Did Mario Grow Up in the Mushroom Kingdom? Unraveling the Plumber’s Past
The question of where Mario spent his formative years is a complex one, riddled with conflicting narratives from various Mario franchise entries. The simple answer, based on the most consistent evidence, is: No, Mario did not grow up entirely in the Mushroom Kingdom. While his story begins there as a baby, the evidence suggests that his childhood was spent partly in the Mushroom Kingdom and partly elsewhere. Let’s delve deeper into this intriguing question.
The Initial Years in the Mushroom Kingdom
The narrative surrounding Mario’s early life is primarily established in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi’s Island. In this game, we see a baby Mario, along with his infant brother Luigi, being delivered by a stork to the Mushroom Kingdom. This is where the confusion begins. The game depicts baby Mario as residing in the Mushroom Kingdom initially, implying that his earliest memories are likely from this fantastical world. It’s safe to assume that Mario spent at least some of his infancy in this realm, being raised (at least initially) by the Yoshis on Yoshi’s Island.
The Discrepancy: From Mushroom Kingdom to Brooklyn
However, the narrative takes a significant turn when we consider other elements of the Mario canon. Most notably, the early depictions of Mario and Luigi in games, television series, and the films, portray them as Italian plumbers from Brooklyn, New York. There is a clear disconnect here. If Mario’s origin story is rooted in the Mushroom Kingdom, how did he and his brother end up in Brooklyn?
The prevailing theory and one that aligns with a mixture of both narratives is that Mario’s story began in the Mushroom Kingdom as an infant but eventually leads him to Brooklyn. The transition isn’t explicitly explained, leaving some room for interpretation. Perhaps there was a portal, an accident, or simply, at some point in his childhood, the Mario brothers transitioned from the fantastical realm to the “real world.”
The “Brooklyn Plumber” Reality
By the time we encounter Mario in games like Donkey Kong, he’s established as a carpenter, later a plumber, and residing in Brooklyn. This shift suggests that his time in the Mushroom Kingdom, while crucial to his lore, is not where he experienced most of his upbringing. The setting and premise surrounding this aspect of his life indicates that he spent a considerable amount of time learning practical trades and experiencing life in the mundane, non-magical world, thus suggesting at least a large portion of his childhood was spent outside the Mushroom Kingdom.
Conflicting Narratives and the Mario Canon
It is important to acknowledge that the Mario franchise isn’t known for strict continuity. Different games, TV shows, and movies often introduce their own twists on the characters’ backstories, leading to these inconsistencies. The focus is on fun and gameplay, not necessarily a tightly woven narrative. This creates a fun and playful character history, but can, at times, cause confusion. As such, there is no firm canon that ties all of the Mario stories together as a single, complete narrative.
Conclusion: A Dual Upbringing
Therefore, it’s fair to conclude that Mario did not grow up solely in the Mushroom Kingdom. While his infancy starts there, his childhood was partially spent in the Mushroom Kingdom and partially in Brooklyn. His experiences in both worlds are crucial to shaping the character we know. This dual upbringing is a fascinating aspect of the Mario lore, allowing for both fantastical adventures and a relatable, down-to-earth element.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify and explore the fascinating history and lore of Mario:
1. What is Mario’s Full Name?
Mario’s full name is Mario Mario, as officially confirmed by Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario. This also indirectly confirms Luigi’s full name as Luigi Mario.
2. Where Was Mario Born?
According to the narrative, Mario was born in Stork World, along with the majority of children in the Mario world.
3. How Did Mario Arrive in the Mushroom Kingdom?
Mario, as a baby, was delivered by a stork to his parents in the Mushroom Kingdom.
4. How Does Mario Travel to the Mushroom Kingdom in the New Film?
In The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Mario travels to the Mushroom Kingdom via a warp pipe.
5. Who Ruled the Mushroom Kingdom Before Princess Peach?
Peach’s parents ruled the Mushroom Kingdom before her, but they passed away when she was a baby. The Toad Minister acted as ruler until Peach was old enough.
6. What Is Bowser Jr.’s Parentage?
Bowser Jr. does not have a mother. In the Mario universe, children may be produced asexually, as Bowser Jr. was.
7. Who is Mario’s Girlfriend?
Originally, Mario’s girlfriend was Pauline, who he rescues in the game Donkey Kong.
8. Who is Luigi’s Girlfriend?
Luigi’s girlfriend is Princess Daisy, the princess of Sarasaland.
9. Are Mario and Wario Related?
No, Mario and Wario are not related. They were childhood friends turned rivals.
10. How Old Is Bowser?
Bowser’s age is not precisely defined, but he appears as a fully grown character since 1985. Based on Bowser Jr.’s debut, Bowser would be around 34 years old.
11. How Old is Bowser Jr.?
Bowser Jr.’s birthdate is given as March 3, 2011.
12. Who Is Older, Mario or Luigi?
Mario is the older brother, although their age difference is very slight.
13. Why Isn’t Yoshi in the Super Mario Bros Movie?
Yoshi’s absence in the movie is likely intentional, potentially suggesting that the green Yoshi resides in another area and has yet to be encountered by Mario during the events of the film.
14. How did Peach End Up in the Mushroom Kingdom?
Peach arrived in the Mushroom Kingdom as a baby and was raised by the Toads, later being crowned princess.
15. Why Is Peach Princess and Not Queen?
While Peach is the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, she is referred to as a princess, as the structure of the Mushroom Kingdom, much like that of the Japanese monarchy, doesn’t recognize female heirs.