Super Mario: The Complete History of Gaming’s Most Iconic Franchise — 40 Years of Plumber Adventures
Super Mario is not just a video game franchise — it is the single most influential and best-selling video game series in history. Created by legendary Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto and first appearing in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong, Mario has become a global cultural icon recognized in every corner of the planet. From his humble beginnings as Jumpman in Donkey Kong to becoming the Mustachioed Mushroom Kingdom savior we know today, Mario has appeared in over 200 video games across virtually every Nintendo platform and beyond. The franchise spans platformers, RPGs, sports games, kart racers, party games, and more. With cumulative sales exceeding 800 million copies worldwide, Super Mario holds the Guinness World Record for the best-selling video game franchise of all time. Every single mainline Mario platformer has been a system-seller, from Super Mario Bros. on the NES to Super Mario Odyssey on the Switch. The little Italian plumber with the red cap has transcended gaming to become a symbol of joy, creativity, and the pure magic of interactive entertainment.
The History of Mario
Mario story spans four decades of gaming history:
The Arcade Origins (1981)
- Donkey Kong (1981) — Mario first appeared as “Jumpman,” a carpenter rescuing his girlfriend from a giant ape named Donkey Kong
- Name Origins — Nintendo of America landlord Mario Segale demanded unpaid rent and inspired the name Mario
- Donkey Kong Jr. (1982) — Mario appeared as the villain for the only time in his history
- Mario Bros. (1983) — The first game to feature both Mario and Luigi as playable characters
The NES Era (1985-1990)
- Super Mario Bros. (1985) — The game that saved the video game industry after the 1983 crash. Defined the side-scrolling platformer. Sold 40 million copies.
- Super Mario Bros. 2 (1987) — The legendary “Dream World” sequel with four playable characters and princess peach as a playable character for the first time
- Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988) — Widely considered the greatest platformer ever made. Introduced the world map, multiple power-ups, and new enemy types
- Super Mario Land (1989) — Mario first appeared on the Game Boy
- Super Mario World (1990) — Mario first appeared on the SNES. Introduced Yoshi as Mario companion
Main Mario Games
Here are the most iconic entries in the Super Mario franchise:
The Characters
Power-Ups
Mario power-ups are the secret ingredient that makes every game endlessly replayable:
Every Mario Platform
Mario has appeared on virtually every Nintendo platform and beyond:
- Arcade — Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr., Mario Bros.
- NES / Famicom — Super Mario Bros., 2, 3, Land, World
- Game Boy / Color — Super Mario Land, Land 6 Golden Dragon, Super Mario Bros. Deluxe
- SNES / SFC — Super Mario World, Super Mario Kart, Yoshi Island
- N64 — Super Mario 64, Super Mario Kart 64
- GameCube — Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Kart Double Dash, Super Princess Peach
- Game Boy Advance — Super Mario Advance games, New Super Mario Bros. U Advance
- DS — New Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Kart DS
- Wii — Super Mario Galaxy, New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)
- 3DS — Super Mario 3D Land, New Super Mario Bros. 2, Mario Golf World Tour
- Wii U — Super Mario 3D World, New Super Mario Bros. U, Super Mario Maker, Super Mario Odyssey (Switch)
- Switch — Super Mario Odyssey, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, 3D World + Bowser Fury, Super Mario Party Jamboree
- iOS / Android — Super Mario Run, Dr. Mario World, Mario Kart Tour
Tips for Players
- Master the Triple Jump — In 3D Mario games, the triple jump is essential. Jump small, medium, then large for maximum height.
- Ground Pound Everything — A well-timed ground pound defeats most enemies and reveals hidden items.
- Collect Every Coin — Coins fund your extra lives, unlock Star Spirits, and fill the Coin Counter.
- Use theenvironments — Pipes, ? blocks, walls, and slopes can all be used strategically.
- Watch for Hidden Blocks — Brick blocks and hidden blocks contain the most powerful items.
- Wall Jumps — In games like Super Mario Galaxy and Odyssey, wall jumps are essential for reaching hidden areas.
- Capture Everything — In Odyssey, Cappy can capture virtually everything. Use it to solve puzzles.
- Learn Enemy Patterns — Every enemy has a predictable pattern. Learn it and exploit it.
- Spin for Precision — In Galaxy games, spinning lets you aim and adjust mid-air for precise platforming.
- Have Fun — Mario is designed for everyone. Play at your own pace and enjoy the magic.
Score: 9.9/10
Super Mario is not just the greatest video game franchise — it is arguably the greatest entertainment franchise of any kind. Four decades of innovation, joy, and unforgettable moments. From the pixel-perfect platforming of Super Mario Bros. 3 to the cosmic wonder of Super Mario Galaxy, from the open-world freedom of Odyssey to the revolutionary world-altering mechanics of Wonder, every Mario game manages to feel both comfortingly familiar and thrillingly fresh. Shigeru Miyamoto and the teams at Nintendo have created something genuinely magical — a franchise that works for every age, every skill level, and every type of player. Whether you are a child experiencing Mario for the first time, a speedrunner chasing frame-perfect records, or a parent sharing the magic with your kids, Super Mario delivers joy like nothing else in entertainment. It is not just gaming most iconic franchise. It is the gold standard by which all of interactive entertainment is measured. Mario will still be making us smile long after we are all gone.
“Mario is more than a plumber in a red cap. He is the face of an industry, the soul of Nintendo, and the proof that simple ideas executed perfectly can bring joy to a billion people. After 40 years, Mario has never been better, never been more relevant, never been more magical. It is always time to be a plumber.”
Available on: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Wii, GameCube, N64, Game Boy Advance, SNES, NES, iOS, Android, Arcade, and more
What is your favorite Super Mario game? Share your most memorable Mario moment in the comments below!
