As one of the biggest faces of Nintendo, you'd find it almost impossible to meet someone who doesn't know the iconic character, Mario. With his blue overalls and red shirt, thick mustache, white gloves, and M-lettered cap, everything about this video game protagonist is so easy to identify. It's video game character creation done at its finest.
And while the games themselves are incredibly popular and everlasting, we can't ignore that a huge part of that has to do with Mario himself. After all, as the titular character, it'd be impossible to have a game this beloved if everyone hated the main protagonist! So what it is about our mustachioed hero that makes him so lovable? We've uncovered three main reasons why we think Mario continues to be the blueprint for making a perfect character. He doesn't have to be everyone's favorite, he just has to be likable, and here's how Nintendo did it. Keeping reading to see if you agree!
His Can Do Attitude
What's a great video game character if not for their amazing resilience, positive outlook, and heroic disposition? When it comes to Mario, he's got all of that and so much more. He has everything you would want in a protagonist worth rooting for! With every cheerful "Wahoo!", Mario fights off the scariest foes, traverses the most complicated obstacle courses, and saves Princess Peach with his bright smile still plastered on his face.
For many game lovers, what stands out the most about this memorable video game character is his unbreakable spirit. Seeing how thrilled Mario is to be there in every game just puts a smile on any player's face, too! In our gaming world where characters are now built to be more complex and sometimes even morally questionable, sometimes it's nice just having a simple, good-hearted protagonist. He's the guy you can always rely on to save the day.
Having such a positive can-do attitude also keeps this game open to players of all ages! Parents don't have to worry about their kids following in the footsteps of a sketchy game character when they know they can rely on someone like Mario who always does the right thing, is a great brother, and a loyal friend.
His Memorable Design
Like we mentioned earlier, Mario is made to be remembered. His design is incredibly distinct and sets him wildly apart from the millions of other characters in the gaming universe. His character design is so memorable that we go as far as thinking of him as soon as we see someone with a large mustache, or even the colors red and blue together might trigger the image of him!
And while how Mario looks definitely contributes to the perfection of this character, there's even more to discuss than what meets the eye. Just think about his theme song for instance! Within a few seconds of hearing just several of the beats, you're able to immediately identify what theme song it is and who it belongs to: Mario! It's a classic tune that has you humming right along.
Not to mention, Mario comes with multiple iconic catchphrases and poses, too. From "Wahoo!" to "Mama Mia!" to his well-known jump, there are so many different little things that are all considered his trademarks. It's truly amazing how Nintendo was able to build this character so that one little detail is enough to recognize who it is.
Simple Mechanics
Sometimes, simple is best. That definitely rings true when it comes to Mario! Despite being the star of dozens of games, each with their own unique twist, one thing remains the same: Mario's character is built to have simple mechanics.
Having a character so uncomplicated might seem boring at first, but actually, it just makes the character more accessible to everyone. In a way, it makes Mario even more iconic! He might just run, jump, and have a power-up ability every now and then, but the fact that his mechanics are so simple makes each one shine all the more. And the best part is, he's the reliable character you know and love across every single game. Having a consistent character makes him easier to remember if anything else.
By doing this, it's almost as if Nintendo has helped build a reputation for this fictional character. You know exactly what you're going to get from Mario in every single game because, well, he's the exact same in every single game! So if you love the character already, you're almost guaranteed to enjoy whatever new Mario game there is simply based off of this fact. It's a good marketing tactic too—there's nothing gaming fans love more than consistency and knowing exactly what to expect.
