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-{{About|the video game character}}
-{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}{{pp-move-indef}}
-{{Infobox VG character
-| name        = Mario
-| image       = [[File:MarioSMBW.png]]
-| caption     = Mario, as he appears in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]] (2009)''
-| series      = ''[[Mario (series)|Mario]]''
-| firstgame   = ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (1981)
-| creator     = [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]
-| artist      = Shigeru Miyamoto (''Donkey Kong'')<br />[[Yōichi Kotabe]] (''Super Mario Bros.'' series)<br />[[Shigefumi Hino]] (''Super Mario World'')
-| voiceactor  = [[Peter Cullen]] (''[[Saturday Supercade]]'')<br />[[Lou Albano|"Captain" Lou Albano]] (''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'')<br />[[Walker Boone]] (''[[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', [[Super Mario World (TV series)| ''Super Mario World'' TV series]])<br />Ronald B. Ruben (''Mario Teaches Typing'')<br />Mark Graue (''Hotel Mario'')<br />[[Charles Martinet]] (video games, 1995-present)
-| japanactor  = [[Satoru Okada]] ([[Super Mario Land]]) <br/> [[Tōru Furuya]] (Original video animations and [[Satellaview]] games)<br />[[Yasuo Yamada]] (''Mario Paint'' commercial)<br />[[Kōsei Tomita]] (Japanese dub of the ''Super Mario Bros.'' film)<br /> [[Kenichi Ogata (voice actor)|Kenichi Ogata
-]](Japanese dub of [[The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3]] & [[Super Mario World (TV series)]])<br /> [[Charles Martinet]] (video games, 1995-present)
-| motionactor =
-| liveactor   = [[Lou Albano|"Captain" Lou Albano]] (''The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!'')<br />[[Bob Hoskins]] (''Super Mario Bros.'' film)<br />Gorō Inagaki (2003 "Hot Mario" commercial)<br />[[Takashi Okamura (comedian)|Takashi Okamura]] (2005-2006 "Hot Mario Bros." commercials)
-}}
-{{nihongo|'''Mario'''|マリオ|Mario}} is a [[character (arts)|fictional character]] in [[Mario (series)|his eponymous video game series]], created by Japanese [[Game designer#Video game designer|video game designer]] [[Shigeru Miyamoto]]. Serving as [[Nintendo]]'s mascot and the main [[protagonist]] of the series, Mario has appeared in [[List of Mario games by year|over 200 video games]] since his creation. Though originally only appearing in [[platform game]]s, starting with ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'', Mario currently appears in varied video game genres such as [[Mario Kart|racing]], [[List of Mario games by genre#Puzzle series|puzzle]], [[List of Mario games by genre#RPG series|role-playing]], [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|fighting]], and [[List of Mario games by genre#Sports series|sports]].
-Mario is depicted as a short, pudgy, [[Italians|Italian]] [[plumber]] who lives in the [[Mario (series)#Mushroom Kingdom|Mushroom Kingdom]]. He repeatedly stops the turtle-like [[Bowser (character)|Bowser]]'s numerous plans to kidnap [[Princess Peach]] and subjugate the Mushroom Kingdom. He also has other enemies and rivals, including [[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]] and [[Wario]]. Since 1995, Mario has been voiced by [[Charles Martinet]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=164|title=Charles Martinet Down Under|publisher=[[N-Sider]]|accessdate=2006-11-12}}</ref>
-As Nintendo's mascot, Mario is arguably the most famous character in video game history,<ref>{{cite web|title=The History of Mario|url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm|accessdate=2008-08-23}}</ref> and his image is commonly associated with video games. ''Mario'' games, as a whole, have sold more than 210 million units,<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://www.mcvuk.com/press-releases/46114/3rd-Annual-ELAN-Awards | title=ELAN Awards Announce the Winners of Their Honourary Awards | date=2009-04-06 | accessdate=2009-11-07 | publisher=ELAN Awards}}</ref> making the ''Mario'' series the best-selling video game series of all time. Outside [[platform game]]s, he has appeared in video games of other genres, including the ''[[Mario Kart]]'' racing series, sports games, such as the ''[[Mario Tennis]]'' and ''[[Mario Golf]]'' series, and [[Console role-playing game|role-playing game]]s such as ''[[Paper Mario]]'' and ''Super Mario RPG''. He has also inspired television shows, film, comics, and a line of licensed merchandise.
-== Concept and creation ==
-Mario was created by [[Shigeru Miyamoto]] in his attempts to produce a best-selling video game for [[Nintendo]], after previous titles, such as ''[[Sheriff (arcade game)|Sheriff]]'', had not achieved the same success as other titles such as ''[[Pac-Man]]''. Originally, Miyamoto wanted to create a video game that used the characters [[Popeye]], [[Bluto]], and [[Olive Oyl]].<ref name="n-sider" /> At the time, however, Miyamoto was unable to acquire a license to use the characters (and would not until [[Popeye (video game)|1982]]), and ended up making Jumpman (later known as Mario), [[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]], and [[Pauline (Nintendo)|Pauline]].<ref name="n-sider" /> In the early stages of the game, Mario was unable to jump, and the focus was to escape a maze. However, Miyamoto added in that ability, saying "If you had a barrel rolling towards you, what would you do?".<ref name="wired">{{cite web|url=http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/multimedia/2007/05/gallery_game_history?slide=18|title=Console Portraits: A 40-Year Pictorial History of Gaming|publisher=[[Wired News]]|author=Orlando, Greg|accessdate=2008-08-23|date=2007-05-15}}</ref><ref name="wii-com1">{{cite web |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/nsmb/vol1_page1.jsp |title=Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. |work=Wii.com |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |accessdate=2009-11-27 |page=1}}</ref>
-Mario's name was originally "Mr. Video", and he was to be used in every video game Miyamoto developed.<ref name="yahoo" /> This idea was inspired by [[manga]] artists such as [[Osamu Tezuka]] and [[Fujio Akatsuka]], who feature several characters across multiple manga, as well as British director [[Alfred Hitchcock]], who appears in most of his own films. During localization of the game for American audiences, Nintendo of America's warehouse landlord [[Mario Segale]] confronted its then-president [[Minoru Arakawa]], demanding back rent. Following a heated argument in which the Nintendo employees eventually convinced Segale he would be paid, they opted to name the character in the game Mario after him.<ref>{{cite book |title=Out of Left Field: How the Mariners Made Baseball Fly in Seattle |last=Thiel |first=Art |year=2003 |publisher=Sasquatch Books |isbn=1570613907 |pages=44–45 }}</ref> Miyamoto commenting that if he had named him Mr. Video, he likely would have "disappeared off the face of the Earth".<ref name="wii-com1"/> Mario's profession was chosen to be carpenter in an effort to reflect that as a character he was an ordinary hard worker; the profession was also intended to make it easier for players to identify with the character.<ref name="mariomania">[[Minoru Arakawa|Arakawa, Minoru]] (1991). Mario Mania. Nintendo. pp. 30-32. [[ASIN]] B000BPL42C.</ref> After a colleague suggested that Mario more resembled a plumber, Miyamoto changed his profession accordingly and developed ''[[Mario Bros.]]'',<ref name="n-sider" /> featuring the character in the sewers of [[New York City]].<ref>Grajqevci, Jeton (2000-10-09). [http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=223 Profile: Shigeru Miyamoto]. N-Sider. Retrieved on 2009-05-06</ref>
-Due to the graphical limitations of arcade hardware at the time, Miyamoto clothed the character in bright red overalls and a blue shirt to contrast against each other and the background. A cap was added to let Miyamoto avoid drawing the character's hairstyle, as well as to circumvent issues involved with animating his hair as he jumped.<ref name="n-sider">{{cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/833/833615p1.html|title=IGN Presents the History of Super Mario Bros.|author=McLaughlin, Rus|date=2007-08-11|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2009-02-28}}</ref> To make him appear human onscreen despite his small size Mario was given a large nose and a mustache to avoid drawing a mouth due to the difficulty of illustrating facial expressions at that size.<ref>Rao, Anjali (2007-02-15). [http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/02/14/miyamoto.script/index.html Sigeru Miyamao Talk Asia interview]. [[CNN]]. Retrieved on 2009-02-28</ref>
-Miyamoto developed Mario with the idea of using him as a "go to" character that could be put in any title as needed, albeit in cameo appearances as at the time he was not expecting Mario to become popular.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/playback/playback-93/1378336|title=Playback 93|date=2009-12-02|publisher=Yahoo|accessdate=2009-12-24}}</ref> To this end he originally called the character "Mr. Video", comparing his intent to have Mario appear in later games to the cameos done by [[Alfred Hitchcock]] within his films.<ref name="wii-com2">{{cite web |url=http://us.wii.com/iwata_asks/nsmb/vol1_page2.jsp |title=Iwata Asks: New Super Mario Bros. |work=Wii.com |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |accessdate=2009-11-27 |page=2}}</ref> Over time, Mario's appearance has become more defined; both a red "M" in a white circle on the front of his hat and gold buttons on his overalls have been added. Miyamoto attributed this process to the different development teams and artists for each game as well as advances in technology as time has gone on.<ref name="mariomania" /> Nintendo has never revealed Mario's full name, stating only that it was not "Mario Mario" despite the implication of the ''Mario Bros.'' series' title, its use in the [[Super Mario Bros. (film)|film]], and information given in the [[Prima]] official Guidebook to [[Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga]].<ref>{{cite episode |title=Inside Super Mario Bros |series=[[Inside Edition]] |credits=Reporter: Joel Loy |network=[[CBS Television Distribution]] |airdate=1989}}</ref>
-==Appearances==
-{{main|List of Mario games by year}}
-[[File:NES Super Mario Bros.png|left|thumb|Mario in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'', one of the first games he starred in.]]
-===1981–1990===
-Mario debuted as "Jumpman" in the arcade game ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' in 1981.<ref name="n-sider" /> He is shown as a carpenter that has a pet ape.<ref name="Kohler 39">{{cite book |title=Power-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life |last=Kohler |first=Chris |year=2005 |publisher=Brady Games |isbn=0-7440-0424-1 |page=39 }}</ref> The carpenter mistreats the ape, so [[Donkey Kong (character)|Donkey Kong]] escapes and kidnaps Jumpman's girlfriend, originally known as the Lady, but later named [[Recurring characters in the Mario series#Pauline|Pauline]]. The player must take the role of Jumpman and rescue the girl. He was first named "Mario" in the arcade game ''[[Donkey Kong Junior (video game)|Donkey Kong Junior]]'' in 1982, the only game in which he has ever been portrayed as an antagonist. In the 1983 arcade game ''[[Mario Bros.]]'' Mario and his younger brother [[Luigi]] are portrayed as Italian-American plumbers,<ref name="mbvc">{{cite web |title=Mario Bros. at Nintendo - Wii - Virtual Console |url=http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualconsole/games/detail/AN20FWaWbXNL-oWwUHwK0sMxrfq_plpD |publisher=[[Nintendo]].com |accessdate=2008-10-01}}</ref> who have to defeat creatures that have been coming from the sewers below [[New York]]. Their surname was "Mario", resulting in Mario's full name being first given here as "Mario Mario".<ref name="powerup56">{{cite book |last=Sheff |first=David |authorlink=David Sheff |title=Game Over Press Start to Continue |publisher=Cyberactive Media Group |year=1999 |isbn=0966961706 |page=56}}</ref>
-In ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' for the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES), Mario saves [[Princess Peach|Princess Toadstool]] (later known as Princess Peach) of the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] from [[Bowser (character)|King Koopa]].<ref name="Booklet 7">{{cite manual| title = Super Mario Bros. Instruction Booklet| section = | publisher = [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]| date = 1986}}</ref> To save Princess Toadstool, Mario conquers the eight worlds of the Mushroom Kingdom by going to the castle in each to defeat a minion of King Koopa. To reach each castle, Mario battles through three "sub-worlds" by defeating or avoiding King Koopa's henchmen. If Mario successfully fights his way through the castle and defeats the minion, a [[Toad (Nintendo)|Mushroom Retainer]] is freed.<ref name=TMKTheGood>{{cite web |url=http://themushroomkingdom.net/smb_breakdown.shtml#good |title=The Good |accessdate=2008-08-27 |work=TMK Super Mario Bros. Complete Guide}}</ref> Inside the eighth castle, Mario has a final fight with King Koopa and frees Princess Toadstool. Later, in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', the player could choose between Mario and his friends [[Luigi]], [[Toad (Nintendo)|Toad]], or [[Princess Peach]]. Each character possesses unique abilities, with Mario being the most well-rounded. In ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' Mario embarks on a quest to save the rulers of seven kingdoms from [[Bowser (character)|Bowser]] and his children, the [[Koopalings]] and travel across eight worlds to restore order to the Mushroom World and rescue Princess Peach.<ref name="Manual-2">{{cite manual| title = Super Mario Bros. 3 Instruction Booklet| section = The Eight Kingdoms| publisher = [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]| date = 1990-02-12}}</ref> Mario is introduced to new [[power-up]]s that augment his abilities.<ref>{{cite journal| journal = [[Nintendo Power]]| title = Super Mario Bros. 3: Strategy Guide on the Way| author= Nintendo Power Staff| issue = 12| year = 1990| month = May/June| pages = 94–95| publisher = [[Nintendo]]}}</ref>
-===1989–1995===
-In ''[[Super Mario Land]]'' an alien named Tatanga appears, hypnotizes the inhabitants of an area called Sarasaland, and kidnaps their ruler, [[Princess Daisy (Nintendo)|Princess Daisy]]. Mario then sets out to rescue her from Tatanga, traveling through the four geographical areas of Sarasaland and defeating Tatanga's minions along the way. He finally corners Tatanga in the skies of the Chai kingdom, bringing down his alien warship and rescuing Daisy.<ref>{{cite book | author=Nintendo | year=1989 | title=Super Mario Land Instruction Booklet | publisher=Nintendo of America, Inc. }}</ref>
-In ''[[Super Mario World]]'', Mario and Luigi are taking [[Princess Peach]] for a vacation in Dinosaur World sometime after the events of ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' when Peach is kidnapped by [[Bowser (character)|Bowser]]. Mario and Luigi are introduced to the Yoshis, dinosaurs that live in Dinosaur World, and they help rescue Peach by allowing Mario and Luigi to ride them.<ref name="booklet">{{cite book|title=Super Mario World Instruction Booklet|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref> In ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'', which takes place immediately after the original ''Super Mario Land'', Mario's evil counterpart [[Wario]] has put an evil spell over Mario Land while Mario was away in Sarasaland, renaming the area Wario Land. The inhabitants are now brainwashed into thinking that Wario is their master and Mario is their enemy. Wario's motive behind this sudden attack was to take control over Mario's castle in order to have a palace of his own. To stop Wario, Mario finds the 6 Golden Coins throughout Mario Land and regains access to his castle. In ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'', a [[stork]] carries Baby Mario and Baby Luigi across the sea, but the evil [[Magikoopa]] [[Kamek]] emerges and steals Baby Luigi, and Baby Mario falls onto an island in the middle of the sea called Yoshi's Island, home to Yoshis. He lands on a green Yoshi, and he and the rest of the Yoshis journey through the game's six worlds to rescue Baby Luigi and the stork back from Baby Bowser and Kamek.
-===1996–2002===
-[[File:Mario64 - Dire Dire Docks.png|thumb|Mario's [[3D computer graphics|3D]] debut was in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.]]
-Mario made his [[3D computer graphics|3D]] debut in ''[[Super Mario 64]]''.<ref>{{cite web| title = FEATURE: Galaxy Quest| publisher = [[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]| date = September 25, 2007| url = http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/feature-galaxy-quest| accessdate = February 16, 2010}}</ref> [[Princess Peach]] sends Mario a letter inviting him to come to her castle for a cake she has baked for him;<ref>Princess Peach's note: Dear Mario: Please come to the castle. I've baked a cake for you. Yours truly-- Princess Toadstool, Peach {{cite video game| title = Super Mario 64| developer = [[Nintendo EAD]]| publisher = Nintendo | date= 1996-09-29| platform= Nintendo 64}}</ref> however, when he arrives, Mario discovers that [[Bowser (Nintendo)|Bowser]] has invaded the castle and imprisoned the princess and her servants within it using the power of the castle's 120 Power Stars. Many of the castle's paintings are portals to other worlds, in which Bowser's minions keep watch over the stars. Mario searches the castle for these portals to enter the worlds and recover the stars. He gains access to more rooms as he recovers more stars,<ref name="NP88">{{Cite journal| date= September 1996| title= Full Coverage&nbsp;— Super Mario 64| journal= [[Nintendo Power]]| publisher= [[Nintendo]]| issue= 88| pages= 14–23}}</ref> and traverses three obstacle courses leading to a battle with Bowser. Defeating Bowser the first two times earns Mario a key for opening another level of the castle,<ref name="playersguide"/> while the final battle releases Peach, who rewards Mario by baking the cake that she had promised him.<ref name="playersguide">{{cite book|year=1996|title=Official Super Mario 64 Player's Guide|publisher=Nintendo}}</ref><ref name="instructions">{{cite book| year=1996|title=Super Mario 64 Instruction Booklet| publisher=Nintendo| id=NUS-NSME-USA}}</ref>
-In ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]'', Mario, [[Toadsworth]], and [[Princess Peach]] are taking a vacation. A villain resembling Mario, known as "Shadow Mario", vandalizes the entire island with graffiti, and Mario gets blamed for the mess. Later on, Mario is ordered to clean up Isle Delfino, while saving Princess Peach from Shadow Mario. Mario cleans up the island with a device called FLUDD invented by Professor E. Gadd.<ref>{{cite book|year=2002 |title=Super Mario Sunshine instruction booklet |publisher=Nintendo |pages=20–23}}</ref> Afterward, Mario, Peach and the others then begin their well-deserved vacation.<ref>{{cite video game|quote=FLUDD: The vacation starts now! |title=Super Mario Sunshine |developer=Nintendo EAD |publisher=Nintendo |date=2002-08-26 |platform=Nintendo GameCube}}</ref>
-===2006–present===
-Mario went to [[2.5D]] in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' At the beginning of the game, [[Princess Peach]] and Mario are walking together when lightning suddenly strikes Peach’s castle nearby. As Mario runs to help, [[Bowser Jr.]] appears and kidnaps her.<ref name=manual>{{cite book|title=New Super Mario Bros. manual|publisher=Nintendo|page=10|date=2006-05-16}}</ref> Realizing what has happened, Mario quickly rushes back and gives chase. Mario ventures through eight worlds pursuing Bowser Jr. and trying to rescue the kidnapped princess. In the game’s final sequence, Mario rescues Princess Peach, who kisses him on the cheek.<ref name=game>{{cite video game|title=New Super Mario Bros|developer=Nintendo EAD|publisher=Nintendo|platform=Nintendo DS|date=May 15, 2006 }}</ref> In ''[[Super Mario Galaxy]]'' Mario is invited to the [[centennial]]<ref>{{cite manual| title = Super Mario Galaxy Instruction Booklet| section = Prologue | publisher = [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]| date = 2007}}</ref> Star Festival when [[Bowser (character)|Bowser]] invades the [[Mushroom Kingdom]] and rips Peach's entire castle from its foundations and lifts it into [[outer space]]. Mario is catapulted across the cosmos and awakens on a small planet. On the planet he meets star-like creatures called Lumas and their companion, a mysterious woman called [[Rosalina (Nintendo)|Rosalina]], who tells Mario that the Power Stars have been stolen by Bowser. Mario sets off on an intergalactic adventure across the universe to reclaim the Power Stars and rescue Princess Peach.<ref>{{cite web| last = Casamassina| first = Matt| title = Super Mario Galaxy Review| publisher = IGN| date = November 7, 2007| url = http://wii.ign.com/articles/833/833298p1.html| pages= 1–2| accessdate = January 25, 2009}}</ref> In ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', Mario, Luigi, Blue Toad and Yellow Toad are attending Princess Peach's birthday, when a big cake rolls in with the Koopalings and Bowser Jr. hiding inside. They trap Peach inside the cake and run off with her. Mario, Luigi, and two Toads chase after them.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Super Mario Bros. Wii: Your Questions Answered!|publisher=[[Official Nintendo Magazine]]|url=http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=12629|date=2009-10-23|accessdate=2009-11-11}}</ref>
-===Other ''Mario'' games===
-''Mario'' games of other genres include various [[Game & Watch]] games; ''[[Mario Pinball Land]]'', a pinball game for the Game Boy Advance;<ref>{{cite web| last = Byron| first = Tom| title = Mario Pinball Land (Game Boy Advance)| publisher = [[1UP.com]]| date = November 20, 2004| url = http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3147289&p=19| accessdate = January 25, 2010}}</ref> various educational games; and the ''[[Dr. Mario (video game)|Dr. Mario]]'' [[computer puzzle game|puzzle games]], (with ''Dr. Mario'' itself first released in 1990<ref name="drmario" />). In these games, Dr. Mario throws vitamins that the player must align to destroy the viruses that populate the playing field.<ref name="drmario">{{cite web| title = Dr. Mario| publisher = IGN| url = http://cheats.ign.com/objects/007/007157.html| accessdate = January 24, 2010}}</ref> 1996's ''[[Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars]]'' for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is the first ''Mario'' role-playing game;<ref>{{cite web| last = East| first = Tom| title = Virtual Console Review: Super Mario RPG| publisher = [[Official Nintendo Magazine]]| date = September 19, 2008| url = http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/article.php?id=5883| accessdate = February 17, 2010}}</ref> six games have followed, including three in the ''Paper Mario'' series (''[[Paper Mario]]'' for the Nintendo 64, ''[[Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]]'' for the Nintendo GameCube, and ''[[Super Paper Mario]]'' for the Wii) and three in the ''Mario & Luigi'' series (''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'' for the Game Boy Advance and ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'' and ''[[Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story]]'' for the [[Nintendo DS]]).
-Several other sub-series of ''Mario'' video games have been released. The ''[[Mario Kart]]'' franchise began with ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and is currently the most successful and longest-running kart-racing franchise.<ref name="Sutra M#1">{{cite web | last = Jenkins | first = David | title = Mario Tops Best Selling Game Franchise List | publisher = [[Gamasutra]] | date = 10/01/2007 | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12349 | accessdate = 2009-01-01}}</ref> Other ''Mario'' sports games include the Camelot-developed series ''[[Mario Golf]]'' and ''[[Mario Tennis]]'', and, respectively, the baseball and soccer games ''[[Mario Superstar Baseball]]'' and ''[[Super Mario Strikers]]''. In 1999, the Hudson-developed ''[[Mario Party (series)|Mario Party]]'' series began on the Nintendo 64. The games revolve around a set of mini-games and are playable with up to four players. ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games]]'' (for Nintendo DS and Wii) is a collection of twenty-four events based on the Olympic Games. This was followed in 2009 by ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]'' on both systems, based on the [[2010 Winter Olympics]].
-===In other media===
-Apart from his platformer and spinoff-game appearances,  Mario has made guest appearances in non-Mario games, such as ''[[Punch-Out!! (video game)|Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!]]'' where he is a [[referee]].<ref>{{cite web| last = Pigna| first = Kris| title = Mario Included in NES Punch-Out!! Without Miyamoto's Permission| publisher = [[1UP.com]]| date = August 9, 2009| url = http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175501| accessdate = January 28, 2009}}</ref> Mario has even appeared as a playable character in ''[[NBA Street V3]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/01/05/news_6115715.html |title=Mario to hoop it up in NBA Street V3|publisher=GameSpot |accessdate=May 4, 2009}}</ref> and ''[[SSX on Tour]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/sports/ssx4/news.html?sid=6132098&mode=previews |title=SSX On Tour Character Spotlight: Mario, Luigi, and Peach|publisher=GameSpot |accessdate=May 4, 2009}}</ref> both from [[Electronic Arts]]. He also makes cameo appearances: in both ''[[The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past]]'' and ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time]]'', Mario appears on a portrait, and in ''[[Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes]]'' he appears as a small statue.
-Mario has appeared in every game of the [[Super Smash Bros. (series)|''Super Smash Bros.'' series]],<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/characters/mario.html |title=Mario |accessdate= 2009-06-03 |date=2007-11-29 |work=Smash Bros. DOJO!!|publisher= Smashbros.com}}</ref> and has retained his balanced abilities even when fighting characters from other series.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.smashbros.com/en_us/characters/mario.html |title=Mario |quote=An easy-to-use character, Mario sets the standard for balance. |accessdate= 2009-06-03 |date=2007-11-29 |work=Smash Bros. DOJO!!|publisher= Smashbros.com}}</ref> He brought with him items, stages, and characters to compete in the tournament. Mario's alter-egos Dr. Mario and Metal Mario have appeared as well.
-''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' television series and the live-action film, called ''[[Super Mario Bros. (film)|Super Mario Bros.]]'', based on the video game series  brought Mario into the TV and film entertainment realms. The show starred [[Lou Albano|"Captain" Lou Albano]] as Mario, and the film starred [[Bob Hoskins]] as "Mario Mario", a plumber who is taken to an alternate universe (in which dinosaurs rule) where he must save the Earth from invasion.<ref>{{cite web| title = At the Movies:Super Mario Bros.| url = http://bventertainment.go.com/tv/buenavista/ebertandroeper/index2.html?sec=6&subsec=Super+Mario+Bros.| accessdate = January 25, 2010}}</ref> Outside the original games, television shows, and film, he has spawned a line of licensed merchandise and appeared in popular culture. The Nintendo Comics System series, along with the [[Nintendo Adventure Books]], were also created.
-{{-}}
-== Characteristics ==
-Mario was originally portrayed as a two-dimensional [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprite]], but in later games he is shown as a three-dimensional, [[polygonal modeling|polygonal model]]. He is depicted as a portly plumber<ref name="mariobioign"/> who lives in the fictional land of the [[Mario (series)#Mushroom Kingdom|Mushroom Kingdom]]<ref name="n-sider" /> with [[Luigi]], his younger, taller brother, who is also a plumber.<ref name="luigibioign">{{cite web| title = Luigi Biography| publisher = IGN| url = http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924288_biography.html| accessdate = January 26, 2010}}</ref> In the television series and film, Mario and Luigi are originally from [[Brooklyn]], New York which was also their origin in the later television series and feature film.<ref name="mariobioign"/> Little is known of Mario's childhood, though the infant version of Mario, Baby Mario, first appeared in 1995 in ''[[Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island]]'', and has often appeared in Nintendo sports games since that time. Baby Mario has a major role along with [[Luigi|Baby Luigi]] in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time]]'' and also appears in ''[[Yoshi's Island DS]]''. He (along with the adult Mario) is voiced by [[Charles Martinet]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Charles Martinet: Voice Over|url=http://www.charlesmartinet.com/voiceover.html|accessdate=2008-03-16}}</ref>
-=== Occupation and hobbies ===
-Mario's occupation is plumbing, though in the original ''[[Donkey Kong (series)|Donkey Kong]]'' games he is a carpenter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/service/corporate_2001.html|title=Nintendo - Corporate: About Nintendo Worldwide|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|date=2007|accessdate=2008-05-02}}</ref> Mario has also had several other occupations: in the ''[[Dr. Mario (video game)|Dr. Mario]]'' series of [[puzzle video game|puzzle games]], which debuted in 1990,<ref name="drmario" /> Mario is portrayed as a medical physician named "Dr. Mario";<ref>{{cite web| title = Top Ten Mario Games| publisher = [[GameTrailers]]| date = July 24, 2007| url = http://www.gametrailers.com/video/top-ten-screwattack/22754| accessdate = January 30, 2010}}</ref> in the [[Game Boy]] game ''[[Mario's Picross]]'', Mario is an [[archaeology|archaeologist]]; and in ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]'', Mario is the president of a profitable toy-making company.<ref>{{cite manual| title = Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis Instruction Booklet| section = Story and Characters| publisher = [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]| date = 1990-09-25}}</ref> Mario usually saves [[Princess Peach]] and the [[Mario (series)#Mushroom Kingdom|Mushroom Kingdom]] and purges antagonists, such as [[Bowser (character)|Bowser]], from various areas. Mario has gained fame in the Mushroom Kingdom due to his heroic deeds, as shown in ''[[Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga]]'', where the brothers are referred to as "superstars".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://marioandluigi.gameboy.com/flash.jsp|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20071021031417/http://marioandluigi.gameboy.com/flash.jsp|archivedate=2007-10-21|title=Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga|publisher=[[Nintendo]]}}</ref>
-=== Relationships ===
-Since his first game, Mario has usually had the role of saving the [[damsel in distress]].<ref name="mariobioign">{{cite web| title = Mario Biography| publisher = IGN| url = http://stars.ign.com/objects/923/923448_biography.html| accessdate = January 23, 2010}}</ref> Originally, he had to rescue his girlfriend [[Recurring characters in the Mario series#Pauline|Pauline]] in ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'' from Donkey Kong.<ref name="dkhist" /> Pauline was soon replaced by a new damsel in distress, [[Princess Peach]], in ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]''<ref name="n-sider" /> Pauline returned in the [[Game Boy]] remake of ''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]'' in 1994, and later in ''[[Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis]]'' in 2006, although the character is now described as "Mario's friend".<ref name="Mario vs. DK 2">{{cite web|url=http://uk.videogames.games.yahoo.com/ds/previews/mario-vs--donkey-kong-2--march-of-the-minis-902997.html|title=Mario vs. DK 2: March of the Minis|publisher=[[Yahoo! Games]]|accessdate=2008-08-23}}</ref> Mario has rescued Princess Peach multiple times since ''Super Mario Bros.''<ref name="mariobioign" /> In a [[role reversal]], Peach rescues Mario in ''[[Super Princess Peach]]''.<ref>{{cite web| last = Bozon| first = Mark | title = Hands-On: Super Princess Peach| publisher = IGN| date = February 1, 2006| url = http://ds.ign.com/articles/685/685051p1.html| accessdate = January 23, 2010}}</ref> Mario rescued [[List of Mario series characters#Princess Daisy|Princess Daisy]] of Sarasaraland in ''[[Super Mario Land]]'',<ref>{{cite web| title = Princess Daisy Biography| publisher = IGN| url = http://stars.ign.com/objects/963/963167_biography.html| accessdate = January 27, 2009}}</ref> but Luigi seems to be romantically involved with her. In ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee]]'', the text explaining Daisy's trophy states that "after her appearance in ''[[Mario Golf]]'', gossips portrayed her as Luigi's answer to Mario's Peach",<ref>{{cite video game|title=Super Smash Bros. Melee|developer=HAL Laboratory|publisher=Nintendo|date=2001-12-03|platform=Nintendo GameCube}}</ref> and statues of both appeared (in adult and infant forms) in the Daisy Circuit in [[Mario Kart Wii]], confirming their relationship.
-[[Luigi]] is Mario's younger brother.<ref name="luigibioign" /> He is a companion in the ''Mario'' games<ref name="luigibioign" /> and the character whom the second player controls in two-player sessions of many of the video games,<ref name="luigiprofileign">{{cite web| title = Luigi Profile| publisher = IGN| url = http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924288.html| accessdate = January 26, 2010}}</ref> though he also occasionally rescues Mario, as seen in ''[[Mario is Missing!]]'' and ''[[Luigi's Mansion]]''.<ref>{{cite web| last = Buchanan| first = Levi| title = The Other Mario Games, Vol. 2| publisher = IGN| date = August 7, 2008| url = http://retro.ign.com/articles/897/897225p1.html| accessdate = January 23, 2010}}</ref> ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'' for the Game Boy saw the arrival of [[Wario]], Mario's greedy [[wikt:counterpart|counterpart]], who is often Mario's antagonist or an [[antihero]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Wario Biography| publisher = IGN| url = http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924285_biography.html| accessdate = January 23, 2010}}</ref> [[Yoshi]] is presumed to be a dinosaur, though his species is named Yoshi.<ref name="yoshibio" /> They vary in color, but the original Yoshi is green.<ref name="yoshibio">{{cite web| title =Yoshi Biography | url =http://stars.ign.com/objects/924/924294_biography.html | publisher = IGN| accessdate =January 23, 2009 }}</ref> Yoshi serves as Mario's mount in games such as [[Super Mario World]],<ref name="yoshibio" /> and is depicted as a more sentient creature in games like [[Super Mario Kart]] and [[Yoshi's Island]].
-== Abilities ==
-During the development of ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]'', Mario was known as "Jumpman".<ref name="n-sider" /> Jumping—both to access places and as an offensive move—is a common gameplay element in ''Mario'' games, especially the ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' series. Mario's most commonly portrayed form of attack is jumping to stomp on the heads of enemies, first used in ''[[Mario Bros.]]'' This jump-stomp move may entirely crush smaller enemies on the stage, and usually deals damage to larger ones, sometimes also causing secondary effects.<ref name="n-sider" /> This attack often enables Mario to knock the turtle-like [[Enemies in the Mario series#Koopa Troopa|Koopa Troopas]] into or out of their shells, which can be used as weapons.<ref name="n-sider" /> Subsequent games have elaborated on Mario's jumping-related abilities. ''[[Super Mario World]]'' added the ability to spin-jump, which allows Mario to break blocks beneath him. Later, the Game Boy version of ''[[Donkey Kong (Game Boy)|Donkey Kong]]'' allowed Mario to jump higher with consecutive jumps, and perform a back-flip. In ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', Mario gains new jumping abilities, such as a sideways somersault, a ground pound, and the "Wall Kick", which propels him upwards by kicking off walls.
-[[File:Tanooki Mario.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Mario seen wearing the Tanooki Suit. The suit originated as a result of the developers being unable to implement the character [[Yoshi]] into ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'', and is derived from the mythical creature [[Tanuki]].]]
-=== Power-ups ===
-Mario uses items, which give him various powers. The first power-up Mario uses is the Hammer in ''[[Donkey Kong (video game)|Donkey Kong]]''.<ref name="dkhist">{{cite web| last = Trueman| first = Doug| title = GameSpot Presents: The History of Donkey Kong| publisher = [[Gamespot]]| url = http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/dk_history/p03.html| accessdate = January 1, 2010}}</ref>
-''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' introduced the basic three power-ups that have become staples for the series, esepcially the 2D games —- the Super Mushroom, which causes Mario to grow larger; the Fire Flower, which allows Mario to throw fireballs; and the Starman, which gives Mario temporary invincibility. These powers have appeared regularly throughout the series.<ref>{{cite web|last=McLaughlin |first=Rus |url=http://uk.games.ign.com/articles/833/833615p1.html |title=IGN: IGN Presents The History of Super Mario Bros |publisher=Uk.games.ign.com |date=2007-11-08 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> Throughout the series' history, there have been several kinds of Mushroom power-ups, including the [[1-Up]] Mushroom, which gives Mario an extra life; the Poison Mushroom, which causes Mario to either shrink or die;<ref>{{cite web|last=Suellentrop |first=Chris |url=http://www.slate.com/id/2177082/ |title=Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels reviewed. - By Chris Suellentrop - Slate Magazine |publisher=Slate.com |date=2007-11-05 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> the Mega Mushroom, which causes Mario to grow very large; and the Mini Mushroom, which causes Mario to shrink.<ref>{{cite web|last=Harris |first=Craig |url=http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/705/705537p2.html |title=IGN: New Super Mario Bros. Review |publisher=Uk.ds.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref>
-A common power-up throughout the series is an item that gives Mario the ability of flight. The first of this type was introduced in ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' and called the Super Leaf; it gives Mario a raccoon suit.<ref>{{cite web|last=Provo |first=Frank |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/action/supermariobros3/review.html |title=Super Mario Bros. 3 Review for Wii - GameSpot |publisher=Uk.gamespot.com |date=2007-11-09 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> Also in this game is the [[Tanuki]] suit, which allows flight and the ability to turn into a statue.<ref name="ignsuits">{{cite web| title = Top 10 Mario Suits| publisher = IGN| date = November 16, 2009| url = http://wii.ign.com/articles/104/1045630p1.html| accessdate = January 23, 2010}}</ref> Later, in ''[[Super Mario World]]'', an item called the Cape Feather was introduced that gave Mario a cape.<ref>{{cite web|last=Navarro |first=Alex |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/wii/action/supermarioworldsnes/review.html |title=Super Mario World Review for Wii - GameSpot |publisher=Uk.gamespot.com |date=2007-02-09 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> In ''[[Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins]]'', a carrot was available that gave Mario rabbit ears that allowed him to fly,<ref name="ignsuits" /> and in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'', Mario could acquire an item called the Wing Cap, which temporarily gave him the ability of flight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/wii/virtualconsole/games/detail/48czfMMYIp_0_alQYMIOS7sgrvUdDq1O |title=Super Mario 64 at Nintendo :: Wii :: Virtual Console :: Games |publisher=Nintendo.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> ''Super Mario Sunshine'' introduces a pump-water spraying device named "F.L.U.D.D.", which has the ability to spray water, hover and more.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/supermariosunshine/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |title=Super Mario Sunshine Review for GameCube - GameSpot |publisher=Uk.gamespot.com |date=2002-10-04 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> [[Super Mario Galaxy]] also introduced new power-ups, including the Bee Mushroom, which naturally turned Mario into a bee and allowed him to fly temporarily; the Ghost Mushroom, which turned Mario into a ghost, allowing him to float and pass through walls; and the Spring Mushroom, which encased Mario in a spring, allowing him to jump higher.<ref>{{cite manual| title = Super Mario Galaxy Instruction Booklet| section = Mario's Special Moves | publisher = [[Nintendo|Nintendo of America]]| date = 2007}}</ref>
-{{-}}
-== Reception and legacy ==
-[[File:Supermario Kungsbacka.jpg|thumb|Mario in [[Kungsbacka]], [[Sweden]]]]
-As Nintendo's mascot, Mario is considered to be the most famous video game character in history, and has been called an icon of the gaming industry.<ref name="wired" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Levi |title=Is There a Bad Mario Game? |publisher=IGN |date=February 13, 2009 |url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/954/954165p1.html |accessdate=January 23, 2010}}</ref><ref name="History of Mario">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm|title=Nintendo's Shining Star: The History of Mario|publisher=Gamecubicle|accessdate=2008-08-23}}</ref> The ''Mario'' series of video games has sold more than 200 million copies (210 million as of 2009), making it the [[List of best-selling video game franchises|best-selling video game franchise]] of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/833/833615p1.html|title=IGN Presents The History of Super Mario Bros.|publisher=IGN|author=McLaughlin, Rus|page=1|date=2007-11-08|accessdate=2008-08-23}}</ref> Mario was one of the first video game character inductees at the [[Walk of Game]] in 2005, alongside [[Link (The Legend of Zelda)|Link]] and [[Sonic the Hedgehog (character)|Sonic the Hedgehog]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walkofgame.com/inductees/inductees2005.html|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20080121064109/http://www.walkofgame.com/inductees/inductees2005.html|archivedate=2008-01-21|title=Past Inductees 2005 Games / Characters|publisher=[[Walk of Game]]|accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref> Mario was the first video game character to be honored with a wax figure in the legendary [[Hollywood Wax Museum]] in 2003. In the 1990s, a national survey found that Mario was more recognizable to American children than [[Mickey Mouse]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Iwabuchi|first=Koichi|title=Recentering globalization: Popular culture and Japanese transnationalism|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0-8223-2891-9|url=http://www.dukeupress.edu/books.php3?isbn=0-8223-2891-7|page=30}}</ref>
-Since his creation, Mario has established himself as a pop culture icon, having starred in numerous television shows, comic books, and in a feature film. He has appeared on lunch boxes, t-shirts, magazines, commercials (notably, in a [[Got Milk?]] commercial),<ref>Weiss, Jodi & Kahn, Russell (2004). In ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=Mp0LRxu0ibsC&pg=PA25&dq=%22got+milk%22+mario&ei=-_b0Sr7sG5PyNJ3B1YoF#v=onepage&q=%22got%20milk%22%20mario&f=false 145 Things to Be When You Grow Up]''. Princeton Review Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 0-375-76369-4. Google Book Search. Retrieved on November 6, 2009.</ref> in candy form, on shampoo bottles, cereal, badges, and as a plush toy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecubicle.com/features-mario-nintendo_shining_star.htm|title=Nintendo's Shining Star: The History of Mario|publisher=GameCubicle|accessdate=2008-08-23}}</ref> Nintendo of Japan produced a 60-minute [[anime]] feature starring Mario and his friends in 1986, although this film has never been released outside of Japan. The animated series ''[[The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!]]'' featured a live-action series of skits starring the late former WWF manager [[Lou Albano|"Captain" Lou Albano]] as Mario and [[Danny Wells]] as Luigi. Mario appeared in a book series, the [[Nintendo Adventure Books]]. Mario has also inspired unlicensed paintings<ref>{{cite web| title=10 Works of Art Inspired By ''Super Mario Bros.'' |url=http://pixelatedgeek.com/2009/04/10-works-of-art-inspired-by-super-mario-bros/ |publisher=Pixelated Geek |accessdate=2009-05-05}}</ref> and short films, which have themselves been viewed hundreds of thousands of times.
-People and places have been named (or nicknamed) after Mario. [[Bergsala]], the distributor of Nintendo's products in the [[Nordic countries|Nordic]] and the [[Baltic countries]], is located at Marios Gata 21 (Mario's Street 21) in [[Kungsbacka]], [[Sweden]], named after Mario.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bergsala AB, Contact page|url=http://www.nintendo.se/contact|accessdate=2008-09-09}}</ref> Many sports stars, including [[NHL]] [[Ice hockey|hockey]] player [[Mario Lemieux]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/sportscentury/features/00016068.html |title=ESPN.com: Mario was super despite the obstacles |publisher=Espn.go.com |date= |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> and [[NFL]] [[American football|football]] player [[Mario Williams]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Mario Williams&nbsp;&nbsp;#90&nbsp;&nbsp;DE |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9587 |title=Mario Williams Stats, News, Photos - Houston Texans - ESPN |publisher=Sports.espn.go.com |date=1985-01-31 |accessdate=2009-04-04}}</ref> have been given the nickname "Super Mario".
-Mario's legacy is recognized by Guinness World Records, who awarded the Nintendo mascot, and the series of platform games he has appeared in, seven world records in the ''Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008''. These records include "Best Selling Video Game Series of All Time", "First Movie Based on an Existing Video Game", and "Most Prolific Video Game Character", with Mario appearing in 116 distinct titles (not including remakes or re-releases).
-Creator Shigeru Miyamoto has stated that Mario is his favorite character out of all that he has created.<ref>{{cite web |title= Exclusive Interview With Nintendo Gaming Mastermind Shigeru Miyamoto|url=http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4334387.html#
-|publisher=[[Popular Mechanics]] |accessdate=2009-10-21 |date=2009-10-19}}</ref> In a poll conducted in 2008 by [[Oricon]], Mario was voted the most popular video game character in Japan, outranking characters such as [[Cloud Strife]] from [[Final Fantasy VII]] and [[Solid Snake]] from the [[Metal Gear Solid]] series.<ref>{{cite web|author=Brian Ashcraft|title=And Japan's Favorite Video Game Characters Are...?|date=2008-08-23|url=http://kotaku.com/5035884/and-japans-favorite-video-game-characters-are|accessdate=2008-08-23|publisher=Kotaku}}</ref> Gaming site [[GameDaily]] listed the "unlikely hero" on its top 25 video game archetypes, using Mario as an example of this. It stated that in spite of the fact that he should have run out of energy through the first level, he kept going.<ref>{{cite web| last = Buffa| first = Chris| title = Top 25 Game Archetypes| publisher = [[GameDaily]]| date = January 23, 2009| url = http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-25-video-game-characters-archetypes/?page=25| accessdate = January 1, 2010}}</ref> Mario ranked fourth on [[GameDaily]]'s top ten Smash Bros. characters list.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 10 Smash Bros. Characters - Page 7 |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/galleries/top-ten-super-smash-bros-characters/?page=7 |publisher=[[GameDaily]] |accessdate=2009-08-07}}</ref> Mario was also fourth on [[UGO]]'s list of the "Top 100 Heroes of All Time", ahead of fellow video game characters [[Samus Aran]] (''[[Metroid]]''), [[Link (Legend of Zelda)|Link]] (''[[Legend of Zelda]]''), [[Gordon Freeman]] (''[[Half-Life (series)|Half-Life]]''), and [[Master Chief (Halo)|Master Chief]] ([[Halo (series)|Halo]]).<ref>{{cite web|author=Staff|date=2007-09-24|url=http://www.ugo.com/games/top-heroes-in-entertainment/shows.asp?groupID=shows20-1&showID=mario|title=Best Heroes of All Time: Mario|publisher=[[UGO Networks]]|accessdate=2009-11-08}}</ref> [[CNET]] listed him first on its list of the "Top 5 video game characters".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cnettv.cnet.com/8301-13415_53-10410413-11.html |title=Top 5 video game characters |date=December 7, 2009 |author=Tom Merritt |publisher=[[CNET]] |accessdate=2010-04-25}}</ref> He was also voted 100th in [[IGN|IGN's]] Top 100 Villains for his appearance in [[Donkey Kong Junior]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/videogame-villains/100.html |title=Top 100 Villains| Publisher=IGN |accessdate=2010-05-13}}</ref>
-== References ==
-{{Reflist|2}}
-== External links ==
-{{Portal|Mario}}
-{{Wikiquote}}
-{{commonscat|Mario}}
-* {{imdb character|0039169}}
-* [http://www.mariowiki.com/ Super Mario Wiki]
-* [http://ms.nintendo-europe.com/mario/enGB/index.html Nintendo of Europe's official website for the ''Mario'' series]
-{{Mario series characters}}
-[[Category:1981 introductions]]
-[[Category:Corporate mascots]]
-[[Category:Fictional basketball players]]
-[[Category:Fictional characters who can turn intangible]] <!-- Super Mario 64 -->
-[[Category:Fictional construction workers]]
-[[Category:Fictional doctors]]
-[[Category:Fictional golfers]]
-[[Category:Fictional American people of Italian descent]] <!-- DiC Animation -->
-[[Category:Fictional characters from New York City]]
-[[Category:Fictional karateka]] <!--DiC Animation-->
-[[Category:Fictional plumbers]]
-[[Category:Fictional racecar drivers]] <!--Mario Kart series-->
-[[Category:Fictional sportspeople]]
-[[Category:Fictional toymakers and toy inventors]] <!-- Mario vs. Donkey Kong -->
-[[Category:Fictional twins]]
-[[Category:Fictional characters with superhuman strength]]
-[[Category:Film characters]]
-[[Category:Male video game characters]]
-[[Category:Mario characters]]
-[[Category:Nintendo protagonists]]
-[[Category:Super Smash Bros. fighters]]
-[[Category:Superheroes]]
-[[Category:Video game bosses]]
-[[Category:Video game mascots]]
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