How old is Mario the character?

Legendary Nintendo mascot Mario is roughly 50 years old as of 2023, according to creator Shigeru Miyamoto‘s statement that Mario is "about 24 or 25" years old. That puts his assumed birthday in the mid-1970s. Let‘s delve into the rich history of gaming‘s most famous icon.

Mario Bursts Onto the Scene in 1981

Mario made his debut as "Jumpman" in the 1981 arcade classic Donkey Kong, where he was working as a carpenter before chasing DK to rescue Pauline. His red hat and overalls were selected to make him stand out from the black background. The following year, he appeared with his signature name and look in Donkey Kong Junior.

Mario Timeline & Evolution

Mario‘s pixelated design has come a long way visually since the early 1980s, but his upbeat, family-friendly appeal remains unchanged.

Mario as Nintendo‘s Face – An Accessible Everyman

Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto consciously crafted Mario as an accessible hero that anyone could relate to. With no elaborate backstory or defined character traits, he‘s meant to be a blank slate. Much like Mickey Mouse, Mario‘s ordinary job as a plumber along with his cheerful personality invites fans to easily project themselves into his shoes.

As Nintendo‘s mascot, Mario must appeal to gamers of all ages around the world. This universal likeability and nostalgic retro charm has kept him popular for over 40 years.

Mario‘s Mark on Pop Culture – Cartoons, Movie & Merch

Aside from the many classic games bearing his name, Mario has starred in TV cartoons like the Super Mario Bros. Super Show, Super Mario World, and in the 1993 live-action movie aptly titled Super Mario Bros.

He has also been featured in board games, toys, clothing and everything else imaginable, making Mario a pop culture phenomenon that transcended his gaming origins. By 2020, the Mario franchise had sold over $30 billion worth of merchandise alone [Ref 1].

Highest Selling Mario Games

In terms of software, New Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo DS has sold over 31 million copies worldwide as of 2021, making it one of the bestselling games ever [Ref 2].

Luigi & Peach: Mario‘s Main Companions

Mario is frequently accompanied by his taller, younger twin brother Luigi. He‘s portrayed as slimmer, wearing green rather than Mario‘s red outfit. Princess Peach is the usual "damsel in distress" that the brothers rescue from Bowser, though she also joins them on sporting adventures. It‘s implied that Peach is Mario‘s love interest.

Luigi was created as Mario‘s sidekick since the early arcade titles, where he played the second player role. Princess Peach first appeared in 1985‘s Super Mario Bros. on the NES. She seems close to the brothers in age, likely in her mid 20s by reasonable estimates.

The Future of Mario

As Nintendo‘s beloved mascot for over four decades and counting, Mario isn‘t going anywhere. Fans can expect more sequels, spinoffs, and new takes on the Mushroom Kingdom mythos as long as Nintendo stays in business.

Upcoming 2023 release Super Mario Bros: The Movie will introduce Mario and pals to a new generation. Rumors hint at many more 30th anniversary celebrations in store for Mario‘s big year [Ref 3].

Mario By the Numbers

Having grown up alongside Mario since the 1980s, I‘ll be excited to see him leaping through more magical lands. May Nintendo‘s beloved mascot keep sprinting towards coins and looping flagpoles for decades to come!

References:
[1] https://mynintendonews.com/2020/03/31/the-super-mario-franchise-has-sold-over-30-billion-worth-of-merchandise/
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_best-selling_games
[3] https://hypebeast.com/2022/10/super-mario-bros-film-cast-release-date-trailer-info