For decades, Nintendo has brought joy and technological creativity to millions of people through the Super Mario series and a wide range of video games and beloved characters. Mario and his peers have taken on starring roles in sports games, racing titles, and platforming experiences in all shapes and sizes.
Over the years, new characters have been added to Mario’s roster, and existing characters have gained additional depth and complexity over time. Some characters, who may not be considered main characters, have become fan favorites and gained popularity independent of Nintendo and the hero plumber himself.
Now is our chance to learn about the most prominent Super Mario characters that have appeared in the Mushroom Kingdom.
Yoshi
Yoshi’s full name is T. Yoshisaur Munchakoopas, with Yoshi meaning respect in Japanese. Yoshi was Mario’s loyal dinosaur companion and a standalone icon from the Super Nintendo era in the mid-90s. From the game Super Mario World and the associated cartoon series, Yoshi quickly gained popularity on his own, appearing in titles of his own and becoming a recurring essential element in Mario Kart and Mario Party titles.
As a simple, curious dinosaur, Yoshi often stumbles into strange and unusual events, smiling through danger and coming out better off in the end each time. Easily recognizable, lovable, and always ready to race or take on the lead role in a light gun shooting game, Yoshi is the reliable friend we all wish to have by our side.
Bowser
Living in a community of frogs in his barrier veil according to the events of the game Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, Bowser was even transformed into a giant turtle after originally being a bull.
Jack Black’s distinctive voice performance, along with the famous song « Peaches, » added a new dimension to the Bowser character. Bowser is Mario’s recurring enemy, the greatest military threat in all territories, and the humble kart driver, a threat players love to hate.
Always seeking power, Bowser is repeatedly thwarted due to betrayal from within and the interference of pesky plumbers. Despite his infinite design and refusal to surrender, Bowser has proven to be multi-skilled and innovative in his iron-fisted rule plans. As long as Mario stands tall, the King of the Koopas will face his closest competition ever, meeting and facing him head-on each time.
Donkey Kong
The Donkey Kong game was the first to use cinematic scenes in the video game industry. Interestingly, without the original version of Donkey Kong, there would not have been Mario, Nintendo video games, or perhaps the video game industry as we know it.
Donkey Kong, with his strong and responsible personality, has established a powerful set of characters and games of his own, yet he does not hesitate to appear at gatherings and compete alongside his old rival Mario.
From the vibrant and energetic Donkey Kong Country series to the rhythm-based Donkey Konga, Donkey Kong’s character cannot and will not stop or slow down anytime soon.
Luigi
Luigi’s dream is to become a great plumber like Mario. Luigi’s character grew slowly, initially with his unique set of moves in Super Mario Bros. 2, then getting his own characters in later versions of Super Mario All-Stars, and finally becoming an individual with models and move sets in Luigi’s Mansion on GameCube.
Luigi’s timid and fearful stance towards danger and involvement in non-traditional events, such as capturing ghosts with a vacuum cleaner, has become his general image as the beloved plumber in green overalls. After years of being the « other guy, » Luigi’s slow ascent to stardom has become legendary, securing his place in the hearts and minds of players everywhere.
Mario
Here’s a fun fact about the famous plumber named after Nintendo’s warehouse owner, who held over 120 jobs from doctor to artist to astronaut.
We are talking about the most famous character in the history of video game industry, the iconic Mario character known worldwide since its humble beginnings. Mario is one of the most important video game characters ever created and helped revitalize the industry in the mid-80s to create the entertainment giant we know today as Nintendo.
Having taken on starring roles and appeared in over a hundred games across decades of consoles, handheld devices, mobile phones, and arcades, Mario compensates for his lack of character depth with the magic, endless optimism, and joy he brought to millions of people throughout his life. He will always come to save the day under any circumstances, and he will do it with a smile.
in French
