Referencing the “Mario siblings” typically conjures images of the renowned pair: Mario, the audacious plumber, and Luigi, his taller and somewhat less assured counterpart.
Although these brothers rightfully take center stage in the Mushroom Kingdom, delving further unveils that the Mario family is not confined to a mere duo.
Instead, it unfolds as a dynamic and slightly eccentric tapestry, enriched by an array of characters who contribute layers of fascination and amusement to the expansive Mario universe.
Luigi
Luigi, Mario’s younger but taller twin, is the secondary protagonist in the Super Mario franchise and the main character in the Luigi’s Mansion series.
Initially overshadowed by Mario, Luigi developed both timid and heroic traits.
Despite this, he consistently supports and fights alongside his brother.
Luigi’s first appearance was in Mario Bros. for the Game & Watch, where he was a Mario clone.
Over time, he gained a distinct identity within the Super Mario franchise.
Creation and development
Luigi, created by Gunpei Yokoi for Mario Bros., emerged as Mario’s twin brother inspired by Joust’s game play.
Initially a palette swap of Mario, Luigi’s name, given by Nintendo of America, coincidentally echoes “similar” in Japanese.
Debuting in 1983, Luigi’s unique graphics started in Super Mario Kart (1992).
Notable differences with Mario were introduced in Super Mario Bros.:
The Lost Levels. Luigi’s cautious personality, revealed in DiC cartoons, was solidified in Luigi’s Mansion.
The Year of Luigi in 2013 celebrated his thirtieth anniversary with themed games and events.
General information
Concept and creation
In the arcade game Mario Bros., memory restrictions led to both player characters sharing the same sprite.
To address this, the development team considered differentiating the second character with colors, but the limited palette posed challenges.
Consequently, Luigi was introduced as Mario’s twin, and his distinctive green color was chosen to reuse the palette originally designated for the Shell creeper enemy.
Physical description
Luigi, compared to Mario, is slimmer and taller with distinctive features such as a smooth mustache and unique clothing.
His green shirt, cap, and blue overalls set him apart, along with various changes in appearance across different games.
Luigi’s evolution from a palette swap to a distinct character is evident in Super Mario series.
Despite occasional variations in his attire, Luigi maintains a “cutesy” and stylized appearance, with the Super Smash Bros. series showcasing different renditions of his iconic look.
Additionally, Luigi’s role in various games reflects his personality traits, such as cowardice in the Super Smash Bros. series.
Overall, Luigi’s appearance has evolved while retaining its whimsical charm throughout the Super Mario franchise and related games.
Personality
Luigi is portrayed as a timid, clumsy individual afraid of ghosts but kind-hearted and heroic when needed.
He often feels overshadowed by Mario, facing occasional forgetfulness even from Bowser.
Despite his clumsiness, Luigi’s agility sets him apart. Memes like “Luigi’s Death Stare” add a humorous twist to his character, embraced by Nintendo.
Mario
Debuting in Donkey Kong (1981), Mario surpassed expectations and became a gaming legend.
Charles Martinet voiced him until 2023, succeeded by Kevin Afghani.
Mario’s influence extends to various genres, with over 200 game appearances and crossovers in Super Smash Bros.
His presence extends to animations and films, portrayed by Bob Hoskins in 1993 and voiced by Chris Pratt in 2023. Mario’s cultural impact is immense, making him the most famous video game character.
The franchise, with 800 million units sold, holds the record as the bestselling video game franchise globally.
Concept and creation
Shigeru Miyamoto conceived Mario during the development of Donkey Kong, aiming to create a hit game for Nintendo.
Originally planning to use Popeye characters, Miyamoto shifted to an unnamed player, Donkey Kong, and Lady due to licensing issues.
Initially, the game focused on maze escape without Mario’s jumping ability.
However, Miyamoto later introduced jumping, inspired by the need to evade rolling barrels.
Influenced by 1930s media and King Kong, Mario’s setting was established in New York City.
Relationships
Mario consistently saves Princess Peach and the Mushroom Kingdom from adversaries like Bowser.
Initially rescuing Pauline in Donkey Kong, later replaced by Princess Peach, Mario continues his role in the Super Mario series and experiences a role reversal in Super Princess Peach.
Luigi, Mario’s brother and frequent companion, often serves as the second player and has played the role of rescuer in games like Mario Is Missing! and Luigi’s Mansion.
Wario, Mario’s greedy counterpart, debuted in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins as an antagonist or antihero.
Yoshi acts as Mario’s steed in games like Super Mario World. Princess Daisy, initially rescued by Mario, is now more associated with Luigi.
Legacy
Mario is a pop culture icon seen on lunch boxes, T-shirts, and in commercials.
He’s inspired art, talent show performances, and short films.
Streets and people worldwide are named after him, like Marios Gata 21 in Sweden or sports stars dubbed “Super Mario.”
Guinness World Records recognizes Mario for various achievements, including the “Best Selling Video Game Series of All Time.”
Mario even starred in the 2016 Olympics closing ceremony and has an official day, March 10, celebrated by Nintendo since 2016 with game promotions and events.
Conclusion
The Mario family extends beyond the well-known duo of Mario and Luigi, revealing a diverse cast of characters in the Mario universe.
Luigi, initially overshadowed, has evolved into a distinct character with a unique personality.
Mario, a cultural icon, has left an indelible mark on popular culture and holds records as a best-selling video game series.
The legacy of the Mario family is seen not only in gaming success but also in its widespread impact on various forms of media and global culture.
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