mario'' series, the player character Mario, who assumes the role of a doctor, is tasked with eradicating deadly viruses. The player's objective is to destroy the viruses populating the on-screen playing field by using falling colored capsules that are dropped into the field, similarly to ''Tetris''. The player manipulates the capsules as they fall so that they are aligned with viruses of matching colors, which removes them from playing field. The player progresses through the game by eliminating all the viruses on the screen in each level.
There have been 4 ''Dr. Mario'' games released for home consoles, two portable games and one mobile game, for a total of seven original titles. As the series has progressed, each new game has introduced new elements to keep the gameplay fresh such as new game modes. In 2001, ''Dr. Mario 64'' for the Nintendo 64 introduced new game modes such as a ''Story'' mode, ''Score Attack'' and ''Marathon'', Wario as a playable character and four-player multiplayer. After a seven-year hiatus, in 2008, ''Dr. Mario Express'' for the Nintendo DSi's DSiWare service re-introduced the series to the portable gaming market. Also in 2008, ''Dr. Mario Online Rx'' for the Wii's WiiWare service introduced online multiplayer to the series. In 2013, ''Dr. Luigi'' for the Wii U's Nintendo eShop introduced Luigi as the playable character as well as an ''Operation L'' game mode in which all capsules assume the shape of the letter "L". A mobile game titled ''Dr. Mario World'' was released in 2019, but was permanently discontinued in July 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/22597816/dr-mario-world-mobile-game-ios-android-shutting-down-nintendo|title=Nintendo gives Dr. Mario mobile game just 3 months to live|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|website=Polygon|date=July 28, 2021|access-date=November 28, 2025|archive-date=October 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011184049/https://www.polygon.com/22597816/dr-mario-world-mobile-game-ios-android-shutting-down-nintendo|url-status=live}}</ref>
====''Mario's Picross'' series==== This series is a collection of nonogram logic puzzles involving a grid with numbers for every row and column, which refer to the amount of marked squares within the grid. The games features Mario as an archaeologist who chisels away to form images on the grid.<ref>Stephan Schmidt. Picross: Nonogram Puzzles and Their Mathematical Foundations, Journal of Recreational Mathematics 35, no. 2 (2006): 95–108.</ref> * ''Mario's Picross'' * ''Picross 2'' * ''Mario's Super Picross''
====''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' series==== {{Main|Mario vs. Donkey Kong|l1 = ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong''}}
{{nihongo foot|'''''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'''''|マリオVSドンキーコング|Mario tai Donkī Kongu|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a sub-series of the ''Mario'' and ''Donkey Kong'' series, based on puzzle video games, making the return of Donkey Kong, Pauline, and the former's rivalry with Mario.<ref>Mark J. P. Wolf (ed.). Encyclopedia of Video Games: The Culture, Technology, and Art of Gaming (Greenwood, 2012).</ref> The sub-series introduces the Mario-like toys known as Mini-Marios, who later replace Mario as the sole playable characters in all future installments starting with ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis'' onward.<ref>Mia Consalvo. Atari to Zelda: Japan’s Videogames in Global Contexts (MIT Press, 2016).</ref>
====''Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker''==== {{Main|Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker|l1 = ''Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker''}}
'''''Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Advance! Captain Toad'''''|進め! キノピオ隊長|Susume! Kinopio-taichō||}}}} is a 2014 action puzzle video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii U. It is a spin-off of the ''Super Mario'' series which builds upon the isometric minigames starring Captain Toad from ''Super Mario 3D World''.<ref>Dominic Arsenault. “Platforming the Past: Super Mario 3D World and the Evolution of Spatial Puzzle Design,” Game Studies 18, no. 2 (2018).</ref>
Enhanced ports were released for Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch on July 13, 2018, including additional bonus levels themed around ''Super Mario Odyssey'', but excluding the ''Super Mario 3D World'' bonus levels from the Wii U version.<ref>Mark J. P. Wolf (ed.). Video Games Around the World (MIT Press, 2015).</ref> The Nintendo Switch port has sold over 1 million copies, making it one of the best-selling games on the system.<ref>Mia Consalvo. Atari to Zelda: Japan’s Videogames in Global Contexts (MIT Press, 2016).</ref> A free update for the Nintendo Switch version was released on February 13, 2019, adding co-op multiplayer where another player controls a new purple Toad with white spots in the regular chapters alongside Toad/Toadette, and Toadette in the DLC ''Special Episode''.<ref>Nintendo EAD Tokyo. Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker instruction manual and official product description (Nintendo, 2014).</ref>
===Role-playing games=== {{Main|List of Mario role-playing games|l1 = List of ''Mario'' role-playing games}}
The first role-playing game in the ''Mario'' franchise was ''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Lowell |title=Best JRPGs Of All Time |url=https://www.timeextension.com/guides/best-jrpgs-of-all-time |website=Time Extension |publisher=Hookshot Media |access-date=25 February 2023 |date=25 February 2023 |archive-date=September 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921031638/https://www.timeextension.com/guides/best-jrpgs-of-all-time |url-status=live }}</ref> It has since expanded to the ''Paper Mario'' and ''Mario & Luigi'' series.
====''Paper Mario'' series==== {{Main|Paper Mario|l1 = ''Paper Mario''}}
[[File:Paper Mario Logo.png|thumb|The ''Paper Mario'' series logo]] {{nihongo foot|'''''Paper Mario'''''|ペーパーマリオ|Pēpā Mario|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a spin-off series of RPG video games developed by Intelligent Systems and produced by Nintendo Software Planning & Development. The first game in the series, ''Paper Mario'', was launched in 2000 on the Nintendo 64 to critical and commercial success.<ref name="IGN Paper Mario">{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/150/150453p1.html|title=Paper Mario review|publisher=IGN|date=February 5, 2001|access-date=August 17, 2008|last=Casamassina|first=Matt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090908175849/http://uk.ign64.ign.com/articles/150/150453p1.html|archive-date=September 8, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo Dominates Japanese Charts|date=August 18, 2000|publisher=IGN|url=http://ign64.ign.com/articles/083/083746p1.html|access-date=March 14, 2006|archive-date=March 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320013513/http://ign64.ign.com/articles/083/083746p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the ''Paper Mario'' series, the player controls Mario in a mixture of 3D environments and 2D characters who look as if they are made of paper. Mario can jump and use his hammer to overcome physical obstacles placed in the game's overworld. Additionally, the player accumulates partners as they advance into different locations, who each have a specialized skill required for progression in the game.<ref name="RPGamer">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgamer.com/games/mario/pmario/reviews/pmariostrev1.html|title=RPGamer—Paper Mario|publisher=RPGamer|access-date=August 17, 2008|last=Tidwell|first=Mikel|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170831001300/http://www.rpgamer.com/games/mario/pmario/reviews/pmariostrev1.html|archive-date=August 31, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> These characters assist Mario in the game's turn-based battles. Damage inflicted to the player reduces the amount of HP.<ref name="RPGFan">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/papermario/Paper_Mario.html|title=RPGFan—Paper Mario|publisher=RPGFan|access-date=August 17, 2008|archive-date=September 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907170117/http://www.rpgfan.com/reviews/papermario/Paper_Mario.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Attacks in the game are similar to those in traditional RPGs, although the player can influence the power of a move when attacking or defending by timing a button-press accurately or performing some other action command as required.<ref name="IGN Paper Mario" /> Mario and his partners have a finite capacity to perform special moves, with each of these consuming a particular number of flower points (FP) when performed. Such statistics can be increased by earning Star Points (experience points) in combat to level up.<ref name="RPGFan" /><ref name="GameSpot">{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/paper-mario/reviews/paper-mario-review-2682319/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130819190418/http://uk.gamespot.com/paper-mario/reviews/paper-mario-review-2682319/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 19, 2013 |title=GameSpot: Paper Mario review |publisher=GameSpot |date=February 5, 2001 |access-date=August 19, 2013 |last=Stahl |first=Ben }}</ref><ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=2104|title=Eurogamer: Paper Mario review|publisher=Eurogamer|date=February 5, 2001|access-date=October 18, 2008|first=Tom|last=Bramwell|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204091617/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_papermario_n64|url-status=live}}</ref> Progression through ''Paper Mario'' depends upon interaction with the game's non-player characters (NPCs), who will often offer clues or detail the next event in the storyline. As in other RPGs, the player can find or purchase items from NPCs to help in and outside of combat.<ref name="GameSpot" /> Badges can be obtained that yield bonuses ranging from added moves to gradual health restoration during combat; each consumes a set number of Badge Points (BP), meaning Mario can only equip a limited number of badges at a time.<ref name="IGN Paper Mario" />
There have been five ''Paper Mario'' games released for home consoles and one game on 3DS. As the series has progressed, each new game has introduced new elements to keep the gameplay fresh such as a new story, new partners, and new gameplay mechanics. In 2004, ''The Thousand-Year Door'' for the GameCube introduced the ability of Mario turning into and folding up into a paper airplane and/or a paper boat to interact with the overworld. In 2007, ''Super Paper Mario'' deviated into the 2D action RPG genre and introduced the ability to "flip" into a 3D perspective in which the level rotates to reveal a hidden z-axis, placing Mario in a 3D environment. In 2012, ''Sticker Star'' for the Nintendo 3DS introduced the use of stickers in both the environment and in turn-based battles. They can be found and peeled off from various areas in the overworld, and can be purchased or received from non-playable characters. In 2015, ''Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam'' also released for the 3DS, in which all the ''Paper Mario'' world enters the real one. In 2016, ''Color Splash'' for the Wii U was announced that introduced the use of colors in both the environment and in turn-based battles, just like in ''Sticker Star''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamerant.com/new-super-mario-bros-2-luigis-mansion-paper-mario-trailers-jeff-153913/|title=3DS Trailers: 'New Super Mario Bros. 2,' 'Luigi's Mansion' & 'Paper Mario'|first=Jeff|last=Schille|date=June 8, 2012|access-date=September 19, 2016|publisher=Game Rant|archive-date=March 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311084545/http://gamerant.com/new-super-mario-bros-2-luigis-mansion-paper-mario-trailers-jeff-153913/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=igne32012>{{cite web|url=http://au.ign.com/articles/2012/06/07/e3-2012-first-paper-mario-3ds-details-revealed|title=E3 2012: First Paper Mario 3DS Details Revealed|publisher=IGN|first=Andrew|last=Goldfarb|date=June 7, 2012|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-date=July 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721191358/http://au.ign.com/articles/2012/06/07/e3-2012-first-paper-mario-3ds-details-revealed|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, ''The Origami King'' was announced on the Switch with the use of origami.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX6DTLcWUdY |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211220/FX6DTLcWUdY |archive-date=December 20, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Paper Mario: The Origami King – Announcement Trailer – Nintendo Switch|date=May 14, 2020 |access-date=May 14, 2020 |publisher=Nintendo}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
====''Mario and Luigi'' series==== {{Main|Mario & Luigi|l1 = ''Mario & Luigi''}}
[[File:Mario and Luigi Logo.png|thumb|right|The ''Mario & Luigi'' series logo]] The ''Mario & Luigi'' spin-off series, developed by AlphaDream, was formed exclusively throughout handheld consoles. The series began with the release of ''Superstar Saga'' for the Game Boy Advance in 2003. In 2017, '''''Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions''''' for the Nintendo 3DS introduced a remake of the original game with added graphics, an improved map allowing players to place pinpoints, and an additional mode called ''Minion Quest: The Search for Bowser'', featuring a real-time strategy battle system and following Bowser's underlings as they search for their leader. In 2005, ''Partners in Time'' for the Nintendo DS introduced their younger selves: Baby Mario, Baby Luigi, Toadsworth the younger, Baby Peach and Baby Bowser. In 2009, ''Bowser's Inside Story'' also for the DS introduced Mario, Luigi and the others inside of Bowser's body. In 2018, '''''Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey''''' for the 3DS introduced a remake of the original game with added graphics, an improved map allowing players to place pinpoints, and an additional mode called ''Bowser Jr.'s Journey''. In 2013, ''Dream Team'' for the 3DS introduced Dreamy Luigi, where Luigi sleeps in the Dream World in celebrating the Year of Luigi. In 2015, ''Paper Jam'' also for the 3DS also included Paper Mario as a playable character when Luigi knocks over the book containing him. In 2024, a new entry in the series titled ''Brothership'' was announced during a Nintendo Direct in June 2024, around nine years after the release of ''Paper Jam''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mario & Luigi: Brothership is a brand-new Mario RPG for Switch |url=https://www.theverge.com/24180608/mario-and-luigi-brothership-release-date-nintendo-direct |website=The Verge |publisher=Ash Parrish |access-date=29 June 2024 |date=18 June 2024}}</ref>
===Party games=== ====''Mario Party'' series==== {{Main|Mario Party|l1 = ''Mario Party''}}
In 1998, the Hudson game ''Mario Party'' was released for the Nintendo 64.<ref>{{cite web |title=N64 Games in February |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/03/n64-games-in-february |website=IGN |date=February 2, 1999 |access-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920205702/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/03/n64-games-in-february |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mario Party |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/04/mario-party-8 |website=IGN |access-date=September 20, 2019 |date=February 3, 1999 |archive-date=September 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920205658/https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/02/04/mario-party-8 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following this, nine numbered sequels have since been released, along with four unnumbered main series titles: ''Mario Party DS'' (2007), ''Super Mario Party'' (2018), ''Mario Party Superstars'' (2021), and ''Super Mario Party Jamboree'' (2024). The series also has four spins-offs that differ in gameplay, including ''Mario Party Advance'', ''Island Tour'', ''Star Rush'', and ''The Top 100''. ''Mario Party'' is a multiplayer party game featuring ''Mario'' series characters in which four human- or computer-controlled characters compete in a board game interspersed with minigames.
===Sports games=== {{Main|List of Mario sports games|l1 = List of ''Mario'' sports games}}
There have been numerous sports games in the ''Mario'' franchise.
====''Mario Tennis'' series==== The first appearances of Mario in tennis games were as a referee in ''Tennis'' for the NES and Game Boy. These games did not use the ''Mario'' branding and only featured Mario in the capacity of a cameo. He then appeared in ''Mario's Tennis'' for the Virtual Boy.<ref>{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2026/03/game-boy-advance-and-virtual-boy-nintendo-classics-add-mario-vs-donkey-kong-marios-tennis-and-mario-clash-on-march-10|title=Game Boy Advance and Virtual Boy – Nintendo Classics add Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Mario's Tennis, and Mario Clash on March 10|work=Gematsu|date=March 4, 2026|access-date=2026-03-04}}</ref> After this, Camelot Software Planning released ''Mario Tennis'' for the Nintendo 64. They would subsequently develop other games in this series: ''Mario Power Tennis'' for the GameCube and Wii, ''Power Tour'' for the Game Boy Advance, ''Mario Tennis Open'' for the Nintendo 3DS, ''Ultra Smash'' for the Wii U, and ''Aces'' for the Nintendo Switch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/17962/new-play-control-mario-power-tennis-wii|title=New Play Control! Mario Power Tennis|first=Mike|last=Gamin|date=March 12, 2009|publisher=Nintendo World Report|access-date=December 7, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/gba/928295-mario-tennis-power-tour/index.html |title=Mario Tennis: Power Tour for Game Boy Advance |publisher=GameRankings |accessdate=October 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/02/mario_tennis_open_launches_24th_may_in_japan |title=''Mario Tennis Open'' Launches 24th May in Japan |website=Nintendo Life |date=February 22, 2012 |accessdate=February 22, 2012 |archive-date=September 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927090705/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2012/02/mario_tennis_open_launches_24th_may_in_japan |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2015/10/22/mario-tennis-ultra-smash-amiibo-online-wii-u/|title=Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash supports online multiplayer and multiple controllers.|date=2015-10-22|website=VG247|last=Nunneley|first=Stephany|access-date=January 21, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128133230/https://www.vg247.com/2015/10/22/mario-tennis-ultra-smash-amiibo-online-wii-u/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/01/mario-tennis-aces-nintendo-switch-tournament-weekend |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603033622/https://www.engadget.com/2018/06/01/mario-tennis-aces-nintendo-switch-tournament-weekend/ |title=Get your first taste of 'Mario Tennis Aces' on Switch this weekend |last=Krishna |first=Swapna |website=Engadget |date=June 1, 2018 |access-date=June 3, 2018 |archive-date=June 3, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
====''Mario Golf'' series==== The first use of Mario's likeness in a golf game was that the golfer in ''Golf'' for NES and Game Boy featured a mustached man resembling Mario.<ref>{{cite book | title=Mario Mania: Nintendo Player's Guide | publisher=Nintendo of America | date=1991 | location=Redmond, WA | oclc=299240250 | page=9}}</ref> Later, ''NES Open Tournament Golf'' was released. It featured Mario and Luigi as the golfers, with Princess Toadstool and Princess Daisy as their caddies. ''Mario Golf'' was released for the Nintendo 64 in 1999. It was followed by ''Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour'' for the GameCube, ''Mario Golf: Advance Tour'' for the Game Boy Advance and ''Mario Golf: World Tour'' for the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo released ''Mario Golf: Super Rush'' for the Nintendo Switch in summer of 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McClusky|first=Kevin|date=2017-11-03|title=17 of Super Mario Odyssey's Costumes explained|url=https://gamecrate.com/17-super-mario-odysseys-costumes-explained/17454|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927191941/https://gamecrate.com/17-super-mario-odysseys-costumes-explained/17454|archive-date=2020-09-27|access-date=2020-09-27|website=Gamecrate|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brian |date=2022-01-02 |title=Mario Golf: Super Rush giving NES Open Tournament Golf Mario outfit as Ranked Match reward |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/mario-golf-super-rush-giving-nes-open-tournament-golf-mario-outfit-as-ranked-match-reward/ |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=Nintendo Everything |language=en |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727164205/https://nintendoeverything.com/mario-golf-super-rush-giving-nes-open-tournament-golf-mario-outfit-as-ranked-match-reward/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brian |date=2022-02-01 |title=Mario Golf: Super Rush giving NES Open Tournament Golf Luigi outfit as Ranked Match reward |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/mario-golf-super-rush-giving-nes-open-tournament-golf-luigi-outfit-as-ranked-match-reward/ |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=Nintendo Everything |language=en |archive-date=June 13, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613044546/https://nintendoeverything.com/mario-golf-super-rush-giving-nes-open-tournament-golf-luigi-outfit-as-ranked-match-reward/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-04 |title=Chargin' Chuck and Golf Bros. newest drivers in Mario Kart Tour |url=https://nintendowire.com/news/2022/02/04/chargin-chuck-and-golf-bros-newest-drivers-in-mario-kart-tour/ |access-date=2022-07-27 |website=Nintendo Wire |archive-date=July 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220727163851/https://nintendowire.com/news/2022/02/04/chargin-chuck-and-golf-bros-newest-drivers-in-mario-kart-tour/ |url-status=live}}</ref>
====''Baseball'' series==== Mario and Luigi are team captains in ''Baseball'' for the Game Boy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cornelius |first=Dylan |date=April 21, 2020 |title=Baseball (Famicom, 1983) |url=https://retrogamingarchive.org/2020/04/21/nintendo-is-great-baseball-famicom-1983/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008073446/https://retrogamingarchive.org/2020/04/21/nintendo-is-great-baseball-famicom-1983/ |archive-date=October 8, 2020 |access-date=March 7, 2021 |website=Retro Gaming Archive |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Mario Superstar Baseball'' was released for the GameCube and ''Mario Super Sluggers'' for the Wii.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Mario Super Sluggers'' at Nintendo|url=https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/mQUJKyuhSvoByoNYTahPTY6ln-H-_ZtE|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080913082621/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/mQUJKyuhSvoByoNYTahPTY6ln-H-_ZtE|archive-date=2008-09-13|access-date=3 July 2009|website=Nintendo|publisher=Nintendo of America}}</ref>
====''Mario Strikers'' series==== The ''Mario Strikers'' series (''Mario Football'' in Europe) made its debut for the GameCube with ''Super Mario Strikers'' in 2005, developed by Next Level Games.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Super Mario Strikers'' for GameCube Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/super-mario-strikers/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube |access-date=January 24, 2015 |website=Metacritic |archive-date=March 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304111521/http://www.metacritic.com/game/gamecube/super-mario-strikers |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Mario Strikers Charged'' was released for the Wii in 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/27/mario-strikers-charged-review |title=''Mario Strikers Charged'' Review |access-date=January 25, 2015 |date=July 27, 2007 |website=IGN |first=Matt |last=Casamassina |archive-date=January 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105135658/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/07/27/mario-strikers-charged-review |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Mario Strikers: Battle League'' was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Grubb|first1=Jeff|url=https://venturebeat.com/2022/02/09/mario-strikers-battle-league-is-the-soccer-game-we-need/|title=Mario Strikers: Battle League is the soccer game we need|website=VentureBeat|date=February 9, 2022|access-date=February 10, 2022|archive-date=March 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305190148/https://venturebeat.com/2022/02/09/mario-strikers-battle-league-is-the-soccer-game-we-need/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=Romano|first1=Sal|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2022/02/mario-strikers-battle-league-announced-for-switch|title=Mario Strikers: Battle League announced for Switch|date=February 9, 2022|website=Gematsu|access-date=February 10, 2022|archive-date=December 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219084525/https://www.gematsu.com/2022/02/mario-strikers-battle-league-announced-for-switch|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Doolan|first1=Liam|title=It's Official, Next Level Games Is Developing The New Mario Strikers For Switch|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/02/its-official-next-level-games-is-developing-the-new-mario-strikers-for-switch|website=Nintendo Life|access-date=2022-02-22|date=22 February 2022|archive-date=2022-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222013220/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2022/02/its-official-next-level-games-is-developing-the-new-mario-strikers-for-switch|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Theriault|first1=Donald|title=Next Level Games Confirmed To Be Developing Mario Strikers: Battle League - News|url=https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/59691/next-level-games-confirmed-to-be-developing-mario-strikers-battle-league|website=Nintendo World Report|access-date=2022-02-22|date=14 February 2022}}</ref>
====''Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games'' series==== In 2007, Mario characters appeared alongside the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' characters in the sports game, ''Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games'', developed by Sega as a crossover series.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Sega Unveils Details for Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games|publisher=GameSpot| date=September 26, 2007|url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/6179938.html|access-date=November 10, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409223132/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6179938.html|archive-date=April 9, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> This was followed by 5 sequels: ''Olympic Winter Games'' in 2009,<ref>{{cite press release|title=Mario and Sonic Head to the Slopes in Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games|publisher=Sega|date=2009-02-12|url=http://www.sega.com/news/?n=3012|access-date=2009-02-12|archive-date=2009-04-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402071651/http://www.sega.com/news/?n=3012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''London 2012 Olympic Games'' in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/games/wii/65275/mario-sonic-at-the-london-2012-olympic-games/articles/74555/mario-sonic-at-the-london-2012-olympic-games-hands-on-preview/|title=Mario & Sonic At The London 2012 Olympic Games Hands-on Preview|access-date=20 May 2011|last=Zivalich|first=Nikole|date=20 May 2011|publisher=G4|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017093752/http://www.g4tv.com/games/wii/65275/mario-sonic-at-the-london-2012-olympic-games/articles/74555/mario-sonic-at-the-london-2012-olympic-games-hands-on-preview/|archive-date=17 October 2012}}</ref> ''Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games'' in 2013,<ref>{{cite web|title=Mario & Sonic at the Sochi Winter Games & 3rd Sonic Nintendo Exclusive Revealed|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-05-17/mario-and-sonic-at-the-sochi-winter-games-and-3rd-sonic-nintendo-exclusive-revealed|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=June 6, 2014|archive-date=November 6, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106004233/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-05-17/mario-and-sonic-at-the-sochi-winter-games-and-3rd-sonic-nintendo-exclusive-revealed|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Rio 2016 Olympic Games'' in 2016,<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/06/01/nintendo-confirms-3ds-chibi-robo-doctor-mario-bravely-second-more-for-north-america.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602153659/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/06/01/nintendo-confirms-3ds-chibi-robo-doctor-mario-bravely-second-more-for-north-america.aspx|url-status=live|archive-date=June 2, 2015|title=Nintendo Confirms 3DS Chibi Robo, Doctor Mario, Bravely Second, More For North America|first=Mike|last=Futter|magazine=Game Informer|date=June 1, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2015}}</ref> and ''Olympic Games Tokyo 2020'' in 2019,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |title=Sega announces four Tokyo 2020 Olympics games |url=https://gematsu.com/2019/03/sega-announces-four-tokyo-2020-olympics-games |website=Gematsu |date=March 29, 2019 |access-date=March 30, 2019 |archive-date=June 4, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604103935/https://www.gematsu.com/2019/03/sega-announces-four-tokyo-2020-olympics-games |url-status=live }}</ref> with an arcade version of the game releasing in 2020.
====Racing games==== {{Main|List of Mario racing games|l1 = List of ''Mario'' racing games}}
=====''Mario Kart'' series===== {{Main|Mario Kart|l1 = ''Mario Kart''}}
[[File:Mario Kart logo.png|thumb|The ''Mario Kart'' series logo since ''Mario Kart DS'']] {{nihongo foot|'''''Mario Kart'''''|マリオカート|Mario Kāto|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a series of go-kart-style racing video games primarily developed by Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development. The first in the series, ''Super Mario Kart'', was launched in 1992 on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System to critical and commercial success.<ref>Crecente, Brian (2009-26-2). "[https://kotaku.com/super-mario-kart-most-influential-video-game-in-histor-5160745 Super Mario Kart: Most Influential Video Game in History] ." ''Kotaku.'' Retrieved January 27, 2012.</ref> In the ''Mario Kart'' series, players compete in go-kart races, controlling one of a selection of characters from the ''Mario'' franchise. One of the features of the series is the use of various power-up items obtained by driving into item boxes laid out on the course. These power-ups include Super Mushrooms to give players a speed boost, Koopa Troopa Shells to be thrown at opponents, and banana peels that can be laid on the track as hazards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/mario-kart-8/Items|title=Items - Mario Kart 8 Guide - IGN|publisher=IGN|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=April 5, 2024|archive-date=April 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405172858/https://www.ign.com/wikis/mario-kart-8/Items|url-status=live}}</ref>
There have been eight ''Mario Kart'' games released for home consoles, one enhanced port, three portable games; one game for smartphones, and four Namco codeveloped arcade spin-off games, for a total of seventeen. As the series has progressed, each new game has introduced new elements to keep the gameplay fresh, such as two-player karts (with one player driving and the other using items), motion controls, motorbikes, hang gliding and submersible karts, kart customization, anti-gravity racing, ATVs, and up to 24 racers in a race.
Possibly the most popular spin-off series in the franchise, the ''Mario Kart'' series began in 1992 and is currently the most successful and longest-running kart racing series, having sold over 150,000,000 copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Passary|first1=Anu|title='Mario Kart 8' revs up to 1,200,000 units in sales, becomes fastest-selling Wii U game|url=http://www.techtimes.com/articles/7929/20140604/mario-kart-8-revs-up-to-1-2-million-units-in-sales-becomes-fastest-selling-wii-u-game.htm|website=TechTimes|date=June 4, 2014|access-date=July 27, 2014|archive-date=August 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806080944/http://www.techtimes.com/articles/7929/20140604/mario-kart-8-revs-up-to-1-2-million-units-in-sales-becomes-fastest-selling-wii-u-game.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Educational games=== {{Main|List of Mario educational games|l1 = List of ''Mario'' education games}}
In the early 1990s, many educational games have been released in the ''Mario'' series, with one example being ''Mario Teaches Typing''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vincent |first=Brittany |date=2021-01-07 |title=Sweater Design? Gin Rummy? Typing? These Are The Mario Games You've Never Heard Of |url=https://www.npr.org/2021/01/07/953936034/sweater-design-gin-rummy-typing-these-are-the-mario-games-youve-never-heard-of |access-date=2026-02-25 |work=NPR |language=en}}</ref> Few of these games were platformers; most sought to teach skills such as typing, mathematics or history. They are officially licensed but not officially recognized by Nintendo. The games were developed independently by Software Toolworks, Interplay Entertainment and Brainstorm. Nine educational games were released from 1991 to 1996.
===Games not published by Nintendo=== This section covers games developed by other companies without significant Nintendo involvement.
====Hudson==== Hudson Soft released two games based on ''Mario Bros.'' and another similar to ''Super Mario Bros.''
''Mario Bros. Special'' is a video game released in 1984 for the Japanese computers NEC PC-6001mkII, NEC PC-6601, NEC PC-8801, FM-7 and Sharp X1. It is a remake of the original ''Mario Bros.'', with new stages, mechanics and gameplay.
''Punch Ball Mario Bros.'' is a video game released in 1984 for the Japanese computers NEC PC-6001mkII, NEC PC-6601, NEC PC-8801, FM-7 and Sharp X1. It is similar to the original ''Mario Bros.'' but featured a new gameplay mechanic of "punch balls", small balls which Mario and Luigi can kick into enemies to stun them, instead of hitting them from below, as in the original.
Hudson Soft was originally responsible for the ''Mario Party'' series until ''Mario Party DS'' in 2007, but as of March 2012, this has been taken over by NDcube since Hudson has become a part of Konami.<ref>{{cite web|title=Konami acquiring Hudson|url=http://asia.gamespot.com/news/konami-acquiring-hudson-6286645|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724081748/http://asia.gamespot.com/news/konami-acquiring-hudson-6286645|archive-date=July 24, 2012}}</ref> Many of Hudson's employees now work for NDcube.
====Philips==== Three games were planned for development by Philips Interactive Media for use on its CD-i machine: ''Super Mario's Wacky Worlds'', ''Hotel Mario'', and ''Mario Takes America''. Only ''Hotel Mario'' was released; ''Super Mario's Wacky Worlds'' and ''Mario Takes America'' were eventually canceled. Philips was given permission to use Nintendo characters in CD-i games due to their taking part in developing an unreleased add-on for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).<ref name="SNES-CD">{{cite web|title=SNES-CD Profile|url=http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=279|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217040049/http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=279|archive-date=February 17, 2008|publisher=N-Sider|access-date=June 28, 2008}}</ref> ''Hotel Mario'' did not gain much success, with Nintendo never acknowledging it as part of the ''Mario'' series.<ref name="1up">{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=5&cId=3149883 |title=CD-i Games: Nintendo |first=Danny |last=Cowan |publisher=1UP.com |date=April 25, 2006 |access-date=June 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720182316/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=5&cId=3149883 |archive-date=July 20, 2012 }}</ref><ref name="GD">{{cite web|first=Robert|last=Workman|title=Mascots Gone Wild: Nintendo Characters' Worst Moments (Hotel Mario)|url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/mascots-gone-wild-nintendo-characters-worst-moments/132/?cp=2&page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081012232126/http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/mascots-gone-wild-nintendo-characters-worst-moments/132/?cp=2&page=2|archive-date=October 12, 2008|date=December 12, 2007|publisher=GameDaily|access-date=June 21, 2008}}</ref>
''Super Mario's Wacky Worlds'' is a canceled video game planned for the CD-i, developed by NovaLogic, which attempted to duplicate the gameplay of ''Super Mario World''. Though the game sprites are based on those in ''Super Mario World'', the level design is based on Earth locations rather than Dinosaur Land. Due to the limitations of the CD-i, several features could not be included in the game, such as large numbers of sprites on the screen, and many visual effects. The nature of the pointing device controller provides difficult controls for Mario, as the game has the default controls of running and jumping.
''Mario Takes America'' was proposed about Mario's trip to Hollywood to make his own movie. The game's concept initially impressed Philips, but was canceled due to the company being unsatisfied with the game's development progress.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Cancelled Mario Game That Was Taken Away by a Bank in Canada|url=https://www.unseen64.net/2014/09/15/mario-takes-america-cdi-cancelled/|website=Unseen64|date=September 15, 2014|access-date=November 19, 2016|archive-date=November 19, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161119182031/https://www.unseen64.net/2014/09/15/mario-takes-america-cdi-cancelled/|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Hotel Mario'' is a puzzle game developed by Fantasy Factory and published by Philips Interactive Media for the CD-i in 1994. The primary characters of the game are Mario and Luigi, who must find Princess Peach by going through seven Koopa Hotels in the Mushroom Kingdom. Every hotel is divided into multiple stages, and the objective is to close all doors on each stage. The game has been criticized as one of the worst ''Mario''-centered games, mainly because of its cutscenes and simple gameplay.<ref name="instructions2">{{cite book|year=1994|title=Hotel Mario instruction book|publisher=Philips Interactive Media|id=PP0260 GA|page=3}}</ref><ref name="EG">{{cite web|first=Dan|last=Whitehead|title=The History of Mario|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/the-history-of-mario-article?page=3|date=March 9, 2007|publisher=Eurogamer|access-date=June 21, 2008|archive-date=October 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006105212/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/the-history-of-mario-article?page=3|url-status=live}}</ref>
====Ubisoft==== ''Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle'' is a turn-based tactical role-playing video game developed by Ubisoft Milan (Ubisoft's Italian studio division) for the Nintendo Switch. The game is a crossover with Ubisoft's ''Rabbids'' franchise<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Miranda |date=June 12, 2017 |title=E3 2017: Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle Officially Revealed, Release Date Announced |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/12/e3-2017-mario-rabbids-kingdom-battle-officially-revealed-release-date-announced |access-date=April 5, 2023 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112001647/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/12/e3-2017-mario-rabbids-kingdom-battle-officially-revealed-release-date-announced |url-status=live }}</ref> and features both single-player and cooperative multiplayer gameplay. The game's story sees players controlling Mario, his friends, and a group of Rabbids dressed as them, dealing with the aftermath of a sudden invasion by a group of Rabbids, who have accidentally misused a powerful invention that has brought chaos to the Mushroom Kingdom. Shigeru Miyamoto was initially impressed by the prototype of the game, that was presented to him by creative director Davide Soliani in 2014, which later caused Nintendo to greenlight the game for a Nintendo Switch release. It was released in Europe and North America on August 29, 2017, and was met with generally favorable reception from critics, who praised its gameplay, depth, and graphics.
A sequel, ''Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope'', was released on October 28, 2022, for the Nintendo Switch.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yin-Poole|first=Wesley|date=June 12, 2021|title=Nintendo's official website reveals Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope for Switch|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-12-nintendos-official-website-reveals-mario-rabbids-sparks-of-hope-for-switch|access-date=June 12, 2021|website=Eurogamer|language=en|archive-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616134718/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-06-12-nintendos-official-website-reveals-mario-rabbids-sparks-of-hope-for-switch|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=MARIO + RABBIDS SPARKS OF HOPE for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site |url=https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/mario-plus-rabbids-sparks-of-hope-switch/ |access-date=December 15, 2022 |website=www.nintendo.com |language=en-us |archive-date=July 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220730094816/https://www.nintendo.com/store/products/mario-plus-rabbids-sparks-of-hope-switch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Others==== Electronic Arts (creator of games such as FIFA, Battlefield, Apex Legends and many other games) developed and released ''NBA Street V3'' and ''SSX on Tour'' in 2005, both of which included Mario, Luigi, and Peach as playable characters in the GameCube versions.
Square Enix released ''Itadaki Street DS & Wii'' including many characters from Mario games.
==Other media== {{Main|List of non-video game media featuring Mario}}
The ''Mario'' franchise includes many comics, manga and TV series based on the games. Most were released in the late 1980s to early 1990s, and have since become obscure. The series launched three films. The anime ''Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!'' was released in 1986. The 1993 live action film ''Super Mario Bros.'' lost a large amount of money at the box office and was widely considered to be a failure.<ref name="Super Mario Bros. 1993">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=supermariobros.htm |title=Super Mario Bros. (1993) |publisher=Boxofficemojo.com |date=June 29, 1993 |access-date=September 11, 2012 |archive-date=August 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190824092512/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=supermariobros.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In contrast, the 2023 animated film ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'' broke box office records.<ref name="film-record-2023">{{cite news |last1=Buccellato |first1=Maureen |title=The Super Mario Bros. Movie Has Record Breaking Opening Weekend |url=https://flickdirect.com/news/7520/the-super-mario-bros-movie-has-record-breaking-opening-weekend/article.ashx |access-date=10 April 2023 |work=FlickDirect |date=10 Apr 2023 |language=en-us |archive-date=April 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410211829/https://flickdirect.com/news/7520/the-super-mario-bros-movie-has-record-breaking-opening-weekend/article.ashx |url-status=live }}</ref> On April 1, 2026, a sequel to the film, ''The Super Mario Galaxy Movie'', was released.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Moreau |first=Jack Dunn,Jordan |date=2025-09-12 |title='Super Mario Bros. 2' Officially Titled 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' |url=https://variety.com/2025/film/news/super-mario-galaxy-movie-sequel-1236515440/ |access-date=2025-09-13 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Television=== {{Further|List of Mario television series|l1=List of ''Mario'' television series}} ''Saturday Supercade'' was an animated television series produced for Saturday mornings by Ruby-Spears Productions. It ran for two seasons on CBS, beginning in 1983. Each episode comprised several shorter segments featuring video game characters from the Golden Age of Arcade Games. Donkey Kong, Mario and Pauline (from the ''Donkey Kong'' arcade game) were featured in the show.<ref>David Perlmutter, The Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows (Rowman & Littlefield, 2018).</ref>
''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'' is the first American TV series based on the ''Mario'' NES games. It was broadcast in syndication from September 4 to December 1, 1989. Based on Super Mario Bros. and Super Mario Bros. 2. The show was produced by DIC Entertainment and was distributed for syndicated television by Viacom Enterprises (full rights have since reverted to DiC through Nintendo).<ref>Hal Erickson, Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (McFarland, 2005).</ref>
''King Koopa's Kool Kartoons'' was a live action children's television show broadcast in Southern California during the holiday season of 1989–90. The show starred King Koopa (also known as Bowser), the main antagonist of the ''Mario'' series. The 30-minute program was originally broadcast during the after-school afternoon timeslots on Los Angeles-based KTTV Fox 11.<ref>David Sheff, Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World (Vintage, 2011).</ref>
''The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3'' is the second TV series based on the ''Mario'' NES games. It aired on NBC from September 8 to December 1, 1990. Based on the ''Super Mario Bros. 3'' video game, the cartoon shows Mario, Luigi, Princess Toadstool and Toad fighting against Bowser and his Koopalings, who went by different names on the show (Hip, Hop, Kooky, Kootie Pie, Big Mouth, Cheatsy, and Bully).<ref>Mia Consalvo, Atari to Zelda: Japan’s Videogames in Global Contexts (MIT Press, 2016).</ref>
''Super Mario Challenge'' was a show which aired on The Children's Channel. It ran from 1990 to 1991 and aired at 4:30 p.m. every weekday. The presenter, John Lenahan, was a lookalike of Mario, and dressed in his clothes. Two guest players had to do tasks, all of which involved playing the ''Mario'' video games ''Super Mario Bros.'', ''Super Mario Bros. 2'' and, after its release in 1991, ''Super Mario Bros. 3''. Rounds included challenges to see which player could complete a level in the fastest time and who could collect the most gold coins on a certain level.<ref>Jeffrey P. H. Wiskerchen, “Saturday Morning Television and the Licensing Boom,” in America Toons In: A History of Television Animation (McFarland, 2014).</ref>
''Super Mario World'' is an animated television series based on the SNES video game of the same name. It is the third and currently last Saturday morning cartoon based on the ''Mario'' series. The show was originally aired on Saturday mornings on NBC in the 1991–92 season. It was featured in a half-hour time slot with a shortened version of ''Captain N: The Game Master''. Episodes of ''Super Mario World'' were later shown as part of the syndication package ''Captain N & The Video Game Masters''. Afterwards, the series was split from ''Captain N'' altogether and shown in time-compressed reruns on ''Mario All-Stars''.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 January 1992|title=A sampling of the programming wares at INTV|work=Broadcasting|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/92-OCR/BC-1992-01-13-OCR-Page-0014.pdf|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
===Films and anime=== ''Super Mario Bros.: The Great Mission to Rescue Princess Peach!'' is a Japanese anime film released on July 20, 1986. Directed by Masami Hata and produced by Masakatsu Suzuki and Tsunemasa Hatano, it stars Mario and Luigi, who get stuck in a Famicom video game, in which they must save Princess Peach from King Koopa. A manga adaptation of the film was published in Japan around the same time as the film's release.
A series of three OVA episodes titled ''Amada Anime Series: Super Mario Bros.'', based on ''Momotarō'', ''Issun-bōshi'' and ''Snow White'', were released on August 3, 1989. These generally featured Mario as the hero, Peach as the damsel and Bowser as the villain, with other Mario characters playing supporting roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/5835648/there-were-worse-mario-cartoons-than-the-american-one/gallery/1|title=There Were Worse Mario Cartoons Than the American One|publisher=Kotaku|first=Luke|last=Plunkett|date=August 30, 2011|access-date=December 1, 2011|archive-date=January 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115053054/http://kotaku.com/5835648/there-were-worse-mario-cartoons-than-the-american-one/gallery/1|url-status=dead}}</ref>
====1993 live-action film==== thumb|Logo for ''Super Mario Bros.'' {{Main|Super Mario Bros. (film)|l1 = ''Super Mario Bros.'' (film)}}
''Super Mario Bros.'' is an American 1993 adventure family comedy loosely based on the video game of the same name. The film follows the exploits of Mario (Bob Hoskins) and Luigi (John Leguizamo) in a dystopia ruled by King Koopa (Dennis Hopper). It was the first live-action major motion picture to be based on a video game. The film's plot features Mario and Luigi as the main protagonists, Mario leading the team with Luigi developing a romance with Princess Daisy (Samantha Mathis).
The film grossed $39 million on a $48 million budget.<ref name="Super Mario Bros. 1993" /> On the television show ''Siskel & Ebert'', the film received two thumbs down and was written off as a box office flop.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/ebertandroeper/index2.html?sec=6&subsec=Super+Mario+Bros |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/5mr94yVaA?url=http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/ebertandroeper/index2.html?sec=6 |archive-date=January 17, 2010 |title=Siskel & Ebert |url-status=dead}}</ref>
====2023 animated film==== {{main|The Super Mario Bros. Movie|l1 = ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie''}}
thumb|Logo for ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'' ''The Super Mario Bros. Movie'' was released on April 5, 2023, by Universal Pictures in North America and Oceania. Produced by Illumination and Nintendo, the film stars the voices of Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Peach, Charlie Day as Luigi, Jack Black as Bowser, Keegan-Michael Key as Toad, Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, Fred Armisen as Cranky Kong, Kevin Michael Richardson as Kamek and Sebastian Maniscalco as Foreman Spike. Charles Martinet, Mario's in-game voice actor, also provided cameo roles.<ref name="2022 film">{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/chris-pratt-nintendo-direct-super-mario-bros-movie-cast-illumination-entertainment |title=Nintendo Direct: Chris Pratt Will Voice Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie |last=Murphy |first=J. Kim |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=September 23, 2021 |accessdate=September 24, 2021 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923223916/https://www.ign.com/articles/chris-pratt-nintendo-direct-super-mario-bros-movie-cast-illumination-entertainment |archivedate=September 23, 2021 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/sebastian-maniscalco-will-voice-spike-in-illumination-super-mario-movie/|title=Sebastian Maniscalco will voice 'Spike' in Illumination Super Mario movie|last=Ditchfield|first=Jaime|work=Nintendo Enthusiast |date=August 9, 2021|access-date=August 9, 2021|archive-date=August 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824205410/https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/sebastian-maniscalco-will-voice-spike-in-illumination-super-mario-movie/|url-status=live}}</ref> The directors were Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, the developers of ''Teen Titans Go!'', while Matthew Fogel wrote the screenplay.<ref name="variety-mario">{{cite news |last1=Donnelly |first1=Matt |title=Super Mario Bros. Movie Lands All-Star Voice Cast: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogen |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/super-mario-bros-movie-cast-chris-pratt-1235072946/ |access-date=September 23, 2021 |work=Variety (magazine) |publisher=Penske Business Media, LLC. |date=September 23, 2021 |archive-date=September 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923225648/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/super-mario-bros-movie-cast-chris-pratt-1235072946/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Shigeru Miyamoto and Chris Meledandri are the producers.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mario-movie-be-produced-by-nintendos-shigeru-miyamoto-illumination-1080822|title='Mario' Movie to Be Produced by Nintendo and Illumination|website=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Blair|first=Gavin J.|date=January 31, 2018|access-date=January 31, 2018|archive-date=March 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306110724/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/mario-movie-be-produced-by-nintendos-shigeru-miyamoto-illumination-1080822|url-status=live }}</ref>
A sequel, ''The Super Mario Galaxy Movie'', was released on April 1, 2026.<ref name=":0" />
===Comics and manga=== {{nihongo foot|''Super Mario-kun''|スーパーマリオくん|''Sūpā Mario-kun''|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a manga series written by Yukio Sawada and published by Shogakukan. It is serialized in CoroCoro Comic. It contains many characters and scenarios from ''Mario'' games, such as ''Super Mario World'' and ''Paper Mario''. Having just hit its 41st volume, ''Super Mario-kun'' is the longest-running ''Mario'' series manga to date. It continues to release new volumes to date. Another consistent manga series of the same name based on various Mario games is a work written and drawn by Hiroshi Takase and published by PikkaPika Comics''.'' After five volumes, production stopped due to the author's death in 2006.{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}
The ''Nintendo Comics System'' was a series of comic books published by Valiant Comics in 1990 and 1991. It was part of a licensing deal with Nintendo, featuring characters from their video games and the cartoons based on them. Valiant's ''Super Mario Bros.'' comic books were based on the three main ''Mario'' games on the Nintendo Entertainment System, as well as ''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show''. The ''Mario'' line was renewed for 1991 with two different books—''Super Mario Bros.'' and ''Adventures of the Super Mario Bros.''{{citation needed|date=June 2025}}
The ''Nintendo Adventure Book'' series was published from 1991 to 1992 by Archway books, and Mammoth books in the United Kingdom. There are twelve in all. They are formatted like the popular Choose Your Own Adventure books, where the reader makes decisions that change the outcome of the story. Ten of the books are about the Mario Bros.' adventures in the Mushroom Kingdom and are based primarily on the Valiant Comics published for the Nintendo Comics System imprint.
{{nihongo foot|''Super Mario Adventures''|SUPER MARIO ADVENTURES マリオの大冒険|''Mario no daibōken''<ref>"[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006QBMK0 Super Mario Adventures Official Nintendo Comic Book (Paperback)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501024231/https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006QBMK0 |date=May 1, 2022 }}." ''Amazon.com''. Retrieved on November 19, 2008.</ref>|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is an anthology of comics, drawn in a Japanese manga style, that ran in ''Nintendo Power'' magazine throughout 1992, featuring the characters from Nintendo's ''Mario'' series and based loosely on ''Super Mario World''.
Immediately following the end of ''Super Mario Adventures'', ''Nintendo Power'' concluded the epic with a ten-page story based on ''Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins'' titled ''Mario VS Wario'', which ran in their January 1993 issue and was later reprinted in the graphic novel.
''Shitamachi Ninjō Gekijō'', also known as ''Lily Franky Theater'', was officially licensed by Nintendo as a Japanese Satellaview virtual magazine broadcast from 1995 to 1996 that featured both manga episodes and live-action segments using ''Super Mario'' plushes. It was noted for uncharacteristically adult humor, including a scene in which Toad performs oral sex on Peach.<ref>{{cite web |last=Meeks |first=Randy |date=20 February 2025 |title=The unknown official story of Mario with tobacco, sex, murders… and Bill Gates |url=https://en.softonic.com/articles/the-unknown-official-story-of-mario-with-tobacco-sex-murders-and-bill-gates |website=Softonic |quote=Peach and Toad start criticizing Mario, who is not present, and they end up having oral sex. |access-date=21 May 2026}}</ref>
At one point, Archie Comics made a pitch to Nintendo for a new Mario comic similar to its ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series, but it was turned down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gonintendo.com/stories/245998-archie-pitched-nintendo-a-super-mario-comic-but-it-was-shot-down|title=Archie Pitched Nintendo a Super Mario Comic, But It Was Shot Down|date=September 12, 2015|website=GoNintendo|publisher=rawmeatcowboy|access-date=September 12, 2015|archive-date=November 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103171234/http://www.gonintendo.com/stories/245998-archie-pitched-nintendo-a-super-mario-comic-but-it-was-shot-down|url-status=live}}</ref>
An encyclopedia based on ''Super Mario Bros.'' was released in Japan in October 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo releasing 256-page Mario encyclopedia in Japan next month|url=http://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-releasing-256-page-mario-encyclopedia-in-japan-next-month/|website=Nintendo Everything|date=September 9, 2015|access-date=September 9, 2015|archive-date=September 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914103344/http://nintendoeverything.com/nintendo-releasing-256-page-mario-encyclopedia-in-japan-next-month/|url-status=live}}</ref> In February 2017, Nintendo announced that the encyclopedia would launch in North America and Europe in June 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia coming to North America and Europe in June|url=http://nintendoeverything.com/super-mario-bros-encyclopedia-coming-to-north-america-and-europe-in-june/|website=Nintendo Everything|access-date=February 18, 2017|archive-date=February 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220065055/http://nintendoeverything.com/super-mario-bros-encyclopedia-coming-to-north-america-and-europe-in-june/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Another encyclopedia based on the series up until ''Super Mario Maker'' was published by Dark Horse Publishing on October 23, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/02/marios_very_own_encylopedia_will_leap_onto_book_shelves_this_october|title=Mario's Very Own Encyclopedia Will Leap Onto Book Shelves This October|website=Nintendo Life|date=February 20, 2018|access-date=February 20, 2018|archive-date=February 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220173607/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/02/marios_very_own_encylopedia_will_leap_onto_book_shelves_this_october|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Merchandise=== [[File:Nintendo DS Lite Mario Edition 20081204.jpg|thumb|250px|right|A ''Mario''-themed Nintendo DS Lite]] Mario has appeared on lunch boxes, T-shirts, jeans,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mobile.twitter.com/LEVIS/status/1234536816071471104|title=👖x 🍄. Coming soon.|work=X (formerly Twitter) |publisher=Twitter|access-date=March 3, 2020|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501024230/https://mobile.twitter.com/LEVIS/status/1234536816071471104|url-status=live}}</ref> magazines, commercials (notably, in a Got Milk? commercial),<ref>Weiss, Jodi & Kahn, Russell (2004). In ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Mp0LRxu0ibsC&dq=%22got+milk%22+mario&pg=PA25 145 Things to Be When You Grow Up] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613102809/https://books.google.com/books?id=Mp0LRxu0ibsC&pg=PA25&dq=%22got+milk%22+mario&ei=-_b0Sr7sG5PyNJ3B1YoF#v=onepage&q=%22got%20milk%22%20mario&f=false |date=June 13, 2016 }}''. Princeton Review Publishing. p. 25. {{ISBN|0-375-76369-4}}. Google Book Search. Retrieved on November 6, 2009.</ref> 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|access-date=August 23, 2008|archive-date=January 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160120154312/http://gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1992, Gottlieb produced a ''Mario'' themed pinball machine.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Gottlieb's Super Mario Bros. Pin|journal=Cash Box|date=May 25, 1992|volume=55|issue=39|page=25|access-date=August 20, 2017|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1992/CB-1992-05-23.pdf}}</ref> A Monopoly board game based on the ''Mario'' franchise has been confirmed by the website USAopoly.<ref>{{cite web|author=USAopoly|title=MONOPOLY: Super Mario Bros. Collector's Edition|url=http://usaopoly.com/games/monopoly-super-mario-bros-collectors-edition|website=USAopoly|access-date=May 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219170204/http://usaopoly.com/games/monopoly-super-mario-bros-collectors-edition|archive-date=December 19, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Nintendo released two non-game applications featuring Mario on their DSiWare service, ''Mario Clock'' and ''Mario Calculator'', in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=I. G. N. |date=2009-06-15 |title=Nintendo Download: 06/15/09 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/06/15/nintendo-download-061509 |access-date=2026-01-03 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> In April 2017, a board game developed by USAopoly titled ''Super Mario Level Up!'' was announced for release.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Whitehead |first1=Thomas |title=Super Mario Level Up! is an Intriguing New Board Game From USAopoly |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/04/super_mario_level_up_is_an_intriguing_new_board_game_from_usaopoly |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=January 15, 2021 |date=April 11, 2017 |archive-date=October 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030201821/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2017/04/super_mario_level_up_is_an_intriguing_new_board_game_from_usaopoly |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Christiansen |first1=Alex |title=Super Mario ahora tiene su juego de mesa |url=https://www.latercera.com/mouse/super-mario-ahora-tiene-su-juego-de-mesa/ |access-date=January 15, 2021 |work=La Tercera |date=April 17, 2017 |language=Spanish |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501024232/https://www.latercera.com/mouse/super-mario-ahora-tiene-su-juego-de-mesa/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Another Monopoly-inspired board game called ''Monopoly Gamer'' was released in August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hasbro and Nintendo introduce MONOPOLY GAMER, a new way to play MONOPOLY|url=http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/hasbro-and-nintendo-introduce-monopoly-gamer|website=Nintendo|date=June 28, 2017|access-date=July 4, 2017|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702230657/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/hasbro-and-nintendo-introduce-monopoly-gamer|url-status=dead}}</ref> In addition, Monopoly Gamer adds a ''Mario Kart'' version with courses from ''Mario Kart 8'' serving as properties. LINE released four voiced ''Mario'' sticker sets. Mario-themed Lego sets were released in August 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2020/march/lego-super-mario |title= The LEGO Group and Nintendo partner to take legendary brick-building to a new level |author= Lego Group |date= March 11, 2020 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= April 20, 2020 |archive-date= October 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014023908/https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2020/march/lego-super-mario |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2020/april/lego-super-mario |title= The LEGO Group and Nintendo lift the lid on exciting new LEGO Super Mario details; preorders begin today |author= Lego Group |date= March 11, 2020 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= April 7, 2020 |archive-date= February 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227044718/https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2020/april/lego-super-mario/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2020/may/super-mario-power-up-packs |title= NEW LEGO Super Mario Power-Up Packs let fans level up their gameplay even further! |author= Lego Group |date= March 11, 2020 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= May 20, 2020 |archive-date= December 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204032809/https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2020/may/super-mario-power-up-packs |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2020/june/super-mario-product-reveal |title= The LEGO Group and Nintendo reveal full product range for new LEGO Super Mario play experience |author= Lego Group |date= June 16, 2020 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= June 16, 2020 |archive-date= January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119094559/https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2020/june/super-mario-product-reveal |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2020/july/lego-edition-nintendo-entertainment-system |title= The LEGO Group introduces LEGO edition of classic Nintendo Entertainment System |author= Lego Group |date= July 14, 2020 |website= Lego.com |publisher= Lego |access-date= July 14, 2020 |archive-date= January 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119095645/https://www.lego.com/en-my/aboutus/news/2020/july/lego-edition-nintendo-entertainment-system |url-status= live }}</ref> These sets feature an electronic Mario figure that interacts with other parts of the set.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lego.com/en-us/campaigns/supermario|title=LEGO Super Mario {{pipe}} LEGO.com – LEGO.com US|website=www.lego.com|access-date=March 12, 2020|archive-date=March 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312182155/https://www.lego.com/en-us/campaigns/supermario|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Concerts and performances=== The ''Super Mario Bros.'' theme has been featured in many concerts, including "PLAY! Chicago",<ref name="m4g">{{cite web |title=Super Mario Bros. and Zelda composer Koji Kondo to attend PLAY! Chicago |url=http://www.music4games.net/News_Display.aspx?id=184 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225004700/http://www.music4games.net/News_Display.aspx?id=184 |archive-date=February 25, 2009 |publisher=Music 4 Games |access-date=February 13, 2009 |date=April 14, 2006}}</ref> the Columbus Symphony Orchestra,<ref name="columbus">{{cite web |title=Symphony piles up points with video-game concert |url=http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/life/stories/2007/04/26/gamer_concert.html |publisher=The Columbus Dispatch |access-date=February 13, 2009 |date=April 27, 2007}}{{dead link|date=April 2017|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> the Mario & Zelda Big Band Live,{{citation needed|date=April 2018}} Play! A Video Game Symphony,<ref name="play">{{cite web |title=I hear a video game symphony |url=http://www.popjournalism.ca/pop/news/2006/00266playconcert.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215021437/http://www.popjournalism.ca/pop/news/2006/00266playconcert.shtml |archive-date=December 15, 2007 |publisher=Pop Journalism |access-date=February 13, 2009 |date=September 27, 2006}}</ref> and others.
The Video Games Live concert featured the theme performed by Koji Kondo.<ref name="interview">{{cite web |title=Super Mario Bros. Composer Koji Kondo Interview |url=http://www.1up.com/features/mario-maestro |publisher=1UP.com |access-date=February 16, 2009 |date=October 19, 2007 |archive-date=October 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007030700/http://www.1up.com/features/mario-maestro |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Reception== {{See also|Super Mario#Reception|l1=''Super Mario'' § Reception}} The ''Mario'' series has received highly positive reception from critics and audiences. A 1996 article in ''Next Generation'' declared that "The evolution of the ''Mario'' series led the rest of gaming by the hand, blazing a trail, and teaching lessons in game mechanics, structure, and sheer playability to any who would study its secrets".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Imagine Media |url=http://archive.org/details/nextgen-issue-014 |title=NEXT Generation Issue #14 February 1996 |date=February 1996 |language=english}}</ref> The series had sold 130 million copies worldwide by 1997.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kageyama |first=Yuri |date=23 March 1997 |title=Mario man has head for games |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/doylestown-intelligencer-mar-23-1997-p-35/ |url-access=subscription |work=Doylestown Intelligencer |pages=35}}</ref>
==Legacy== Mario has been featured in 256 games of various genres (including sports, puzzle, party, racing and first-person shooter), and the ''Mario'' franchise is the best-selling video game franchise of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/Super_Mario_Galaxy/index.html |title=Italian Plumber More Memorable Than Harper, Dion |access-date=April 4, 2010 |date=December 13, 2007 |publisher=CNW Group |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911224500/http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/mmnr/Super_Mario_Galaxy/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 11, 2009 }}</ref> At least 31 different ''Mario'' games have sold more than a million copies each since 1995. This includes the core ''Super Mario'' series, which alone has sold over 430 million units worldwide,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/voice-nintendos-mario-hangs-his-hat-it-has-been-honor|title=The voice behind Nintendo's Mario hangs up his hat: 'It has been an honor' |access-date=February 14, 2025|author-first1=Anders|author-last1=Hagstrom|work=Fox News|date=August 21, 2023}}</ref> as well as the ''Mario Kart'' series, which has sold 189.85 million units;<ref name="mariokart">* 12 million in North America as of November 15, 2005: {{cite press release |url=http://www.nintendo.ca/cgi-bin/usersite/display_info.cgi?lang=en&pageNum=9&id=7279167 |title=Mario Kart DS launches with Wi-Fi gaming service |date=November 15, 2005 |access-date=March 21, 2009 |publisher=Nintendo |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111064204/http://www.nintendo.ca/cgi-bin/usersite/display_info.cgi?lang=en&pageNum=9&id=7279167 |archive-date=January 11, 2009}} * {{cite web |title=Japan Platinum Game Chart |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801030711/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-JPPlatinum.shtml |archive-date=August 1, 2019 |access-date=March 15, 2012 |publisher=The Magic Box}} ** ''Super Mario Kart'': 3.82 million ** ''Mario Kart 64'': 2.24 million * ''Mario Kart: Double Dash'' sales in Japan as of January 2, 2005: 802,217 ({{cite web |date=January 2, 2005 |title=2004 Top 100 Best Selling Japanese Console Games |url=http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-BestSell2004.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002123804/http://www.the-magicbox.com/Chart-BestSell2004.shtml |archive-date=October 2, 2018 |access-date=March 15, 2012 |publisher=The Magic Box}}) * {{cite web |date=January 27, 2012 |title=Financial Results Briefing for the Nine-Month Period Ended December 2011 |url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2012/120127e.pdf#page=7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422210514/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2012/120127e.pdf#page=7 |archive-date=April 22, 2016 |access-date=February 8, 2012 |publisher=Nintendo |page=6 |format=PDF}}: ** ''Mario Kart DS'': 23.60 million ** ''Mario Kart 7'': 18.99 million ** ''Mario Kart Wii'': 37.38 million ** ''Mario Kart 8'' (including ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''): 76.66 million </ref> the ''Mario Party'' series, which has sold over 84 million copies;<ref>see Mario Party#Sales</ref> ''Donkey Kong'', which has sold over 125,000 arcade machines<ref>*Japan: 65,000 ({{cite book|first1=Brian|last1=Ashcraft|first2=Jean|last2=Snow|title=Arcade Mania: The Turbo-charged World of Japan's Game Centers|year=2008|publisher=Kodansha International|location=Tokyo|isbn=978-4-7700-3078-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wX8kAQAAIAAJ&q="sixty-five+thousand"|edition=1st|access-date=February 12, 2012|quote=Jumpman hopped over barrels, climbed ladders, and jumped from suspended platform to suspended platform as he tried to rescue a damsel from his pissed-off pet gorilla. The game was a smash, and sixty-five thousand cabinets were sold in Japan, propping up the then-struggling Nintendo and laying the groundwork for Nintendo and ''Donkey Kong'' creator Shigeru Miyamoto to dominate gaming throughout the 1980s and beyond.|archive-date=May 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501024231/https://books.google.com/books?id=wX8kAQAAIAAJ&q=%22sixty-five+thousand%22|url-status=live}}) * United States: 60,000 ({{Cite book|authorlink=Steven L. Kent|first=Steven L.|last=Kent|year=2001|title=The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story behind the Craze that Touched Our Lives and Changed the World|publisher=Prima|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C2MH05ogU9oC|access-date=April 9, 2011|page=352|quote=With more than 60,000 units sold in the United States, Donkey Kong was Nintendo's biggest arcade hit. ... Nintendo released Donkey Kong Junior in 1982 and sold only 30,000 machines, 20,000 Popeye machines (also 1982), and a mere 5000 copies of Donkey J (1983).|isbn=978-0-7615-3643-7|archive-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160418065935/https://books.google.com/books?id=C2MH05ogU9oC|url-status=live}})</ref> and six million Coleco cartridges;<ref>{{cite book|author-link=David Sheff|last=Sheff|first=David|year=1999|title=Game Over: Press Start to Continue: The Maturing of Mario|title-link=Game Over (Sheff book)|page=[https://archive.org/details/gameoverpresssta00shef/page/n130 121]|publisher=Wilton, Connecticut: GamePress}}: {{blockquote|"And we received from Coleco an agreement that they would pay us three percent of the net sales price [of all the "Donkey Kong" cartridges Coleco sold]." It turned out to be an impressive number of cartridges, 6 million, which translated into $4.6 million.}}</ref> and ''Mario Bros.'', which has sold 1.72 million Famicom cartridges.<ref name="famicommini">{{cite web |title=Nintendojofr|url=http://www.nintendojofr.com/redaction/editoriaux/?id=aVAd |date=September 26, 2006 |publisher=Nintendojo |access-date=October 9, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730022258/http://www.nintendojofr.com/redaction/editoriaux/?id=aVAd |archive-date = July 30, 2008}}</ref> By 1999, Mario as a character generated more than $5 billion in sales for Nintendo.<ref>{{cite web|first=Sharon|last=King|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/04/biztech/articles/25prof.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20240626160424/https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/04/biztech/articles/25prof.html|title=Off-Screen Hero of the Video Game|newspaper=The New York Times|archivedate=June 26, 2024|date=April 25, 1999|accessdate=June 26, 2024}}</ref> By 2002, the ''Super Mario'' series had grossed more than $7 billion in software sales.<ref>{{cite web|first=Darren|last=Bernhardt|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118831258/star-phoenix/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230217103344/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/118831258/star-phoenix/|title=Move over pretty boys, Mario the man to beat|newspaper=Star Phoenix|archivedate=February 17, 2023|date=October 3, 2002|accessdate=June 8, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020826/260010_1.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20021020215227/http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/020826/260010_1.html|title=World Discovers Key Player in Entertainment Industry is a Plumber Nintendo Video Game Character Mario Surpasses Hollywood's Harrison Ford in Global Revenues|website=Business Wire|archivedate=October 20, 2002|date=August 26, 2002|accessdate=June 8, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Robert|last=Guth|url=https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/SB1034543200500992676|title=Nintendo Courts Adult Gamers As Competition Gets Tougher|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=October 14, 2002|accessdate=November 27, 2021|archive-date=September 4, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230904145606/https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/SB1034543200500992676}}</ref> At its peak, the franchise sold over $200 million in merchandise annually.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88403611/newsday-nassau-edition/|title=Continued|newspaper=Newsday|page=77|date=July 15, 1990|accessdate=January 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com|archive-date=January 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131184955/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88403611/newsday-nassau-edition/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Notes== {{Notelist}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
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