Who Was Mario’s First Girl? A Deep Dive into the Plumber’s Romantic Past
The answer, plain and simple, is Pauline. Long before Princess Peach graced the Mushroom Kingdom, Pauline was the original damsel in distress that Mario (then known as Jumpman) was desperately trying to rescue from the clutches of Donkey Kong in the classic 1981 arcade game. While Peach has become synonymous with Mario’s romantic affections, Pauline holds the distinction of being his first ever love interest in the world of video games. This article will explore Pauline’s role in Mario’s history and answer some frequently asked questions.
The Original Damsel: Pauline’s Debut
Before the lush landscapes of the Mushroom Kingdom, there was the construction site where Donkey Kong reigned. Pauline, originally referred to as “Lady” in the Japanese version of the game, was the quintessential damsel, embodying the vulnerability that spurred Jumpman into action. Her simple design and distressed cries were enough to set the stage for a heroic rescue, cementing her as Mario’s first girl. This was the original Mario’s love interest.
From Arcade to Modern Revival
While Peach has undoubtedly become the primary love interest in the Mario universe, Pauline’s story didn’t end with Donkey Kong. She has made a significant comeback in recent years, most notably as the Mayor of New Donk City in Super Mario Odyssey. This revival has given her a renewed sense of agency and demonstrates her character’s evolution beyond the helpless victim. Pauline is an iconic character in the Mario franchise, even if she isn’t as prominent as Mario’s main love interest, Princess Peach.
Pauline vs. Peach: A Love Triangle?
Though current canon depicts Mario firmly with Peach, the existence of Pauline raises interesting questions about a potential love triangle. While the animated Super Mario movie completely overlooks any potential former love, many fans have had a lot to say. Although Mario’s devotion to Peach is undeniable, Pauline’s presence in Super Mario Odyssey, her solo song and the overall nostalgia surrounding her character suggest a lingering connection, or at least a significant place in Mario’s past. Perhaps, deep down, the Games Learning Society can analyze the dynamics between Mario, Peach, and Pauline, and how they reflect changing societal views on relationships and gender roles in video games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why did Peach replace Pauline?
The narrative reason for Peach replacing Pauline is somewhat murky, and it’s likely more of a creative decision than an in-universe plot point. It has been suggested that Pauline may have been replaced by Princess Peach due to confusion regarding who made their debut in Donkey Kong. As the franchise evolved, the focus shifted to the Mushroom Kingdom, and Peach became central to Mario’s story. From a design perspective, Peach’s regal status and distinctive appearance likely provided more narrative opportunities. Some fan theories include rivalry between the characters, but those theories have not been confirmed.
2. Who does Mario love: Pauline or Peach?
The current Mario canon overwhelmingly points to Peach as Mario’s primary love interest. His repeated efforts to rescue her from Bowser, as well as the numerous scenes of affection between them, solidify this. While Pauline holds a significant place in Mario’s history as his first love interest, his heart clearly belongs to Peach in the present day.
3. Is Pauline Mario’s ex-girlfriend?
While the term “ex-girlfriend” is never explicitly used in the games, it’s a reasonable interpretation of their relationship. Pauline was Mario’s first love interest, but their relationship seemingly ended when Peach entered the picture. They appear to be on good terms, as demonstrated by their interactions in Super Mario Odyssey, where they work together to save the day.
4. Who is Peach’s boyfriend?
In the Super Mario Bros.: Peach-hime Kyushutsu Dai Sakusen! animated film, Peach is revealed to have a boyfriend, the Prince of the Flower Kingdom. However, this storyline is not considered canon in the games, and Peach is generally portrayed as being single and the object of both Mario and Bowser’s affections. In the ending of Super Mario Odyssey, Mario proposes to Peach, which she rejects him.
5. Who is Luigi’s girlfriend?
Princess Daisy is widely considered to be Luigi’s girlfriend. While their relationship isn’t as explicitly romantic as Mario and Peach’s, they are frequently paired together in spin-off games and promotional materials. Their connection has become a well-established part of the Mario universe.
6. Is Mario Peach’s dad?
No, King Toadstool is Peach’s dad. They are definitely not in a familial relationship. Peach is the princess regnant and head of state of the Mushroom Kingdom. She is the daughter of King Toadstool.
7. Who kissed Mario?
Peach is known for kissing Mario at the end of many games as a sign of gratitude and affection. Other characters, such as Toad and Luigi, have also received kisses from Peach, though these are generally platonic.
8. Who is Rosalina’s boyfriend?
Rosalina is unique among the prominent female characters in the Mario universe in that she doesn’t have a designated romantic partner. Her focus is on her role as the protector of the cosmos and the “mother” of the Lumas. Some fans have paired her with various characters, but there is no official boyfriend for Rosalina.
9. Is Rosalina a princess?
Yes, Rosalina is a princess, though her role is different from that of Peach and Daisy. She is an intergalactic princess who resides in the Comet Observatory and watches over the cosmos.
10. Is Rosalina the daughter of Luigi?
This is a popular fan theory, but there is no definitive proof to support it. The theory stems from a line in the French version of Super Mario Galaxy, which describes Rosalina’s father as a tall, mustachioed man, resembling Luigi. However, this is not considered canon.
11. Does Mario ever marry Peach?
While Mario proposes to Peach in the ending of Super Mario Odyssey, she rejects his proposal (as well as Bowser’s). They remain close, and Peach continues to be Mario’s primary love interest, but they are not married.
12. Who is Donkey Kong’s girlfriend?
Candy Kong is Donkey Kong’s girlfriend. She first appeared in Donkey Kong Country and has been a recurring character in the Donkey Kong series ever since.
13. Who did Luigi love?
Luigi loves Princess Daisy, and they are shown to be in a romantic relationship. Their relationship has been a subject of discussion. However, Luigi is closest to Princess Daisy, and Daisy is Luigi’s girlfriend.
14. Who is Mario’s best friend?
Yoshi and Luigi are Mario’s best friends, as they are both there to assist him on his journey. Mario and Luigi are brothers, and therefore, best friends.
15. Who is Mario’s evil twin?
Wario is the arch-rival to Mario, and is considered to be his evil twin. Wario first appeared as the main antagonist and final boss in the 1992 Game Boy game Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins. Wario is the evil twin of Mario, and always attempts to sabotage the plumber’s success.
Conclusion
Pauline may not be the first character that comes to mind when discussing Mario’s love life, but her role in his origin story is undeniable. She holds the distinction of being Mario’s first girl, and her recent revival in games like Super Mario Odyssey has given her character a new dimension. While Peach is undoubtedly Mario’s current love, Pauline’s legacy as the original damsel in distress remains a significant part of Mario’s history. And for those interested in the broader applications of gaming, consider exploring resources like GamesLearningSociety.org to understand how video games impact learning and development.