Mario

Mario is the main protagonist and namesake of the Super Mario series, making his first video game appearance in Donkey Kong (1981), originally known as "Jumpman". Since then, he has repeatedly defeated Bowser, who constantly takes Princess Peach hostage. After all, Mario does have a crush on her. His younger twin brother Luigi is the secondary protagonist of the series.

In 1992, a spin-off of the Super Mario games was released, Super Mario Kart, with Mario being the namesake for the game. Since then, Mario has been the main character in the following titles, helping Mario Kart become the icon in the video game industry that it is.

Characteristics[]

Mario is the hero of the Mushroom Kingdom, but he is also a plumber. He is a guy who likes to jump and has an Italian accent. He commonly wears brown shoes, blue overalls with two golden buttons, a red long-sleeved shirt and white gloves. He has a black moustache, but he has brown hair. His catchphrases are "It's a Me, Mario!", "Oh Mama Mia!", and many more. He has a red cap with his initial M on it, which is also his logo in all of the games except Super Mario Kart.

Game appearances[]

Super Mario Kart[]

Mario made his first appearance in Super Mario Kart as a standard racer. He's in the Balanced Class with Luigi, with fair acceleration, top speed, weight, and control. His AI item is the Starman, which grants him invincibility for a brief period of time. His main rival is Donkey Kong Jr.

Mario Kart 64[]

Mario appears once again in Mario Kart 64; Mario's personal course is Mario Raceway.

Mario Kart: Super Circuit[]

In Mario Kart: Super Circuit, his personal course is Mario Circuit. His main rival is Donkey Kong.

Mario Kart: Double Dash!![]

In Mario Kart: Double Dash!!, his main team partner is Luigi, his personal kart is the Red Fire, and his personal course is Mario Circuit. Mario's younger self debuts in the series in this game.

Mario Kart DS[]

In Mario Kart DS, Mario's karts are the iconic B Dasher, Standard MR and the Shooting Star. His personal course is Mario Circuit, although this reiteration appears in the Star Cup instead of the Flower Cup. Mario Circuit 1 from Super Mario Kart also appears in the Shell Cup.

Starting of the game, Mario can only choose from his personal karts. Once the player completes all cups in either the Nitro or Retro Grand Prix on 150cc, he can choose from Toad's 4-Wheel Cradle, Princess Daisy's Light Dancer, Dry Bones' Banisher and Waluigi's Gold Mantis, before being able to choose between every other kart upon completing all Mirror Mode cups.

Mario Kart Wii[]

In Mario Kart Wii, Mario is a Medium-sized racer. While his signature color remains red, his secondary color is blue. Mario can use any of the Medium karts and bikes. His personal course is Mario Circuit and his signature vehicle is the Wild Wing. Baby Mario also returns in this game.

Mario Kart 7[]

In Mario Kart 7, Mario's personal course is Mario Circuit. His signature kart is the returning B Dasher. During Grand Prix races and Battle Mode, his rivals will be Bowser and Metal Mario (Mario's metallic rival who makes his debut in the series here). However, if the latter has yet to be unlocked yet, Princess Peach will replace him until Metal Mario has been unlocked (which is by winning the 150cc Special Cup).

Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[]

In Mario Kart 8, Mario gets another circuit in the Flower Cup. His main rivals are Princess Peach and Bowser, whom he and Luigi will compete as his competitors and serves as a rival to both Luigi and Wario, along with Daisy. His signature karts are the B Dasher, and most likely the P-Wing. Metal Mario and Baby Mario return in the game, as well as Mario's Tanooki form, Tanooki Mario.

In the Nintendo Switch port, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Mario's role is unchanged. Mario also gets another separate variation, which is Metal Mario's variation, Gold Mario.

Mario Kart Arcade series[]

This section of this article needs more information, remove this template when enough is made.