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Top 10 Super Mario Facts You Never Knew!

Top 10 Super Mario Facts You Never Knew!

It’s been 30 years since he debuted, but Super Mario is back once again, and he’s better than ever! Everyone’s favorite Italian plumber will once again take center stage when his solo title Super Mario Maker hits stores September 11 exclusively for the Wii U. It’s hard to imagine that Mario has made it to 30 – his debut on the NES still feels like yesterday.

The lovable hero has grown and evolved over time from a 2-D pixellated man that was barely identifiable to the 3-D work of art that gamers have come to adore. Mario still manages to capture the hearts of gamers across the entire platform, even after all these years. He could single-handedly be responsible for propping Nintendo up through its ups and downs over the past decade. Mario has truly been a joy and a common place for all gamers to gravitate toward. In honor of the old dog turning 30, here is our list of the top ten facts you never knew about Super Mario.

Fact 10: Breaking the Space-Time Continuum

Fact 10: Breaking the Space-Time Continuum

Fixing broken pipes, installing water heaters, defeating Bowser, saving Princess Peach, and now conquering advanced physics. Super Mario is one of the only characters to break the space-time continuum when he directly interacts with his younger baby self, making him the greatest Nintendo character of all time. It’s hard to believe that the once famed plumber can now add time travel to his belt. There’s really no need to view the other 9 reasons because they will all lead you to the same conclusion – Mario is a beast.

Fact 9: Stanley the Brave

Fact 9: Stanley the Brave

Well, I’m glad you’re still with us, because number 9 is just as good and just as entertaining as the last. A little known fact about our adorable little buddy Mario is that he actually never appeared in the NES finale of Donkey Kong 3 . Contrary to video game nerd logic and college dorm room debates worldwide, Mario never showed up for the big dance in DK3. Instead, a slender fellow named Stanley upended Donkey Kong. However, Mario did make his return to the series in Donkey Kong for Game Boy during the summer of 1994.

Fact 8: Jumpman

Fact 8: Jumpman

Staying the course with Donkey Kong as our discussion pillar, Mario was originally known as “Jumpman” in the arcade launch of the original Donkey Kong video game. To make matters even stranger, Jumpman was on a mission to save Lady, also known as Pauline, from the giant ape perched atop the rickety tower. So there you have it, back pocket this little gem for anytime your “always right” friend needs a swift theoretical kick in the rear. Be sure to cut him or her off in mid sentence and loudly proclaim that Mario is actually not Mario, but in fact Jumpman.

Fact 7: Sharp Dressed Man

Fact 7: Sharp Dressed Man

This is a juicy one that provides you with even more fuel to stomp out the ignorance contained within your buddy’s golden era arguments. The original Super Mario Bros. incorporated classic power-up items such as Super Mushroom and Fire Flower. However, it wasn’t until Super Mario Bros. 3 that the developers incorporated the iconic power-ups for Mario to scoop up in Super Leaf, Tanooki Suit and Goomba’s Shoe. Ever since then, creative and unique power-ups and transformations have become a staple of the Super Mario Bros. series.

Fact 6: The Other Woman

Fact 6: The Other Woman

This one is surely going to rock your boat a bit, even though I alluded to it a few slides ago. Our red overalls-wearing pal first appeared in the original 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game. Mario’s main objective wasn’t meant to save Princess Peach as many of us have grown up thinking. Rather, he was trying to rescue his friend Pauline.

Fact 5: It’s All About the Pipes…

Fact 5: It’s All About the Pipes…

Ever wonder who the famed Italian voice is behind the classic, “here we go” line? Well, me too, and this is going to throw you for a loop. Since 1995, the voice of Super Mario has actually been provided by American voice actor Charles Martinet. Ironically, he speaks just about every language under the sun except for Italian. To make matters even more hilariously ironic, he’s of zero Italian decent. Interestingly enough, Martinet does the voices for Mario, Luigi, and that heartless clown, Wario.

Fact 4: Drop the Bass

Fact 4: Drop the Bass

Have you ever thought about where that awesome Mario soundtrack that’s been playing in your head since the 80’s came from? Well, you’re not alone. The famous soundtrack for Super Mario Bros. was originally created by composer Koji Kondo and is still used in several game remakes and Mario projects today. Kondo has also provided the music for several of Mario’s Nintendo counterparts in Zelda, Star Fox, Donkey Kong, Mario Party, and the most recent release of Super Mario Maker.

Fact 3: Mario on the Go

Fact 3: Mario on the Go

Fact number 3 further proves my point that Mario is simply a beast. He’s probably the coolest thing walking, even after all these years. In Super Mario Land , Mario has to pilot both a submarine and an airplane to save Princess Daisy. Oh yeah, both airplane and submarine action all packed into one title. Mario is like the video game version of James Bond, with fewer sexual partners and a more happy-go-lucky attitude. I’ll take that sweet-looking red hat over the PP7 any day.

Fact 2: Happy Birthday!

Fact 2: Happy Birthday!

All of this talk about Mario turning 30 is both impressive and real joy to be a part of after all these years. You might be asking yourself the most obvious question of all – when does our guy actually turn 30? If you know your game history or you’re just blessed with above average mathematical competency, then you’ve probably already figured it out. For the rest of us English, writing, and art types, Super Mario Bros . launched 30 years ago on Sept. 13, 1985. Spread the good news!

Fact 1: Sharing the Plumber Love

Fact 1: Sharing the Plumber Love

The granddaddy of them all is actually quite mind blowing if you know a thing or two about video game development and marketing. This next Mario-related feat is rather impressive when you take a few moments to dissect it. Yes, I’ve buried the lead on this last one in hopes to conjure up some much-needed anticipation. The mind-numbing fact is Mario has appeared in more than 200 video games during the length of his 30-year tenure. Yes, 200 games and counting – very impressive that he has both held his ground after all these years and that Nintendo has managed to find a spot for him 200 times over.

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