Mario through the years
by Blake Snow 
{ May 26th 2006 at 2:55PM }
Whether Nintendo has milked the franchise or not, Mario is everywhere when it comes to video games. GameDaily writes: "What started out as a guy simply trying to rescue his whiny girlfriend from an angry ape twenty-six years ago has since grown into one of the most recognizable faces in video gaming to date... in honor of our big, explosive preview of his forthcoming Wii game Super Mario Galaxy, we thought we'd take a brief (yet detailed) look back at his gaming history, which breaks down into five categories- platforming, role-playing, sports, driving, and other."
Follow the link for the full article. So is Mario over-hyped regarding his impact on video games, or would we be in a very different place today without him?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
pennywise969 @ May 26th 2006 2:59PM
Mario 1 > Mario 2. They need to bring back the pistol. and the Arbiter sucks.
Fat Sony Fanboy @ May 26th 2006 3:04PM
Sony doesn't need mascots because its mature audience grew out of such things long ago. That's why MS doesnt make master chef its mascot either. Mascots are for kids. Great games like Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, and Devil May Cry sell systems. Not mascots.
Dylan @ May 26th 2006 3:07PM
Oh yeah this is real new. How about somebody makes a "Mario Through The Years Through The Years" retrospective, showing us the history of Mario retrospectives.
GlitchCog @ May 26th 2006 3:13PM
The sky is the wrong color for the Super Mario Kart screenshot on the fourth page of this thing. It should be #F8E890, not white.
nabil @ May 26th 2006 3:19PM
haha dylan. awesome.
Marc @ May 26th 2006 3:20PM
"So is Mario over-hyped regarding his impact on video games, or would we be in a very different place today without him?"
No for first question and Yes for the second.
Shiro @ May 26th 2006 3:22PM
"2. Sony doesn't need mascots because its mature audience grew out of such things long ago. That's why MS doesnt make master chef its mascot either. Mascots are for kids. Great games like Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, and Devil May Cry sell systems. Not mascots."
I don't remember any Nintendo Official declaring Mario a "mascot". The term is used jokingly by fans.
And you obviously haven't played ANY Mario games recently, so let me clear up one of your statements a bit: "Great games like -MARIO STRIKERS- sell systems, not mascots". That's right, Mario games do tend to kick a significant amount of ass, gameplay-wise. And before you argue with me, I suggest you actually PLAY one.
Oh, and on a sidenote, I'm fairly sure Bungie's character's name is Master Chief. Not Master Chef. Though it would be cool if he made me some food sometime.
Ad @ May 26th 2006 3:29PM
MS haven't made Master chief their mascot?
"When the PS3 comes out it will walk straight in to Halo 3" - Bill Gates
Gears Of War is practically Halo 2.5, Microsoft rest practiacally everything on Halo and selling unfinished games with the rest of the content online
Fat Sony Fanboy @ May 26th 2006 3:30PM
Uh the master chef comment was intentional, genius. And mario hasn't sold systems for nintendo since super mario world SNES. Thats why Sunshine was such a dismal failure just like the gamecube. Nintendo couldnt even take on the new kid on the block, xbox, despite them selling one ugly heavy crappy console with controller fit for giants. And if mario isn't a mascot, why do they have people dressed up in mario suits every E3? Yeah, just like I thought. Mascot.
que @ May 26th 2006 3:35PM
#8: gamecube was a failure?
Cage @ May 26th 2006 3:38PM
"Gears Of War is practically Halo 2.5, Microsoft rest practiacally everything on Halo and selling unfinished games with the rest of the content online"
Do some homework please. GoW is a third person shooter that relies on stealth and cover, not run and shoot. I guess because you are using a gun its all the same (please dont play Socom or Resident Evil or...). And by the time PS3's wont be in shortage (Late Spring 2007) Halo 3 will be launched. Somebody get these trolls out of here...
DG @ May 26th 2006 3:42PM
I like Super Mario Sunshine. It would have been better had it been placed in the Mushroom Kingdom, that's all. Every Nintendo system deserves a good Mushroom Kingdom game. The GC hasn't had one yet....but I am anxiously awaiting Super Paper Mario. Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Paper_Mario
Fat Sony Fanboy @ May 26th 2006 3:44PM
100 mil PS2
12 mil gamecube
--------------
gamecube = failure
Today PS2 is still outselling xbox and cube combined for the win. The oldest console of the three. How sad for nintendo and microcrap.
Tush @ May 26th 2006 3:44PM
Uh oh, I smell a fight coming on!
I wouldn't bash Mario though. Nor would I call him a mascot...
he's an icon!
que @ May 26th 2006 3:47PM
tush: agreed. there's a difference between icon and mascot.
and just because gamecube didn't earn the biggest market share, does not by a far stretch mean that it was a failure.
que @ May 26th 2006 3:48PM
the apple pippin was a failure, the atari jaguar was a failure.
the gamecube was not.
Paul P. @ May 26th 2006 3:50PM
Pauline is whiny? Well excuse her, it's just that she was kidnapped by a f***ing Gorilla! You'd be whiny too! You know nothing of her life outside of that, and you simply assume what her personality is, and that is sexist, sir.
jV @ May 26th 2006 3:52PM
#4: Riiiiiiight... because Mario Kart was programmed using an html color palette...
Steven Randolph @ May 26th 2006 3:54PM
Without Mario there would be no console gaming. Period. Sure, Nintendo puts him in everything, but his games are consistently amazing. I mean, Mario 64 pretty much DEFINED what controlling in 3d is today. Nintendo has never stopped making fun games, and that is what separates Mario from the pack... sure they are milking the franchise, but damn, that's good milk.
Rabish12 @ May 26th 2006 3:55PM
#8: Sunshine wasn't a dismal failure. It sold about 400,000 copies within the first four days after the Japanese release and since has sold millions of copies. Gamecube wasn't a dismal failure either, as it achieved only slightly fewer sales than the Xbox and was by far the most profitable system of the three released that gen.
#12: Gamecube sold abound twenty million units, not twelve.
Try checking your facts next time.
Arturis @ May 26th 2006 3:56PM
Interesting. The article jumps directly from Donkey Kong to Super Mario Bros, and totally neglects its forerunner, the original Mario Bros, which was a one or two player arcade game where Mario (and the first appearance of Luigi) have to clear a certain number of monsters that spew forth from large sewer pipes. All the action took place on one screen - there was no scrolling. Once you cleared the monsters, it brought you to the next screen, which was the same layout in a different color/style and with variations of the same 5 or six enemy types. This was later remade and included in Super Mario Bros. 3 as a subgame.
breachless @ May 26th 2006 4:10PM
"Sony doesn't need mascots because its mature audience grew out of such things long ago. That's why MS doesnt make master chef its mascot either. Mascots are for kids. Great games like Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, and Devil May Cry sell systems. Not mascots."
Dude... you might want to look up the meaning of the words you are using if you are going to use them to rag on someone or something else. "mascot" as defined in the dictionary:
mas·cot
noun : a person or animal that is adopted by a team or other group as a symbolic figure
So, by definition, Solid Snake, the Final Fantasy series, and Daunte are all characters and/or symbols that people generally associate with the PS2 (mostly attributed to those titles usually being exclusive to the PS2 only.) By definition, they could very well be considered mascots, though since they usually encapsulate more than just one character, franchise would be a better word to use. The Mario games are a franchise, just like Metal Gear or Final Fantasy.
Basically, your post was one of the most asinine things I have read all day...
But you just keep on thinking that you are somehow more masculin because you don't play a kids game like Mario, and instead spring for games that involve really manly things like magic, sorcery, wizards, and grown men who have long girly grey hair (or mullets) that wear tights... (cuz the chicks dig that so much more right?)
Just to be clear, I am not suggesting that Mario is any more or less "cool" than Final Fantasy, and Solid Snake is infinitely more cool than Mario. Just making a point...
Prof-KOS @ May 26th 2006 4:11PM
#19.
Rabish12. While I agree with almost all you said. I believ that the PS2 over it's lifetims has been more profitable. Not on a per system basis, but over all. Aside from that, you're spot on. I've never understood why Gamecube has been labeled a failure. For sure it did not sell as well as intended, but it was profitable, surrenders only 1% in market share to Xbox. The main reason it didn't do better was spillover from the N64. Developers and publishers had no faith in the system. I still put hours upon hours on mine, which I bought at launch and it still works great. Not like my PS2 that is on its third iteration in my home. If it weren't for all the games I like on it, I'd never have bought it again.
jabbertrack @ May 26th 2006 4:11PM
A good thing to ask yourself is "would this game be fun without Mario?".
A lot of the time the answer is probably 'no'. There are a slew of decent side scrollers and 3d action/adventure games that get passed over for a Mario title.
Also, I'm tired of hearing "tight control" associated with Mario titles... if that's all you needed for a platformer then Marble Blast would sell better than it does already.
Mario overhyped? YES
Ad @ May 26th 2006 4:14PM
RE: Gamecubes failure: http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3147953&did=1
Khidr @ May 26th 2006 4:14PM
1. How did we even get Sony involved in this story? Strong brand recognition is no more for kids than ice cream. Mario is about brand identity, and for the most part, knowing that there's a certain quality associated with a first party title featuring the plumber. Yes, the inclusion of Mario does let parents know that for the most part, the game will be safe for their kids, but, by and large, Mario is just smart business, and an exclusive property that Nintendo is smart to protect.
Besides, anyone who sees "crash nitro-cart" as anything but a thinly veiled attempt to bring that kind of brand recognition to the other guys, is just missing the point. Master-chief may not be a mascot, but he's a well protected MS icon, and you do get to see some 8.00 an hour starving actor dressed up in full regalia at events.
2. The article was really well written, a little derivative of the G4 icons, but welcome all the same.
diddydiddydid @ May 26th 2006 4:18PM
*runs to warehouse to dig snes & smw*
Anyone remember how to get into the alternate world??
Pickypants @ May 26th 2006 4:48PM
Arturis, did you really just explain to us what "Mario Bros." is all about?
Some dude in this thread mentioned that the sky was the wrong shade of white in a Mario Kart screen.
We know what Mario Bros is.
Marc @ May 26th 2006 5:19PM
"sure they are milking the franchise, but damn, that's good milk."
HA HA HA niiice!
(i'm stealing that quote)
Sabre @ May 26th 2006 5:36PM
Ya know...it's kind of pathetic that somone like "Fat Sony Fanboy" just gets negative stars for being an out right and obvious troll yet I get negative stars for doing basically nothing and my previous posting name gets banned.
So much for be "fair" and "credible"...
Marc @ May 26th 2006 5:47PM
^Sabre
eh, that's life. The good get nothing. And the bad (and fat, obnoxious trolls) get everything. Take it up with the biased joystiq staff.
Marc @ May 26th 2006 5:49PM
^ oh and i forgot fat asses.
Sabre @ May 26th 2006 6:02PM
@ Marc:
Yea I've tried that already...it obvously doesn't help. It would be nice if "some" of them would actually be "professional" about it.
Rabish12 @ May 26th 2006 6:07PM
#23: PS2 should have been the most profitable system, but it wasn't. Both because they sold the system at a loss (unlike Nintendo, selling their machines at a game) and because so many people who bought it early on did so because it was one of the cheapest DVD players on the market (those people don't buy games or peripherals, which cause Sony's profits on the system to take a major hit), Sony ended up losing money overall on the system. The lack of a DVD player and extremely cheap production price of the Gamecube meant that Nintendo made a massive amount on the system, so it actually was the most profitable after expenses and everything.
Sabre @ May 26th 2006 6:12PM
"cheapest DVD players on the market (those people don't buy games or peripherals, which cause Sony's profits on the system to take a major hit)"
I bought it primarly for that reason at the beginning b/c there weren't too many games at launch I really wanted. So your logic that those people NEVER buy games or peripherals is wrong.
Belcho @ May 26th 2006 6:33PM
@#27
Absolutely, I remember how to get to the star worlds. At one point I was so obsessed with Super Mario World that I beat all 96 boards on all 3 save slots. Then when it came out on the GBA I did it again.
SMW = the best side-scrolling platformer ever!
Fat Sony Fanboy @ May 26th 2006 7:28PM
#31 I'm not fat, i'm big boned. Just like PS2 steamrolling all the competition as the world's favorite gaming machine. Don't be jealous.
Mabui @ May 26th 2006 8:03PM
I actually don't like Mario 64 that much, I didn't like it on N64 and I definately didn't like it on Nintendo DS... I actually enjoyed every minute of Mario Sunshine and I guess I could be one of the few people in the world who ever did.
Then again, I liked Crono Cross more than trigger aswell.. odd
Regardless, It just grates my nerves when everyone puts down Mario Sunshine. .and most of them I think are just saying it as a "Me too!" sort of thing to prove how elite they are.
Mario Galaxy looks pretty cool, undoubtedly it'll get slammed for some random reason because all Mario games are rated on a jaded fanboy curve.
Mario sport games are good stuff, though better on handheld than otherwise.
Regardless
Geist @ May 26th 2006 8:23PM
Sony doesn't use mascots because they suck. Crash Bandicoot used to be Sony's mascot. He used to be in every other game for the Playstation, until people realized that his games were crap. Nintendo tends to overuse Mario a lot, but at least the games he is in are fun to play.
Capt. Castellanos @ May 26th 2006 8:37PM
hahaha Xbox nerds Vs Nintendo Nerds.
who cares who has a mascot or not!
if a game is fun, buy it.
quit whining about everything!
the_game_master @ May 26th 2006 8:40PM
PS2 has a mascot.
Jak & Dakster
jV @ May 26th 2006 9:21PM
Don't. Feed. The. Fat. Trolls.
You guys are much too easily baited.
Caoz @ May 26th 2006 9:32PM
You little kids bashing Mario need to learn to show a little respect. Mario was star years before you were born (in 1993 apparently). How about you show us a video game character with an equal number of quality titles under his belt. Either you do that or keep your little mouths shut. Yes, I'm looking at you jabbertrack.
Caoz @ May 26th 2006 9:41PM
Yeah youre right jV. I guess the first post should have been directed to the snow troll.
pasta man @ May 26th 2006 9:45PM
Last i checked fatboy final fantasty and metal gear began on nintendo hardware. If it wasn't for nintendo your fat fingers wouldn't be playing them on ps2. Mario brought life back into video games and no matter how "childish" he is.
Grant @ May 26th 2006 9:48PM
"The world decided PS2 is the most fun. Even more fun than 360 so says sales."
So you're saying that N'Sync is one of the best music groups in history?
Caoz @ May 26th 2006 9:55PM
LOL. Mickey Mouse huh ? I guess I was wrong about your age. Your probably are about six since you seem to be so fond of Mickey. It's okay thou. At that young age you still have a lot of reading to do before you can comment on the VG industry at a blog with IQ. Try Game Over Press Start To Continue by David Sheff and Andy Eddy as a start.
Asok @ May 27th 2006 1:19AM
After seeing the quality of the PS2's hardware (both early and even recent), I'd have to say most of their system's sales weren't because of how fun it was, but because everyone's systems kept breaking and they had to replace them. Just a little bit of my $.02.
And I definitely think that if it weren't for Mario, most of today's video games (especially platformers) would be totally different, or inexistant. But I do think lately he's been getting a bit too much play.
cringer8 @ May 27th 2006 1:52AM
I think Pokemon is what trashed Nintendo's image as a serious game machine (that and the previous management pissing off every developer it could). Nintendo has never picked ONE demographic to cater to and neither has Sony nor MS. They all carry kid-friendly titles. It's just Nintendo's are better. Hence Mario's stranglehold. He appeals to all ages of gamers (except the Mountain Dew era of gamers, who were too young to truly connect with Mario as he developed and are too old now to appreciate how fun his titles are; Strikers, anyone?).
I think the New Mario Bros. is a perfect salute to all of the best Mario had offered. Some people have complained about the difficulty being too low. Well, have you tried collecting every big coin and unlocking every secret path? Those challenges are put in for the more advanced gamer. Also, the classic, aforementioned "Mario Bros." vs. mode has been added. This is the first time we've been able to duke it out with the brothers in twenty years.
Playing Mario Galaxy at E3 has convinced me that Nintendo can keep cranking them out and making them fresh. If you haven't played Galaxy yet and you're a Mario fan, hold on to your hats, this one is the BEST YET.
13alder @ May 27th 2006 1:55AM
@41 i honestly cant tell if you're kidding or not so i'll assume you're not. just because a system has outsold anouther system doesnt mean its better, it may be better for the majority of people but there are so many variables that are part of buying a console, if they only buy one, and to say its better then the 360 is rediculous, sure it's sold more, but its been out longer. For example if i made the most fun possible console today, it would sell like none, but it would still be the most fun because its the most fun console ever.