For decades, Nintendo has brought joy and technological innovation 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 roles as sports heroes, racing titles, and platforming experiences of 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 gained a favored status among players, with popularity independent of Nintendo and the heroic plumber himself.
Now is our chance to get to know the standout characters of Super Mario 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 of the Super Nintendo era in the mid-90s. From the game Super Mario World and its associated cartoon series, Yoshi quickly gained popularity on his own, appearing in titles of his own and becoming a recurring staple in Mario Kart and Mario Party titles.
As a curious, simple dinosaur, Yoshi often stumbles into strange and unusual events, always smiling and coming out better for it each time. Easily recognizable, lovable, and always ready for a race or to take on a starring role in a light gun shooting game, Yoshi is the trusted friend we all wish we had by our side.
Bowser
A whole community of frogs lives in his veil barrier in accordance with the events of the game Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, and he has also been transformed into a giant turtle after originally being a bull.
Jack Black’s distinctive voice acting, along with the famous song Peaches, added a new dimension to Bowser’s character. Bowser is Mario’s frequent enemy, the greatest military threat in all lands, and the humble kart driver, a threat players love to hate.
Always seeking power and repeatedly thwarted due to betrayal from within and meddling of pesky plumbers, players might pity him for his infinite design and refusal to surrender. Bowser has proven to be multifaceted and ingenious in his iron-fisted rule plans. As long as Mario stands tall, he will face the King of the Koopas in the closest competition he has ever faced, meeting him face to face each time.
Donkey Kong
The game Donkey Kong was the first to use cinematic scenes in the gaming industry, and it’s interesting to note that without the original Donkey Kong game, there would be no Mario, no Nintendo video games, and perhaps no video game industry as we know it.
Donkey Kong, with a strong and responsible personality, has built a strong set of characters and games of his own, but he doesn’t hesitate to show up at gatherings and compete alongside his old rival Mario.
From the vibrant and lively Donkey Kong Country series, to the rhythm-based Donkey Konga, Donkey Kong’s character can’t stop, won’t stop, and won’t slow down anytime soon.
Luigi
Luigi’s dream is to become a great plumber like Mario. Luigi’s character slowly developed, initially with his unique set of moves in Super Mario Bros. 2, then gaining his own characters in later releases of Super Mario All-Stars, and finally becoming a unique and individual character in Luigi’s Mansion on GameCube.
Luigi’s shy and fearful stance towards danger and involvement in non-traditional events has become the general image of this beloved plumber in green overalls. After years of being “the other guy,” Luigi’s slow rise to stardom became legendary, securing his place in the hearts and minds of players everywhere.
Mario
Here’s a fun fact about the famous plumber, he was named after Nintendo’s warehouse landlord and has held over 120 jobs from doctor to artist to astronaut.
We’re talking about the most famous character in the history of video game industry, the globally renowned Mario character, since its humble beginnings. Mario is one of the most important video game characters ever created, helping to revitalize the industry in the mid-80s to create the entertainment giant we know today as Nintendo.
After starring in over a hundred games across decades of handheld devices, phones, and arcades, Mario makes up for his lack of character depth with the magic, infinite optimism, and joy he’s brought to millions of people throughout his life. He will always come to the rescue under any circumstances, and he will do so with a smile.
