If you grew up in the ’80s or ’90s, you know who Mario is. If you’re remotely involved in the gaming world, you should know this Italian plumber! Mario is without a doubt the mascot of Nintendo. First introduced in Nintendo’s Donkey Kong, he was formerly known as Mr Jumpman. He was also a carpenter. But since then, Mario has transformed into the tiny red plumber we all love and has taken us all on giant, fun adventures over the years.

To celebrate National Mario Day, on March 10, 2019, the team at Nerd Bacon take a trip down memory lane and reminisce over their favourite experiences with Mario.

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New Super Mario Bros.

Platform: Nintendo DS

Release Date: May 15, 2006 (NA)

Written by Kikopaff

My Nintendo DS is one of my nostalgic devices. I had great titles like Pokemon White 2, Pokemon Ranger and Dr Kawashima’s Brain Training: How Old is Your Brain?. It was my most loved possession, sparking so much joy during a time where I was going through some rough patches. It fueled my passion for videogames. But my absolute favourite title was New Super Mario Bros. At the time, the side-scroller was phenomenal with its 2.5D graphics. I used to take turns with my sister, seeing who could beat each level or boss. Now that I think about it, New Super Mario Bros. was my first platforming game (as crazy as that may sound).

I loved going through each unique world. Desert fields, ice-capped regions or sun-kissed islands, New Super Mario Bros. felt like a holiday getaway across the globe. It was exciting meeting new enemies or platforms to overcome. And there is also the thrill of locating secret levels that gave excellent bonuses, like a dozen more coins to jump through or cool upgrades. But, one of the most memorable (and most robust) worlds was World 8 – the boss world. The dark, purple forest with two towers, a castle, and Bowser’s Castle. The bosses for this world are Dry Bowser (the penultimate boss), a masked Bowser Jr. and his giant-sized father. They were perhaps one of the most challenging feats I’ve ever experienced. There were angry tears or screams into pillows from trying over and over again to beat the damn Bowser family. You will never be forgotten Bowsers.

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Super Mario 64

Platform: Nintendo 64

Release Date: September 26, 1996 (NA)

Written by Nerdberry

My favorite Mario memory isn’t even my first Mario experience. My first Mario memory is a good one as I vividly remember the beautiful colors of those funky pink, white, and green blocks on Super Mario Bros. 3 placed against a gorgeous blue sky. As strong as that memory is, it does not compare to my most favorite memory of all: The first time I played Super Mario 64.

Super Mario 64 released only a few weeks after my 10th birthday, and I couldn’t have been more upset. Why? Because I, unfortunately, did not own a Nintendo 64 which would allow me to play it. So I asked my parents if I could delay my birthday present until the release… And they said yes! In early October, I rented (with the monetary help from my parents, of course) a full Nintendo 64 system and Super Mario 64 from the local videocassette rental store, Premiere’s Video in Wake Forest. The 7 or 8-minute ride home felt like an eternity. I am actually tearing up a little with the sheer fascination at how utterly excited I was as I sat in the car with that big plastic box in my lap just waiting to plug it in and play.

After the expedition home, I plugged it in, powered it on, picked my file and BAM… Oh… My… Gosh! A real 3D world. 3D graphics. Oh my goodness, look at the colors. I watched Lakitu fly around on his little cloud and then a pipe emerges from the ground and with a mighty burst, outcomes Mario with his signature yell, “Wahoo! Aha!” It was an incredible visual experience, but I couldn’t have been more excited to just run around the castle for hours before eventually making my way into a painting. My strongest and favoritest (yes, it’s a word in my book) Mario moment comes at the hands of a take-home rental N64 system and just running around the castle yard exploring and viewing things while listening to the upbeat music. Not a memorable experience, but a strong one that hits me right in the feels every time I think of Super Mario 64.

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Written by Nips

Like many gamers out there, from time to time I like to enhance my video gaming experience by getting high. That’s right, we’re talking about that good ol’ Mary J, that sweet leaf, that devil’s cabbage, and yes, even those left-handed cigarettes. On the very first occasion, I was smoking with a friend in the woods behind my house. Once we were adequately stoned, we came back to find my brother playing that classic we all know and love: Super Mario 64.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but our beloved plumber lives in a crazy, messed up world. This fact hit me smack in the face as soon as I sat down to watch. In my youth, I had played Mario Party, Super Mario Sunshine, and even Super Mario Galaxy, but I had never had the time to sit down with the one that started it all. And it blew my freakin’ mind.

My brother was playing that one level where Mario is stuck inside of a giant clock tower. You know the one. My entire life and existence were wholly absorbed by that world as my brother scrambled through the complex and mind-boggling architecture of that clock tower in search of stars. My friend and I cheered on like we were watching a sports game, and even shouted instructions at the TV (much to my brother’s ire, I imagine). The flood gates had been opened, and I needed more. Even though I wasn’t playing, I had never been so thoroughly absorbed by a  game until that point, and that is why this is my favorite Mario memory.

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Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

Platform: SNES

Release Date: May 13, 1996

Written by Rhutsczar

Alright, if I could pick a handful of games that have influenced me to this day, it would be these:

• Diablo
• Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness/Beyond the Dark Portal
• Tekken
• Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars

So out of those three, Super Mario RPG seems a bit out of place. Well when I think back on it now, I have to credit SMRPG with stirring up my love for RPGs that have thrived until now.

A rather fond, yet painful memory (why are all my childhood gaming memories harmful?) I was able to get my hand on a copy of SMRPG in 1997. I was just designated old enough to play video games, and I was gifted SMRPG as one of my first SNES games. I remember that at the little age of six, I stayed up all night for two consecutive nights, sleeping during the day when I could. I was able to accomplish most of the game when I was finally punished for playing too much.

In a huff, I ran upstairs to my room, rounding directly into the corner post on our staircase. Luckily for me, it was a nice square post, and I happened to hit it at the perfect angle to gash my head open. Dizzy, I made the mistake of taking a nap… bad idea. I didn’t know what was happening at the time, but I woke up and froze in horror looking at the mirror. Blood from the wound had been spilling down my face; not a lot, but enough to scare a six-year-old. Luckily we had a doctor neighbor nearby, and I didn’t have to get stitches. However, there is a reason I don’t shave my head; I have a nice scar to remember this incident by. It actually runs right where my hair naturally parts, so it hides well.

I did finally finish SMRPG a few weeks later after taking a break. I will still advocate any day that GENO NEEDS TO BE IN SMASH!

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It’s been one heck of a ride, Mario. And there’s still plenty more fun adventures ahead with our well-loved little plumber. How are you celebrating National Mario Day? What are your favorite Mario memories or games? Share your celebratory activities and thoughts in the comments below.

For more Mario goodness, check out Nerd Bacon’s 20th-anniversary celebration of the Mario Party franchise, and the future of Mario in mobile gaming.