Nintendo has developed an extensive cast of characters for the Super Mario franchise since the popular plumber made his solo console debut on the NES in 1985. From staple characters like Mario's brother Luigi and Princess Peach to later additions like Super Mario Sunshine's Bowser Jr. and Super Mario Galaxy's Rosalina, it's not hard to find someone to like. However, given the disconnected nature of many games in the series, spin-offs such as the recently released Switch title Mario Golf: Super Rush are the most common place to see them all together.

There has been more of an effort to see characters other than Mario share the spotlight in mainline platformer titles over the last few years. Super Mario 3D World saw the return of playable characters Luigi, Peach, and Toad from the American Super Mario Bros. 2 alongside Rosalina, and its Switch re-release Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury added Bowser Jr. to the mix. Much less was done in the 3D sandbox game Super Mario Odyssey though, outside of Pauline returning from the original Donkey Kong arcade game as the brand-new mayor of New Donk City.

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This version of Pauline also appears in Mario Golf: Super Rush, as does oddball returning character King Bob-omb from Super Mario 64. The charm that these and every other golfer exhibit in the sports game is evidence that more longtime castmates should appear in sandbox titles to follow Odyssey, as Nintendo has more than demonstrated their staying power and likeability.

Golfing with Style

mario golf super rush character points

Mario Golf: Super Rush has 17 characters, with each aforementioned representative alongside Wario and Waluigi, Princess Daisy, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Bowser, Boo, Chargin' Chuck, and customizable Mii golfers. With the exception of the more generic enemy characters, Yoshi, and Donkey Kong, everyone gets unique attire for the game that says a little about their personalities. Wario's outfit has a cowboy hat, Waluigi's is reminiscent of 1920s gangster fashion, Toad looks like a valet with a sweater vest, and Bowser Jr.'s hat looks like the Koopa Clown Car.

However, Speed Golf and Battle Golf modes are really where the personalities stand out. These let players challenge one another outside the slower, turn-based confines of traditional golf while adding an emphasis on special shots and dashes that vary and speak to each characters' style. It's a lot more hectic than every character simply putting, but from Rosalina summoning her Luma to Pauline using her singing and affiliation with fireworks, it's hard not to fall for each wacky denizen of the Mushroom Kingdom and beyond.

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Bringing the Mario Cast Back to Basics

Super Mario Odyssey gameplay screenshot

Sports games, Mario Kart, and Mario Party are where many of these characters have shined. Daisy took on more of her tomboy personality from games like Mario Golf as opposed to her original appearance in 1989's Super Mario Land, and fan-favorite character Waluigi was introduced to be Wario's doubles partner in 2000's Mario Tennis. But those who have not appeared in traditional sandbox Mario games either recently or at all should get the opportunity to display their quirks and personalities more openly.

As previously mentioned, Nintendo has gotten better in games like Odyssey, seen via the re-introduction of Pauline and the opportunity for both Peach and Luigi to spread their wings more by trying different outfits and activities. It's easy to imagine a Super Mario Odyssey 2 that brings Mario back to places like Sarasaland so fans can finally see Daisy in her fully realized natural habitat, or giving characters like Yoshi and Donkey Kong the chance to re-integrate their developed universes back into a 3D sandbox world.

Once that happens, the opportunity to bring back less-recognizable characters like the Beanbean people from Mario and Luigi: Superstar Saga could be discussed too - as unlikely as that may seem. While it's good to see Nintendo continue to experiment with newer additions like the Broodals in Odyssey, after 35 years it would also behoove the Japanese gaming giant to give fans more of the colorful cast they've come to know and love.

Mario Golf: Super Rush is available now on Nintendo Switch.

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