Why did Nintendo choose an Italian plumber?
Nintendo chose an Italian plumber as the main character, Mario, because the game’s creator, Shigeru Miyamoto, wanted a character that was relatable and not a superhero, and the game’s underground setting led to the decision to make him a plumber, with his Italian nationality being attributed to his mustache and influenced by Minoru Arakawa’s encounter with Mario Segale, an American businessman of Italian descent. The choice of an Italian plumber was also influenced by western influences and the desire to create a character that was different from the typical Japanese characters commonly found in video games at the time.
Introduction to Mario’s Character
Creation and Evolution
The character of Mario was created by Shigeru Miyamoto and first appeared in the arcade game Donkey Kong in 1981 as a carpenter, but later evolved into a plumber in the game Mario Bros. in 1983, with his Italian nationality and plumber profession becoming an iconic part of his character.
FAQs
1. Why is Mario an Italian plumber?
Mario is an Italian plumber because of the game’s underground setting and the desire to create a relatable character that was not a superhero.
2. Who inspired the creation of Mario?
The creation of Mario was inspired by Shigeru Miyamoto’s desire to create a relatable character, and his Italian nationality was influenced by Minoru Arakawa’s encounter with Mario Segale.
3. What is the significance of Mario’s mustache?
Mario’s mustache was a key factor in his Italian nationality, as it was seen as a stereotypical Italian characteristic.
4. Is Mario still a plumber?
According to Nintendo, Mario is no longer a plumber, but rather a character with various interests and professions.
5. Why did Nintendo choose an Italian character?
Nintendo chose an Italian character because of the desire to create a character that was different from the typical Japanese characters commonly found in video games at the time.
6. What is the origin of Mario’s name?
The name Mario is of Italian origin, meaning “manly“, and was chosen because of its simplicity and recognizability.
7. Is Luigi an Italian name?
Yes, Luigi is an Italian name, meaning “renowned warrior“, and is derived from the German name Ludwig.
8. Why is Wario a plumber?
Wario is a plumber because he is Mario’s rival and was created to be a contrasting character to Mario.
9. What is Yoshi’s species?
Yoshi is a fictional dinosaur species that appears in Nintendo games.
10. Why is Daisy not in Mario games?
Daisy is not in most Mario games because she is the princess of Sarasaland, not the Mushroom Kingdom.
11. What is Dr. Mario?
Dr. Mario is a puzzle game series created by Nintendo, where Mario plays the role of a doctor.
12. Why did Dr. Mario end?
Dr. Mario World ended because it did not attract enough players to be worth continually operating.
13. What is Luigi’s profession?
Luigi is a plumber, just like his brother Mario, and was created to be a contrasting character to Mario.
14. Is Mario Greek or Italian?
Mario is an Italian name, but it has Greek and Latin roots, meaning “manly“.
15. Who is Luigi’s girlfriend?
Daisy is Luigi’s girlfriend in the Super Mario Bros. film, but this is not considered part of the official Mario canon.