- For fighter info, see Mario (Super Smash Bros.), Mario (Super Smash Bros. Melee), Mario (Super Smash Bros. Brawl), Mario (Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U), and Mario (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate). For the universe, see Mario (universe).
Mario (マリオ?) is arguably Nintendo's most popular character and it's mascot, the face of the gaming world, and is the long-running eponymous hero in the extensive Mario series of video games. He appears as a playable fighter, unlocked from the start of the game, in each of the five Super Smash Bros. games. He's often shown in intro videos and trailers and played a very prominent role in the Subspace Emissary. He can be considered as the mascot of the Super Smash Bros series and as one of the main protagonists of the Super Smash Bros. series along with Donkey Kong, Link, Samus Aran, Yoshi, Kirby, Fox McCloud and Pikachu.
Character description[]
Mario was first created by Shigeru Miyamoto as the protagonist Jumpman for the arcade game Donkey Kong. Miyamoto would follow this up with more arcade games such as Donkey Kong Jr. and Mario Bros. before giving Mario his iconic title: Super Mario Bros. for the Famicom/NES. The game was incredibly well-received and is considered one of Mario's greatest adventures to date, as well as one of the greatest video games of all time. This game introduced many major themes of the Mario series that are now considered trademarks. For over twenty years afterward, Mario would star in hundreds of universally acclaimed games on Nintendo systems. Mario and his accompanying franchises can be viewed as Nintendo's thematic tileset with which to create games of a whimsical, colorful, and light-hearted nature.
Mario is rarely depicted speaking coherent English sentences. In contemporary Mario games, his high-pitched Italian voice, provided by Charles Martinet and later Kevin Afghani, is used mainly for grunts and yells, and the character's occasional catchphrases, such as "Mama-mia!", "It's-a-me, Mario!", and "Let's-a go!"
Mario has been playable in hundreds of games that span dozens of genres. One of his most prominent is the traditional 2D side-scrolling platformer, with games such as various sequels to Super Mario Bros.: Super Mario Bros. 3, which introduced iconic features, like the Super Leaf, the SNES launch platformer, Super Mario World, which introduced Yoshi, Mario's faithful dino companion, and the DS homage to these games, New Super Mario Bros.. Mario has also evolved into 3D platformers, with seminal titles such as the Super Mario 64, the first iteration of Mario in three dimensions, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy. Mario and friends also star in series such as Mario Kart, an off-the-wall racing franchise, Mario Party, a long-running party series, various Mario-themed sports titles such as Mario Golf, Mairo Baseball and Mario Tennis, hands-on RPGs like Super Mario RPG, Mario and Luigi and Paper Mario, and a puzzle game, known as Dr. Mario (his persona in this game is also a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Melee. For fighter info, see Dr. Mario).
Abilities[]
Mario seems to possess superhuman abilities, such as superhuman strength and stamina, the ability to control fire, and more. He is seen lifting the giant King Bob-omb, and, even a more impressive feat, swinging the great King Bowser around by the tail and throwing him great distances in Super Mario 64. He lifts a comically overweight Luigi in the form of an attack in Mario and Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. Mario is also seen lifting a fortress that weighs an estimated 100,000 tons in Super Mario World and then kicking it away.
One of Mario's trademarks is his incredible jumping ability. Though the height of his jumps varies between games, they are always greater than that of a normal human being. He is also able to perform many of these incredible jumps in quick succession.
Mario appears to be able to run at superhuman speeds and is also able to jump off of walls indefinitely. He seems to be skilled in gymnastics, as he can walk on tightropes, swing vertically on bars, and climb fences both horizontally and vertically. As seen in Super Mario RPG and the Super Smash Bros. series, Mario is able to summon fire from his hands without the use of a Fire Flower. With the use of other power-ups, such as the Ice Flower, Super Leaf, or Super Bell, Mario (and anyone else who obtains these items) is able to create ice and use it to freeze opponents, fly into the air, and climb up walls respectively.
In Super Smash Bros.[]
As a playable character[]
Mario's appearance in Super Smash Bros.
Mario makes his first appearance in a fighting game in the original Super Smash Bros. as a playable character unlocked from the start. He is based on his appearance in Super Mario 64. Like in many other games, he is touted as the most balanced character with no real strengths or weaknesses, therefore, new players of the game are encouraged to play as him. In the competitive meta-game, he can combo well but lacks a multipurpose finisher. His lack of outstanding strengths makes him only a high tier fighter, not top tier.
His neutral special move shoots a Fireball in the direction he is facing which travels a short distance and bounces off of any surface it hits before disappearing. his recovery, the Super Jump Punch, is an uppercut which hits multiple times (and coins briefly appear with each hit). His down special move is the Mario Tornado, where he whirls his body to damage foes around him, before throwing them up into the air. Mario boasts a potent combo game, thanks primarily to his spammable up tilt and versatile down aerial. His edge-guarding potential is also respectable: down smash, forward aerial and back aerial possess respectable power, while down aerial can meteor smash. Mario also sports two powerful KOing options in his up smash and back throw, while his forward smash and forward throw also sport KO potential, albeit to a lesser degree in comparison. Lastly, Mario's recovery is fairly good, thanks to Super Jump Punch's traveling distance and Mario Tornado's ability to cover more distance via button mashing.
However, Mario's overall range is sub-par, even in spite of having Fireball as a projectile. On a related note, he has difficulty dealing with projectiles and pressure. Mario also has poor mobility, which can hinder his combos and recovery, in addition to further compounding his aforementioned issues with projectiles and pressure. Lastly, the majority of Mario's frame data is laggy.
Due to his lack of both outstanding strengths and weaknesses, Mario is currently ranked 7th out of 12 on the tier list. This places him at the bottom of the B tier, and posits him as a mid tier character.
Mario's in-game character description reads:
- Mario
- Although best known as the mustachioed plumber who battles the Turtle Tribe with his distinct jumping action, this internationally-famous hero has also acted as a referee, a driver, and even a doctor! He's been linked to Princess Peach of Mushroom Kingdom for years, but to this day their true relationship remains a mystery.
- Works:
- Super Mario Bros. (NES),
- Super Mario Kart (SNES),
- Mario Kart 64 (Nintendo 64)
In Super Smash Bros. Melee[]
As a playable character[]
By tradition, Mario returns as the most balanced character of the Melee roster, and new Melee players are encouraged to try out the game as him because of that reason given. As a starting playable character in this game, he is touted as the most balanced character of the game's character roster, much like his appearances in other games, with no real strengths but no outstanding weaknesses either.
His new side special move is whipping out his yellow Cape from Super Mario World to turn the enemy in front of him facing the opposite direction, which is useful for diverting enemy attack and recovery. Although Luigi has been de-cloned to semi-clone status, Mario nevertheless received another full clone in Melee. In this case, his doctor persona from the Dr. Mario series appears as a playable character with a few different attributes.
In the competitive meta-game, he can easily combo opponents, has a long wavedash, and is good at juggling opponents. However, it is his lack of a reliable finisher that causes him to remain in the game's Middle Tier; his Smash attacks do not even feature all that much knockback and range, which impairs his ability to fight a character like Marth. He also has low grab range and bad recovery. It is notable that in both versions Mario has great combo potential coupled with the lack of a good finisher. Due to his continued lack of outstanding strengths or weaknesses, Mario is currently ranked 15th out of 26 on the 13th official tier list. This places him in the C+ tier (notably two spots lower than his doctor persona and three spots lower than Luigi), and reaffirms his status as a mid tier character.
Trophies[]
By tradition, Mario as a playable character is featured on his personal 3 trophies. His normal trophy is acquired by beating the Classic mode with Mario on any difficulty, and his Smash Red and Smash Blue trophies are acquired the same way by beating the Adventure and All-Star modes, respectively.
Other trophies featuring Mario are Raccoon Mario, Metal Mario, Paper Mario, and Mario and Yoshi. The last trophy, in particular, is especially notable for being one of two "gift trophies" never obtainable during normal play, and in fact, can only be acquired through hacking. There is also a trophy for Baby Mario, a baby version of Mario that has appeared in some Mario games.
- Mario
- Known worldwide as Mr. Nintendo, Mario uses his incredible jumping ability to thwart the evil Bowser time after time. While he's best known as a hero, Mario has played many roles, including racer, doctor, golfer, and villain. His tastes have changed over 20 years of gaming; he long ago swapped the colors of his shirt and overalls.
- Donkey Kong [Arcade 1981]
- Mario [Smash]
- Mario is a character without any glaring weaknesses and plenty of strong attacks: he's even equipped with a Meteor Smash. He's a straightforward character who'll reflect the actual skills of the player. Mario's Cape will turn other characters in the opposite direction and can also reflect missile weapons.
- Mario [Smash]
- Mass determines how easily a character can be sent flying, as well as a character's physical strength: Mario's mass is the standard upon which other Smash fighters are measured. His Super Jump Punch sends foes skyward in a shower of coins, while the Mario Tornado pulls in nearby foes, spins them silly, and scatters them every which way.
- Up & B: Super Jump Punch
- Down & B: Mario Tornado
- Baby Mario
- Long ago, when the stork was carrying Baby Mario and Baby Luigi to the Mario household, the stork was ambushed, causing Baby Mario to tumble onto Yoshi's Island. This marked the beginning of the Yoshi's adventure to deliver Baby Mario to his parents. Since then, Baby Mario's been spotted on golf courses and tennis courts.
- Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island [10/95]
- Raccoon Mario
- In Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Leafs caused Mario to grow raccoon ears and a tail. By sprinting and rapidly wagging the tail, Mario gained the ability to fly for short periods. Like the Cape in Super Mario World, the tail also reduced the speed at which he fell, making midair moves easier. Needless to say, real raccoons were jealous.
- Super Mario Bros. 3 [2/90]
- Metal Mario
- Mario was in for a surprise the first time he hit a Metal Box in Super Mario 64. The metal cap that popped out transformed Mario into living metal, giving him great stamina, a heavy tread, and the ability to walk underwater. In Super Smash Bros., Metal Mario showed up as an incredibly stubborn midlevel boss.
- Super Mario 64 [9/96]
- Paper Mario
- The Star Rod: Bowser stole it, and Mario wants it back. Bowser vs. Mario is familiar for Mario aficionados, but Paper Mario is novel. What this game brings to the 3D polygon-filled gaming world is its art style: everything is wafer thin! What the visuals lack in realism, they more than make up for in unique artistry.
- Paper Mario [2/01]
- Mario and Yoshi
- Yoshi was first introduced in Super Mario World, and the sight of Mario riding the helpful character soon became an enduring image. Despite his Cape, Mario can't fly while astride Yoshi. The pair can make huge jumps and drift slowly back to earth, though. As a last resort, Mario could leap off Yoshi's back to safety.
- Super Mario World [8/91]
In Super Smash Bros. Brawl[]
As a playable character[]
In a maneuver both traditional and expected, Mario is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl although his doctor persona has been cut as a playable character. His appearance is based on his current appearance in the later Mario games, such as Luigi's Mansion, Super Mario Sunshine, Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, Mario Party 5 and Super Mario Galaxy, which is more realistic than in previous iterations. In addition, he has received new voice acting instead of recycled ones from Super Mario 64. Mario is essentially the same fighter as he appeared in Melee, retaining all of his moves (although his former Down B attack, the Mario Tornado, has become an aerial attack, unexpectedly replaced by F.L.U.D.D.).
Like all of the games other returning characters, he comes equipped with a high-end new Final Smash attack which can be used once he collects a Smash Ball. His Final Smash is the Mario Finale, where he projects a colossal, intertwining fireball to engulf all opponents in his direction. The Mario Finale extends to both well above and well below Mario's position, so Smash Bros. DOJO!! recommends that he is standing on a moderately elevated platform for maximum effect. Despite other characters excelling more in other areas, Mario remains a solid choice for beginners due to his balanced attributes. However, Mario has received significant nerfs as well, largely from changes to gameplay mechanics. In particular, the introduction of hitstun canceling severely harmed Mario's once-useful combo game: up tilt can now only combo into itself at low percentages, while up and down throws have lost both their chain grabbing and combo potentials entirely. The removal of both wavedashing and L-canceling also hinder Mario: the former results in his approach being unimpressive like in SSB, while the latter results in his aerials' landing lag not being fully compensated.
Due to his nerfs outweighing his buffs, as well as his balanced motif being drastically outclassed by noticeable strengths displayed by various characters, Mario is currently ranked 31st out of 38 on the tier list. This places him in the F tier, and posits him as a bottom tier character.
Trophies[]
Mario has a trophy that is awarded each time the Classic mode is completed with Mario on any difficulty. You can get a Mario Finale Trophy each time you complete All-Star mode with Mario. See Mario Finale for the trophy description of Mario's Final Smash:
- Mario
- A familiar overall-clad figure who is Nintendo's flagship character. His courage and jumping ability have seen him through countless adventures. He's a multi-talented plumber with the knowledge of a physician, a top-notch golfer, and a veteran tennis umpire. Is his jumping prowess a boon from his girder-climbing days?
- (NES) Donkey Kong
- (NES) Super Mario Bros.
- Striker Mario
- A team captain in Super Mario Strikers, which features combat- style soccer that allows fighting and items. Mario proves to be a great all-around player, well balanced on offense and defense, and he wields a critical shot—the Mega Strike—that can chalk up a maximum of six goals! Mario is easily identified by the "M" marks on his spikes.
- (GCN) Super Mario Strikers/Mario Smash Football
- (Wii) Mario Strikers Charged/Mario Strikers Charged Football
- Paper Mario
- A legendary hero whose adventure unfolds when he sets out to rescue Princess Peach from the nefarious clutches of Count Bleck. He has the ability to flip the world from 2-D to 3-D and back again. If he grabs a Mega Star, he'll transform into a pixelated giant Mario. In this state, he's invulnerable and capable of stomping through enemies and obstacles with ease.
- (Wii) Super Paper Mario
- Baby Mario
- Mario as a baby...a crybaby at that. Although he lacks overalls, we can see the trademark red hat even at this young age. Everyone's favorite hero was riding Yoshi and adventuring from his youngest days, and even as a baby, it's clear that Mario had quite the nose.
- (DS) Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island
- (DS) Yoshi's Island DS
In Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U[]
As a playable character[]
Unsurprisingly, Mario is returning as a veteran for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. with his return being announced on June 11th, 2013 during the E3 2013 Nintendo Direct. Mario's design has been updated, as it is now based on his appearance as of Super Mario 3D Land and Super Mario 3D World. Mario's blue and yellow alternate costumes have also been updated, while he has gained two new costumes: the first is from his appearance in Family Computer Golf: U.S. Course and NES Open Tournament Golf, while the second is based on Waluigi. On a related note, his doctor persona also returns as a playable character for the first time since Melee.
Mario is once again touted as a balanced character, but the plethora of significant buffs he received in several areas actually allow him to function effectively as a pressure-oriented character as well. Most notably, direct and indirect changes have not only rejuvenated Mario's once-lost combo game, but also resulted in it becoming the most effective it has ever been.
Down throw, in particular, benefits tremendously from both the changes to hitstun canceling and the alterations to its knockback and launching angle: in addition to its infamous damage racking potential alongside several consecutive up tilts at low percentages, it can be followed up with aerials at medium to high percentages, including forward aerial for a potential KO combo while near the edge. Although down tilt is not as potent in comparison, its much lower ending lag and hitstun canceling's aforementioned changes nevertheless grant it various follow-ups at low to medium percentages.
Unlike in previous installments, Mario's mobility and power are no longer unimpressive and adequate, respectively. His dashing and air speeds have become noticeably faster, while his jump is higher as well. When coupled with the retention of his overall quick frame data, Mario now boasts a surprisingly threatening neutral game, and is an even more potent edge-guarder. On a related note, Mario's recovery has also improved: in addition to his aforementioned aerial attributes, Super Jump Punch now covers slightly more vertical distance and, more importantly, no longer sharply drops him right before its conclusion.
However, Mario did receive some nerfs. Most noticeably, his overall damage output has decreased: while this actually helped in the restoration of his combo game, it nevertheless weakened three of his strongest attacks (down smash, back throw, and clean back aerial). On a related note, Mario's KO potential is very inconsistent because of his very small number of guaranteed KO set-ups, all of which are hard to confirm.
Although two of Mario's special moves were buffed, they also received nerfs which outweigh said buffs. Fireball has increased knockback and range, but is overall laggier and can no longer auto-cancel with a short hop. In comparison, Cape can now instantly sweetspot edges, but grants less of a boost in midair and has lost the advanced techniques it gained in Brawl.
Aside from his nerfs, Mario retains a few noticeable weaknesses. His unimpressive overall range makes him susceptible to disjointed hitboxes, and thus forces him to typically use his all-rounder playstyle instead of his newfound pressure-oriented one when fighting characters with such hitboxes. In addition, Mario's now-serviceable recovery is still burdened with linearity.
Overall, Mario's impressive strengths, negligible weaknesses, and minimal learning curve have collectively allowed him to be very successful in tournament play, earning strong representation and results throughout 3DS/Wii U's lifespan. As a result, Mario is currently ranked 9th out of 55 on the tier list; in addition to placing him in the A tier, this posits him as a top tier character.
Trophies[]
- Mario
- As iconic as iconic gets, this gaming celebrity is known for saving the world from Bowser. He's got amazing jumping skills and makes use of a wide range of transformations. In his free time, he plays too many sports to count. In Smash Bros., he's a well-rounded fighter you can rely on. Say it with me: "It's-a me, Mario!"
- (NES) Donkey Kong Classics (09/1988)
- (NES) Super Mario Bros. (10/1985)
- Mario (Alt.)
- Super Jump Punch is an up-special move that lets you leap high into the air, carrying any fighters you strike along with you. You'll be invincible for a moment after you launch this attack. The default side-special move, Cape, will flip a fighter around. Keep a foe from returning with this move!
- (NES) Donkey Kong Classics (09/1988)
- (NES) Super Mario Bros. (10/1985)
- Mario + Standard Kart
- Customizing your ride is part of the fun of Mario Kart 7. Choose the best frame, tires, and glider to make your own dream machine! You can come up with some outlandish combinations, but I think Mario looks best when you keep things simple.
- Mario + Standard Bike
- In Mario Kart Wii, bikes were the big, new thing. This Standard Bike M is, as you'd expect, a very standard bike—its speed, weight, acceleration, handling, off-road, drift, and mini-turbo stats are all decidedly middle of the road. This makes it a great choice for Mario Kart beginners or for series veterans trying out bikes for the first time.
- (Wii) Mario Kart Wii (04/2008)
- Tanooki Mario & Kitsune Luigi
- If you find a Super Leaf, Mario transforms into Tanooki Mario! His newfound tail works as a weapon and as a propeller to slow his fall. His brother, Luigi, won't turn into a Tanooki, though—he becomes Kitsune Luigi. Wouldn't want to have trouble telling the two apart, would we?
- Statue Mario
- Statue Mario is invincible and will be ignored by his enemies. If he transforms in midair, he'll do a nice Thwomp impression but he can't move! Well, unless a moving platform carries him into unlucky enemies. Give it a try in Super Mario 3D Land!
- Boomerang Mario
- If you know how the Boomerang Bros. like to fight, they really aren't that tough. But if Mario BECOMES a Boomerang Bro—Boomerang Mario—what then? Will his opponents be stunned by his new moves? At the least, throwing a boomerang makes things more fun!
- Paper Mario
- A paper-thin version of Mario from the Paper Mario series. Most recently, he set off on a sticker-packed adventure to find the wish-granting Royal Stickers. Stickers aren't just for collecting, though - they're for makin bridges, opening ancient doors, and even for taking on foes in battle!
- Mario (With Propeller Box)
- Mario with his head in a Propeller Box. He looks like something you'd see in a parade. But wait! That propeller isn't just for show—Mario can use it in the middle of a jump to go even higher. And it'll slow his fall back to the ground too!
- Mario (Gold Block)
- Oh no! Has the karma for smashing all those blocks finally caught up with Mario, and now he's doomed to wear a block on his head forever? Not at all! This Gold Block gives Mario coins whenever he runs and jumps. Cha-ching! Everyone loves getting more coins!
- Mario Golf: World Tour
- Looks like Mario is really on his game today! Or he just sent his ball off the course and into the trees—it's hard to tell. Getting a ball out of the rough is part of golf! It adds a bit of adventure to the game, though the undersea course in this world tour probably adds more.
- Bee Mario
- Do you hear that buzzing? Whatever could it...bee? Bee Mario! Finding a Bee Mushroom allows Mario to buzz around in the air, land on flowers, and stick to walls covered in honey. Oh, this is the bee's knees! However, Bee Mario can't sting his foes. But that's fine--you don't really want to be that kind of bee, do you?
- (Wii) Super Mario Galaxy (11/2007)
- (Wii) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (05/2010)
- Boo Mario
- Are you afraid of ghosts? Maybe it will help to see the world as they do. Become Boo Mario with a Boo Mushroom, and then explore their world! Shake your Wii Remote to make Boo Mario go through walls. Boo Mario blends in OK, but even as a ghost he keeps his trademark hat. The other Boos don't seem to mind, thankfully.
- (Wii) Super Mario Galaxy (11/2007)
- (Wii) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (05/2010)
- Spring Mario
- Boingee boingee boingee... It's Spring Mario, bouncing along and having a grand time! Just get a Spring Mushroom, and then press the A Button right when you land for a super-high jump! If you have a fear of heights, though, there's nothing wrong with staying in place and just bouncing a little.
- (Wii) Super Mario Galaxy (11/2007)
- (Wii) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (05/2010)
- Rainbow Mario
- What would you get if you combined Mario with a bouncing, rainbow-colored star? An amazing, invincible Rainbow Mario, of course! Plus, Mario will glow with twinkling stars and have and an energetic song play for the duration. Doesn't that make you want to run out and grab a Rainbow Star right now?
- (Wii) Super Mario Galaxy (11/2007)
- (Wii) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (05/2010)
- Propeller Mario
- You can tell just by the sound that there's something different about the propeller on Mario's head. It must be because it's made of rubber! In any case, Propeller Mushrooms transform Mario into Propeller Mario. Shake the Wii Remote to send Mario zooming up into the air!
- (Wii) New Super Mario Bros. Wii (11/2009)
- (Wii U) New Super Mario Bros. U (11/2012)
- Penguin Mario
- Ahh, the life of a penguin... So carefree. At last, Mario too can enjoy the feeling of gliding across the ice by donning the Penguin Suit. Not only that, but this suit unlocks other penguin abilities too! Mario can swim gracefully and, just like a penguin, dream of a day when he can fly.
- (Wii) New Super Mario Bros. Wii (11/2009)
- (Wii U) New Super Mario Bros. U (11/2012)
- Cloud Mario
- Guess what happens when Mario collects a Cloud Flower! Oh, wait. You can already see exactly what happens... That's right, Mario dons a fluffy hat, overalls, and a scarf and gets a whole lot lighter. He can jump farther, stay in the air longer, walk on clouds, and even make cloud platforms. This outfit is all silver lining!
- (Wii) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (05/2010)
- Rock Mario
- If you're a fan of rock and roll, try picking up a Rock Mushroom. When Mario's transformed into Rock Mario, a simple shake of the Wii Remote can turn him into a big, rolling boulder, allowing him to plow through crystals and tough foes. The most amazing thing about Rock Mario, though, is that he can still jump.
- (Wii) Super Mario Galaxy 2 (05/2010)
- Flying Squirrel Mario
- When Mario grabs a Super Acorn, he turns into Flying Squirrel Mario! Like a real flying squirrel, he can hold out his arms and glide through the air. That must feel really, really awesome! This power isn't just for fun, though—it has practical uses, too, like helping him grab the coins in midair. Da-ding! Da-ding! Da-ding!
- (Wii U) New Super Mario Bros. U (11/2012)
- Baby Mario
- A baby version of Mario, sans mustache, who first appeared in Yoshi's Island. Still in diapers, he mostly leaves the adventuring to Yoshi unless a Super Star is involved. If that happens, he becomes invincible and runs around with a cape—a little smooth-faced Super Mario!
- Paper Mario
- The paper-thin Mario from the Paper Mario series recently quested for the wish-granting Royal Stickers. These magic stickers are for more than just collecting, though. Mario can use them to change his paper world, and nothing helps him in battle more than a sticker!
In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate[]
As a playable character[]
Following tradition, Mario returns as a starter for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Initially teased alongside Link and the Inklings during the then-unnamed Super Smash Bros. trailer at the end of the March 8th, 2018 Nintendo Direct, he was formally announced alongside the rest of the cast via Ultimate's E3 2018 trailer on June 12th, 2018. Cappy from Super Mario Odyssey appears in some of Mario's attacks, though those changes are purely aesthetic. In addition, in place of his Fire Mario and Wario outfit from the previous title, he possesses the Builder outfit from Super Mario Maker, as well as his Wedding Outfit from Super Mario Odyssey. Compared to his fellow veterans, Mario has received very few major direct changes in his transition to Ultimate, possibly less than any other veteran. However, changes to game mechanics brought about by Ultimate have impacted Mario to a higher degree, as they slightly heightened his learning curve, yet made his playstyle more rewarding.
Despite the slight nerfs he received in his transition to Ultimate, Mario has maintained his status as a competitively viable character, to the point that he, Sonic, Fox and Zero Suit Samus are currently the only characters who were top tier in 3DS/Wii U and continue to place well at all levels of tournament play.
Gallery[]
.png "Mario (8).png (1.08 MB)")
Trivia[]
- Mario, alongside Donkey Kong, Link, Samus, Yoshi, Kirby, Fox, and Pikachu are the only characters that are Starters in every single Super Smash Bros. title.
- The trophy for Baby Mario in Brawl claims that he lacks overalls, but overalls can be clearly seen on the trophy.
- Due to the release of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Mario's voice actor, Charles Martinet, received a Guinness World Record for most video game voiceover performances as the same character, performing the role 100 times.
- Despite being a character primarily known for his jumping abilities outside the Super Smash Bros. series, Mario has below-average jumping abilities in 64, Melee, and Brawl.
- Despite being able to crawl in their respective home series, Mario, Donkey Kong, Pit, Young Link, and Toon Link are unable to do so in the Super Smash Bros. series.
- Mario and Marth are the only characters to have two characters as full clones. In Mario's case, his clones are Luigi in 64, and Dr. Mario in Melee, 3DS/Wii U and Ultimate.
- As of 3DS/Wii U, Mario is the only character whose clone is actually himself instead of an entirely different character.
- In Melee, however, he shares this distinction with Link.
- In 3DS/Wii U, Mario and Marth each have one clone (Dr. Mario and Lucina, respectively) and one semi-clone (Luigi and Roy, respectively).
- As of 3DS/Wii U, Mario is the only character whose clone is actually himself instead of an entirely different character.
- As of Melee, Mario has typically been one of the first characters, if not the very first character, to be confirmed as a playable character for each Super Smash Bros. game.
- When not counting Mario sub-series characters Yoshi, Donkey Kong and Wario, Mario is:
- The only Mario protagonist to not debut in a game from his own universe.
- However, the arcade version of Donkey Kong can also count as a Mario series game, owing to Mario being the game's sole playable character, as well as effectively being the debut of the Mario universe.
- The only Mario series character to remain a starter character in every installment.
- The only Mario protagonist to not debut in a game from his own universe.
- Before any characters are unlocked in 64 and Melee, Mario is always the first character to be listed in every roster for the Super Smash Bros. series. From Brawl onwards he is always the first character listed. This is seemingly an affirmation of his status as Nintendo's mascot, and the earliest introduced character among the "Original 12" (tied with Donkey Kong).
- Both him and Donkey Kong are the earliest introduced characters at the time of 64's release.
- Mario and Pikachu are the only "Original 8" members to never have been the sole fighters from their respective series.
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