Super Mario isn’t just Nintendo’s most iconic character — he’s a cultural phenomenon. From video games to cartoons, and even movies, Mario has been a staple in the world of gaming since the 1980s. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the Mushroom Kingdom, here are 10 fun facts about the mustached hero that’ll surprise you!

1. Mario Wasn’t Originally a Plumber

Though he’s now known as a plumber, Mario’s first job was actually a carpenter! In Donkey Kong (1981), Mario had to navigate a construction site to save Pauline from the clutches of Donkey Kong. It wasn’t until Super Mario Bros. (1985) that Mario became a plumber, with pipes becoming a key part of the gameplay.

2. Mario Was Named After a Real Estate Mogul

The character got his name from Mario Segale, the landlord of the warehouse Nintendo was renting in the early ‘80s. After Segale had a heated discussion about overdue rent, Nintendo decided to name their character after him as a sort of peace offering.

3. Mario Was Almost a Shooter

Believe it or not, Mario almost starred in a completely different genre. Before Super Mario Bros., creator Shigeru Miyamoto originally considered giving Mario a gun and making the game a scrolling shooter. Thankfully, Mario kept his jumps instead!

4. The Famous Hat Has a Purpose

One of Mario’s most recognizable features is his red cap. But why a cap? The truth is, it was a simple way to avoid animating hair back in the ‘80s. Drawing Mario with a hat saved development time and avoided technical challenges in animating flowing hair.

5. The Voice of Mario Was an Accident

Charles Martinet, the iconic voice of Mario, almost didn’t get the role. He arrived late to the audition and wasn’t initially called to try out. But once he started speaking in his now-famous high-pitched, Italian accent, the casting team knew they had found the perfect voice. He’s been voicing Mario ever since!

6. Mario Has Appeared in Over 200 Games

While Super Mario Bros. is his most famous role, Mario has appeared in more than 200 video games across a variety of genres, from racing in Mario Kart to playing sports like tennis, soccer, and even hosting parties with his friends in Mario Party.

7. He Wasn’t Always Mario

Mario was first known as “Jumpman” in Donkey Kong. It wasn’t until Donkey Kong Jr. that his official name changed to Mario. Interestingly, Jumpman wasn’t meant to be a permanent name, just a description of what the character did in the game.

8. Super Mario 64 Was a Revolutionary 3D Game

Super Mario 64 (1996) was one of the first games to bring platforming into a fully 3D environment. It revolutionized the genre with its free-roaming camera and movement controls, becoming a template for future 3D platformers.

9. Luigi’s First Appearance Was in an Arcade Game

Though Luigi is now a beloved sidekick, he actually first appeared in the arcade game Mario Bros. (1983). He was designed to be Mario’s twin in the two-player mode, wearing a green palette instead of red to differentiate the characters.

10. Mario’s Rival Wario Was Created by One Man

Wario, Mario’s greedy nemesis, was created by Nintendo designer Hiroji Kiyotake as a way to give Mario a new, fresh challenge. Kiyotake wanted a character that represented the opposite of Mario, leading to Wario’s creation in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins (1992).

Super Mario is more than just a character — he’s a gaming legend. With decades of adventures under his belt, Mario continues to entertain players worldwide. Have any favorite Mario facts? Drop them in the comments below and let’s keep the conversation going!