On September 13, 1985, Super Mario Bros. arrived on Japanese consoles and forever changed the world of video games. Forty years later, the plumber with the red cap remains a staple of video games, adored by both nostalgic fans and new generations.
A success born from a pixelated silhouette
Originally, Mario was just a supporting character named Jumpman in Donkey Kong (1981), who had to jump through a few platforms to save a young lady. It wasn't until 1983, with Mario Bros., that he took on his definitive name, before becoming a global icon with Super Mario Bros., which sold over 40 million copies worldwide, according to Nintendo. In Japan, nearly 6,8 million copies were sold, or one game for every 18 inhabitants at the time.
His meteoric rise to fame is also due to his unusual design: blue overalls, a thick mustache, and a red cap—technical rather than artistic choices, designed to simplify animation in a context of limited graphics. Alexis Bross, co-author of Mario Generations, points out that this "functional" hero was far from destined to become a legend: "It's a happy accident," he told AFP.
This rudimentary look has nevertheless survived the decades, even inspiring artists like In The Woup, a Lyon street artist who enjoys crossing Mario with Gandalf or Darth Vader in his urban mosaics. Meanwhile, fans like Kikai, a Japanese collector certified by Guinness World Records, have amassed up to 30 objects bearing the image of the mustachioed plumber.
A constantly evolving franchise
From a simple platform game avatar, Mario has evolved into a truly sprawling brand. In addition to his main adventures, he has appeared in sports games (Mario Golf, Mario Tennis), thrilling races (Mario Kart), and puzzles. He also marked the transition to 3D with Super Mario 64, then reinvented his mechanics in Super Mario Odyssey in 2017.
With over 452 million games sold worldwide (excluding spin-off series like Mario Kart), the saga is one of the most lucrative in the history of video games. And this success is no longer limited to the controller: amusement parks in Japan and the United States, Lego, children's clothing, luxury watches... Mario is everywhere. A strategy book published in 1985, The Complete Solution to Super Mario Bros., sold 1,3 million copies, proof of the massive craze.
On the film side, Super Mario Bros. The Movie, released in 2023, has grossed over $1,3 billion at the global box office, becoming one of the highest-grossing video game adaptations of all time. A sequel is expected in 2026.
Faced with changing audience expectations, Nintendo is evolving his character. Mario is no longer about eternally saving a passive princess: the franchise is aligning with new narratives where heroines also take power. "He's adapting to the changing world," notes Alexis Bross.
While gamers await a new 3D adventure for the hero, Nintendo is cultivating a clever mix of innovation, nostalgia... and endurance. Because Mario, at 40 years old, is still running.
