Mario: Difference between revisions

'''Mario''' (full name '''Mario Mario''') is the main character and protagonist of the long-running and highly successful [[Mario (series)|''Mario'' series]]. He was created by Japanese video game designer [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] and also serves as the main mascot of [[Nintendo]]. Mario made his first appearance as the protagonist of the arcade game ''[[Donkey Kong (game)|Donkey Kong]]'', released in 1981. Since ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', his trademark abilities have been his [[jump]]ing and [[stomp]]ing powers, with which he defeats most of his enemies, and his ability to change size and gain powers with a plethora of items, such as the [[Super Mushroom]] and [[Fire Flower]]. Games have usually portrayed Mario as a silent character without a distinct personality (''[[Fortune Street]]'' is a notable exception). According to Nintendo's philosophy, this allows Mario to fit in many different genres and roles. In most games, he is the hero that goes on an adventure to save [[Princess Peach]] from [[Bowser]], but he has been shown doing other activities besides adventuring, such as racing and sporting with [[Luigi|his twin brother]]. Mario's main traits are his [[Mario Cap|red hat]], thick mustache, Italian accent, heavy use of [[List of power-ups|power-ups]], and high [[jump]]ing ability.

 

[[File:Jumpmanconcept.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Concept art for Jumpman]]

Following the failure of ''[[Wikipedia:Radar Scope|Radar Scope]]'' in North America, Nintendo then-president, [[Hiroshi Yamauchi]], requested Miyamoto's aid in converting unsold ''Radar Scope'' units into something that would sell well. Miyamoto conceived the concept of a love triangle and decided to make a game based on the ''Popeye'' character. He, however, was denied the rights for the ''Popeye'' franchise, so he decided to come up with a new idea using his own characters.