Since his first appearance in 1981, in arcades throughout the world, Mario has reigned supreme. From his earliest tentative steps onto the ramps and scaffolding of Donkey Kong, to his boundless exploration of the planets and stars of our Galaxy, Mario is king of the video game universe.
Appearing in over 100 individual games, no other character in arcade or home video game history can match the prolific presence of Mario, but it is not just the quantity of the series; the quality of Mario’s various adventures far surpasses any other franchise. A brief tour through the ongoing storyline of our hero reveals a richness of plot and characterization that reaches remarkable artistic heights.
After his first appearance against the fearsome Kong, Mario next squared off against the ape’s pesky progeny, as Donkey Kong Jr. attempted to free his imprisoned dad. Fleeing this island escapade, Mario partnered with his brother Luigi as they battled mutant creatures in the slime of the subterranean sewers. A perilous experience in the underground pipes ensued, and the two Italian plumbers barely escaped to fight another day. There was a far greater quest ahead of them, and they were soon to enter a world more dangerous and magical than anything they had encountered before.
In the wondrous land of the Mushroom Kingdom, the two brothers found themselves thrust into a daring rescue of the beautiful Princess Toadstool. Renegade mushrooms, a squadron of hard-shelled beetles, and relentless turtles combined to marshal their sinister forces against Mario and Luigi, as well as the evil King Koopa, a dragon-like beast that hurled flaming fireballs at our brave rescuers.
This first installment in the "Super Mario Bros." series opened the door to a wonderland of imagination, as Mario and Luigi embarked on new adventures, waging war against a host of treacherous enemies. The scenery of these battles encompasses every possible landscape: plummeting waterfalls, grassy plateaus, arid deserts, arctic plains, ocean depths, mountain passes, giant vines reaching to the skies, and the ultimate journey into the deepest reaches of our galaxy.
When Mario responds to an invitation from Princess Peach (the damsel formerly known as Princess Toadstool) to attend a party in the Mushroom Kingdom, he once again finds himself drawn into an epic quest to rescue the princess and restore peace to the land, although this time it is the fate of all existence that hinges on his success. The cruel and conniving Bowser returns to wreak more video game mayhem, and his dark plan to take over the entire universe is revealed to Mario as the game progresses.
Super Mario Galaxy features many new power-ups and innovations, including the ability to explore various planets as Mario walks sideways and upside down as a result of the gravitational field. Mario is able to take advantage of standard platform power-ups such as temporary invincibility and increases to his health meter, as well as brand new extras that enable him to spring jump, transform into a bee, and turn molten lava into a sheet of ice. The universe is truly his to explore, and never has a Mario adventure been more awe-inspiring, or as comprehensive in its storyline and artistic flow.
From the nostalgic ladders and ramps of long ago, to the vast expanses of dangerous and fantastic lands, on to the final frontier of the starry and faraway heavens, Mario reigns supreme. This is why, for so many reasons, he alone should be seated on the throne of the Video Game World. May we enjoy his great adventures for many years to come. Long live the King!
By K. Haughton | VEESH Writer | APR.17.08