Mario Through the Years: A Look at Gaming’s Most Iconic Hero
March 10th — written as MAR10 — looks like the name “Mario,” which is why fans celebrate Mario Day every year on this date. The unofficial holiday became widely recognized by Nintendo in 2016 and has grown into a global celebration of gaming’s most iconic plumber.
This year’s celebration carries a little extra nostalgia: 2026 marks roughly four decades since the release of Super Mario Bros. in 1985, the game that helped define the platforming genre and solidified Mario as Nintendo’s flagship character.
From his first appearance as Jumpman in the 1981 arcade classic Donkey Kong to modern adventures like Super Mario Odyssey and Mario Kart, Mario has appeared in hundreds of games and remains one of the most recognizable characters in entertainment.
And if 2026 needed even more Mario energy, fans are also gearing up for the upcoming Super Mario Galaxy Movie, scheduled to hit theaters this spring, expanding the Mushroom Kingdom’s reach even further into pop culture.
Not bad for a plumber from Brooklyn.
1. The Birth of Mario (1981-1985)
Before he was Mario, he was Jumpman — a carpenter tasked with rescuing a damsel in distress from a giant ape in Donkey Kong (1981). Created by Shigeru Miyamoto, this arcade game introduced a character who would soon become Nintendo’s mascot.
By 1983, Jumpman officially became Mario, named after Mario Segale, a landlord of Nintendo’s American headquarters. That same year, Mario Bros. hit arcades, introducing Mario’s brother, Luigi, and their new identity as plumbers battling creatures in underground pipes.
In 1985, Super Mario Bros. changed everything. Released on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), the game set the foundation for platformers and became one of the most influential video games ever. With its tight controls, colorful worlds, and catchy music, Mario had officially cemented himself as a household name.
2. The Evolution of Mario Games (1986-Present)
Following the success of Super Mario Bros., Nintendo continued to refine and expand the Mario franchise:
- 1988-1991: NES & SNES Dominance
- Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988) introduced the Tanooki Suit and Koopalings.
- Super Mario World (1990) on the Super Nintendo (SNES) brought us Yoshi and larger, more complex levels.
- 1996: The Leap to 3D with Super Mario 64
- The Nintendo 64 (N64) took Mario into 3D with Super Mario 64, redefining movement in platforming games.
- 2002-2017: Expanding the Universe
- Super Mario Sunshine (2002) introduced FLUDD, a water-powered jetpack.
- Super Mario Galaxy (2007) took Mario into space with gravity-based platforming.
- Super Mario Odyssey (2017) brought open-world exploration, the Cappy mechanic, and a return to 3D adventure gaming.
- 2023-Present: A New Era
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023) introduced talking flowers, Elephant Mario, and a fresh 2D adventure.
3. The Voices Behind Mario
For many fans, the voice of Mario is just as important as the character himself.
- Early Sound Effects (1985-1995)
- In the first few Mario games, Mario had no actual voice, only jumping sounds and power-up chimes.
- Charles Martinet: The Iconic Voice (1996-2023)
- Super Mario 64 (1996) introduced Charles Martinet, who gave Mario his high-pitched, enthusiastic voice with catchphrases like:
- “It’s-a me, Mario!”
- “Wahoo!”
- “Let’s-a go!”
- Martinet voiced Mario for nearly 30 years until retiring in 2023.
- Super Mario 64 (1996) introduced Charles Martinet, who gave Mario his high-pitched, enthusiastic voice with catchphrases like:
- Kevin Afghani: The New Voice (2023-Present)
- With Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Kevin Afghani took over as the new voice of Mario, continuing the legacy while adding his own touch.
4. Mario on the Big and Small Screen
Mario’s influence isn’t limited to video games—he has made multiple appearances in television and film over the years.
Television Shows
- The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! (1989) – A mix of live-action and animated episodes starring Captain Lou Albano as Mario.
- The Adventures of Super Mario Bros. 3 (1990) and Super Mario World (1991) – Fully animated series expanding Mario’s world.
Live-Action Movie (1993)
- Super Mario Bros. (1993) starred Bob Hoskins as Mario and John Leguizamo as Luigi. While it flopped at the box office, it became a cult classic for its bizarre cyberpunk aesthetic.
Animated Movie (2023)
- The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) brought Mario back to the big screen in animated form, voiced by Chris Pratt. Despite initial controversy over casting, the film became one of the highest-grossing animated movies of all time.
5. Mario’s Cultural Impact
Beyond gaming, Mario has become a global icon in pop culture.
- Merchandising Powerhouse
- Mario-themed toys, clothing, and collectibles are in high demand.
- Mario Lego sets and board games like Monopoly: Super Mario Edition keep the character relevant beyond video games.
- Spin-Off Games
- Mario Kart (1992-present) remains one of the most successful racing game franchises.
- Super Smash Bros. made Mario a fighter, facing off against characters like Link, Pikachu, and Sonic.
- Mario Party turned him into a board game host, perfect for multiplayer fun.
- Super Nintendo World
- Nintendo has brought Mario to life in theme parks in Japan, California, and soon in Florida, allowing fans to step into the Mushroom Kingdom.
- Mario as an Ambassador of Gaming
- He has starred in everything from Olympic crossover games with Sonic to educational software (Mario Teaches Typing).
- His recognizability rivals Mickey Mouse, proving his timeless appeal.
6. The Future of Mario
With over 40 years of history, Mario isn’t slowing down.
- More Games Incoming?
- Rumors suggest a new 3D Mario game is in the works for the next Nintendo console.
- Possible Mario Movie Sequel
- Given the success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, a sequel or spin-offs (maybe a Luigi’s Mansion film?) could be in development.
- Mario’s Legacy Lives On
- Whether as a side-scrolling hero, a kart-racing champion, or a Hollywood star, Mario remains gaming’s most beloved mascot.
🍄 Fun Mario Facts
Think you know everything about Nintendo’s most famous plumber? Here are a few surprising facts about Mario that even longtime fans might not know.
1️⃣ Mario Was Originally Called Jumpman
Before he became Mario, the character first appeared in the 1981 arcade game Donkey Kong under the name Jumpman. The name Mario was adopted later when Nintendo of America employees thought the character resembled their landlord, Mario Segale.
2️⃣ Mario Wasn’t Always a Plumber
In Donkey Kong, Mario was actually portrayed as a carpenter because the game took place on a construction site. He officially became a plumber in Mario Bros. when the setting moved to underground pipes.
3️⃣ Mario’s Hat Has a Purpose
Mario’s iconic red hat wasn’t just a style choice. Early game hardware couldn’t animate detailed hair, so the hat simplified the character’s design. The same goes for his mustache, which made facial features easier to see on low-resolution screens.
4️⃣ The “M” on Mario’s Hat Was a Smart Design Trick
Early players needed a quick way to distinguish Mario from Luigi. The red hat with the white “M” became an instantly recognizable symbol.
5️⃣ Mario Has Appeared in Over 200 Games
From platformers to racing games, sports titles, RPGs, and party games, Mario has appeared in hundreds of titles across multiple Nintendo generations.
6️⃣ Charles Martinet Voiced Mario for Decades
The legendary “It’s-a me, Mario!” voice was performed by voice actor Charles Martinet for more than 25 years before Nintendo transitioned to a new era of Mario voice acting.
7️⃣ Mario Is One of the Most Recognizable Characters in the World
Mario consistently ranks alongside characters like Mickey Mouse and Pikachu as one of the most recognizable fictional characters globally.
8️⃣ March 10th Became Mario Day Because of a Clever Coincidence
When written as MAR10, March 10th resembles the name “Mario.” Fans started celebrating it online, and Nintendo officially embraced the holiday in 2016.
9️⃣ Mario Was Part of Gaming’s Greatest Comeback Story
When Super Mario Bros. launched in 1985, the video game industry was recovering from the crash of 1983. The game helped revitalize console gaming worldwide.
🔟 The Mushroom Kingdom Keeps Growing
From the NES to the Nintendo Switch — and now movies and theme parks — Mario’s universe continues to expand across games, film, and real-world experiences.
Mario’s Legacy: More Than Just a Game
Mario’s simple yet timeless design, family-friendly appeal, and constant reinvention have made him a cultural touchstone for generations. From arcades to 4K consoles, animated series to blockbuster films, he continues to evolve while staying true to his roots.
This March 10, whether you play Super Mario Bros. on an NES Classic, race in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, or watch The Super Mario Bros. Movie, take a moment to appreciate the legacy of gaming’s greatest hero.
Happy Mario Day!
About Johnny B
John “Johnny B” Bowman is the host of On Air with Johnny B, an entertainment journalism platform that celebrates the creators, stories, and culture behind the worlds of film, music, gaming, and pop culture.
Through in-depth interviews, feature articles, and commentary, Johnny B explores the intersection of fandom and storytelling — from iconic franchises like Super Mario to the artists, filmmakers, and creators shaping today’s entertainment landscape.
A lifelong gamer and pop culture enthusiast, Johnny B believes the best stories come from the people who make the worlds we love possible — and the fans who keep them alive.
When he’s not interviewing creators or covering entertainment news, Johnny B is building Mil-Spec Digital, helping independent creators, authors, and media professionals grow their online presence.
