Character Profile: Mario

Remember, this is not actual information about SSB4.  This is just what I would like to see.

Character Profile:  Mario

Background

As Nintendo's mascot, Mario has appeared in more video games than any other character in history.  As such, it can be hard to pair down what his most important adventures are, especially since he has produced so many spinoffs.

Originally known as "Jumpman," Mario first appeared in Donkey Kong, saving his girlfriend Pauline from the titular gorilla.  While appearing as a carpenter in his first few games, it wasn't until Mario Bros. that his position as a plumber was solidified.  Mario and his brother Luigi traveled into the sewers to stop rampaging creatures, including turtles.

This concept spun off into Super Mario Bros., creating the biggest video-game franchise ever.  Here, the now-common formula was established, in which Mario would travel across the Mushroom Kingdom to save Princess Peach from the king of the Koopas, Bowser.  Mario's adventures continued in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels (a.k.a., the Japanese Super Mario Bros. 2), Super Mario Bros. 3, and Super Mario World, which each contained similar side-scrolling action.  There was also the American version of Super Mario Bros. 2 that was actually a remake of a Japanese-only game called Doki Doki Panic, which strayed from the basic plotline, yet introduced many important elements to the series.

Mario pioneered 3D gaming with Super Mario 64, which found him traveling around Princess Peach's Castle, able to enter other worlds via paintings.  The 3D platformer games continued with Super Mario Sunshine and the Super Mario Galaxy games.  Meanwhile, Mario returned to his 2-D roots with the New Super Mario Bros. series.

Mario also made way for many other franchises, such as the Mario Kart series, the Mario Party series, the Mario Sports series, the portable Super Mario Land series, the various RPGs (Super Mario RPG, Paper Mario, and Mario & Luigi), the Dr. Mario puzzle series, and new character-centric franchises for Donkey Kong, Yoshi, and Wario.

As you can see, it might be difficult to take all of these appearances and boil them down into one fighter, but fortunately, Mario has remained pretty consistant throughout all of his games.

Special Moves

B - Fireball

Origin:  Super Mario Bros. (1985)

Mario's ability to throw fireballs has been one of his most recurring special moves.  While Mario usually has to appear in "Fire Mario" mode to throw the flames, Mario was able to use the ability regularly in Super Mario RPG, the Mario & Luigi series, and, of course, the Smash Bros. series, suggesting that the power is so common to him that he no longer requires the Fire Flower's assistance.

Up B - Super Jump Punch

Origin:  Super Mario Bros. (1985)

Mario's signature jumping ability is a classic, combined with the pose and the manifestation of coins generating from the enemy/object hit.

Side B - Hammer

Origin:  Donkey Kong (1981)

The Hammer became Mario's signature weapon throughout the various RPG games.  Unlike Kirby's Hammer, which swings from side to side, Mario would swing it over his head down on the enemy, similar to the Hammer item (although it wouldn't be repeatedly).  I feel that this weapon is more representative of Mario than his cape, which he only really used in Super Mario World.

Down B - Raccoon Tail

Origin:  Super Mario Bros. 3 (1988)

Mario will become Raccoon Mario with a swing of his tail (which can also be used to reflect projectiles).  Also, when Mario has his tail out, he can add a few extra jumps, glide when jumping from a running start, and slow down his descent.  This wouldn't be a complete character transformation (like Zelda into Sheik), but rather a weapon Mario can bring out and put away (like F.L.U.D.D.).  Again, I felt that this is a more iconic ability for Mario to have, especially since it resurfaced in the recent games Super Mario Land 3D and New Super Mario Bros. 2.

Final Smash - Mario Finale

Origin:  Super Smash Bros. Brawl (2008) 

Originating from Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Mario's flame attack would be similar to its original appearance, although if it is supposed to be based on his Ultra Flame attack from Super Mario RPG, then it should have the option of making the flame bigger and wider by repeatedly tapping the A button.

Alternate Costumes

Dr. Mario

Origin:  Dr. Mario (1990)

As I said before, Dr. Mario doesn't need to be a separate character, just a costume.  The only aesthetic changes would be that Mario's Fireball attack would become Megavitamins, like in Melee.  Yes, Mario has very many outfits and powerups, but I would rather save things like that for items, rather than costumes.

All-Stars Mario

Origin:  Super Mario All-Stars (1993)

For most characters, I am only planning on including one alternate costume, but Mario is special, so he gets an extra one after all the other costumes are unlocked.  This would be his tuxedoed appearance from the cover-art of Super Mario All-Stars.  It would pair nicely with Peach's white "wedding dress" outfit.