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National Video Games day is fast approaching on Sept. 12, and what better way to celebrate than with a day of Mario! He is, after all, one of the most recognized video game characters of all time.
Super Mario Maker launches exclusively for Wii U on the 11th of September, so it’s the perfect day to play, create and share the Super Mario Bros. levels of your dreams! Mario is one of the most iconic faces in video games, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of the original Super Mario Bros. on the NES.
To make your celebration of National Video Games Day complete, here are 10 fun facts about Mario and the Super Mario Bros. franchise that you might not know!
Fact 1: Mario has appeared in more than 200 video games.
Fact 2: Super Mario Bros. launched 30 years ago on Sept. 13, 1985.
Fact 3: In Super Mario Land, Mario has to pilot a submarine and an airplane to save Princess Daisy. Who knew he had his pilot license?
Fact 4: Nintendo composer Koji Kondo provided the iconic soundtrack to Super Mario Bros.
Fact 5: Since 1995, the voice of Mario has been provided by American voice actor Charles Martinet. He also voices Mario’s twin brother, Luigi, and nemesis, Wario.
Fact 6: Mario’s first appearance was in the 1981 Donkey Kong arcade game. And he wasn’t trying to rescue Princess Peach like in Super Mario Bros. It was actually his friend Pauline.
Fact 7: While the original Super Mario Bros. incorporated classic items like the Super Mushroom and Fire Flower, Super Mario Bros. 3 introduced a host of iconic power-ups for Mario to pick up like the Super Leaf, Tanooki Suit and Goomba’s Shoe. Ever since, creative power-ups and transformations have become a staple of the Super Mario Bros. series.
Fact 8: Mario was originally known as “Jumpman” in Donkey Kong.
Fact 9: Mario actually didn’t appear in Donkey Kong 3, but he did make his return to the series in Donkey Kong for Game Boy.
Fact 10: Some Mario games actually break the space-time continuum by having Mario interact with his younger baby self.
