ClassicRadar: The many faces of Mario

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A unique look at Nintendo's mascot he'd rather forget

The Donkey Kong Junior Era


Above: This child approves of animal cruelty

Despite Nintendo's official characterization of Mario as a short, fat, round, scared coward in the Junior artwork,once again he ended up even more lost in translation in the home console ports. Perhaps Nintendo got in the console game just to stop Mario from looking so weird.


Above: Is that Mario or Snidely Whiplash?Also, why is he referred to as "little Mario?"


Above: Fisher-Price Mario taunts handicapped monkey, news at 11:00


Above: Mario is Gargamellian in his evil here

The only real constant is that Mario’s a total dick and Jr often looks more mentally handicapped than childlike. But none can compare to this nextpiece of merchandise for sheer incompetence at drawing Mario.

Above: Is the puzzle how this got on the cover?(Image fromsteverd.com)


Special Bonus Weirdness

Even that puzzle book at least got Mario’s outfit right, while this commercial seemed to just assume what the villain of the game looked like after playing it for a second and then spinning around in a circle five times. Still, this live action recreation has some cute, surrealistic touches, even if Mario’s a Carnival Barker for some reason.


Above: Save Papa!

Henry Gilbert
Henry Gilbert

Henry Gilbert is a former GamesRadar+ Editor, having spent seven years at the site helping to navigate our readers through the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation. Henry is now following another passion of his besides video games, working as the producer and podcast cohost of the popular Talking Simpsons and What a Cartoon podcasts.