- This article is about the character from the 2015 series. For the 2006 series counterpart, see here.
| “ | Let's-a go! | ” |
–One of Mario's signature phrases | ||
Mario is a resident of the Mushroom Kingdom, and one of the main protagonists in Super Mario Bros. Z, and leader of Team Mario. When enlisted by Sonic, he begins his journey to stop Metallix from gaining all of the Chaos Emeralds.
Biography
Appearance
Mario is a short, stocky young man with short brown hair and a black mustache, and blue eyes. His clothing consists of his signature red long-sleeved shirt, white gloves, blue overalls, brown boots, and his trademark red cap.
Personality
Mario is known to be kind, cheerful, courageous, and in some instances overconfident. He generally displays great sportsmanship, often complimenting his opponents. Among his character traits, Mario is best known for his heroism. He is always willing to save the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond from any form of evil. He shows great concern for the safety and well-being of his friends and family, as shown when he defended Luigi from a fireball attack by Bowser after he interrupted the Mushroom Kingdom Smash Tournament. This was also displayed when he halted his assault on Bowser after Kamek took Princess Peach hostage.
History
Metallix Saga
Mario competed in the First Mushroom Kingdom Smash Tournament. He fought his way through the brackets and made it to the final round, where he faced off against Wario. Mario was able to mostly hold his own against Wario, but when Wario called Waluigi into the fight with an Assist Trophy, he was overpowered. Wario and Waluigi hit him with a devastating Wario Waft-Fire Flower combination, but Luigi was able to get Mario an Invincibility Star in time to endure the explosion. Mario and Wario charged at each other to finish the fight before a Bulky Bob-omb suddenly landed in the arena and exploded. When the dust settled, Mario watched Bowser and Kamek enter the arena.
Bowser challenged Mario to a fight to kidnap Princess Peach and utterly humiliate him in front of his audience. Mario was able to deal with Bowser fairly well as usual, and got the upper hand when he received a Fire Flower and became Fire Mario. However, Bowser ate a Metal Mushroom to turn the tides, transforming into Metal Bowser. Mario was unable to damage Bowser's new metallic armor; even his Mario Finale proved useless against it. Bowser retaliated with a fiery attack of his own, causing Mario to collapse on the ground.
Luigi stepped in to protect his downed brother, and the two were saved when a strange capsule appeared from the sky and landed on Bowser, cracking his metal armor. Luigi gave Mario a 1-Up to restore his strength, and Mario used a Cape Feather to become Cape Mario and brutally punish Bowser. As he was about to land a decisive blow, Mario was interrupted by Kamek holding Princess Peach hostage, forcing him to spare Bowser and surrender. Fortunately, someone leaped out of the capsule and kicked Kamek away from Peach, giving Mario a chance to finish Bowser off and throw him out of the stadium. When the battle ended, Mario confirmed his identity to the strangers that appeared from the capsule, which one of them seemed pleased about.
Mario and Luigi later took the strange hedgehogs to Peach's Castle, where they introduced themselves as Sonic and Shadow. Peach thanked them for their help and allowed them to stay as long as necessary, but Sonic replied that they didn't plan on doing so and asked them a favor: to help them in their search of the "Chaos Emeralds", much to Shadow's oppostion. Mario and Luigi got confused upon the mention of this name, but Sonic explained that these jewels were also from his and Shadow's dimension, while the other briefed on the massive power they had. The brothers began discussing the hedgehogs' offer, and ultimately decided to help Sonic and Shadow in their quest.
Mario and Sonic scoped the western side of the Kingdom, while Luigi, Shadow and Yoshi, who came across them, searched the other. Mario, not having success in his search, later met with Sonic and Shadow to find out that they did not find anything either, disappointing Sonic. Luigi also arrived in a hurry, plus without Yoshi. He told the group that he had found a Chaos Emerald, fought with Yoshi against Wario and Waluigi over their possession, though said battle was interrupted when missiles hit their location, separating Yoshi and the Emerald from him. This alarmed Sonic and Shadow, which caused the latter to run for the location immediately. Though Mario tried to ask Sonic a question, he rejected it stating that there was no time for that and followed Shadow. Mario used a Cape Feather on himself and Luigi, and the brothers flew towards the same place.
When the group managed to reach Yoshi's location, they saw a robot attempting to kill him, but then flying away from the scene with the Chaos Emerald in hand. The sight of the wounded Yoshi shocked the brothers, and the hedgehogs began arguing between themselves regarding the robot, Metallix, and events that happened in their world. Mario, annoyed with their bickering, asked them who Metallix was. Sonic agreed to tell him the "full story" after providing medical assistance to Yoshi, despite Shadow's protests. Mario and Lugi grabbed the injured Yoshi and flew back to somewhere to take care of him, following the hedgehogs closely.
Powers and Abilities
Mario's most notable ability is his powerful jump, which is the basic move he relies on to defeat weaker enemies and move vast distances. He is capable of many acrobatic maneuvers and jumps, being an agile and quick fighter despite his relatively short stature.
Mario is adept in hand-to-hand combat, able to strike his opponents with powerful punches and kicks that can send them flying. He has also been shown to possess some form of superhuman strength, able to knock around enemies as huge as Bowser, and swing by the tail before throwing him miles away. In general, Mario is normally a very versatile character - whenever he appears in most of his games, his emphasis is always, in both spinoffs and mainstream games, a balanced playstyle, allowing him to participate and perform well in many situations. His capabilities in running and other physical activities also stem from his well-rounded physique, some of which he gained from sporting events such as tennis or soccer.
Mario's weapon of choice is the Ultra Hammer, created by the Hammerhead Bros. from the Beanbean Kingdom. It is a powerful melee weapon whose weight and durability helps Mario brutalize opponents. Though it is tough and can break through durable surfaces, it could not withstand Bowser's metal exoskeleton in his Metal Bowser form.
However, while still fairly strong on his own, Mario's true power lies in the vast array of transformations and power-ups at his disposal. By using power-up items native to the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario can access transformations that increase his power exponentially and make him a significant threat to any opponent. If he takes too much damage while powered up, however, he will revert to his normal state.
Transformations
Invincible Mario
Invincible Mario
After obtaining a Starman, Mario gains invulnerability for a short period of time. He is able to survive and shrug off any attack, no matter how powerful it is. He gains a slight glowing aura and sparkles in this form.
Fire Mario
Fire Mario preparing a Fire Kamehameha.
After using a Fire Flower, Mario's clothes change from red and blue to white and red, respectively. He also gains fire-based abilities in this form, most often using it to throw spinning fireballs. As one of his most often-used and recognizable transformations over the years, Mario has come to master the pyrokinesis that comes with a Fire Flower more than anyone else.
Cape Mario
Cape Mario attacks Bowser.
After using a Cape Feather, Mario gains a yellow cape that grants the gift of flight. He is an incredibly fast flier in this form, sometimes even appearing to be teleporting due to the great speeds he can reach. This form allows Mario to utilize spinning abilities, spinning his body so fast that his cape smacks an opponent multiple times within a few seconds.
Superstar Mario
Super Star Mario
Using the power of the Star Rod[1], the Star Spirits unlock Mario's true power from within, allowing him to transform into Superstar Mario. This form resembles a gold and white variation of Cape Mario. His abilities are currently unknown, though it is implied to be powerful enough to fight against Metallix.
Techniques
As a fighter and an all-around hero, Mario has many techniques at his disposal. This can include techniques used from Mario series games or techniques from other sources, such as Dragon Ball or Street Fighter.
- Jump - Jump is one of Mario's basic techniques. This attack is used to hit enemies on the head or to get at a great distance. This technique first appeared in Super Mario Bros. but was named in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars. Mario first uses this as an attack on Bowser after transforming into Cape Mario.
Mario uses Metsu Shoryuken against Bowser.
- Metsu Shoryuken - An uppercut attack that originates from the Street Fighter series. It was first used against Bowser after the latter tried to attack him from behind. The technique's name is roughly translated as "Destroying Rising Dragon Fist".
Mario uses Hokuto Hyakuretsu-Ken
- Hokuto Hyakuretsu-Ken - A rapid punching attack that originates from Fist of the North Star. The attack is performed with what appears to be a vast amount of yelling, followed by a single, more powerful punch, which finishes the attack. The technique's name is roughly translated as "Hundred Cracking Fist of the North Star".
- Back Throw - A technique that first appeared in Super Mario 64. Mario picks up his opponent and swings them around, before throwing them. This technique was used to defeat Bowser.
Fire Mario
- Fire Ball - Fireball is Fire Mario's base form of attack. This attack is fired from the hand.
Mario Finale in use.
- Mario Finale - A powerful fire attack that first debuted in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as Mario's Final Smash. This attack was first used against Metal Bowser as a last resort.
Cape Mario
- Flight - Flight is a special ability granted to Mario in this form.
- Spin - A spinning technique that Mario uses to rapidly attack a foe.
- Cape - A technique that originated from Super Mario World and named in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Mario pulls off his cape and uses it to spin his opponents out. Mario first used this attack on Bowser after he was distracted by Kamek's disappearance.
Relationships
Allies
Luigi
Luigi is Mario's younger twin brother who often accompanies him on his adventures. The two have had a loving relationship since infancy, shown through a baby Mario seemingly able to sense where Luigi was after being separated. Mario tries to act as a good brother and role model for Luigi, often encouraging and comforting him when he is frightened. However, he occasionally displays a lack of patience or exasperation at his brother's cowardice. But Mario also has shown anger at those who insult Luigi, such as Bowser before their battle at the Mushroom Kingdom Smash Tournament.
Princess Peach
Mario always saves Princess Peach from her frequent kidnappings at the hands of Bowser, with her often rewarding him with a kiss or baking him a cake in return. The two are shown to have romantic feelings for one another, but the status of their relationship is unclear.
Yoshi
Yoshi is Mario's noblest steed and one of his best friends. Currently not much is known about their relationship, but it is implied that the two heavily care for one another, as Yoshi has assisted Mario and his brother on multiple occasions. He was worried when he saw Yoshi almost beaten to death after his fight with Metallix.
Sonic
Sonic saved Mario's life twice upon arriving in the Mushroom Kingdom. Although when the two first met face to face, Mario was initially hesitant to trust him and Shadow. Nonetheless, he decided to work with Sonic and gather all of the Chaos Emeralds before a greater evil could. However, his trust with Sonic is also altered when he finds Yoshi half dead due to a robot that looks like Sonic, to which Mario, knowing that Sonic is hiding something from him, demands that he tell him about the homicidal robot, to which Sonic agrees.
Shadow
There is no telling about the relationship with Mario and Shadow yet but Mario come to consider him as an ally like Sonic even though Shadow is a bit cold to anyone.
Toadsworth
Toadsworth displays a great amount of respect for Mario, having referred to him as "Master" Mario even during infancy. He has full confidence in Mario's abilities, with his presence greatly reassuring him. Mario is the first person Toadsworth turns to for assistance during pressing situations, especially when it involves Princess Peach's safety. Toadsworth also offers his assistance to Mario on his adventures in a variety of ways, typically giving him advice on how to proceed should he require it.
Enemies
Bowser
Mario and Bowser have been locked in an endless cycle of conflict since childhood. Every time Bowser kidnaps Princess Peach or attempts to conquer the Mushroom Kingdom, Mario stops at nothing to stop him. Bowser despises Mario, usually stooping to calling him derogative nicknames. His animosity towards Mario may also be due in part to his close relationship with Peach, though Mario doesn't seem to outright hate Bowser. Despite their history, the two have joined forces to defeat greater evils in the past, such as in Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, Mario and Luigi: Super Star Saga and Super Paper Mario.
Metallix
While the two have yet to interact, it seems clear that Mario views Metallix as a huge threat after he nearly killed Yoshi over a brawl for one of the Chaos Emeralds.
Wario
Wario is Mario's twisted doppelgänger and arch-rival, with the former having been jealous of Mario since childhood due to his fame. Though their relationship is hostile, Wario feels more contempt toward Mario than actual malice, whereas Mario normally maintains his cheerful attitude and attempts to be civil despite initial hostility.
Waluigi
Waluigi and Mario are on bad terms since Waluigi is an ally of Wario
Kamek
Mario and Kamek are both enemies due to the latter working for Bowser. It is shown that Mario despises Kamek's underhanded tactics that he uses in order to help Bowser win, as shown when he held Princess Peach hostage and ordered Mario to allow Bowser to kill him less Princess Peach shall be harmed.
Battles
| 1 & 2 | Contenders | Episode | Location | Items | Winner |
|
Mario, Luigi VS Wario, Waluigi |
Fierce Battle Between Fierce Rivals | Arena | None (Interrupted by Bowser) | |
|
Mario VS Bowser |
Fierce Battle Between Fierce Rivals | Arena | Fire Flower Hammer Cape Feather |
Mario |
Trivia
- Mario made his debut in Donkey Kong (1981).
- In Super Mario Bros. Z, Mario serves as an analogue to Goku from the Dragon Ball series.
- Superstar Mario may be a nod to the form of the same name from Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island.
Gallery
- Main article: Gallery:Mario
External Links
- Mario at Mario Wiki
- Mario at Super Mario Wiki
- Mario at Wikipedia