Man surrenders back for Mushroom Kingdom tattoo

by Justin McElroy { Jul 31st 2007 at 9:00AM }

When you think about it, it's probably best that Average Joes like Mario and Luigi are the only ones getting sucked into the Mushroom Kingdom. Imagine if this guy, who gave his whole back for a Mario-themed tattoo stepped into the wrong warp pipe and ended up face-to-face with the bros. and the princess. "Oh, you have a picture of my face on-a your back," Mario might say as he instinctively rose his hands to protect a completely freaked out Peach. "That's-a ... nice."

That being said, we can't wait to see what this thing looks like when it's all filled in. Also, if the guy gets a character from Doki Doki Panic crying somewhere behind his kneecap, we're willing to elect him mayor of video games.

P.S. The blogger wants you to know he recognizes the irony in having fun with anyone's gaming-related tattoo.

Tags: mario, tattoos

Related From Joystiq

Miyamoto foresees more user-generated content in the future
26 days ago
See Left 4 Dead fan-made mod 'Mushroom Massacre' in action
28 days ago
Fan makes Mushroom Kingdom in Left 4 Dead
56 days ago

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Jack of No Trades @ Jul 31st 2007 9:05AM

Why....Why....Why would you do this. Lets hope his grandchildren like Mario when he is 70.

GD86 @ Jul 31st 2007 10:09AM

And why would it matter if his grand kids like it or not. A tattoo should mean something to the person who is getting it. If anything I think you should feel worse for all the people who in 50 years will have to explain to kids and grand kids why they thought it was so smart and cool to get a Chinese character for "unique" on their foot. Or the number of white guys who have a tribal tattoo when they've got absolutely no connection to any tribe, period.

I've got a geek tattoo and it would be stupid to everyone else who saw it and knew where it was from, but to me its about a number of good nights with friends getting drunk together and having a good time.

Or is this simply a think that its Mario, would it be cooler if it was Halo or maybe gears of war? Are Zelda tattoo's fine but Mario is wrong? Maybe if it was just the question box their wouldn't be a problem?

Jack of No Trades @ Jul 31st 2007 10:17AM

Yes, tattoos should mean somthing to you. I don't see how a videogame about a plumber saving a princess from a evil turtle makes you want to get a tattoo. Did mario save his life?

Jacob P. @ Jul 31st 2007 10:24AM

Maybe it was cause playing that game has a lot of good memories associated with it? I know I got my Mega Man tattoo because it was the first video game that I ever remember playing, and it's the game that got me into hardcore gaming, and because of that, it's impacted my life.

samfish @ Jul 31st 2007 10:32AM

"Yes, tattoos should mean somthing to you. I don't see how a videogame about a plumber saving a princess from a evil turtle makes you want to get a tattoo."

Way to dumb down the importance of Mario, Jack.

Jack of No Trades @ Jul 31st 2007 10:41AM

Should I get a Shawdows fall, Flaw, Lynyrd Skynrd and Battletoads tatoos because they helped me get through some tough times? It would be cool, but I would most likely end up regreting.

samfish @ Jul 31st 2007 10:54AM

Does Battletoads mean as much to you today as it did when you were younger? Do you feel it'll be that important to you in the future?
If it really does, then go for it. If it's just based on nostalgia, though, I'd hold off.

It's not hard to see how Mario could mean a lot to a person, though. Unlike Battletoads, Mario has always been there and, with few exceptions, always been great, too.
I don't find it hard to imagine how someone who was born in the late 70's/early 80's could have a strong emotional connection with Mario.

On the other hand, he could have just wanted a weird tattoo that no one else would think of and would be unique.
...in which case he'll probably regret it!

jimy @ Jul 31st 2007 12:11PM

How often do you plan on walking around without a shirt when you're 70 anyways? Hell, if anything you're a cooler grandpa for it.

baby sea tuna @ Jul 31st 2007 9:09AM

I hope this guy gets a cat, cause it'll be the last pussy he'll ever see!

Zertoss @ Jul 31st 2007 9:11AM

That artist did a really good job. I like the style.

jimy @ Jul 31st 2007 9:16AM

Can't wait to see it entirely colored.

Joshua @ Jul 31st 2007 9:18AM

He should have went with the Captain Lou Albano version of Mario. That way you could do some more body mods and add the rubber bands!

It looks great really and the early coloring looks like this will be very bad ass when finished.

s.mario @ Jul 31st 2007 9:19AM

I think the artwork is pretty good, and I respect his "gamerizm" and the fact that he's proud to show people how much it means to him...

Jacob P. @ Jul 31st 2007 9:21AM

Speaking of game tattoo's...I went on friday and got one for myself!

Here's the whoel thing:
http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/bocaj_patton/?action=view¤t=tat1small.jpg

And here's a close up of the head:
http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/bocaj_patton/?action=view¤t=tat2small.jpg

That was taken the day after I got it done, so it still has some blood and whatnot on it

Ryuukuro @ Jul 31st 2007 9:44AM

Personallym I'm a fan of the easily hideable tattoo like those on the back or the upper arm, but the art is good. You might want to get some extra details and have it wrap around, although I hear that it is a terrible idea to get a tattoo on the shin bone because its too painful.

Chuck @ Jul 31st 2007 9:39AM

i dont get why people say "youre gonna regret getting that when youre 70"...why are people worrying about the distant future when no one knows if youre even gonna even live to be that age.

Ryuukuro @ Jul 31st 2007 9:42AM

Because people want to live to that age.

And a Mario tattoo is going to look a lot less stupid compared to the five billion (and counting!) "tribal" tattoos that everyone and their BFFs have.

Hugh Mann @ Jul 31st 2007 10:07AM

I don't want to live to that age. I hope I die before my body craps out on me, I would rather have 40-50 really fucking amazing years and then croak it than have 40-50 mediocre years followed by 20-30 years of witnessing my body slowly wasting away.

And anyway what 70 year olds do you know that walk around bare from the wait up? Do you really think that at age 70 you will be going "oh, hey man, yeah sure I look buff and all, but, if only it wasn't for this huge tat I would totally be getting some serious pensioner poontang"
NO.

Megaqwerty @ Jul 31st 2007 3:47PM

Take care of yourself, put some faith into good ol' science, and your senior years will not be dead, I assure you.

Ryuukuro @ Jul 31st 2007 9:41AM

That is an awesome tattoo, regardless of it being Mario themed (but I'm a Mario devotee so I love it even more.)

The artist is excellent and I wish someone would say who it is and where their shop is. I'd never get a tattoo but if I ever get hammered near that shop they'll get my drunken business.

samfish @ Jul 31st 2007 10:12AM

I'm to hairy to get a tattoo even if I wanted one. I've contemplated it multiple times, though...but ultimately I'm glad I held off. I would seriously regret having any of the ones I thought I wanted back then today.

I could see myself getting a Superman or Batman symbol, since that's been about the only constant in my life since I was a little kid...plus they're both pretty timeless at this point.
Maybe a Tri-force, too...but that would require several more years of wait 'n' see deliberation.

Jack of No Trades @ Jul 31st 2007 10:37AM

Im been gaming all my life. Games helped me get through tough times as well, but so did music. Does that mean its smart to get a Shadows Fall or Faw tattoo.

Jacob P. @ Jul 31st 2007 10:46AM

If it means enough to you, then yeah, I say go for it. Give me a good reason why you shouldn't get a tattoo of something that helped you/changed your life.

Jack of No Trades @ Jul 31st 2007 11:11AM

You make a good point.

sean @ Jul 31st 2007 11:17AM

whatever, it looks pretty good. He should be happy with it. I think there is way too much emphasis on putting some douchey meaning to your tattoo. Whenever I hear some moron talking about "oh this signifies some dark part in my life". Who gives a crap get over it. For me, I think MAYBE it should have a small part of "significance" or whatever but for the most part it should be something that is great to look at. I'd worry more about it being a nice looking piece of art (which I think this is even if it's mario) that makes people go "Cool!" before having it define your inner struggle when you were 19 or some bullsh it like that.

Jack of No Trades @ Jul 31st 2007 11:29AM

A tattoo should have meaning to you. Fuck what other people say. I don't care if it looks cool to them. Getting a tattoo that defines your inner struggle is much much better than getting one just to look cool. Only dumbasses that like attention get tats just to be cool.

WhatIsThatThing @ Jul 31st 2007 1:36PM

Is this the same Jack of No Trades that was talking about getting random tattoos earlier up the page, and not realizing the significance of them?

sean @ Jul 31st 2007 2:13PM

I don't mean get a tattoo to be cool. there are a lot of people who think "tattoo = deep personal meaning". I think that it's fine to get a tattoo that doesn't have such a heavy meaning, but is a sweet looking piece of art. just like this guy's. maybe you think it's lame, and I agree he would be hard pressed to find a meaning he could go on Oprah with and explain while the audience nods their heads in morose agreement, but I think it's a fresh idea and I bet that's he's really happy with it.

blooh @ Jul 31st 2007 11:51AM

i have a tat from fftactics and from star wars, on opposing arms

i really like them :)

I have lots of hair but you can still see the tat just fine thru it

Word of the street. @ Jul 31st 2007 12:08PM

People people remember this is the future and now art is suppose to be tattooed in fat people.
Really thats the most disgusting thing I have seen all day so far.

Mike @ Jul 31st 2007 12:23PM

Can people that have a problem with this guy's tattoo and ACTUALLY have a tattoo please let me know what it is so I can make fun of it. Idiots.

chispito @ Jul 31st 2007 12:39PM

It's funny, I would normally expect something tough or provacative for one that large. But it looks like quality work and I'm sure in the circles he runs with it will be appreciated.

albinogoldfish @ Jul 31st 2007 12:46PM

Well, as long as he likes it I guess thats all that matter, but I even call my buddies dumb shits for what they've tattooed on themselves, and well, this guys a dumbshit too. But if he ever went to Japan and took off his shirt, rest assured he'd be known as the nintendo yakuza...fuck you, it made me laught...

bigd7387 @ Jul 31st 2007 1:02PM

Ok, to each his/her own but Tatoos are really getting stupid now. I'm 38 and thankfully never got a tatoo, nothing looks worse on an older person than a sagy tatoo. If you die young thats ok but if you plan on living several years than don't do something you will regret when your old.

Mike @ Jul 31st 2007 1:17PM

I don't put something off today for fear of what it may be decades from now. Besides, you act like a tattoo is going to be the only saggy thing when you're 90 years old. Living your life while thinking about your future is a good thing, but it shouldn't stop you from doing things you want to do. Clearly, tattoos aren't for you though. I can't say the same. I've got 3. One of which is a full sleeve on my left arm. No regrets b/c frankly I don't give a sh!t about what other people think.