Editing Mario (section)

==In video games==
{{see also|List of video games featuring Mario}}

===''Super Mario'' series===
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Mario is the protagonist of the ''Super Mario'' series. Each game varies in its plot, but most of them have the ultimate goal of Mario rescuing [[Princess Peach]] after being kidnapped by [[Bowser]]. Mario explores a variety of locations, titled "worlds", and along the way, he can collect items and defeat enemies. Most levels have an end goal, such as stars or flagpoles, that he needs to reach to move on to the next. The series is divided into two general sets of games: the 2D [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] ''Super Mario'' games and the 3D [[open world]] ''Super Mario'' games.

====2D games====
The ''Super Mario'' series had Mario starring in [[platform game]]s, beginning with ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' on the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) in 1985. In these games, Mario traverses worlds that contain a set number of levels for Mario to complete. In them, he traverses them from moving left to right, the screen scrolling in the direction he moves. Mario has the goal of reaching the end of the level to move onto the next, typically marked with a flagpole.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/super-mario-bros-30-year-anniversary-2309911-Sep2015/ |title=30 years ago, the game that changed everything was released |author=Quinton O'Reilly |website=[[TheJournal.ie|The Journal]] |date=September 12, 2015 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322065256/https://www.thejournal.ie/super-mario-bros-30-year-anniversary-2309911-Sep2015/ |url-status=live }}</ref> These games are less focused on plot and more on platforming; most commonly, Bowser kidnaps Peach, and Mario, with the help of Luigi and other characters, sets out to rescue her. Most worlds have mini [[boss (video game)|boss battles]], which typically involve fighting [[Bowser Jr.]] or one of several [[Koopalings]]. The final level is a fight against Bowser.<ref name="History" />

[[File:Takashi Tezuka 2015 (cropped).jpg|upright|thumb|right|[[Takashi Tezuka]] in 2015]]
His first appearance in the 2D variant of the series was ''Super Mario Bros.'' in 1985, which began with a 16x32 pixel rectangle prototype as the character; [[Takashi Tezuka]] suggested the character to be Mario after the success of one of his previous roles, ''[[Mario Bros.]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Iwata-Asks/Iwata-Asks-New-Super-Mario-Bros-Wii/Volume-2/3-It-Started-With-A-Square-Object-Moving/3-It-Started-With-A-Square-Object-Moving-232967.html |title=Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros (Volume 2- It Started With a Square Object Moving) |first=Satoru |last=Iwata |date=2009 |access-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215062341/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/nsmb/vol2_page3.jsp |archive-date=December 15, 2009 }}</ref> Certain other gameplay concepts were cut as well, such as how Mario could fly in a rocket ship and fire bullets.<ref name="Mario original control scheme">{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |title=Super Mario Bros. Originally Had Beam Guns and Rocket Packs |url=http://andriasang.com/comqln/mario_original_control_scheme/ |website=Andriasang |date=October 25, 2010 |access-date=January 24, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20140126170905/http://andriasang.com/comqln/mario_original_control_scheme/ |archive-date=January 26, 2014 }}</ref> Originally designed with a small Mario in mind with the intention of increasing his size further in development, the developers implemented the feature of his size changes via power-ups as they considered it a fun addition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Letting Everyone Know It Was A Good Mushroom |url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/nsmb/0/3 |work=Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros Wii |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=December 5, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927194716/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/nsmb/0/3 |archive-date=September 27, 2016 }}</ref> The concept was influenced by [[Japanese folktales]].<ref name="originsofmario" />

''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'' was originally not going to be a sequel to ''Super Mario Bros.'', and was originally going to be a game called ''Doki Doki Panic''; directed by [[Kensuke Tanabe]].<ref name="director">{{cite interview |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/interview/2181/kensuke-tanabe-talks-metroid-prime-2-echoes| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105143103/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/interview/2181 |archive-date=November 5, 2013 | interviewer1=Jonathan Metts |interviewer2=Daniel Bloodworth |interviewer3=Matt Cassamassina | first=Kensuke | last=Tanabe | subject-link=Kensuke Tanabe | title=Interview – Kensuke Tanabe Talks Metroid Prime 2: Echoes |date=May 18, 2004 |publisher=Nintendo World Report |access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref><ref name="gpara">{{cite web |url=http://www.gpara.com/contents/creator/bn_101.htm |title=クリエイターズファイル 第101回 |trans-title=Creators File No. 101 |date=February 10, 2003 |publisher=Gpara.com |access-date=January 11, 2011 |archive-date=September 30, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930045013/http://www.gpara.com/contents/creator/bn_101.htm |url-status=dead |language=Japanese }}</ref> One of the changes included the retexturing of the four main playable characters of ''Doki Doki Panic'', and since they varied in height, this was the first instance where Mario was noticeably shorter than Luigi.<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> ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' experimented with Mario's looks with different power-ups that represented different creatures. An example included the raccoon tail, which was chosen over a power-up that represented a [[centaur]].<ref name="IGN-100">{{cite web| url = http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_39.html| title = IGN Top 100 Games 2007: 39 ''Super Mario Bros. 3''| website = IGN| year = 2007| access-date = January 25, 2009| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170409163615/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_39.html| archive-date = April 9, 2017| url-status = dead| df = mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="NP-10-Develop">{{Cite magazine| magazine = [[Nintendo Power]]| title = The Making of ''Super Mario Bros. 3''| author= Nintendo Power Staff| issue = 10|date=January–February 1990| pages = 20–23| publisher = [[Nintendo]]}}</ref> The game's success led to an animated television series, ''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', with Mario being portrayed by Walker Boone.<ref name="NP-16-TV">{{Cite magazine| magazine = [[Nintendo Power]]| title = On the Air: SMB3| author= Nintendo Power Staff| issue = 16|date=September–October 1990| page = 89| publisher = [[Nintendo]]}}</ref>

[[Hiroshi Yamauchi]] wanted a launch game for the [[Game Boy]] that featured Mario, as he believed in the statement "fun games sold consoles".<ref name="History"/> ''[[Super Mario Land]]'' was designed without the help of Miyamoto, a first for the series.<ref name="History"/> The game uses completely different elements to pair with the small screen due to the Game Boy's portability. For example, instead of rescuing Princess Peach from Bowser in the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario is instead rescuing [[Princess Daisy]] from [[List of Mario franchise characters|Tatanga]] in Sarasaland. Mario was designed with [[line art]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/01/building-to-new-super-mario-bros |access-date=April 11, 2015 |title=Building to ''New Super Mario Bros.'' |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=June 1, 2012 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411213327/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/01/building-to-new-super-mario-bros |archive-date=April 11, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/16/super-mario-land-review |access-date=April 10, 2015 |title=''Super Mario Land'' Review |last=Thomas |first=Lucas M. |date=June 15, 2011 |work=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424112839/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/16/super-mario-land-review |archive-date=April 24, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[Super Mario World]]'' was the first video game to feature [[Yoshi]] as a companion to Mario. Miyamoto had always wanted a dinosaur-like companion, ever since the original ''Super Mario Bros.'', but the concept was never achievable due to limited hardware. Since ''Super Mario World'' took place in a land of dinosaurs, Takashi Tezuka requested [[Shigefumi Hino]] to draw a character based on Miyamoto's concepts and sketches, which he drew during the development of ''Super Mario Bros. 3''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Mario Mania|date=August 1991|last=''Nintendo Power'' staff| publisher=Nintendo of America inc. |location=Redmond, Washington|page=32}}</ref><ref name="yoshi">{{cite web |last=Corrigan |first=Hope |title=Super Mario World: Mario Was Originally Punching Yoshi in The Head |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/28/super-mario-world-mario-was-originally-punching-yoshi-in-the-head |website=[[IGN]]|access-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170930194553/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/28/super-mario-world-mario-was-originally-punching-yoshi-in-the-head |archive-date=September 30, 2017 |date=September 28, 2017}}</ref> ''Super Mario World'' was released during a [[console war]] between Nintendo and [[Sega]]; Sega's mascot, [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]], was considered a "cooler" alternative to Mario, to which Miyamoto apologized for.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Steven|author-link=Steven L. Kent|title=[[The Ultimate History of Video Games: The Story Behind the Craze that Touched our Lives and Changed the World]]|year=2001|publisher=[[Prima Publishing]]|location=[[Roseville, California|Roseville]]|isbn=0-7615-3643-4}}</ref>

The plot for ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'' has Mario pursue something for his own benefit rather than for someone else, his goal trying to reclaim ownership of his island, Mario Land, from [[Wario]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/30/super-mario-land-2-6-golden-coins-review |title=Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins Review |author=Lucas M. Thomas |website=IGN |date=September 30, 2011 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322065256/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/30/super-mario-land-2-6-golden-coins-review |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was developed by [[Nintendo Research & Development 1]] (R&D1). The company was unmotivated by the ''Super Mario'' series, and when they were tasked with creating a ''Super Mario'' game without Miyamoto, they created Wario to emphasize the frustration of working with a character they did not make. The name "Wario" is [[word play]] of "Mario" and "Warui", the latter meaning "bad" in Japanese to mean "bad Mario".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/wario-land-4-mario-fatter-arch-nemesis/|title=There's far more to Wario than being Mario's fatter arch nemesis|date=September 3, 2015|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=[[GamesRadar+]]|last=Schilling|first=Chris|archive-date=October 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022031839/https://www.gamesradar.com/wario-land-4-mario-fatter-arch-nemesis/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The character's models and backgrounds in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' are 3D, but still only allow for left and right movement and are considered [[2.5D]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hollingshead|first=Anise|access-date=December 28, 2008|url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/two_new_titles_announced_for_nintendo_ds|title=Two New Titles Announced For Nintendo DS|publisher=GameZone|date=February 21, 2006|archive-date=November 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141104135405/http://www.gamezone.com/news/two_new_titles_announced_for_nintendo_ds|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=January 3, 2009|url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/3693/new-super-mario-bros-nintendo-ds|title=''New Super Mario Bros.'' preview|publisher=Nintendo World Report|date=May 19, 2005|author=Martino, Chris|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714134733/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/3693/new-super-mario-bros-nintendo-ds|url-status=live}}</ref> With the 2D series of ''Super Mario'' games being absent for 14 years, the previous installment being released in 1992, game mechanics improved drastically. Because the characters were no longer [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]]s and the backdrops are not [[tile set|tile-based]], the developers were nearly restrictionless; new game mechanics, such as Mario teetering off of trees and swinging on ropes, were implemented.<ref name=e32005>{{cite web|access-date=December 28, 2008|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/19/e3-2005-new-super-mario-bros-impressions|title=E3 2005: ''New Super Mario Bros.'' Impressions|publisher=IGN|date=May 18, 2005|archive-date=November 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107032933/http://www.ign.com/articles/2005/05/19/e3-2005-new-super-mario-bros-impressions|url-status=live}}</ref> ''New Super Mario Bros.'' is the first 2D ''Super Mario'' game to have used voice acting, with Charles Martinet voicing Mario and Luigi.<ref name=np-sizing>{{cite magazine|author=Thomason, Steve|magazine=Nintendo Power|issue=202|title=Sizing Up Mario|pages=41–42}}</ref> It was followed by three games similar to ''New Super Mario Bros.'', namely ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', and ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]'', the latter of which being the first game to feature Mario in [[high-definition video|high-definition]] graphics (HD).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/reviews/review-new-super-mario-bros-u/|title=Review: New Super Mario Bros. U|website=Destructoid|date=November 18, 2012|access-date=May 4, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920120422/https://www.destructoid.com/review-new-super-mario-bros-u-238434.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Takashi Tezuka returned as a producer for the development of ''[[Super Mario Bros. Wonder]]'', with Shiro Mouri as director.<ref name="developmentofwonder">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-interview-1234814207/ |title='Super Mario Bros. Wonder' is Nintendo on Acid |first=Christopher |last=Cruz |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=August 31, 2023 |access-date=April 8, 2024 |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831181633/https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/super-mario-bros-wonder-nintendo-interview-1234814207/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game director, Shiro Mouri, said that the game developers aimed to provide a "stress free" experience to the players by allowing them to move freely through the course.<ref name="developmentofwonder" /> In comparison to the previous 2D Super Mario games, Mario's facial expressions are now more detailed and expressive.<ref name="developmentofwonder" />

====3D games====
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Most ''Super Mario'' games in 3D feature [[open world]] gameplay; instead of being confined to only moving left and right, Mario can move in any direction, and the player can complete the level however they please.<ref name="3dmario"/> The player chooses from one of the multiple objectives before entering a level, and Mario is tasked with completing that goal, which ultimately ends with an obtainable item such as a star.<ref name="3dmario"/> These games feature a more complex narrative, but most still have Mario rescuing a kidnapped Princess Peach from Bowser.

Mario's debut 3D role is in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''; because the concept of 3D video games was still new at the time, the developers knew they were helping to pave the way for future games, and they were not restricted on what the standard game was like.<ref name="3dmario">{{cite web |title=Playing a 3D Game Like It's 2D |url=https://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/supermariogalaxy2/0/0/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/supermariogalaxy2/0/0 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |publisher=[[Nintendo]]}}</ref> However, when [[Yoshiaki Koizumi]] had to create a 3D model and animation of Mario, he had no frame of reference and struggled with the task. Koizumi stated how the whole concept was "arguably tough", but was overtaken by the enjoyment of innovating in a new field.<ref name="jumpI">{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/09/14/mario-nintendo-creators-miyamoto-koizumi-tezuka-motokura/|title=Mario makers reflect on 35 years and the evolution of gaming's most iconic jump|date=September 14, 2020|access-date=March 30, 2021|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|last=Park|first=Gene|archive-date=September 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916203739/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2020/09/14/mario-nintendo-creators-miyamoto-koizumi-tezuka-motokura/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mario's movement was among the top priorities in the game's development, with his animation being tested long before the basic layout of the game's locations was in place. ''Super Mario 64'' is one of the first games voiced by Charles Martinet,<ref>{{cite magazine|date=October 1996|title=Super Mario 64|magazine=[[Nintendo Power]]|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|issue=89|page=67}}</ref> and Mario's character model was made with the [[N-World]] toolkit.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Andretti|title=ACCL Message Board – Msg: 1910481|url=http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=1910481|website=Silicon Investor|publisher=Knight Sac Media|access-date=February 14, 2018|date=August 5, 1997|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170909004812/http://www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=1910481|archive-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref> Mario's movements and animations were inspired by ''[[Arale Norimaki]]'' from ''[[Dr. Slump]]'', a Japanese manga series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://shmuplations.com/mario64/ |title=Super Mario 64 – 1996 Developer Interviews |website=shmuplations.com |date=January 11, 2022 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210929071918/http://shmuplations.com/mario64/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'' is the first Nintendo game released after [[Satoru Iwata]] became the CEO of Nintendo, succeeding Hiroshi Yamauchi. The game's original concept did not feature Mario, as the developers believed the role was too out of the ordinary for such a character. Later, when they used a generic man for the role instead, they believed having a realistic person alongside a character like Mario would cause "incongruity", and it was ultimately changed to Mario instead. Mario's ally, F.L.U.D.D., was one of ten design options but was chosen because it fit the game's theme, although it was not their visual favorite.<ref>{{cite web |last=Anthony JC |date=August 2007 |title=The Making of The Game – Super Mario Sunshine |url=http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=415 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013084107/http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php?articleid=415 |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |access-date=August 7, 2007 |website=Nintendo Online Magazine |publisher=N-Sider}}</ref>

''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' had Mario exploring a number of spherical planets, which the developers at the time knew simply jumping on enemies would be difficult to perform. They instead took advantage of the [[Wii Remote]] and [[Nunchuk (controller)|Nunchuk]] having motion controls, and gave Mario a "spin" attack where he knocked over the enemies via spinning.<ref name="Iwata Asks 1.3">{{cite web|url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/super_mario_galaxy/0/2 |title=A Mario Even Beginners Can Play |access-date=March 19, 2009 |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/super_mario_galaxy/0/2 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IGN interview">{{cite web|last=Casamassina |first=Matt |title=Interview: Super Mario Galaxy |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/29/interview-super-mario-galaxy |website=IGN |access-date=May 4, 2022 |date=November 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024120130/http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/11/29/interview-super-mario-galaxy |archive-date=October 24, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> To also balance the game's difficulty, Mario was given fewer [[Health (game terminology)|hit points]].<ref name="Iwata Asks 1.4">{{cite web|title=From 5 to 95 |url=http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/wii/super_mario_galaxy/0/3 |website=Iwata Asks |publisher=Nintendo |access-date=July 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725233103/http://iwataasks.nintendo.com/interviews/#/wii/super_mario_galaxy/0/3 |archive-date=July 25, 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

To create a sense of familiarity for ''[[Super Mario Odyssey]]'', various references to the ''Super Mario'' series were put in the game's environment. For example, [[Pauline (Nintendo)|Pauline]] was chosen to be a major aspect of the "Metro Kingdom" due to the kingdom representing the core of the game. Mario was also given a variety of costumes to represent other smaller games, such as the ''[[Mario's Picross (series)|Mario's Picross]]'' series.<ref>{{cite news|last=Plunkett|first=Luke|title=Super Mario Odyssey's Outfits Are A Nice Throwback|url=http://kotaku.com/super-mario-odysseys-outfits-are-a-nice-throwback-1796076020|access-date=June 14, 2017|work=Kotaku|date=June 13, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614112516/http://kotaku.com/super-mario-odysseys-outfits-are-a-nice-throwback-1796076020|archive-date=June 14, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Caty |title=Super Mario Odyssey Celebrates All the Spin-Offs of Mario's Past Through Costumes |work=[[USgamer]] |date=June 14, 2017 |url=http://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-mario-odyssey-celebrates-all-the-spin-offs-of-marios-past-through-costumes |access-date=June 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618002925/http://www.usgamer.net/articles/super-mario-odyssey-celebrates-all-the-spin-offs-of-marios-past-through-costumes |archive-date=June 18, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> The development team found the most fun way to use the [[Joy-Con]] controllers' motion controls was to throw a hat, and the gameplay was centered around Mario throwing his cap.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schreier |first=Jason |title=I Played 30 Minutes Of Super Mario Odyssey And It Sure Is Impressive |work=[[Kotaku]] |date=June 13, 2017 |url=http://kotaku.com/i-played-30-minutes-of-super-mario-odyssey-and-it-sure-1796037732 |access-date=June 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615083232/http://kotaku.com/i-played-30-minutes-of-super-mario-odyssey-and-it-sure-1796037732 |archive-date=June 15, 2017 }}</ref>

====Other ''Super Mario'' games====
A variety of ''Super Mario'' games star Mario that do not have typical 2D or 3D platforming. The ''Super Mario 3D'' series has 3D gameplay, but the stages are linear and do not allow open-world movement. ''Super Mario Maker'' is a series of [[game creation system]]s where the player can create their own 2D ''Super Mario'' levels and play each others' levels.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/2/9190435/super-mario-maker-review-nintendo-wii-u |title=Super Mario Maker Review: The Blueprint |first=Griffin |last=McElroy |website=Polygon |date=September 2, 2015 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311125726/https://www.polygon.com/2015/9/2/9190435/super-mario-maker-review-nintendo-wii-u |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/28/18641683/super-mario-maker-2-multiplayer-mode-preview |title=Super Mario Maker 2's surprise best new feature: chaotic multiplayer |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |website=Polygon |date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240311125725/https://www.polygon.com/2019/5/28/18641683/super-mario-maker-2-multiplayer-mode-preview |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Super Mario Run]]'' is a 2D platforming [[mobile game]] with other unnatural gameplay aspects.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/15/13961146/super-mario-run-review-nintendo-mobile-app-iphone-ipad |title=Super Mario Run review: a fun but compromised Mario on iPhone |first=Andrew |last=Webster |website=The Verge |date=December 15, 2016 |access-date=March 11, 2024 |archive-date=June 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230626045721/https://www.theverge.com/2016/12/15/13961146/super-mario-run-review-nintendo-mobile-app-iphone-ipad |url-status=live }}</ref>

The main aspect of ''[[Super Mario 3D Land]]'' was bridging the aspects of 2D and 3D ''Super Mario'' games.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/30/bridging-the-gap-between-2d-and-3d-mario |title=Bridging the Gap Between 2D and 3D Mario |last=Drake | first=Audrey |publisher=IGN |date=November 30, 2011 |access-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-date=June 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624030223/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/30/bridging-the-gap-between-2d-and-3d-mario |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="hope">{{cite web|author=Gilbert, Henry|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-3d-land-built-creativity/|title=An inspiring development to find joy in the face of national tragedy|publisher=GamesRadar. Future Publishing|date=March 7, 2012|access-date=June 16, 2012|archive-date=September 3, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903052748/http://www.gamesradar.com/super-mario-3d-land-built-creativity/|url-status=live}}</ref> One of the issues brought up was how Mario looked too small in comparison to the large terrain and the small, portable screen of the [[Nintendo 3DS]], so the [[camera system]] needed to be fixed to one position in certain occasions.<ref name="creation">{{cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/121/1213654p1.html |title=The Creation of Super Mario 3D Land |date=November 30, 2011 |access-date=August 12, 2012 |author=Drake, Audrey |publisher=IGN |archive-date=December 6, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206090632/http://ds.ign.com/articles/121/1213654p1.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The game brought with it the "Tanooki Tail" power-up, which was originally introduced in ''Super Mario Bros. 3'', and its existence was teased by the developers to the fans prior to its official announcement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/nintendo-reveals-new-super-mario-for-3ds/|publisher=[[GamesRadar+]]|date=March 2, 2011|title=Nintendo reveals new Super Mario for 3DS|first=Henry|last=Gilbert|access-date=May 4, 2022|archive-date=May 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504152723/https://www.gamesradar.com/nintendo-reveals-new-super-mario-for-3ds/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/07/e3-2011-youll-play-super-mario-3ds-this-year|title=E3 2011: You'll Play Super Mario 3DS This Year|date=June 7, 2011|publisher=IGN|author=Moriarty, Colin|access-date=May 4, 2022|archive-date=May 24, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524044851/http://ds.ign.com/articles/117/1173514p1.html}}</ref> Concepts for Mario, which included a skater outfit and a power-up that makes Mario grow large, were cut; the latter appeared in its sequel as the Mega Mushroom.<ref name="hope"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Samantha |date=2021-02-02 |title=Super Mario 3D World items: All powerups and what they do |url=https://www.imore.com/super-mario-3d-world-items-all-powerups-and-what-they-do |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=iMore |language=en |archive-date=September 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901033943/https://www.imore.com/super-mario-3d-world-items-all-powerups-and-what-they-do |url-status=live }}</ref>

''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' on the [[Wii U]] includes the "Cat Mario" power-up, which was implemented to help newcomers play the game and add new gameplay features such as climbing up walls. Another power-up is the "Double Cherry", which was added accidentally; one of the developers added a second Mario into the game in error, and found it humorous when both Marios were somehow controllable at the same time.<ref name="double">{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/double-mario-forced-nintendo-change-super-mario-3d-world/|title=Why double Mario forced Nintendo to change Super Mario 3D World|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|access-date=October 24, 2017|archive-date=October 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024205046/http://www.gamesradar.com/double-mario-forced-nintendo-change-super-mario-3d-world/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, also as part of the ''Super Mario Bros.'' 35th anniversary, Nintendo re-released ''Super Mario 3D World'' on the Switch with a companion game, ''[[Bowser's Fury]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Watts |first=Steve |title=Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Review – Switch Release Reinvigorates A Classic |work=[[GameSpot]] |date=February 10, 2021 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-3d-world-bowsers-fury-review-switch-release-reinvigorates-a-classic/1900-6417639/|access-date=March 15, 2021 |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503035444/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/super-mario-3d-world-bowsers-fury-review-switch-release-reinvigorates-a-classic/1900-6417639/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Other ''Mario'' games===
''Super Mario'' has the most prominent use of Mario, and he is in various spinoff series that split into numerous games covering various genres. This includes genres such as [[role-playing video game|role-playing games]] (RPGs), [[puzzle game]]s, [[sports game]]s, and even [[educational game]]s in the 1990s.

====RPGs====
{{See also|List of Mario role-playing games{{!}}List of ''Mario'' role-playing games|Paper Mario{{!}}''Paper Mario''|Mario & Luigi{{!}}''Mario & Luigi''}}
Mario has been the protagonist of various [[role-playing video games]] (RPGs), beginning with [[Square (video game company)|Square]]'s ''[[Super Mario RPG]]'' on the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES). According to Yoshio Hongo of Nintendo, the game came out of Shigeru Miyamoto's desire to develop a ''Mario'' role-playing game while Square wanted a role-playing video game that sold well overseas.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Nintendo Ultra 64: The Launch of the Decade?|journal=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=2 |date=November 1995|pages=107–8}}</ref> The game was notable at the time for having a unique blend of action and role-playing game elements, and was a critical and commercial success, and led to two other spinoff RPG series starring the character, ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and ''[[Mario & Luigi (series)|Mario & Luigi]]''.

A sequel to ''Super Mario RPG'' was planned for the [[Nintendo 64]]. The original developer, Square, had signed a deal with [[Sony Interactive Entertainment|Sony]] to release ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' for the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], so Nintendo passed on development responsibilities to [[Intelligent Systems]]. The new art designer, Naohiko Aoyama, changed every character to two-dimensional to bring out "cuter" graphics compared to low-polygon three-dimensional graphics on the console. In the ''Paper Mario'' series, Mario is often aided by numerous allies who progress the story while Mario remains silent.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/02/07/nintendo-and-alphadream-talk-paper-mario-rpgs-and-more.aspx|title=Nintendo and AlphaDream Talk Mario, RPGs, And More|date=February 7, 2016|access-date=March 19, 2021|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|archive-date=February 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214050004/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2016/02/07/nintendo-and-alphadream-talk-paper-mario-rpgs-and-more.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>

Unlike ''Paper Mario'', both Mario and Luigi have voices in the ''[[Mario & Luigi]]'' series.<ref name="Gamers' Summit">{{cite web|author=Harris, Craig|date=September 17, 2003|url=http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/articles/450/450287p1.html|title=Mario & Luigi|publisher=IGN|access-date=January 26, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224224930/http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/articles/450/450287p1.html|archive-date=February 24, 2009}}</ref> According to the developers, previous games use [[Sprite (computer graphics)|character sprites]] so the developers were generally inexperienced and did not know much about hardware at the time. Once the [[Nintendo 3DS]] was released, the developers had the chance to switch to 3-dimensional graphics. They changed the background and world design but kept the characters as 2D renderings of 3D characters because they believed it made it easier to convey comedic expressions. In 2013, they believed Mario took too much of the spotlight in the ''Mario'' franchise, and they made Luigi the more story-focused character in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/usgamer-interviews-mario-amp-luigidream-team|title=USGamer Interviews the Developers of Mario & Luigi : Dream Team|date=August 6, 2013|access-date=March 25, 2021|website=[[USGamer]]|last=Khaw|first=Cassandra|archive-date=September 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914012614/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/usgamer-interviews-mario-amp-luigidream-team|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Sports games====
{{See also|List of Mario sports games{{!}}List of ''Mario'' sports games|Mario Kart{{!}}''Mario Kart''}}
Nintendo has released a variety of sports games featuring ''Super Mario'' properties, which include [[tennis]], [[golf]], [[baseball]], [[soccer]], [[kart racing]], and other miscellaneous.

In the 1984 video game ''[[Golf (1984 video game)|Golf]]'', although one of the two playable characters looks similar to that of him, wearing red clothes and black pants,<ref name="ign golf">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/11/marios-love-of-golf|title=Mario's Love of Golf|date=October 11, 2012|access-date=March 25, 2021|website=[[IGN]]|last=Nix|first=Marc|archive-date=October 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030033740/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/11/marios-love-of-golf|url-status=live}}</ref> he is never directly referred to be Mario;<ref name="Kotaku sports">{{cite web|url=https://kotaku.com/the-ups-and-downs-of-mario-sports-games-1826037124|title=The Ups And Downs Of Mario Sports Games|date=June 22, 2018|access-date=March 25, 2021|website=[[Kotaku]]|last=Bertoli|first=Ben|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127202043/https://kotaku.com/the-ups-and-downs-of-mario-sports-games-1826037124|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1997, his look was changed in the re-release of the [[Famicom Disk System]] to that more like the character, and Nintendo later confirmed the character was Mario in a guide book of the game in 1991, marking his first sports video game appearance.<ref>{{cite book | title=Mario Mania: Nintendo Player's Guide | publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] | date=1991 | location=Redmond, WA | oclc=299240250 | page=9}}</ref> He then directly appeared in ''[[NES Open Tournament Golf]]'' in 1991 as one of two playable characters, the other being Luigi, along with a variety of other ''Mario'' characters with supporting roles. The character sprites were designed by [[Eiji Aonuma]], his first project in graphical art design.<ref name="Kotaku sports"/>

''[[Mario's Tennis]]'' for the [[Virtual Boy]] was the first tennis game featuring Mario. [[Camelot Software Planning]], who previously developed ''[[Everybody's Golf (1997 video game)|Everybody's Golf]]'' for Sony, was contracted to develop ''[[Mario Tennis]]'' for the [[Nintendo 64]].<ref name="Kotaku sports"/> Each character had a unique ability, with Mario having an all-around average set of skills to pair with his type of character.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/08/mario_history_mario_tennis_-_2000|title=Mario History: Mario Tennis – 2000|date=August 28, 2015|access-date=March 25, 2021|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|last=Whitehead|first=Thomas|archive-date=April 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424115609/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/08/mario_history_mario_tennis_-_2000|url-status=live}}</ref> This would eventually set the stage for future ''Mario Tennis'' video games.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/03/camelot-talks-mario-power-tennis |title=Camelot Talks Mario Power Tennis |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 2, 2004 |website=IGN |access-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226192502/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/03/camelot-talks-mario-power-tennis |url-status=live }}</ref>

The ''[[Mario Kart]]'' series began with ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] in 1992; early in development, the game did not have any ''Mario''-themed elements. A few months into the process, the designers were testing how one character would look at another they had just passed.<ref name="mariokartwii" /> They implemented Mario, simply to see how he would look inside a kart, and the original concept was scrapped entirely after they decided he looked better than the previous non-defined characters.<ref name="mariokartwii">{{cite web | title = It Started With A Guy In Overalls | publisher = Nintendo Wii | url = http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/mariokart/vol1_page1.jsp | access-date = December 28, 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080409212703/http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/mariokart/vol1_page1.jsp | archive-date = April 9, 2008 | url-status = live }}</ref> Similar to the ''Mario & Luigi'' series, he appears as a sprite that turns in 16 different angles.<ref>{{cite web|last=Heckel|first=Nathan|title=Reviews – Super Mario Kart|publisher=Nintendojo|url=http://www.nintendojo.com/reviews/SNES/view_item.php?1052508795|access-date=December 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061114022502/http://www.nintendojo.com/reviews/SNES/view_item.php?1052508795|archive-date=November 14, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref> <!-- Add more info about later installments -->

''[[List of Mario sports games#Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games series|Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'' is a crossover series of party and sports games featuring characters from the ''[[Mario (franchise)|Mario]]'' franchise and the ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' series. It includes different varieties of sports such as skateboarding, fencing, volleyball, gymnastics, and many others.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/52115/mario-n-sonic-at-the-olympic-games-tokyo-2020-switch-review |title=Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games: Tokyo 2020 (Switch) Review |first=Daan |last=Koopman |website=Nintendo World Report |date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=March 27, 2024 |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105204939/http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/52115/mario-n-sonic-at-the-olympic-games-tokyo-2020-switch-review |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Puzzle games====
{{See also|List of Mario puzzle games{{!}}List of ''Mario'' puzzle games|Mario vs. Donkey Kong{{!}}''Mario vs. Donkey Kong''}}
Mario has also starred in a variety of multiple [[puzzle game]]s, but sometimes only makes an appearance and is not playable. The first of which to release was ''[[Wrecking Crew (video game)|Wrecking Crew]]'', designed by [[Yoshio Sakamoto]]. Surprisingly, in this game, Mario can't jump because of hammer's weight.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/ive-discovered-wrecking-crew-the-game-where-mario-cant-jump-and-its-brilliant |title=I've discovered Wrecking Crew, the game where Mario can't jump, and it's brilliant |first=Christian |last=Donlan |website=Eurogamer |date=August 22, 2022 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-date=March 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240322085054/https://www.eurogamer.net/ive-discovered-wrecking-crew-the-game-where-mario-cant-jump-and-its-brilliant |url-status=live }}</ref> After which, three main series and a variety of spin-offs were released starring him, including ''[[Dr. Mario (series)|Dr. Mario]]'', ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong (sub-series)|Mario vs. Donkey Kong]]'', and ''Mario Picross''.

The original game in the ''Dr. Mario'' series, also titled ''[[Dr. Mario]]'', was designed by Takahiro Harada and had Mario assume the role of a doctor instead of a plumber.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hirokazutanaka.com/works/|title=Hirokazu Tanaka's Works|language=ja|publisher=Sporadic Vacuum|access-date=November 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119020328/http://www.hirokazutanaka.com/works/|archive-date=January 19, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/123220/mario-day-special-the-complete-evolution-of-mario-bros|title=Mario Day special: The complete evolution of Mario Bros.|date=March 10, 2021|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=[[Shacknews]]|last=Denzer|first=TJ|archive-date=March 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316162957/https://www.shacknews.com/article/123220/mario-day-special-the-complete-evolution-of-mario-bros|url-status=live}}</ref> His appearance and role have generally remained the same; to celebrate his 30th anniversary in the series, an 8-bit rendering of his original appearance was made unlockable in the most recent game, ''[[Dr. Mario World]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/07/dr_mario_world_celebrates_the_characters_30th_anniversary_with_8-bit_dr_mario|title=Dr. Mario World Celebrates The Character's 30th Anniversary With 8-Bit Dr. Mario|date=July 27, 2020|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|last=Craddock|first=Ryan|archive-date=April 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210423044230/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/07/dr_mario_world_celebrates_the_characters_30th_anniversary_with_8-bit_dr_mario|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Mario vs. Donkey Kong'' is centered around "Mini Marios", [[wind-up toy]]s that resemble Mario.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/feature-best-donkey-kong-games-of-all-time|title=Feature: Best Donkey Kong Games Of All Time|date=March 23, 2021|access-date=March 29, 2021|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|last=Lane|first=Gavin|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320154619/https://www.nintendolife.com/guides/feature-best-donkey-kong-games-of-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Mario's Picross]]'' series was an attempt by Nintendo to capitalize on the popularity of Mario and the success of puzzle games in Japan at the time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/12/column_beyond_tetrismarios_pic.php|title=Column: Beyond Tetris – Mario's Picross|last=Delgado|first=Tony|date=December 4, 2006|website=GameSetWatch|access-date=February 23, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411025903/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/12/column_beyond_tetrismarios_pic.php|archive-date=April 11, 2018}}</ref><ref name="nlife picross">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/nintendo_shares_mariors_super_picross_tutorial_as_the_game_arrives_on_switch|title=Nintendo Shares Mario's Super Picross Tutorial As The Game Arrives On Switch|date=September 16, 2020|access-date=March 27, 2021|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|last=Craddock|first=Ryan|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126140004/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/nintendo_shares_mariors_super_picross_tutorial_as_the_game_arrives_on_switch|url-status=live}}</ref> Released in 1995, the game was popular and was followed by two sequels, ''[[Mario's Super Picross]]'' and ''Picross 2'', but the first game was only made available to American audiences in 2020.<ref name="nlife picross"/>

Due to the abandonment of the [[SNES-CD]] hardware in the 1990s, a project developed by Nintendo and Phillips, as part of Nintendo's dissolving agreement with [[Philips]], they gave the licensing rights to ''Mario'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' property to release games on the [[CD-i]].<ref name="Dumbest">{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/june03/dumbestmoments/index17.shtml|title=Nintendo: From Hero to Zero|author=GameSpy Staff|date=January 1, 2008|website=[[GameSpy]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404183227/http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/june03/dumbestmoments/index17.shtml|archive-date=April 4, 2008|url-status=dead|access-date=April 7, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/08/14/the-other-mario-games-vol-3|title=The Other Mario Games, Vol. 3|last=Buchanan|first=Levi|date=August 14, 2008|website=[[IGN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417225918/http://retro.ign.com/articles/898/898778p1.html|archive-date=April 17, 2012|url-status=live|access-date=September 16, 2008}}</ref> Multiple games were developed by the inexperienced Fantasy Factory, which included the puzzle game ''[[Hotel Mario]]'' in 1994.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/15-years-cd-i?pager.offset=0|title=CDi Retrospective from 1Up.com|last=Cowan|first=Danny|date=April 25, 2006|website=[[1Up.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629104204/http://www.1up.com/features/15-years-cd-i?pager.offset=0|archive-date=June 29, 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=June 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2008-08-07-virtually-overlooked-hotel-mario.html|title=Virtually Overlooked: Hotel Mario|last=Fletcher|first=J. C.|date=August 7, 2008|website=[[Engadget]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629155118/https://www.engadget.com/2008/08/07/virtually-overlooked-hotel-mario/|archive-date=June 29, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref> Via [[Animation Magic]], ''Hotel Mario'' had various cutscenes of Mario and Luigi, which borrowed animation elements from [[Disney]] and [[J. R. R. Tolkien]]. Mario was voiced by Marc Graue as the game was released prior to Charles Martinet receiving the role of voicing the character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackmoonproject.co.uk/interviews/trici_venola.php|title=Interview with Trici Venola|author=Devin|date=September 16, 2007|website=The Black Moon Project|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071218154551/http://blackmoon.classicgaming.gamespy.com/interviews/trici_venola.html|archive-date=December 18, 2007|access-date=May 4, 2022}}</ref>

====Educational games====
{{See also|List of Mario educational games{{!}}List of ''Mario'' educational games}}
Due to the popularity of the ''Super Mario'' series, various [[educational games]] starring the character were released and appealed to younger audiences. These games had little involvement from Nintendo, with the games releasing for the NES, [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]] (SNES), and [[personal computer]]s. The last of the genres to release was ''[[Mario Teaches Typing 2]]'' in 1997, before the production of such games was discontinued.<ref name="PCGN Mario education games"/>

''[[Mario is Missing!]]'' is one of the only occasions where Mario himself was kidnapped and rescued by another character. In the game, Mario and Luigi approach Bowser to stop his plans, but Mario is then captured; Luigi traverses real-world locations to follow after him, solving trivia along the way.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-pc-mario-game-that-time-forgot/ |title=The PC Mario game that time forgot |first=Samuel |last=Roberts |website=PC Gamer |date=May 5, 2016 |access-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326102628/https://www.pcgamer.com/the-pc-mario-game-that-time-forgot/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-mario-is-missing-i-was-shaped-by-a-carmen-sandiego-rivalry-and-miscommunication |title=Mario is Missing! was shaped by a Carmen Sandiego rivalry and miscommunication |first=Justin |last=Carter |website=Game Developer |date=April 21, 2023 |access-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-date=March 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240326102628/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/-i-mario-is-missing-i-was-shaped-by-a-carmen-sandiego-rivalry-and-miscommunication |url-status=live }}</ref> A similar game was released without the help of Miyamoto, ''[[Mario's Time Machine]]'', which starred Mario against Bowser instead.<ref name="PCGN Mario education games">{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/terrible-mario|title=Let's remember Nintendo's official – and terrible – Mario PC games|date=June 11, 2020|access-date=March 26, 2021|website=[[PCGamesN]]|last=Bailey|first=Dustin|archive-date=November 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105121851/https://www.pcgamesn.com/terrible-mario|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Mario's Game Gallery]]'' has the player competing in various card and board games against Mario. The game was Charles Martinet's first official voice acting role for Mario, one year prior to ''Super Mario 64''.<ref name="PCGN Mario education games"/>

For ''[[Mario Teaches Typing]]'', the head of [[Interplay Productions]], [[Brian Fargo]], saw the success of the typing game ''[[Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing]]'', and knew a character like Mario as the teacher would be appealing.<ref name="mario teaches typing interview"/> Pre-dating ''Mario's Game Gallery'', Martinet did not voice Mario. After release, the concept was so successful, it began a negative relationship between Fargo and Les Crane, the creator of ''Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing''. ''Mario Teaches Typing 2'' was released in 1997, which Martinet voiced Mario for.<ref name="PCGN Mario education games"/> When they were approved of creating ''Mario's Game Gallery'', another Mario-themed education game was also released that was of poor quality, so Miyamoto met with Fargo and halted production of any further education games using the character.<ref name="mario teaches typing interview">{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/20/interplay-founder-on-working-with-nintendo-on-mario-teaches-typing-a-ign-unfiltered|title=Interplay Founder on Working With Nintendo on Mario Teaches Typing — IGN Unfiltered|date=2017-06-17|access-date=2021-03-26|website=[[IGN]]|last=Osborn|first=Alex|archive-date=July 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714033317/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/20/interplay-founder-on-working-with-nintendo-on-mario-teaches-typing-a-ign-unfiltered|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Cameos===
Apart from his platformer and spin-off game appearances, Mario has made guest appearances in other Nintendo games, such as ''[[Punch-Out!! (NES)|Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!]]''<ref>{{cite web |last=Pigna |first=Kris |date=August 9, 2009 |title=Mario Included in NES Punch-Out!! Without Miyamoto's Permission |url=http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175501 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521163842/http://www.1up.com/news/mario-included-nes-punch-out-miyamoto |archive-date=May 21, 2013 |access-date=January 28, 2009 |website=[[1UP.com]] }}</ref> and [[Tennis (1984 video game)|''Tennis'']] (1984), where Mario is an umpire,<ref>{{cite web |last=Shadow |first=Gray |title=10 Mario Cameos You Should Know About |url=https://www.noobfeed.com/features/446/10-mario-cameos-you-should-know-about |website=NoobFeed: Video Game Reviews & News |access-date=December 4, 2021 |date=September 14, 2015 |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204155648/https://www.noobfeed.com/features/446/10-mario-cameos-you-should-know-about |url-status=live }}</ref> in ''[[Pac-Man Vs.]]'', he is the in-game announcer.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harris |first=Craig |title=Pac-Man Vs.|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/10/pac-man-vs |access-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120123144514/http://cube.ign.com/articles/445/445504p2.html |archive-date=January 23, 2012 |pages=1–2 |date=December 9, 2003}}</ref> Mario appears alongside Pauline in a bonus segment in ''[[Pinball (1984 video game)|Pinball]]'' (1984).<ref name="cameos" /> He also appears as a playable character in every installment of the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/106032/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-profiles-mario |title=Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Character Profiles: Mario |first=Ozzie |last=Mejia |website=Shacknews |date=July 9, 2018 |access-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-date=October 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009024120/https://www.shacknews.com/article/106032/super-smash-bros-ultimate-character-profiles-mario |url-status=live}}</ref> He makes countless cameo appearances in many forms in many games, such as portraits and statues in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask]]'', ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', ''[[Pilotwings 64]]'', and ''[[Stunt Race FX]]''.<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Obias |first=Rudie |title=9 Hidden Mario Cameos and References in Videogames |website=Mental Floss |date=August 21, 2014 |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58499/9-hidden-mario-cameos-and-references-video-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140824071300/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/58499/9-hidden-mario-cameos-and-references-video-games |archive-date=August 24, 2014 |access-date=August 8, 2018}}</ref><ref name="cameos">{{cite magazine |last=Ryckert |first=Dan |title=Mario's Appearances In Non-Mario Games |magazine=Game Informer |date=December 21, 2010 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/12/21/mario-in-non-mario-games.aspx |access-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-date=March 20, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320104053/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2010/12/21/mario-in-non-mario-games.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> Mario has a cameo appearance in ''[[Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest]]'', despite having next to no presence in the ''[[Donkey Kong Country (series)|Donkey Kong Country]]'' subseries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conlin |first=Dan |date=2024-07-12 |title=Best Mario Character Appearances In Other Games |url=https://www.thegamer.com/mario-best-character-appearances-cameos/ |access-date=2024-08-29 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916164343/https://www.thegamer.com/mario-best-character-appearances-cameos/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He can be seen in a crowd along with Luigi in ''[[Kirby Super Star]]''.<ref name="cameos" /> On an ending screen that appears in Nintendo's [[NES]] version of the video game [[Tetris (NES video game)|''Tetris'']], Mario appears with Luigi dancing to the music,<ref name="Rice Digital" /> which is a version from prelude to the opera ''[[Carmen]]''; Peach, Bowser and various Nintendo characters also appear.<ref>{{cite web |last=Birken |first=Mike |title=Applying Artificial Intelligence to Nintendo Tetris |url=https://meatfighter.com/nintendotetrisai/ |website=Meat Fighter |access-date=December 4, 2021 |date=January 28, 2014 |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205023217/https://meatfighter.com/nintendotetrisai/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Rice Digital">{{cite web |title=Ten Interesting Link Links: Zelda Crossovers – Rice Digital |url=https://ricedigital.co.uk/ten-zelda-crossovers/ |website=Rice Digital – The No. 1 Stop For Asian Games & Culture! |publisher=Adam |access-date=December 4, 2021 |date=November 12, 2014 |archive-date=December 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204155648/https://ricedigital.co.uk/ten-zelda-crossovers/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 

Outside of Nintendo-produced games, Mario has often appeared in third-party games on Nintendo consoles. Mario appears in ''[[Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes]]'' as a figurine alongside Yoshi.<ref name=":1" /> Mario appears as a playable character in the [[GameCube]] versions of ''[[NBA Street V3]]''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Surette |first=Tim |date=2005-01-05 |title=Mario to hoop it up in NBA Street V3 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/mario-to-hoop-it-up-in-nba-street-v3/1100-6115715/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050112112705/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/01/05/news_6115715.html |archive-date=2005-01-12 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref>  and ''[[SSX on Tour]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Torres |first=Ricardo |date=2005-08-26 |title=SSX On Tour Character Spotlight: Mario, Luigi, and Peach |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ssx-on-tour-character-spotlight-mario-luigi-and-peach/1100-6132098/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060114224521/http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/sports/ssx4/news.html?sid=6132098 |archive-date=2006-01-14 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> Mario also appeared in ''[[Minecraft]]'' as a skin alongside other characters in the series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/16/11672668/nintendo-minecraft-super-mario-crossover-wii-u |title=Nintendo's new Minecraft mash-up is a love letter to Super Mario |first=Andrew |last=Webster |website=The Verge |date=May 16, 2016 |access-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-date=March 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240317172006/https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/16/11672668/nintendo-minecraft-super-mario-crossover-wii-u |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Monster Hunter 4]]'' included Mario as one of the free [[Downloadable content|DLC]] outfits alongside Luigi.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/3/8340993/monster-hunter-4-ultimate-mario-luigi-sonic-dlc |title=Mario, Luigi and Sonic DLC comes to Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate today |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |website=Polygon |date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-date=April 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404183640/https://www.polygon.com/2015/4/3/8340993/monster-hunter-4-ultimate-mario-luigi-sonic-dlc |url-status=live }}</ref> The Wii U version of ''[[Scribblenauts Unlimited]]'' features Mario along with other ''[[Super Mario]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'' characters; they are not present in the 3DS version of the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/19/3527828/scribblenauts-unlimited-super-mario-zelda-characters-wii-u |title=Scribblenauts Unlimited to feature Super Mario and Legend of Zelda characters on Wii U |first=Samit |last=Sarkar |website=Polygon |date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-date=June 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220628012343/https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/19/3527828/scribblenauts-unlimited-super-mario-zelda-characters-wii-u |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldfarb |first=Andrew |date=2012-10-19 |title=Why Scribblenauts Unlimited's Nintendo Characters Aren't on 3DS |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/19/why-scribblenauts-unlimiteds-nintendo-characters-arent-on-3ds? |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=September 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240916164357/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/19/why-scribblenauts-unlimiteds-nintendo-characters-arent-on-3ds? |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2011, [[Ubisoft]]{{'s}} ''[[Just Dance 3]]'' included "Mario" as a downloadable dance track, with Mario appearing to dance on-screen.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a355933/mario-dance-track-added-to-just-dance-3-watch-video/ |title='Mario' dance track added to 'Just Dance 3' - watch video |first=Matthew |last=Reynolds |website=Digital Spy |date=December 14, 2011 |access-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-date=April 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414205251/https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a355933/mario-dance-track-added-to-just-dance-3-watch-video/ |url-status=live }}</ref>