For decades, Mario has been jumping on screens and grabbing coins. As one of, if not the, most prominent figures in video games, Mario has had undeniable staying power. In fact, Mario even has become so celebrated that many recognize today, March 10, as Mario Day, or as some put it "Mar10." But what has made a pixelated plumber so popular among so many?
Clearly, Mario can't hold a job, though Nintendo has once again labeled Mario a plumber, at various points, he'also been a carpenter, hotel manager, doctor, and an Olympic athlete, along with plenty of other positions. His girlfriend goes missing at a rate that would cause any private investigator to raise an eyebrow, he has killed more turtles than plastic straws have, and he never fails to steal the spotlight from his brother, Luigi. Mario, viewed from a certain angle, is not a great guy- especially considering that in the first Super Mario Bros., bricks are transformed residents of the Mushroom Kingdom, according to its manual, so smashing those is morally dubious, at best.
Still, millions of people rally behind him. Everyone wants Mario to win, to make it to the next flagpole or castle so that he can rescue Peach and claim some glory. It isn't often that people stop and ask themselves what gives Mario such charisma. He isn't particularly good looking, he doesn't talk much, and his clothes haven't been "in style" since he was created. None of that seems to slow him down though, and that's because Mario is, quite simply, relatable.
In the main entries of Super Mario Bros., Mario is an everyman. He's a working-class citizen that stumbled his way into the Mushroom Kingdom only to find himself on a mission greater than himself. He has to rescue Peach and thwart Bowser's evil coup, and in doing so, restore peace to the kingdom. It's a scenario that many have daydreamed of since they were children - to save an entire kingdom and become a hero.
Mario is a relatively blank slate that players can project themselves on to. Plus, his world is pleasant despite the dangers presented by Koopas, ghosts, and countless other enemies Mario and friends encounter on their journey. The overworld is always bright, cheerful, and accompanied by lively music, making it a place people want to go with friends players will want to make. Plus, there's a low barrier of entry, as Mario perfected video game tutorials years ago.
Together, this makes a relatively unassuming plumber an unlikely, but an incredibly likable, hero. That likability has made Mario into a timeless classic, with games now spanning decades. He's become the posterchild of video games as a whole, recognizable by those that have never picked up a controller. Gamers owe Mario a lot. After the video game market crash of 1983, the future of gaming was uncertain, with many believing that it was simply a fad that had passed and that home consoles were through. But, with clever marketing by Nintendo and Super Mario Bros. being bundled in with the NES, Mario was able to help revive the games industry, leading to where it is today.
Now, Mario has reached a level of prominence that warrants a Levi's and Super Mario Bros. partnership. If anything, it's evident that the character is well-liked enough that he justifies becoming a walking advertisement for. That's not to say that no other characters have ever reached that level mainstream success– simply look at the resurgence of Nickelodeon characters popping up on t-shirts– but it isn't every day that a clothing company brings out an entire line for, say, Master Chief.
Mario isn't going anywhere, either. The character is still one of Nintendo's most prominent figures, challenged only by the likes of Legend of Zelda's Link. While Nintendo didn't want Mario in Smash Bros. at first, largely due to its violent nature compared to other Nintendo games, his appearance there is just a drop in the bucket, as he's been featured in more than 200 games– and that list continues to grow.
Truly, the biggest challenge Mario faces is where to go next. His last big adventure, Super Mario Odyssey, got great reviews and saw the character embark on one of his best journies yet. After decades of games, innovating will be Nintendo's greatest challenge for the franchise, though at this point, Mario's status almost ensures each game will be a hit.
Nintendo got where it is today by creating icons. According to Mario's creator Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo would be as big as Disney were it not for preconceived notions about the violent nature of video games, and he's probably correct. Nintendo excels at making great characters, and Mario is just the greatest example of that.
Without a doubt, Mario has an expansive future before him. While finding new selling points is always difficult for long-running franchises, Mario has the benefit of being on every Nintendo console, and Nintendo consoles always have their own spins, and those aspects always leave room for Nintendo to try something new, which, in turn, means Mario is constantly trying new things, even if they're relatively small.
That's a benefit not many other major gaming companies have. Nintendo is as responsible for Mario's success as Mario is for Nintendo's success. Each furthers the brand with each new innovation, change, stage, and one up collected. Nintendo's association with Mario benefits them both, as Mario's likability creates a massive draw to Nintendo hardware, and Nintendo hardware gives Mario a place to live and thrive.
Mario will remain one of the most-liked characters in the world for years to come– and not just in the gaming world. Odds of a Super Mario movie are pretty high after the success of Sonic at cinemas, and that would, beyond a doubt, expose Mario to yet another generation of future gamers.
Whether the draw to Mario remains his everyman look and feel, or something else entirely, doesn't really matter. At this point, Mario has become much more than just a simple character. He is a symbol for video games as a whole, something that everyone can rally behind for their shared passion. And that, above all else, is what makes Mario so likable.