We all know who Mario is. He’s one of the most recognizable characters in history of video games. The industry will forever be indebted to him and to Nintendo for saving it from going under following the video game crash of 1983. If you don’t know who Mario, Luigi, or Donkey Kong are, then you are living under a rock.
I recently saw the latest Super Mario Bros. Movie and will be giving my review of the film. I promise no spoilers but a six pack of facts related to the movie and the character himself.
1. This isn’t the first Super Mario Bros film to be released in theaters. There was a live action film that came out in 1993 which was a box office bust. While this recent one is geared more towards children and even adults, it’s definitely the better of the two.
2. Many of the games we all know and love are referenced throughout the film, as well as the characters. Examples include Donkey Kong, Super Mario Odyssey, and Mario Kart.
3. There were various cartoons and live action shows based on the Super Mario Bros from 1989-1991. They contain animation errors that are talked about on social media and in gaming chat rooms. Some have even spawned famous internet memes (e.g. Mama Luigi).
The live action show aired in 1989 and starred former wrestler “Captain Lou” Albano as Mario (he also did the voice on the cartoon). The cartoon had enemies from the first two games and the next two had enemies from their respective video games.
Super Mario Bros. 3 and Super Mario World both aired on NBC 🦚 Saturday mornings in 1990 and 1991, respectively.
4. A book was released in 2018 on the history of Super Mario and covers all the classic games from the original NES version up to New Super Mario Bros U for the Wii U in 2013. During that same time, another book like that was released that covers the history of the Legend of Zelda. I wonder if one will come out that covers Mario Kart‘s long history.
5. Donkey Kong is where Mario got his start. Originally he was referred to as Jumpman. He didn’t come over to Nintendo until 1985.
Also, Super Mario Bros. 2 is not the original sequel to the first game. That one came out in 1986 and was released only in Japan because it was too hard for most people. It would be released as part of the Super Mario All-Stars package on the Super Nintendo in 1993.
6. I got my Nintendo in 1990. I was eight years old and in second grade at the time. That year for my birthday I also got Super Mario Bros. 2 (the one we know and love or hate). For Christmas, I got Super Mario Bros. 3. To this day, it’s still one of my favorite Christmas presents and one of the best Super Mario games of all time.
As for the movie, I thought it was very good. A little weird at the beginning but that was shaken off pretty easily and we got a great action packed storyline. Two thumbs up and 3.5 out of four stars.
Stylish 🍒 